Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Whch headphones have best vocal balance?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Whch headphones have best vocal balance?

post #1 of 42
10/18/09 at 9:03pm
Thread Starter 
I'm wondering which headphones do you think have the most balanced presentation of vocals within the context of the whole mix. In other words: some headphones may have somewhat recessed vocals, some may have forward vocals, and other maybe get it just right. I'm a singer/songwriter/guitarist who is producing his own recordings, so it's important I get the vocals to sit right in the mix. What do you say? Is it the k701, the hd600, dt250, dt880? My k240DF sound pretty close to perfect to me, but I don't have a good frame of reference. I have relatively cheap speakers which have somewhat recessed vocals compared to the 240DF and the RP21. I'd especially like to hear from those who have a high end set up to use as a frame of reference...ie, good quality speakers or studio monitors. Thanks in advance
Reply
post #2 of 42
10/18/09 at 11:03pm
Of the models you listed, I enjoyed the HD-600 and K-240DF the most with vocals. The DT880 is pretty good, but not in the same class as the HD-600 and K-240DF. I found the K-701 to have a weird, plasticky sound with vocals. That was the primary reason why I didn't like them.

There are a couple others that you might want to look at. The K-501, obviously. It does vocals wonderfully well. Also, the DT48. The DT48 does vocals about as well as any headphone or speaker I've listened to. For the price, they cannot be bettered.

I also love the HD-800, HP-2 and K-1000 for vocals. Those are a little tougher to find and more expensive, but they're sublime.
Reply
post #3 of 42
10/18/09 at 11:10pm
Are you asking in general or are you looking at those specific headphones? If in general, my three favorite headphones: R10s, O2MK1s, and JH13s render vocals, and pretty much every thing else, amazingly well. If you're asking about those specific headphones, I'm a fan of the 600s if given a proper source an amp.
Reply
post #4 of 42
10/18/09 at 11:21pm
Thread Starter 
Uncle Erik: thanks. Just about every vocalist I've listened to with the DF's sounds better with them than they do over my studio monitor speakers(Event ALP 5's). Hopefully I'll get to hear the 501's one day. Do you think the 240DF has the correct balance with the rest of the mix? In other words, are the vocals too forward, or right where they should be? Male vocals sound recessed with my monitor speakers, but my room is not well treated, so that may explain why.
Reply
post #5 of 42
10/18/09 at 11:28pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by boomana View Post
Are you asking in general or are you looking at those specific headphones?
In general, but under $200 used....and hopefully one that would play well with the emu 0404. I've no complaints about the DF, I'm just wondering if there's something even better that's not a whole lot more $$. The DT48 is one I'd definitely be interested in hearing, but they're almost impossible to find second hand.
Reply
post #6 of 42
10/19/09 at 2:02pm
My two favorite headphones for vocals are the K1000 and O2. They are great on pretty much everything else as well, so safe choices imo.
Reply
post #7 of 42
10/19/09 at 2:26pm
Hd 600 does vocals very well,although you have to use good gear to drive them.

If not driven properly,vocals can sound a bit recessed/too back in the mix.But with the right equipment,they sound natural and just fine(not so laidback)

Best vocals i've heard:hd 800,but i see that your budget is limited...
Reply
post #8 of 42
10/19/09 at 6:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by krmathis View Post
My two favorite headphones for vocals are the K1000 and O2. They are great on pretty much everything else as well, so safe choices imo.
Those may be wonderful suggestions, but neither fit the "less than $200 used" budget.

That money thing is so pesky.
Reply
post #9 of 42
10/19/09 at 6:22pm
AD900?

Audio Technica have one of the sweetest vocal I've heard. However many may argue its coloured.

Also I've only heard my AD1000PRM and W5000 from AT, so AD900 may sound different but based on what I read they should do well.
Reply
post #10 of 42
10/19/09 at 6:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Lou Erickson View Post
Those may be wonderful suggestions, but neither fit the "less than $200 used" budget.

That money thing is so pesky.
DT48/K1000. The DT48 was actually made for vocal reproduction of the human voice..
Reply
post #11 of 42
10/19/09 at 7:42pm
Thread Starter 
I thinking of trying the hd600/580, but I don't know if the emu 0404 will do them justice. FWIR, they are often used for mastering classical music, so they should give me the balanced presentation I'm looking for...not that the 240DF isn't balanced, but the lows on the Senn. should be a lot better. Thanks for all the suggestions.
Reply
post #12 of 42
10/19/09 at 9:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ra97oR View Post
AD900?

Audio Technica have one of the sweetest vocal I've heard. However many may argue its coloured.

Also I've only heard my AD1000PRM and W5000 from AT, so AD900 may sound different but based on what I read they should do well.
I think the OP is looking more for a balanced and un altered mid range.. If a mid range sounds 'sweet,' more then likly it's been altered. No, I'm not against sweet, lush, nor intimate mids, but from a strictly professional POV, they could be more of a hinderous. The 600 would be a good choice, but not upto the 48/K1000 standards in pure un altered vocal representation. Hell, the 240DF might still be the better then the 600 for what you want. I did audition the 600 and two things stuck out.. Neutrality and balance.. Albeit their neutrality doesn't hold a candle to the DT48/K1000. They are also the two best dynamic headphones I heard/owned by a good margin in getting the music 'just right.'
Reply
post #13 of 42
10/19/09 at 9:37pm
Of the relatively few phones I've heard, I'd have to say HD600.

Agree with KBI on the AD900. For me vocals were overbearing on those.
Reply
post #14 of 42
10/19/09 at 9:59pm
If you're listening to the K240DF out of the emu 0404, I'd stick with the K240DF and get a more power amp. Tough to beat the vintage AKG's for mids at <$200.
Reply
post #15 of 42
10/19/09 at 10:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by userlander View Post
Of the relatively few phones I've heard, I'd have to say HD600.

Agree with KBI on the AD900. For me vocals were overbearing on those.
Yes.

Quote:
Originally Posted by jellojoe View Post
If you're listening to the K240DF out of the emu 0404, I'd stick with the K240DF and get a more power amp. Tough to beat the vintage AKG's for mids at <$200.
Oh yeah..
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Whch headphones have best vocal balance?