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R/E/P => R/E/P Archives => Budget? Budget? We Don't Got No Steekin' Budjet => Topic started by: John Ivan on May 08, 2006, 12:12:31 PM

Title: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: John Ivan on May 08, 2006, 12:12:31 PM
Hey all,,

I'll be looking for a set of phones. {a few really}. I'm thinking 2 set's of tracking phones, {Harvey's maybe?}.

Also, one set of very very good sounding phones that I can learn. I wont really mix on them but I want then to extend in the low and high end and I want them pretty flat.

I'm willing to spend some real Bucks for the good ones.

What are your opinion's regarding "high end" expensive head phones?

Thanks.

I'm leaving AGAIN for a couple days. I'll check back soon.

Thanks again

JI.............................................
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: trock on May 08, 2006, 08:54:32 PM
Not sure if these qualify but i just bought the new AKG K701's and they are really nice. comfortable, great sound, no ear fatigue anymore like from old sony's.

so i am not sure if these are considered high end but they really did the trick for me

got them at headphone.com too
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Barry Hufker on May 08, 2006, 09:33:38 PM
Your best resource is http:www.headphone.com

I have a pair of Sennheiser 600s.  The Sennheiser 650s are supposed to be even better for high quality listening.

Barry
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Fibes on May 09, 2006, 10:46:21 AM
Barry Hufker wrote on Mon, 08 May 2006 21:33

Your best resource is http:www.headphone.com

I have a pair of Sennheiser 600s.  The Sennheiser 650s are supposed to be even better for high quality listening.

Barry


Yeah, that's what I heard (from others) but I actually like my Sennheiser 580s better. I'm not sure they fare as well for rock as the 600s or 650s but for acoustic stuff the 580s have all the sound without the hype i found in the 600 & 650s.

As always YMMV.

One thing is for sure, they are all very comfortable.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Barry Hufker on May 09, 2006, 10:47:31 AM
I use them for classical and jazz recording.  I find them to be quite true.  I've never heard the 580s.

Barry
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: CHANCE on May 09, 2006, 11:24:38 AM
I got tire of replacing headphones in the studio all the time. I got a bunch of the phones from Harvey quite some time ago, figuring I'd be throwing them away after a short time. Well,,, it's been over 2 years, and these things must be weapons grade, because I haven't thrown any of them away yet and still have a large supply of unused phones ready to replace if any should go bad. If someone steps on them, they bend and don't break. They look cheap, and sound OK, but they take a licking and keep on ticking. (anyone remember that commercial?)
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Fibes on May 09, 2006, 11:44:44 AM
CHANCE wrote on Tue, 09 May 2006 11:24

I got tire of replacing headphones in the studio all the time. I got a bunch of the phones from Harvey quite some time ago, figuring I'd be throwing them away after a short time. Well,,, it's been over 2 years, and these things must be weapons grade, because I haven't thrown any of them away yet and still have a large supply of unused phones ready to replace if any should go bad. If someone steps on them, they bend and don't break. They look cheap, and sound OK, but they take a licking and keep on ticking. (anyone remember that commercial?)


I own a bunch of More Me phones too. They battle it out with my other Koss 20s that cost about the same which aren't quite as robust but are a tad more comfortable for long tracking sessions.

The 580s are for me and me alone.

That said, i have stopped even thinking about buying expensive phones for the artists because they seem to break much faster than the cheap ones and only sound a hair better when cranked.


Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: CHANCE on May 09, 2006, 12:34:48 PM
I just got a couple of PM's inquiring about these Headphones. Contact Harvey. He put them on the market just for that reason. (cheap durable cans)
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: hargerst on May 09, 2006, 05:56:31 PM
You can now buy MoreMe headphones from Fletcher at Mercenary Audio, or Warren at Front End Audio.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: John Ivan on May 09, 2006, 06:44:33 PM
Thanks all for the replies. I'll look into the Sennheiser  600 series cans for me and, yeah, the more me phones look like they will work great. I too got sick of replacing can's every few months and they don't have to sound GREAT for tracking, just good enough.

