YakAttack
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2011
- Posts
- 33
- Likes
- 11
Hello! I'm an extreme newbie here, so I ask for your patience and understanding in advance.
I am a closet DJ, using Virtual DJ to mix CDs for my own (and friend's) enjoyment. I mix mostly trance, dubstep, electro, house, hardstyle, etc. What I began to notice was that the crappy desktop speakers I used (Logitech) did not allow me to hear the subtleties of the music, and masked the different levels of bass in my mix. It sounded good in my room, but when I played it in my car, you could hear the bass shoot up and down, or I'd miss sounds I didn't pick up while mixing. I wanted to find something that would really separate the music cleanly, and give me a great sound for bass so when I mixed, I could focus on ensuring the mix came out how I wanted it to, and that I didn't miss the different pieces of sounds in each song.
I had thought that the Beats by Dre Pro series would solve my problem. Of course, I was one of the drones who went out to Best Buy to hear them, and not knowing any better, thought they sounded great. I could hear the small differences in the highs and mids, while the bass sounded rich. I figured they would be just what I needed. I wasn't too keen on the price, and ordered some from Amazon for $300 (not the knock off ones; I double checked they're legit). However, I wanted to go deeper into other people's reviews, and stumbled upon this site.
I was shocked to find out most people who love headphones despise the Beats. Whether it's because of their commercial attitude or lack of performance, it really threw cold water on my face about what I had just bought. I receive my Beats Pro tomorrow, but plan on sending them back asap to get my refund.
What I desperately would like from all of you experts is recommendations of headphones that would meet my needs, and that are around the $300 range (obviously lower if they still match what I'm looking for). Some of the things I would like are
1) Comfortable sets that I can wear a while (one of the drawbacks of the Beats)
2) Clarity in the sounds of the songs I hear (I truly thought the Beats did this)
3) Bass levels that are not necessarily over amplified, but are strong enough where I can hear the different levels (low bass vs mid bass, etc). I want to hear kind of how the bass would sound if I were in a club or car (again, something I thought the Beats Pro did), instead of a generic bass punch that all sounded the same.
4) Great sound separation so when I'm mixing, I'll be able to identify the subtle and different sounds of a song and mix them better with the next song.
I really liked the fact the Beats Pro had a detachable and "twisted" cord, since many reviewers say the first thing to usually go is the cord (and I cannot afford to pop money down every time this happens). I figured it was a great bonus since all I'd have to buy was a replacement cord. So if there is a headset out there that meets the above requirements and has that feature, it would be God sent.
I don't have a lot of hobbies, but mixing is one of them, and something I do to relieve stress. I love music, and am frustrated that my vision doesn't come out the way I want it to, and I have to go back and re do full mixes based on adjustments I hear when I play them in my car. I really need help in getting a consensus of what headphone would provide the aforementioned qualities at an equivalent price. Thank you all....
Chris
I am a closet DJ, using Virtual DJ to mix CDs for my own (and friend's) enjoyment. I mix mostly trance, dubstep, electro, house, hardstyle, etc. What I began to notice was that the crappy desktop speakers I used (Logitech) did not allow me to hear the subtleties of the music, and masked the different levels of bass in my mix. It sounded good in my room, but when I played it in my car, you could hear the bass shoot up and down, or I'd miss sounds I didn't pick up while mixing. I wanted to find something that would really separate the music cleanly, and give me a great sound for bass so when I mixed, I could focus on ensuring the mix came out how I wanted it to, and that I didn't miss the different pieces of sounds in each song.
I had thought that the Beats by Dre Pro series would solve my problem. Of course, I was one of the drones who went out to Best Buy to hear them, and not knowing any better, thought they sounded great. I could hear the small differences in the highs and mids, while the bass sounded rich. I figured they would be just what I needed. I wasn't too keen on the price, and ordered some from Amazon for $300 (not the knock off ones; I double checked they're legit). However, I wanted to go deeper into other people's reviews, and stumbled upon this site.
I was shocked to find out most people who love headphones despise the Beats. Whether it's because of their commercial attitude or lack of performance, it really threw cold water on my face about what I had just bought. I receive my Beats Pro tomorrow, but plan on sending them back asap to get my refund.
What I desperately would like from all of you experts is recommendations of headphones that would meet my needs, and that are around the $300 range (obviously lower if they still match what I'm looking for). Some of the things I would like are
1) Comfortable sets that I can wear a while (one of the drawbacks of the Beats)
2) Clarity in the sounds of the songs I hear (I truly thought the Beats did this)
3) Bass levels that are not necessarily over amplified, but are strong enough where I can hear the different levels (low bass vs mid bass, etc). I want to hear kind of how the bass would sound if I were in a club or car (again, something I thought the Beats Pro did), instead of a generic bass punch that all sounded the same.
4) Great sound separation so when I'm mixing, I'll be able to identify the subtle and different sounds of a song and mix them better with the next song.
I really liked the fact the Beats Pro had a detachable and "twisted" cord, since many reviewers say the first thing to usually go is the cord (and I cannot afford to pop money down every time this happens). I figured it was a great bonus since all I'd have to buy was a replacement cord. So if there is a headset out there that meets the above requirements and has that feature, it would be God sent.
