Favorite Headphones

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.

YloopZ · 2022-05-20T09:21:07.649Z

Sorry wrong thread

sezare56 · 2022-09-05T05:37:03.454Z

Anybody tried these ?

image863×715 191 KB

bamfsound – 20 Oct 18

In-Depth Review: YAXI Comfort Earpads for HD25 | BAMFSOUND

We field test and review Yaxi Earpads new "Comfort" style replacement earpads, made in Japan, for Sennheiser's HD25 headphones.

Est. reading time: 3 minutes

slawa_soloma · 2022-09-05T06:38:18.614Z

Had these on my HD-25! Makes the HD25 more comfortable and has better isolation and better Bass extension. Sold my HD25 because I found a better solution for DJing.

sezare56 · 2022-09-05T06:51:03.221Z

slawa_soloma:

I found a better solution for DJing

Which is ? My HD25 are probably 25yo, seem to have lost bass, I wonder if I should buy new pads (mine are dead) or another pair of closed headphones like DT 770 80 ohm (I just ordered a DT 990 for mixing).

slawa_soloma · 2022-09-05T07:06:32.550Z

I have some AIAIAI headphones with the S02mk2 drivers for DJing and as daily drivers (with the BT headband) they are really good for monitoring and beatmatching. Bought some S05MK2 drivers for the studio and some Alcantara Pads and they are more tha suitable for mixing as they translate very good on other systems. I don’t like the beyerdynamic at all because they have an 80s Sound signature and don’t translate as well as other solutions.

slawa_soloma · 2022-09-05T07:08:14.244Z

I have a pair of Phonon SMB-02 and they are the holy grail of headphones for Mastering and Sound Design but I can’t mix on them because they are too accurate and detailed in the whole frequency range