Thanks again.

JI........................................
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Jack Schitt on May 09, 2006, 07:16:13 PM
I test drove a set of Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO's that were very good. A little more than I wanted to spend right now so I'm sticking with my AKG K240's for now
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Fibes on May 09, 2006, 07:44:57 PM
John,

Don't discount the 580s out of hand, I'm very serious about this.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Vertigo on May 09, 2006, 08:18:25 PM
Has anyone else here used the Extreme Isolation headphones? I'm a big fan. Drummers love them and they also make headphone bleed nonexistent. They impress clients too, who instantly notice the isolation.

They seem to hold up well - I haven't had a pair go out on me yet after using them for two years. Although I think the aforementioned "impressed clients" do tend to be a bit more respectful of the "special headphones".

My only complaint is that they're really uncomfortable for the first few months of use (they clamp onto your head like a giant pair of vise-grip pliers), although I think I've heard that they've made their newer models more comfortable.

The sound quality is ok, good enough for tracking purposes.

-Lance
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: John Ivan on May 10, 2006, 12:34:06 PM
Fibes wrote on Tue, 09 May 2006 18:44

John,

Don't discount the 580s out of hand, I'm very serious about this.



Thanks Kevin. I'll be sure to listen to them. I really want this to be the last set I have to spend a lot of Money on for a WHILE!!. I hope Confused .

Thanks for the tip.

JI............................
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: spoon on May 10, 2006, 04:41:32 PM
Vertigo wrote on Tue, 09 May 2006 19:18

Has anyone else here used the Extreme Isolation headphones? I'm a big fan. Drummers love them and they also make headphone bleed nonexistent. They impress clients too, who instantly notice the isolation.

They seem to hold up well - I haven't had a pair go out on me yet after using them for two years. Although I think the aforementioned "impressed clients" do tend to be a bit more respectful of the "special headphones".

My only complaint is that they're really uncomfortable for the first few months of use (they clamp onto your head like a giant pair of vise-grip pliers), although I think I've heard that they've made their newer models more comfortable.

The sound quality is ok, good enough for tracking purposes.

-Lance




I really like these for drum tracking and the insane-volume AC30 tracking...but they sound pretty bad...muffled AND low bass!  I have to jack up the treble and bass on the phones amp.  No big deal.

Icing on the cake: I dig the air traffic controller look they evoke.

Regards,
spoon
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: trebor_zaid on May 10, 2006, 07:05:45 PM
so which are great headphones for tracking, and which are the ones you give to the producer for listening and the artist for destruction?  Laughing

Should an engineer get like 3 different types of cans? What are you looking for in a pair of tracking cans freq response wise? Do you want a flat response, some rise in some frequencies,....vhat? Vhat ees eet that makes a goot headphone.....GOOT?! Wink Differences between dynamic and condensor headphones,......sheesh I didn't even know there were types like that.

Also, headphone.com although an awesome resource, thanks for the mention, doesn't have, under "by application", studio work. They have 10 Best Headphones, Replacing Cheap Headphones, Traveling, iPod, Exercise, TV, and Audiophile. No Professional or Studio category. Or is that Audiophile?
r

PS: and the areas that might explain all this tech stuff is under construction on headpnone.com's website  Rolling Eyes
r
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: runamuck on May 10, 2006, 08:30:10 PM
Check  out Grado Headphones. I think its difficult to find anything better. Not good for tracking though because they are open backed.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Oliver on May 30, 2006, 09:54:11 PM
Try www.head-fi.org

Some real good info there, and a LOT of useless stuff.

I like the 580s too. 7506s are tough but hyped up top imo.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: hargerst on May 31, 2006, 12:11:31 AM
The high dollar Beyers, Sennheisers, and AKG's are all pretty cool phones for serious listening.  I love the Grados, but I can't tell a damn thing on them; they're too musical to use for evaluating - everything sounds great on the Grados. Even stuff I know is shitty.

