As a nocturnal producer, I use my Rytm almost exclusively with headphones. Mostly Rytm only and direct, without a mixer. My trusted AudioTechnica m50’s have breathed their last recently and I want to invest in a new pair of closed backs.
I specifically need headphones to be as neutral and revealing as possible in the bass frequencies at a LOW volume. This specific aspect is rarely discussed in reviews, so looking for some peer experiences. Budget is flexible.
The Focal Listen Pro is my only real contender so far, because it seems to perform good at low levels (plus I love my Elegia for listening).
So, I’d love to get some suggestions and advice on quality, closed back, low-volume excellence cans.
Thanks…
Any good headphones should be good at a low volume right? I’ve never heard anything like what you seem to be indicating that certain headphones somehow perform differently at low levels.
I recently got a pair of Beyerdynamic dt770 80ohm and love them. I use them with my RYTM directly and they get both loud and not, though they are a little harder to drive than mdr-7506 for the rytm.
I have quite sensitive hearing so I naturally listen on low volume and I really like my Sennheiser HD650s. They are very detailed and neutral although they are a bit light on bass
Well, it’s a thing with my DT990s (open back, 250 Ohm). I have to play them loud to get a good idea of the stereo field and then it overwhelms a little on everything below appr. 90 Hz. So there are differences, but I don’t know what drives them. That’s why I’m zooming in on that specific aspect.
I know that thread, thanks anyway. Will check out the Sony’s as well!
I use dt1990, and they are low on bass volume, but the impulse response is very very good, drum transients … i would recommend them, i use them mostly at low volume too.
Yes, i make rolling /driving techno too - i fix it with sonarworks, to get it neutral - but actually i prefer that it is light on the bass department, i have them since a few years, and once you know where the sweetspot is - its not neccessary for monitoring, i just check it during mixing. For overall listening you get accustomed to them - and they are really comfortable - this is also a thing - i can use them for long periods of time.
In the end I decided on the Ollo S4R headphones. It seems that they are a little under the mainstream radar, but every single review I found was very positive, so I took the dive.
I would have preferred a little tighter fit, as you can’t adjust it, but the sonics blow me away.
The issue that I have with my other headphones is that I feel that I need to turn up the overall volume to hear the lows good enough to get my bass rights. Not with the Ollo: even if I turn the level down to “barely audible”, I can still distinguish the bass very well. All other frequency ranges are neutral to my ears, but I still have to see how the mixes translate. Given the reviews, again, I think this should be fine.
I did not expect to choose these headphones, but for now happy that I did.
i got the akg k371
no problem in the bass department neither are quiet, good transients too
closed back… the got a kinda tight fit on my head but not so much, just to remind me to let my ears take a breather
for me its more important to enjot making my shit while i do it, so thats why i chose them as they are closer to the harman curve i believe
I also got the Ollo S4R headphones. They are great but my ears get tired pretty fast in them. Maybe it is because there is a lot of juice in them =) Have to have the Rytm volume very low when using them.
I also have the DT770, 80 ohm & DT990, 250 ohm.
I definitely use the DT990 with open backs the most because I can sit longer with them for some reason.
I also use sonarworks reference at times with all headphones to check.
But I would say they are all good , and maybe it is because I had the DT990´s the longest I feel the most comfortable with them.
I also have the DT990’s 250 and agree with you. Very comfortable to wear for extended periods of time. However it’s with those that I have to play them loud to hear what the sub bass is doing. How is your experience with this?
It’s the main reason for me for adding a good pair of closed backs.
I have the same experience with the bass. And that is why I got some other pairs to be able to hear when it is time.
But when jamming out in the night in headphones, I think I actually don’t need mega bass , and find it more important to not get ear fatigued.
I don’t make crucial mixing decisions in that scenario anyways
The Ollo’s are nice I think , and you will definitely don’t struggle with volume in them cans.
