Favorite Headphones

dcsux · 2021-06-14T08:31:47.833Z

TRAINTRACS:

For mixing, I highly recommend the Ollo HPS S4

Looking for some better headphones for mixing/mastering to step up from my long suffering HD25s.
Really like the look of the S4X.
Love the fact that they offer the upgrade kit from the S4 so that you don’t end up with massive FOMO when they release a new/better version.
I think the main competitor for my cash are the DT-1990 pro.

Slightly stuck on the open vs. Closed back. I think I would like open for the wider soundstage and general comfort. I also get a bit paranoid/claustrophobic if I am completely shut off from the outside world late at night.
I’ve never really owned open backs though.
My understanding is the Ollos are semi open, and that the seal is quite tight is that right?

My main purpose will be for production/mixing/mastering late at night in a bedroom next to my kids room (but with a shut door and solid walls in between).
I don’t think I would be taking them out and about, so I don’t think the bleed will be too much of an issue.
Still not sure though.

Currently considering:

Open:
S4X
DT-1990 pro
Hifiman Sundara

Closed:
S4R
DT-1770 pro
Phonon SmB-02

Interested to hear thoughts.

igtheflig · 2021-06-14T08:36:38.075Z

Curious why not HD600?

slawa_soloma · 2021-06-14T08:39:46.338Z

Buy the Phonons . Best Headphones under 1000€.

dcsux · 2021-06-14T08:44:58.162Z

Yeah, I should have included them. They are definitely in the mix. I have a slightly large bonce though, and am slightly concerned about comfort a have heard they are tight and the headband not that adjustable? Any thoughts on that?

igtheflig · 2021-06-14T09:00:35.129Z

I asked because you’re coming from HD25, so must have some affinity/trust of Sennheiser. I have the HD600 and I love them, I don’t know where my bonce dimensions fall on the spectrum (I wear a M/L bike helmet, if that helps)

The hd600 headband doesn’t clamp me at all. I sometimes forget I am wearing them! Compared to say my Beyerdynamic DT-880, which you are always aware are on your ears.

auditorycanvas · 2021-06-14T10:15:57.439Z

If you happen to use Sonarworks/SoundID, Sonarworks have a 48hr sale on calibrated HD650s.

Sonarworks

SoundID Reference software calibrates your speakers and studio headphones, so you can trust that every mix will translate.

Castor · 2021-06-14T11:35:33.611Z

Neumann NDH-20

dcsux · 2021-06-14T21:01:14.963Z

Thanks! Useful to know.
I use a bit of a weird hybrid set up, and often software isn’t at the end of my chain, so I’m keen for something as flat as possible without the need for software correction.
The final polish is done ITB though.

Castor:

Neumann NDH-20

Hmm. Hadn’t checked these out , but yep. Another set in the running…

Cepheid · 2021-06-14T21:07:58.495Z

Thinking about picking up some Sony MDR 7506 to see how they compare to Beyerdynamic DT770. I keep hearing how they deliver a solid sound quality and flat response, plus they’re cheap.

Fin25 · 2021-06-14T21:25:39.349Z

They do have a nice flat response, if just a smidge on the trebbly side. They definitely lack oomph in the bass though, but it doesn’t seem to hamper mixing too much. It’s hard, because everything overdoes the bass these days, so the 7506s might get a bit unfairly maligned because they just don’t overdo the bass.

You might want to get the foam upgrades, as they can be a little uncomfortable and hot with the original foam in them.

Gino · 2021-06-14T21:34:36.171Z

I have the Sony MDR V6s and just got a pair of Sennheiser HD 300 pros as an “upgrade” but to my ears the Sony’s are in a different league for clarity and sound stage. The only downside is that they are not the most comfortable set, but to my ears they are the ones to beat.

I am using the 300s just to get used to them, as they need to be worn in. They are good, and comfortable, just surprised how much better the Sony’s sound.

igtheflig · 2021-06-15T13:03:01.415Z

Hey, so, weirdly enough, I just bought some HD25s yesterday (cos I want some small/portable/tough headphones, all mine are big open/semi-open back.) And I have to say, they clamp tighter, and are less comfortable that my HD600.