For most musicians, the MoreMe's are good enough, and as people have pointed out, they're about as indestructable as your basic cockroaches.  A lot of people prefer the MoreMe's to Sony 7506's and AKG 240's - go figure.

For drummers, we use MoreMe's, the Metrophones, or Studio Kans.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: tom eaton on June 04, 2006, 08:50:15 PM
I find the Beyer DT770pro cans very bright... they have terrific bottom end, no lo-midrange and tons of zing.  The cans I've settled on are the Audio Techinca ATH-M40fs, which sound better than any reasonably priced sealed phone I've tried.  I have Sony 7506s, MDR-V6s, 7509s, AKG240s (which bleed but sound wonderfully warm to me-I pull these out for my overdubs because I don't crank my own headphone mix), and a couple pairs of Senn HD600s kicking around, and though I do love the HD600s for mix checking and general detail qc, they're useless for tracking.  The AT phones get loud, don't distort and can be had for $60-70 each if you look around. I've got five or six pairs of them now, and have only lost one pair in everyday use in five years.  Replacement drivers are $50, so just buy another pair!

-tom
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: John Ivan on June 04, 2006, 09:50:38 PM
I like the 7506's for tracking but they are a few bucks more than I want to spend. I can't imagine blowing them up though!! God, that would be VERY loud.

Thanks for your thoughts.

JI.................................
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Daniel Asti on June 05, 2006, 03:12:14 PM
runamuck wrote on Wed, 10 May 2006 20:30

Check  out Grado Headphones. I think its difficult to find anything better. Not good for tracking though because they are open backed.


I love my Grado's and Senneheiser are my favs.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: hargerst on June 06, 2006, 11:21:57 AM
John Ivan wrote on Sun, 04 June 2006 20:50

I like the 7506's for tracking but they are a few bucks more than I want to spend. I can't imagine blowing them up though!! God, that would be VERY loud.


Yes, but it happens with loud rock bands.  The other common failures with 7506's are broken, unsolderable leads, and the ear covers literally disintegrating.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: odysseys on June 06, 2006, 02:11:35 PM
sony 7509 here.VERY satisfied.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Scratchy Potts on June 06, 2006, 03:49:52 PM
I use the AKG K240`s and know these very well
Im comfortable with them,but! sadly the lead as just about given up on my last pair.

How do the Moreme`s stand in comparison ?
every one seems to rate them quite highly,and im sorta tempted to buy a few pair!....waddya think???
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: hargerst on June 06, 2006, 04:31:00 PM
Scratchy Potts wrote on Tue, 06 June 2006 14:49

I use the AKG K240`s and know these very well
Im comfortable with them,but! sadly the lead as just about given up on my last pair.

How do the Moreme`s stand in comparison ?
every one seems to rate them quite highly,and im sorta tempted to buy a few pair!....waddya think???

The MoreMe's aren't as power hungry as the K240's.  They're not great for critical listening, but they work good for general tracking.

And you can buy some MoreMe's, try them for a while, and if you decide you don't like them, send 'em back for a full refund.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: john.reeve on June 07, 2006, 01:58:26 AM
hargerst wrote on Tue, 06 June 2006 14:31

Scratchy Potts wrote on Tue, 06 June 2006 14:49

I use the AKG K240`s and know these very well
Im comfortable with them,but! sadly the lead as just about given up on my last pair.

How do the Moreme`s stand in comparison ?
every one seems to rate them quite highly,and im sorta tempted to buy a few pair!....waddya think???

The MoreMe's aren't as power hungry as the K240's.  They're not great for critical listening, but they work good for general tracking.

And you can buy some MoreMe's, try them for a while, and if you decide you don't like them, send 'em back for a full refund.


I really thing that the AKG K240 and the more me's are a different kind fo thing.

I don't have the 240s (I prefer my Senn 280s), but my father-in-law has some.  They are nice and seem pretty good for listening to stuff that needs a lot of detail.  They also seemed light and comfy.

