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The Ultimate Headphone Thread (Headphoneamps added)

ghostnote

ghostnote

Vincit qui se vincit.
I've noticed that headphone threads keep poping up periodically and thought it would be nice to have one thread with lots of infos about headphones and links to those older threads. I hope this is useful.

Headphone Comparisons, Reviews and other useful Articles:
https://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan10/a ... phones.htm
https://headphonescout.com/best-for-stud ... ng-mixing/
https://productionadvice.co.uk/headphones-mixing/
https://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle- ... n-2-6-4-13
https://www.sonicsense.com/blog/category ... eadphones/
https://www.sonicsense.com/blog/category ... eadphones/
(broken link removed)
https://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug07/a ... 0807_3.htm
https://recording.de/Magazin/Testbericht ... ml#article (German)
https://www.bonedo.de/artikel/einzelansi ... tudio.html (German)
https://www.delamar.de/video-workshops/kopfhoerer-unterschied-offen-geschlossen-halboffen-8677/ (https://www.delamar.de/video-workshops/k ... ffen-8677/) (German)
_________________________________________________________________

Recommended Studio Headphones:

Open-Back:
-Sennheiser HD 600/650:
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Dynami ... B00004SY4H
https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-9969-H ... B00018MSNI
Frequency response: https://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID (https://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompar ... =0&graphID)[]=853&graphID[]=573&scale=30
How the HD650 sound: https://soundcloud.com/sonic-sense-pro- ... hones-test

Tip: If you go with the HD600, be sure to get the (better) 650 cables: https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Cable ... B0028PGXRE

-AKG K702/K712:
https://www.amazon.com/AKG-K702-Headphones/dp/B001RCD2DW
https://www.amazon.com/AKG-K712-Pro-Mast ... B00E4WXWBE
Frequency response: https://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID (https://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompar ... =0&graphID)[]=2621&graphID[]=4163&scale=30
How the K 702 sound: https://soundcloud.com/sonic-sense-pro- ... hones-test
How the K 712 sound: https://soundcloud.com/sonic-sense-pro- ... hones-test

-AKG K612:
https://www.amazon.com/AKG-Pro-Audio-K61 ... 00DCXZY1W/
Frequency response: https://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID (https://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompar ... =0&graphID)[]=3591&scale=30

Tip: The K601 and K612 share the same sound signature.

-Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro:
https://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-DT-8 ... B001B1QENY
Frequency response: https://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID (https://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompar ... =0&graphID)[]=963&scale=30
How the DT 880 Pro sound: https://soundcloud.com/sonic-sense-pro- ... hones-test
How the DT 880 Premuim 250 Ohm sound: https://soundcloud.com/sonic-sense-pro- ... hones-test

Tip: The main differences between the Pros and the Premiums are the cables (premium = straight, pro = coiled) and the clamping force (pro is tighter).

Closed-Back:
-Focal Spirit Professional:
https://www.amazon.com/Focal-Spirit-Prof ... B00EXO8Y3Y

-Audio Technica ATH M-50 and M-50x:
https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT ... B00HVLUR86
https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT ... B000ULAP4U
Frequency response: https://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID (https://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompar ... =0&graphID)[]=4313&graphID[]=2941&scale=30
How the ATH-M50x sound: https://soundcloud.com/sonic-sense-pro- ... hnica-m50x

-Shure SRH-840:
https://www.amazon.com/Shure-SRH840-Prof ... B002DP8IEK
Frequency response: https://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID (https://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompar ... =0&graphID)[]=913&scale=30

Audio Examples by www.sonicsense.com. Here's the source track:
https://soundcloud.com/sonic-sense-pro- ... urce-track
_________________________________________________________________

Recommended Headphone Amps:

-O2(+ODAC):
https://www.jdslabs.com/products/35/obje ... amplifier/
https://www.jdslabs.com/products/48/o2-odac-combo/

-Lake People G103(mid-fi) and G109(hi-fi):
(broken link removed)
(broken link removed)
(broken link removed)
(broken link removed)

https://violectric-usa.com/headphone-amplifiers

-Violectric HPA V200:
(broken link removed)
_________________________________________________________________

