Due to my current situation, I compose and mix solely on headphones. I know there are varying opinions on whether this is a good idea or not, but essentially I have no other options at this time. So I need to make the best of it.
I'm currently using Sennheiser HD25SP headphones, but I know these are fairly 'bass heavy' and I'm struggling to get a good mix from them.
From reading online I think I need 'open back' headphones - I know these leak a little more sound, but I'm OK with that. I don't run headphones loud (I have tinnitus from too many years drumming), and I rarely play with other people in the same room.
I'm currently thinking AKG K701 / K702 - and that is about my price limit (£100-£150 ish).
Anyone out there with experience of these - are they as good as people say?
I'm concerned my Focusrite Scarlett Solo may not be 'powerful' enough to drive these (many reviews say they need a good headphone amp) - but as I don't tend to run them loud, will the Focusrite be enough?
Are there any other options (in a similar price range) I should be considering? Beyerdynamic DT990's get similar reviews, but they are even higher impedance (so may be more of a problem without a headphone amp)?
 
Any thoughts / advice would be greatly appreciated.... 
 
Thanks

Kirk's with sonar works template

I recently bought the Sonarworks Headphone Calibration software:  http://sonarworks.com/headphones/overview/
 
I'm pretty happy with it, basically they've tested a couple dozen headphone models and set up compensation for the "flavour" that each model brings.  Ideally, this gives you a flat response.
 
That covers the EQ component of headphones.  There's also the panning issue, since you're hearing each side of the stereo field in isolation, which wouldn't happen with monitors in a room.  I've also started using Waves NX- Virtual Room, to compenstate for THAT failing:  http://www.waves.com/plugins/nx#introducing-nx-virtual-mix-room
 
Using both of these in my Master FX Bin, i'm pretty happy with the results.
 
FYI, I use Beyerdynamic 990Pro headphones through a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2.

Hi there,
             All I can say is I have not long bought a pair of open back headphones for the first time and was totally blown away with the difference. Its like the music is near your ears but not right in there, its a far more natural sound. For the first few days I just listened to my favorite music with them and it was great. They do bleed a lot of noise (at least mine do), something to consider. I know you said it wasn't a problem
 
I have the akgK240, thereabout £50 so would save yourself £50 or so.  I have loved them so far. Am fairly new to home recording etc so my opinion probably isn't worth much.
 
cheers 

When I was shopping for headphones, I studied frequency response graphs and finally picked Sennheiser HD558
 

Which is seems closer to HD650

than the more expensive HD 598

 
AKG 702 is fine, but brighter with less low-end
 

 
Also, get a demo of
http://www.toneboosters.com/tb-morphit/
study compensation curves, make your choice.

Vastman
Kirk's with sonar works template

I just picked up my third pair of KRKs (the KNS 8400s) for about $90.00 at Amazon. They are very comfortable for long time wear on the ears, sound very clear, and are as Vastman mentions, frequently show up in standard reference software packages as one of the template or standard headphones - which is convenient.

Thanks all for your thoughts - very useful....
Sonarworks software looks very interesting - don't think they have an exact plugin for my current headphones but I'll download the trial and see what it sounds like anyway... Is it worth paying the extra to buy my new headphones from them to have the 'individual calibration'? I can see it might make a small difference, but I'm thinking that might be a 'step too far' for an average home musician?
I'll also try a demo of the TB Morphit software - it will be interesting to see if this can do the same job (at a lower price)
You mention using Beyerdynamic 990Pro with a 2i2 interface - I assume you've not noticed any issues needing a headphone amplifier - that's very encouraging!
I'll read up on the AKG240 - could be a good option
Thanks for highlighting the Sennheiser HD558 - I have always been impressed by Sennheiser products, so I'm very interested in those - I agree the response graph looks very impressive (especially for the price).
I'll do some more reading on the KRK headphones - I've just read a couple of reviews and I'm not sure they are for me. I've read they are very good at replicating the KRK monitors, and are very good for EDM type music (bass heavy) - not sure if that's what I'm looking for. Also they're closed back which goes against other recommendations I've read - but on the other hand is an added bonus if they can produce a good 'reference' sound without audio leakage....
 
Really appreciate the advice, insight and ideas - very helpful.... Looking forward to spending my Christmas money soon :)

paulf707
I'm currently thinking AKG K701 / K702 - and that is about my price limit (£100-£150 ish).
Anyone out there with experience of these - are they as good as people say?
 

100% positive-would-buy-again-right-away for K702. I use it a lot, it is comfortable, sounds very well balanced but you can also use it like an acoustic magnifying glass. It's amazing what it reveals ...
 
FYI, I bought the K702 5 years ago when it was 3 times the price (still worth every penny IMHO), after extensively testing it against the AKG K-701, AKG K-271 and the Beyerdynamic DT-880.
 
The K-702 felt like a siginificant step up from the K-701. The K-271 I kept for tracking, it's not something you want to wear for long editing sessions ... and I did not like the Beyerdynamic at all (but that may be because I have used AKG reference headphones for more than 20 years ... they sound superb and last for ages ... I still got one that is 25 yrs old, still sounding better than most of what you can buy in todays HiFi stores)
 
 

I use these el cheapo open back for mixing:
https://www.amazon.com/Superlux-681-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B002GHIPYI
 
They are $33.00.  Then I add the Sonarworks generic curve for those headphones.  It works for me.
 
Without Sonarworks, they are boomy...
 
 

using sony mdr-7506 with the sonarworks plugin here, though i wish the tb plugin had arrived a bit earlier to save some moolah!