I have 5 of the more-mes, and I use them to give to folks when I need a bunch of headphones to hand out to whoever.  Really, what makes them great is that they are nigh on indestructible and aren't very uncomfortible to wear.

But these two sets of phones are different tools. The AKGs  are for when you need detail, and the MMs are for when you just need soemthing to give folks so they can cue.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: hargerst on June 07, 2006, 10:52:48 AM
I agree.  But where else can you find a seller that says, "look, my product isn't all that great."?  As I've said many times, the MoreMe headphones are like the cockroaches of the headphone world.

When I called George Massenburg to see howe he liked his four sets of MoreMe headphones, he replied, "I haven't had a chance to listen to them; they got here, I opened the box and immediately used them for a session.  I haven't listened to them yet."

Maybe I shoulda just called them "AssSaver" headphones.  Cuz that's what they really are.  Are they great headphones? Hell, no.  But they're cheap, loud, and rugged.  

And they'll still keep working when all the expensive phones are sitting in a "fix pile" somewhere in the studio. And that's what they're all about.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: John Ivan on June 07, 2006, 12:53:02 PM
Right Harvey, and that's what I'm lookin' for. They need to sound good enough to not piss the talent off to bad, {mostly, I'm talking about the band, and five or six other guys, and myself, Mostly.}. And I don't want them blowing up so, these sound like it for tracking.

I'll listen to a few top end phones for my ears only. It would be nice if, between the two types, I could be done buying phones for a good five years or so. THAT would be great.

JI.......................
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: RWNorman on July 27, 2006, 12:23:01 PM
Harvey's right about the More Me headphones.  I have several pairs, along with numerous others, and they require the least amount of maintenance, are loud enough to give cues to the players, and don't cost a fortune.  Others in the price range I've purchased (like the ATH 3D) don't cut it in a studio with frustrated musicians, and it's way to expensive to put beyers onto a client's head unless they are in the control room.

I have both beyer DT 990s and 770s in my "fix pile".  The More Me headphones are still ready to grab at a moment's notice.

They do sound a little better, however, when filled.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Fibes on July 27, 2006, 02:53:57 PM
RWNorman wrote on Thu, 27 July 2006 12:23

Harvey's right about the More Me headphones.  I have several pairs, along with numerous others, and they require the least amount of maintenance, are loud enough to give cues to the players, and don't cost a fortune.  Others in the price range I've purchased (like the ATH 3D) don't cut it in a studio with frustrated musicians, and it's way to expensive to put beyers onto a client's head unless they are in the control room.

I have both beyer DT 990s and 770s in my "fix pile".  The More Me headphones are still ready to grab at a moment's notice.

They do sound a little better, however, when filled.


Lookie, more R.A.P. at R/E/P.

Welcome.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Collins on August 02, 2006, 02:27:59 PM
I like my AKG K240M's as well, i was trying to buy a couple
extras....seems they have been discontinued.

Anybody know of a place that still has some?
I've checked my usual places, but no luck so far.

I'd like to stay with 600ohm....seems the newer stuff
is all 55ohm...more computer compatible you know...heh.

Ive looked at the Senns as well and might
give those mentioned a try.
as well as the MoreMe's...thanks Harvey/Chance.

Thanks,
Paul
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Mike P on August 02, 2006, 08:58:25 PM
Wow, I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the Ultrasone line of headphones.  They are absolutely amazing! I've owned everything (AKG K141's, 240DF's, 240m, Sennheiser 600's, AT's, etc.) and I've never heard anything that's even close to the sound of the Ultrasones.  