I don't have a lot of hobbies, but mixing is one of them, and something I do to relieve stress. I love music, and am frustrated that my vision doesn't come out the way I want it to, and I have to go back and re do full mixes based on adjustments I hear when I play them in my car. I really need help in getting a consensus of what headphone would provide the aforementioned qualities at an equivalent price. Thank you all....
Chris
MorbidToaster
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2010
- Posts
- 13,282
- Likes
- 306
For a DJ cans I'm a sucker for the Xone XD-53s.
Most headphones you'll find here will meet your cable requirements. Coiled is a little more rare, but most you'll find a removeable and replaceable cable.
Still in the vein of DJ headphones (which is totally what you need), I'd also suggest the Sennheiser HD 25-1 IIs. They aren't full size headphones, so they will sit on your ears, but they're great to mix with. I've personally used both of these at a few club gigs and either would be a solid choice.
Quote:
Most headphones you'll find here will meet your cable requirements. Coiled is a little more rare, but most you'll find a removeable and replaceable cable.
Still in the vein of DJ headphones (which is totally what you need), I'd also suggest the Sennheiser HD 25-1 IIs. They aren't full size headphones, so they will sit on your ears, but they're great to mix with. I've personally used both of these at a few club gigs and either would be a solid choice.
Quote:
jerg
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2010
- Posts
- 6,126
- Likes
- 864
Challenging the Beats Studio's sound quality (among all the other attributes like build quality and isolation etc) for $300?
You got a nearly endless list of eligible headphones.
Though for mixing, you're looking for balanced frequency response and great instrument separation, ON TOP of the best $300 sound quality. I'm sure those with expertise will give you some great advice here. You can also do some forum searches about DJ mixing headphones.
You got a nearly endless list of eligible headphones.
Though for mixing, you're looking for balanced frequency response and great instrument separation, ON TOP of the best $300 sound quality. I'm sure those with expertise will give you some great advice here. You can also do some forum searches about DJ mixing headphones.
I'm a bit surprised you cite comfort as one of the Beats' weaknesses. I've only tried the Beats Studio, but they didn't feel uncomfy during my brief audition.
What didn't you like about the Beats Studio's fit?
What didn't you like about the Beats Studio's fit?
crayonhead
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2011
- Posts
- 235
- Likes
- 12
Try using the beats for 3-5 hours a day almost everyday and you'll realize that it takes a while before the pain comes out. I did that for 3 weeks and then couldn't stand it.
YakAttack
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2011
- Posts
- 33
- Likes
- 11
Thanks Morbid Toaster; I'll dig into those. Anyone have other suggestions or confirm the Xone's and Sennheiser's? As far the comfort of the Beats Pro, that's what I've read in almost every review. Never bought the Studios in part I heard the Pros gave better bass and soun. Please keep any suggestions coming; I want to have a few models to review so I can see which fits my personal needs. Thank you again!
Digital-Pride
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Nov 2, 2010
- Posts
- 2,575
- Likes
- 123
Here are some additional suggestions for ya:
Audio-Technica ATH-M50, PRO700MKII
AKG K181DJ
Denon DNHP-700
Sennheiser HD280PRO, HD380PRO
Shure SRH750DJ
Ultrasone PRO 750, PRO 900
Audio-Technica ATH-M50, PRO700MKII
AKG K181DJ
Denon DNHP-700
Sennheiser HD280PRO, HD380PRO
Shure SRH750DJ
Ultrasone PRO 750, PRO 900
YakAttack
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2011
- Posts
- 33
- Likes
- 11
What do you guys think about the Sony XB1000's? Read another post about them and I like the idea of a better soundstage, beautiful highs, and most think they're perfect for electronica or house music. Just concerned that with dubstep they won't deliver the same type of bass as the XB500's (heard the XB700's took a step back in that dept). Also, people mentioned they are direct lined and not good for portable usage. Is there something about them that would prohibit me from using them on the go? Lastly, some say to get the amped; how would you do that and what would you need to buy? Not against paying the $300 to get them from the East before they hit the US, just want to ensure that the XB1000's can hit the bass that I'm looking for without losing the higher end quality of mids and highs. Thoughts?
kelv
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2007
- Posts
- 30
- Likes
- 12
Not too sure if you prefer a Circumaural or Supra-aural fit, bit anyways here some suggestions.
Circumaural
ATH-PRO700,K271, DT150,DT770 pro,RP-21, HDJ-1000, HD250 II, HD-280 pro, MDR-CD900ST,SRH840
Supra-aural
HD25-1 II,TMA-1,K171, MDR-V6, MDR-7506,RP-DJ1200
Circumaural
ATH-PRO700,K271, DT150,DT770 pro,RP-21, HDJ-1000, HD250 II, HD-280 pro, MDR-CD900ST,SRH840
Supra-aural
HD25-1 II,TMA-1,K171, MDR-V6, MDR-7506,RP-DJ1200
Croozer
500+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2011
- Posts
- 774
- Likes
- 36
I love strong bass, I did some research and picked up a pair of Denon D2K's and have been very happy with them, I don't wear them away from home (that is what the E4c's are for), I enjoyed my D2K's without amplification but the addition of the E7/E9 combo made a huge difference to me and my total investment stood at $420.