Headphone Websites and measurements:
https://www.head-fi.org/
https://www.headphone.com/
https://www.headfonia.com/
https://www.innerfidelity.com/
https://en.goldenears.net/
https://www.changstar.com/

Mixing on Headphones:
https://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan07/a ... phones.htm
https://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec03/a ... phones.htm
https://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr08/a ... 0408_4.htm
https://music.tutsplus.com/tutorials/mix ... udio-16563
https://www.musicradar.com/news/tech/mon ... ing-574584
https://www.musicradar.com/tuition/tech/ ... nes-574265
https://www.audio-issues.com/music-mixin ... anslation/
https://thestereobus.com/2012/03/26/mixing-with-headphones-avoiding-disaster/ (https://thestereobus.com/2012/03/26/mixi ... -disaster/)
(broken link removed)
https://www.rhythmic.ca/music-tutorials/mixing/articles/how-to-mix-with-headphones.html (https://www.rhythmic.ca/music-tutorials/ ... hones.html)
https://www.emusician.com/mics/0821/roun ... nes/133927

Software for mixing on Headphones:
https://www.toneboosters.com/tb-isone/ (~25$)
https://www.fluxhome.com/products/plug_ins/ircam_hear-v3 (~69$)
https://www.112db.com/redline/monitor/ (69$)
https://www.supremepiano.com/product/head.htm (49$)

Do I need a Headphoneamp?:
You probably won't need an Headphoneamplifier, if your Headphones have an Ohm value of 30-40. If your Headphones have a higher value, then they will definetely benefit from good amplification.
https://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug07/a ... 0807_3.htm
https://www.innerfidelity.com/content/ul ... i-need-one
https://www.headphone.com/pages/do-my-he ... dphone-amp
https://www.goodcans.com/HeadphoneReviews/Reviewss/HeadphoneAmp101.html (https://www.goodcans.com/HeadphoneReview ... mp101.html)
https://nwavguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/hea ... ained.html

V.I. Control Headphone Threads:
https://www.vi-control.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=35032
https://www.vi-control.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21202&
https://www.vi-control.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22968&
https://www.vi-control.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26190&
https://www.vi-control.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=25932&
https://www.vi-control.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27242&
https://www.vi-control.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=27294&
https://www.vi-control.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=28826&
https://www.vi-control.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=33234&

Note: Keep in mind that everyone has his own listening preferences. A headphone that is known to be harsch or sibilant can be pleasant to other listeners. Same goes for comfort. Compare the Headphones in a Shop.

happy listening!
Click to read more...
 
Great idea this thread Michael. Thanks.

I hadn't thought about creating a virtual space tailored-made for headphones that recreated the perfect studio. It makes absolute sense.

Still, I doubt it is a perfect solution but, it definitely beats having to mentally compensate for the shortcomings of mixing on headphones.

o-[][]-o
 
Re: The Ultimate Headphone Thread

I love it when someone generously makes a comprehensive post like this. Sometimes you can spend litterally an hour searching threads. You save me time - then you saved me something priceless.

Thanks! =o
 
Re: The Ultimate Headphone Thread

Thanks for putting together the list Michael, I'm sure quite a few people will find this useful.

synapse21 @ Thu Dec 12 said:
Don't leave out the new Focal Spirit Professional headphones!
Click to expand...

Yes, I too have heard great things about the new Focal Spirit Pro - in fact I just put in an order for a pair and will receive them tomorrow. In case anyone's interested I'll post my findings (and a comparison to DT770 and K701 amongst others) after I've had a chance to use them for a while.
 
Thanks Guys. I've to admit I had an eye on the HD800, but now I think my next headphones will be those Focals. I mean they are closed, they cost much less than the Senns and seem to sound very good. Would be really nice if you could post a comparison Mihkel, especially against the K-701.
 
Great thread, Michael, it should be pinned on top.