I have a pair of HFI-550's and a pair of Proline 550's.  They're awesome for tracking.  There's so much clarity and articulation in the bottom end that they sound like studio monitors.  They are also extremely loud and there's no distortion at high volumes.  The HFI's have a little more midrange than the Proline, so vocalists tend to like the HFI's a little more.  I love tracking with the Proline's because I can feel the kick and bass in the phones.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: maarvold on July 23, 2007, 11:55:02 PM
Here's my unscientific (shoot from the hip) report card on headphones:

Sony 7506--suckout in 'warmth & body' region (200-400 Hz); bright & clear but 'skinny'

Fostex T20--darkish... they'll take some punishment.  They seem amplifier-dependant somehow: they sometimes sound good, but sometimes lackluster

AKG 240--generally good tonal balance, won't take a lot of punishment; there have been stories that the drivers are wired out of absolute polarity, meaning that singers--because they also hear themselves physically--will hear their reproduced voice as thin when both sources combine.  Have not confirmed this, but it is a concern.  

Sennheiser 280 Pro--initially liked these a lot.  Great isolation, pretty good tonal balance and probably, in the long term, I will prefer these to any of the headphones listed above.  Bottom not terribly extended, but overall more natural frequency response than he 7506's and Fostex's.  Probably will prefer them to the AKGs as well, but the jury's still out.  Not good enough/flat enough to mix on, but they are fun to listen to.  

Grado 225--used these for years.  Open back so no good for tracking/overdubbing (generally speaking).  The original flat foam earcups are more accurate in the low end than the recessed ones.  Good-sounding & pretty extended in both directions.  Although they served me well at the time, they have been retired for several years, originally replaced by:

Sony MDR-CD3000--pretty great headphones.  Leaning just slightly towards the bright side, they also accentuate sibilance even a tiny bit more than their slight brightness.  Other than that, good, apparantly flat response and very extended on the bottom end, excellent isolation from leakage.  They'll play fairly loud without strain and are extremely comfortable, although a bit big & bulky.  Unfortunately I think they have been discontinued.  

Sennheiser HD600--open backed, these headphones have, by a good margin, the closest tonal balance to my 4 way custom monitoring system (and treated room) on which I have worked incredibly hard.  If you like, and understand, Tannoy Golds with Mastering Lab crossovers, I predict you could comfortably and easily mix a good-sounding record using only these headphones.  Bottom end is quite extended and fairly powerful.  These are my new reference.  Not as comfy as the Sony CD3000s, but close.  I'm pretty sure George Massenburg said he likes these (the Sennheisers)  a lot when he was still hosting a forum here.  I love mine.  
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: calaverasgrandes on July 25, 2007, 10:59:42 PM
For the last like 15 years I have always had a pair of 7506's (or more recently V600's which I am told are the same driver) and a pir of K240's. I use the sonys for tracking/vox/overdubs and the 240's to hear the details in the mix that I am not getting from monitors.  Especially for stereo ear candy and fiddly midrange guitar tone stuff.  Sony's are great in some respects, but the older I get the more that diamond hard treble gets on my nerves.  It is just is little too much. However they just dont break very easy, and have little bleed.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: rollmottle on July 26, 2007, 12:28:07 AM
Barry Hufker wrote on Mon, 08 May 2006 18:33

Your best resource is http:www.headphone.com

I have a pair of Sennheiser 600s.  The Sennheiser 650s are supposed to be even better for high quality listening.

Barry


i love that site. those dudes take their headphones seriously. i have an earlier model of their airhead headphone amp and a pair of Sennheiser HD570s the combination of which sounds killer for casual listening. i had a brief encounter with the beyer 770s during a mix session and they were great reference cans.

i have a pair of AKG240s which i use to give me a more real world view of a mix seeing as they are a little thin on the bottom end and generally pretty even.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: tom eaton on August 20, 2007, 08:07:31 PM
I've sold all my ATHM40s, k240s, 770s, 7506, 7509, k270s  and bought 6 pairs of the AT M50 phones.  They are better sounding to me than any other closed headphone I've ever heard.

I have two pairs of HD600s which generally sit connected to a DAC1 for mix checking (me and producer or client), but every other can in house is now an ATHm50.  

I was VERY surprised at the sound quality of these... they simply kill the M40s I had in regular use here, and are more comfortable, too.