The current problem with the Sony XB1000 is it has not been released in the U.S. and the folks on ebay are gonna make you pay through the nose for them ($300 plus) and you can pick up a set of D2K's for around $230, there was mention that you can get a set from J&R for $190.
In the end you have to make your own decision because you are gonna hear things differently than someone else but there are not many places where you can audition decent headphones.
The current problem with the Sony XB1000 is it has not been released in the U.S. and the folks on ebay are gonna make you pay through the nose for them ($300 plus) and you can pick up a set of D2K's for around $230, there was mention that you can get a set from J&R for $190.
In the end you have to make your own decision because you are gonna hear things differently than someone else but there are not many places where you can audition decent headphones.
YakAttack
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2011
- Posts
- 33
- Likes
- 11
Thanks for all the input. I'll still dig into the other models you suggested, but may lean towards buying the Sony XB 1000's. Don't mind paying a bit more to get them as imports; it's about what I paid for the Beats Pro (God I can't believe I was almost over the cliff with those). Thinking I can do the XB 1000's for my home, and pick up the XB 500's for on the go One last thing, and again I apologize for my naive questions, but wanted to know how you go about amping your headphones? I have read that an amp may help the sound of the XB 1000's, but don't know how to do it. Is it an amp that connects between the playing device (Phone, Computer, etc) and the cord, or something different? Can I use the same amp for both the XB 1000 and XB 500? Thanks again for the quick replies! Looking forward to learning more about phones here and spreading the word of truth when it comes to headphone quality.
JamesMcProgger
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2010
- Posts
- 6,552
- Likes
- 189
+1 for the HD25
The only criteria of yours it wouldnt exactly fit is in the bass, it is not a bass based headphone, but imo it has enough bass when amped, here's another thing, some of the headphones suggested here need amplification, for 300$ you could get the HD25 + an amp like the mini3 (get someone to build it for you if you can not do it) , this is the combo i have and i love it. or even other amps, fiio has some, I am waiting for the release of the fiio E11, a new amp that will be released soon, and only about 65$. the HD25 isnt so picky, it actually runs good directly from the player. but an amp make it better, as with most portables i've tried. Check the music section at Best Buy (not the headphone section) I found a very good deal there in the HD25. and btw the HD25 isolates more than one would expect for a supraaural cup.
If you want BASS, id ditch the Denon HP700 recommendation, not enough bass, however is clear as a few portables I have tried.
ATH M50 is a favorite here, In my case i felt the denon HP700 did it better, except in the bass. I even enjoyed more the Sony V6 than the M50 (but that is my personal opinion YMMV) , but because the V6 is a fun headphones, M50, I assume will do better for mixing.
Best thing you could do is go to a place where you can try some of these first.
I am only talking about the headphones I've heard, I dont know about the other mentioned here. And remember read about "burn in" if you havent, specially if you get the M50.
Are you only using computer as a source or also any portable player?
The only criteria of yours it wouldnt exactly fit is in the bass, it is not a bass based headphone, but imo it has enough bass when amped, here's another thing, some of the headphones suggested here need amplification, for 300$ you could get the HD25 + an amp like the mini3 (get someone to build it for you if you can not do it) , this is the combo i have and i love it. or even other amps, fiio has some, I am waiting for the release of the fiio E11, a new amp that will be released soon, and only about 65$. the HD25 isnt so picky, it actually runs good directly from the player. but an amp make it better, as with most portables i've tried. Check the music section at Best Buy (not the headphone section) I found a very good deal there in the HD25. and btw the HD25 isolates more than one would expect for a supraaural cup.
If you want BASS, id ditch the Denon HP700 recommendation, not enough bass, however is clear as a few portables I have tried.
ATH M50 is a favorite here, In my case i felt the denon HP700 did it better, except in the bass. I even enjoyed more the Sony V6 than the M50 (but that is my personal opinion YMMV) , but because the V6 is a fun headphones, M50, I assume will do better for mixing.
Best thing you could do is go to a place where you can try some of these first.
I am only talking about the headphones I've heard, I dont know about the other mentioned here. And remember read about "burn in" if you havent, specially if you get the M50.
Are you only using computer as a source or also any portable player?
nullstring
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2008
- Posts
- 1,755
- Likes
- 21
If you haven't received them yet, refuse the shipment.
When the UPS guy comes to your door, tell him you don't want the item.
This way they will return the package to amazon, and you won't have to pay for return shipping.
(Amazon has advised me to do this in the past)
When the UPS guy comes to your door, tell him you don't want the item.
This way they will return the package to amazon, and you won't have to pay for return shipping.
(Amazon has advised me to do this in the past)
colmustard
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2010
- Posts
- 357
- Likes
- 17
I'm slightly confused, are you looking for strong mindblowing bass here or are you looking for detailed analytical bass and sound separation?
JamesMcProgger
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2010
- Posts
- 6,552
- Likes
- 189