Michael Chrostek @ Thu Dec 12 said:
Thanks Guys. I've to admit I had an eye on the HD800, but now I think my next headphones will be those Focals. I mean they are closed, they cost much less than the Senns and seem to sound very good. Would be really nice if you could post a comparison Mihkel, especially against the K-701.
Click to expand...

Focals are closed, while HD800/K701 are open-back (more suitable for mixing by default), so I'm not sure if they're comparable.

Here's a thread with a lot of info on Focals, pretty much hi-fi oriented though. Some thoughts from a Focal representative:

SRH940 : it seems like the 940 has a big peak somewhere in the high-end and over-pronounced the 'S' on a lot of vocals that I know don't need de-essing (using tracks I know and was there during the recording and mixing process) also - to me, seems the 940 missed some sub-frequencies (below 80 or so)

HD650 (I didn't get to hear the 600 recently) : the Spirit Pro has definitively better bass definition and punch than the 650

Beyer DT880 : very good headphones and overall response is the closest to the Spirit Pro that I heard amongst a lot of headphones. However, Spirit Pro is sealed and a lot easier to drive, is a tad more dynamic and detailed in the high-end, and has detachable cables, and is more compact (if that matters)
Click to expand...
 
mark812 @ Thu Dec 12 said:
Great thread, Michael, it should be pinned on top.

Michael Chrostek @ Thu Dec 12 said:
Thanks Guys. I've to admit I had an eye on the HD800, but now I think my next headphones will be those Focals. I mean they are closed, they cost much less than the Senns and seem to sound very good. Would be really nice if you could post a comparison Mihkel, especially against the K-701.
Click to expand...

Focals are closed, while HD800/K701 are open-back (more suitable for mixing by default), so I'm not sure if they're comparable.

Here's a thread with a lot of info on Focals, pretty much hi-fi oriented though. Some thoughts from a Focal representative:

SRH940 : it seems like the 940 has a big peak somewhere in the high-end and over-pronounced the 'S' on a lot of vocals that I know don't need de-essing (using tracks I know and was there during the recording and mixing process) also - to me, seems the 940 missed some sub-frequencies (below 80 or so)

HD650 (I didn't get to hear the 600 recently) : the Spirit Pro has definitively better bass definition and punch than the 650

Beyer DT880 : very good headphones and overall response is the closest to the Spirit Pro that I heard amongst a lot of headphones. However, Spirit Pro is sealed and a lot easier to drive, is a tad more dynamic and detailed in the high-end, and has detachable cables, and is more compact (if that matters)
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Thanks mark. :)

You're right, it's hard to compare them, but I really like what I hear about the Focals. An allrounder for both, mixing and personal listening would be very cool. I was also considering the SRH1540, but they cost twice as much as the Focals and seem to be incompatible with my head.
 
Re: The Ultimate Headphone Thread

Very generous post, many thanks (happy Beyer 770 user here) o-[][]-o

.
 
Re: The Ultimate Headphone Thread

Great thread Michael, thanks! I'm definitely going to give Spirit Pro a try.

W
 
I called a great engineer friend. He said that in terms of comfort and that when he listens through them , he says, "That's my mix!" for him it i s the ATH M-50.
 
Michael Chrostek @ Thu Dec 12 said:
Thanks Guys. I've to admit I had an eye on the HD800, but now I think my next headphones will be those Focals. I mean they are closed, they cost much less than the Senns and seem to sound very good. Would be really nice if you could post a comparison Mihkel, especially against the K-701.
Click to expand...

I just did a short session comparing the Focal SP to DT770 and K701. Focal recommends a healthy burn-in time so I won't go into too much
detail at this time and will just offer a quick first impression:

- These headphones haven't quite figured out whether they want to be circumaural or supra-aural. The cups are a bit smaller than those
of a true circumaural headphone and they will sit on your ears to some degree, unless you have really small ears. I usually find supra-aural
headphones a bit uncomfortable due to the pressure they place on the ear, and Focal have recognised this problem - the cups are made
from Memory Foam. It works well to reduce pressure on the ears, but still I wouldn't call them the most comfortable headphones in the world.