-tom
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: hargerst on August 20, 2007, 11:25:39 PM
How much are they?
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: tom eaton on August 20, 2007, 11:51:56 PM
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ATHM50/
$189.99 at Sweetwater  (Save $9.01 when you buy today!!)

 http://cgi.ebay.com/AUDIO-TECHNICA-ATH-M50-HEADPHONES-ATHM50  -PRO-PHONES_W0QQitemZ230162158043QQihZ013QQcategoryZ3274QQss PageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
$99 new on eBay...

Fairly rugged... not for being thrown to the floor on a daily basis... I deal with "folkies" here... most of 'em have manners and don't just drop them on the floor when they're done.  

 http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/headphones/0edf909675b1be4 d/index.html

tom
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Trumpetman2 on September 03, 2007, 09:22:50 AM
Mike P wrote on Wed, 02 August 2006 20:58

Wow, I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the Ultrasone line of headphones.  They are absolutely amazing! I've owned everything (AKG K141's, 240DF's, 240m, Sennheiser 600's, AT's, etc.) and I've never heard anything that's even close to the sound of the Ultrasones.  

I have a pair of HFI-550's and a pair of Proline 550's.  They're awesome for tracking.  There's so much clarity and articulation in the bottom end that they sound like studio monitors.  They are also extremely loud and there's no distortion at high volumes.  The HFI's have a little more midrange than the Proline, so vocalists tend to like the HFI's a little more.  I love tracking with the Proline's because I can feel the kick and bass in the phones.



Evil or Very Mad WEll...I bought these about a year ago and simply HATED them...they sound "tunnel-like"  maybe mine are defective, but they sound like crap....and at almost $300, I'm not taking another chance on ANY of these... Sad
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Tomas Danko on September 03, 2007, 09:32:29 AM
Trumpetman2 wrote on Mon, 03 September 2007 14:22

Mike P wrote on Wed, 02 August 2006 20:58

Wow, I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the Ultrasone line of headphones.  They are absolutely amazing! I've owned everything (AKG K141's, 240DF's, 240m, Sennheiser 600's, AT's, etc.) and I've never heard anything that's even close to the sound of the Ultrasones.  

I have a pair of HFI-550's and a pair of Proline 550's.  They're awesome for tracking.  There's so much clarity and articulation in the bottom end that they sound like studio monitors.  They are also extremely loud and there's no distortion at high volumes.  The HFI's have a little more midrange than the Proline, so vocalists tend to like the HFI's a little more.  I love tracking with the Proline's because I can feel the kick and bass in the phones.



Evil or Very Mad WEll...I bought these about a year ago and simply HATED them...they sound "tunnel-like"  maybe mine are defective, but they sound like crap....and at almost $300, I'm not taking another chance on ANY of these... Sad


When I auditioned the Ultrasone line it wasn't for me, but I discovered that lesser models sounded more "right" to me compared to the top models. I can clearly see how fatigue will be less of a problem when using these headphones, the difference that way is huge compared to other brands.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Dave Martin on September 03, 2007, 03:31:46 PM
I keep a few different kinds of phones in the studio - Sony 7506's for general use, Fostex T20's since a number of fiddle players don't like the sound of their instrument through Sony's, a pair of GK Ultraphones for drummers (and acoustic guitarist that really live a lot of click in their phones) and a couple of pairs of Harvey's More Me headphones for the deaf guys who have blown up some of my more expensive ones).
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: MikeNice81 on September 19, 2007, 06:02:31 PM
tom eaton wrote on Sun, 04 June 2006 20:50

I find the Beyer DT770pro cans very bright... they have terrific bottom end, no lo-midrange and tons of zing.  The cans I've settled on are the Audio Techinca ATH-M40fs, which sound better than any reasonably priced sealed phone I've tried.
-tom


These are the ones I use for mixing, monitoring, and tracking. I have been forced to mix a whole project on a set of these phones. When I was through mixing I tossed the cd in to a Bose car audio system. The sound coming out in the Bose system was exactly what I expected from the phones. The mix was then tested in a factory Hyundai system. It still translated well and required minimum (no more than 2db of bass, treble, or mid)tone control adjustment.