TRAINTRACS · 2021-06-17T12:35:16.758Z

Yeah the S4X look great. I’ve never heard any of the other headphones on your list aside from the HD-25 so I can’t offer an opinion on how they stack up. With regards to open vs closed, the Ollo S4 is open, and as far as I can tell the design is almost identical to the closed version (S4R), with the sole difference that the closed version uses a solid (rather than perforated) plate on the ear cup. They don’t block out outside noise much at all, so there isn’t much of a ‘seal’ so to speak. This is normal for open backed headphones.

I actually modified my old S4 headphones recently so I can swap between open and closed configurations whenever I want. I designed and 3d printed some magnetic parts so I can switch the panels out. They sound better than expected tbh; no real discernable difference when open, a bit more low end when closed, along with better isolation, but less soundstage. If you do go the Ollo route and fancy a set of these cups, drop me a message.

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dcsux · 2021-06-17T14:18:27.965Z

Cool.
Are you saying that the panels you have made are magnetic?
Won’t this affect the driver function?
Have been doing some more reading Still leaning towards the S4X largely because as mentioned above, correction software not an option in all scenarios for me, and I love the fact that they are easily serviceable and upgradeable.
The first iteration (S4) they offer an upgrade to the new and improved version (and they really did improve quite a few things in the S4X) for ~£150. That’s pretty cool.

TRAINTRACS · 2021-06-17T16:37:17.748Z

They are magnetic, but very weak. The drivers have a much stronger and more concentrated magnetic field, so these little magnets make no difference at all.

I looked at the upgrade a while ago and it looks great, but maybe a bit pricey. The main thing that could affect the sound seems to be that one little piece of foam. Still, I really respect their commitment to making their products maintainable for end users - so many companies actively try to lock things down these days that it’s really refreshing to see this kind of stance. For me, I see “maintainable” as “hackable”, so I’m probably going to keep on fiddling with my S4.

If you want reference quality rather than isolation, the S4X is absolutely what you should go for.

Cepheid · 2021-12-12T16:20:33.049Z

Thinking about picking up the DT880 Pro 250 ohm headphones for mixing duties. Is it required to have a headphone amp to drive these or will my Motu Ultralite MK3 be able to drive them okay? I’ve looked online and most say the amp is required but I’ve heard others claim they work without one, they just won’t get very loud. Thanks!

v00d00ppl · 2021-12-12T16:35:04.422Z

Get a headphone amp for your mixing setup period. You will be able to hear subtle .5dB moves with a headphone amp when doing EQs and Compression.

aMunchkinElfGraduate · 2021-12-12T17:03:10.667Z

Headphone noob talking here, but I just purchased:

audio-technica ATH R70x open back reference headphones.

Prior to that, I made a lot of music on the Digitone using a very cheap, crappy pair of headphones.

The impedance of the ATH R70x is 470 ohms. I initially thought I wanted low impedance headphones to be compatible with other devices. But then I decided that I was mostly plugging into the Digitone and using the DN as an audio interface for my computer.

I read about the “rule of 8”: the output impedance of the Digitone headphone jack is 55 ohms. Multiply by 8, and the ideal headphone impedance is 440.

So far, I love the ATH R70x. They are very comfortable and light. I cannot compare them to any other nice headphones, but the improvement from my old headphones is huge. For my first project with them, I found myself listening to and responding to a lot of detail (such as isolating and eliminating little transients in sounds) that I hadn’t before.

I suspect these headphones cannot stand being thrown around. I am not going to be testing that suspicion, but the lightweight nature of them makes me think they are delicate.

Cepheid · 2021-12-12T22:12:44.713Z

Any amp recommendations for a 250 ohm headphone? Something reasonably priced?

v00d00ppl · 2021-12-12T22:41:43.936Z

Small budget :

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/HP4E--akg-hp4e-4-ch-headphone-amplifier

Medium budget:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/CAN22H--cranborne-audio-n22h-headphone-amp-and-cast-breakout-box

Those two look good, your ears will adjust to either amp and you can then make your listening decisions.