- The first thing I noticed about the overall sound was how astonishingly close they sound to my Focal Solo 6 speakers.
After having listened to a couple of reference mixes, I think I could mix on these headphones with minimal difficulty, due to the familiar sound.

- Compared to the DT770:
Focals have a more refined, tighter low end, while still having quite a bit of punch. The overall sound has more presence and feels a lot more
in-your-face on the Focals. The phantom center feels especially close. I can hear more detail in the background elements on the Focals.

- Comparing them to K701 is indeed a bit difficult, as the designs are radically different, but there are also some similarities. The Focals
feel a bit more low & mid-heavy , whereas K701 have a lot more high end. A string orchestra recording through the K701 has noticable air
around the instruments, which almost disappears when switching to the Focals. The K701 sound more crisp, almost harsh. The Focal SP sound
smoother. They both share a present and close sound, though.

Overall, I'm happy with the Focal Spirit Pro's and will keep them as a secondary mix tool. The lows are very well defined and tight, not
overpowering at any point. The mids are a little forward. The highs are smooth. The soundstage and instrument separation is excellent.
It's really easy to spot any problematic muddiness in the mix. I do think that perhaps if used as the only mix tool one could potentially
mix things a bit too harsh and hi-end heavy to compensate for the especially smooth high end. Aside from that I think they can be a very
valuable mix evaluation tool, very detailed and balanced.


I'll check back in a couple of weeks and let you know how breaking the headphones in has affected the sound.

Cheers
 
Re: The Ultimate Headphone Thread

Thanks for the review. I'm actually looking for a pair of good headphones I can use for mixing until I can get a decent room and studio setup, my AKG K240 is okey, but I would like something that is better. The Focal will probably be my best bet for that price.
 
To throw my 2 cents in the ring... I literally ONLY use headphones for production, mixing, and mastering. Occasionally I reference stuff on a pair of crummy $99 speakers with a subwoofer (to get an idea of a very 'average' and flawed system) but otherwise, it's all headphones for me. The DT-880s are just incredible for that. Superb detail, balance, and comfort. I have been using them since 2007.
 
For mixing I'd say the AKG K701/702 is one of the best in it's pricerange. The Sennheiser HD 600/650 and Beyer Dt 880 are on par, but out of the three the AKG is the most revealing. So I'd say it's best for mixing. I haven't heard the Ath M-50, so I can't comment on it.
 
many thanks for the comparison Mihkel! Sounds good, the only downside would be the small cups, but I have to try it myself. How about dynamics? Looking forward to further impressions.

EastWest Lurker @ Fri Dec 13 said:
I called a great engineer friend. He said that in terms of comfort and that when he listens through them , he says, "That's my mix!" for him it i s the ATH M-50.
Click to expand...

Used them for a while, great phones, punchy and dynamic bass, but not really linear.
 
Michael Chrostek @ Tue Dec 17 said:
many thanks for the comparison Mihkel! Sounds good, the only downside would be the small cups, but I have to try it myself. How about dynamics? Looking forward to further impressions.

EastWest Lurker @ Fri Dec 13 said:
I called a great engineer friend. He said that in terms of comfort and that when he listens through them , he says, "That's my mix!" for him it i s the ATH M-50.
Click to expand...

Used them for a while, great phones, punchy and dynamic bass, but not really linear.
Click to expand...

What does "not really linear." mean Michael?
 
EastWest Lurker @ Tue Dec 17 said:
Michael Chrostek @ Tue Dec 17 said:
many thanks for the comparison Mihkel! Sounds good, the only downside would be the small cups, but I have to try it myself. How about dynamics? Looking forward to further impressions.

EastWest Lurker @ Fri Dec 13 said:
I called a great engineer friend. He said that in terms of comfort and that when he listens through them , he says, "That's my mix!" for him it i s the ATH M-50.
Click to expand...

Used them for a while, great phones, punchy and dynamic bass, but not really linear.
Click to expand...

What does "not really linear." mean Michael?
Click to expand...

"Flat"?
 
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