I wouldn't trade my ATs for any other set of phones out there.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Trumpetman2 on September 22, 2007, 10:20:11 AM
MikeNice81 wrote on Wed, 19 September 2007 18:02

tom eaton wrote on Sun, 04 June 2006 20:50

I find the Beyer DT770pro cans very bright... they have terrific bottom end, no lo-midrange and tons of zing.  The cans I've settled on are the Audio Techinca ATH-M40fs, which sound better than any reasonably priced sealed phone I've tried.
-tom


These are the ones I use for mixing, monitoring, and tracking. I have been forced to mix a whole project on a set of these phones. When I was through mixing I tossed the cd in to a Bose car audio system. The sound coming out in the Bose system was exactly what I expected from the phones. The mix was then tested in a factory Hyundai system. It still translated well and required minimum (no more than 2db of bass, treble, or mid)tone control adjustment.

I wouldn't trade my ATs for any other set of phones out there.


Except for the AT M50s maybe....? Twisted Evil
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: MikeNice81 on October 01, 2007, 11:46:11 AM
Nah, I bought mine less than a year ago for $78. I can't see justifying spending double. Especially when these still work like a champ.

For the last six months mine have been stored in my car trunk when not in use. The are still in like new shape even if the box isn't. I wouldn't want to risk the mojo and durability on something I haven't experienced.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Smalltime on January 18, 2008, 11:57:03 AM
Howdy, first post.
I have two pairs or "More me" esque microphones but under a different branding (sorry Harvey). They are rugged and I find the The volume controls and mono/Stereo switch quite useful. They are also great for getting a feel for how a inexpensive "bookshelf" stereo system might interpret the mix. I paid $18.00 a piece at my local "old timey" electronics shop, probably the best AND the cheapest of the budget ($12-$60)headphones. For more pleasurable listening and fairly honest monitoring I turn to my Fostex T50RP .
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: hargerst on January 18, 2008, 08:31:07 PM
I must tell you, you'd have been better off getting the ones without the volume controls; those will break on you. Other than that, they're the same.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Shalebot on January 31, 2008, 04:06:12 PM
I have a pair of Ultrasone 650's and they're the best cans I've ever used (compared to similarily-priced AKGs and Sennheisers, anyway). I wouldn't recommend them for tracking, though; you'll get a lot of leakage.

No over-hyped bass, just lots of clarity and no fatigue whatsoever.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: pbradt on February 18, 2008, 08:32:35 PM
I love the Grado SR 80s, though you're right, not so great for tracking - I think I damaged my hearing sitting next to the drummer with Grados on. But for mixing and just listening (iPod, etc) they're as good as the old HD-414s, and that's saying something.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Producer - Anvil Records on March 20, 2008, 08:51:55 PM
Is anyone using the ATM50's for tracking ? How are they for leakage?
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: hargerst on March 20, 2008, 09:45:29 PM
I haven't heard the ATM50's yet, but a lotta people that I know sure seem to like 'em.
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: rankus on March 20, 2008, 10:29:38 PM
Producer - Anvil Records wrote on Thu, 20 March 2008 17:51

Is anyone using the ATM50's for tracking ? How are they for leakage?



Awesome for tracking... VERY good isolation, better than most.  And they are quite loud as well.  Great for drummers (no click leakage) great for vocals (no cue leakage).

And they sound great!

Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: tom eaton on March 20, 2008, 11:26:22 PM
6 pairs ATH-M50 here.  I sold all my other tracking phones.  Very happy.

Wait a minute... this is the third year that I've posted in this thread!  

In 2006 I liked the ATH-M40fs, in 2007 (when they started shipping) I bought the ATH-M50s.  In 2008 I still feel like I have exactly what I want.  I've stopped looking for other cans.  Hooray.

tom
Title: Re: Really Great Head Phones
Post by: Producer - Anvil Records on March 27, 2008, 07:47:40 PM
Thanks for the comment, Rankus ... very useful and appreciated...