Which Headphones for Monitoring/Mixing

If your amp simply has resistors dropping the level it will color the sound with low impedance headphones especially. Some more than others depending on how well behaved their impedance is. You can add a 10ohm 2w resistor to ground and then play with the series resistor value to get the volume where you want it but an accurate headphone amp is going to be recommended. With that said you should also consider the krk's. I have heard the 8400 and it is quite impressive in it's clarity and a good value. 

Oh the line 6 might be fine I missed that. Also a high impedance headphone like one of the Beyers may not be so picky about a higher impedance source like your Marantz. All the other cans listed would probably be fine out the line 6. You might want to start a separate thread to get an idea about the line 6 headphone driving capability.

Check out the K-702, here is more info: http://www.head-fi.org/t/393139/k702-in-the-studio

Acix, do think he could drive those with one of his amps?

I mix with the 702 - they are pretty brilliant. However, they are very open headphones, all the others you listed are closed or only semi open.

Is isolation important to you? 

Of the ones listed, the AKG 240, Beyer 880, and the Senn 25-1 ii are the more neutral options, better for mixing. 

Other good options:

Sennheiser 600

Shure 840

Overall, you are looking for relatively neutral response (not overly bright, or overly bass heavy, etc.) Or at least something you can tweak with a limited EQ to be pretty flat. 

I also recommend using a crossfeed plugin while mixing, to mimic nearfield monitors, so you get a better idea of what this would sound like through speakers (saves re-work).

Quote:

Originally Posted by drtturnip 

Acix, do think he could drive those with one of his amps?

To some extent, always will be a better hps amp, and DAC. Maybe a good studio monitor hps, like the K702, or the HD600 can bring hope for future to come.

My k240studio has a hell of a lot more low end(mid/upper bass) than the k702. And they're both supposed to be 'neutral' studio monitors.   Maybe the truth is somewhere in the middle? The Shure 840 and the KRK's might be worth considering since the OP could just plug into the line6, AFAIK. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by liamstrain 

I mix with the 702 - they are pretty brilliant. However, they are very open headphones, all the others you listed are closed or only semi open.

 

Is isolation important to you? 

 

Of the ones listed, the AKG 240, Beyer 880, and the Senn 25-1 ii are the more neutral options, better for mixing. 

 

Other good options:

Sennheiser 600

Shure 840

 

Overall, you are looking for relatively neutral response (not overly bright, or overly bass heavy, etc.) Or at least something you can tweak with a limited EQ to be pretty flat. 

 

I also recommend using a crossfeed plugin while mixing, to mimic nearfield monitors, so you get a better idea of what this would sound like through speakers (saves re-work).

I like multiple sources because I am convinced that in the world of headphones everything is a compromise and there is no "perfect" headphone for every ear in the world and it's infinite variations. For example a set of bass heavy cans can really show off problems with kick/bass/guitar. Many cheaper cans have that capability. Take your pick. They are not good for an overall balance but are a good tool. The more the merrier really. But at some point you need something YOU find neutral. I have not found it. Acix has in the k702. Unfortunately you haven't given any reference point so I don't know if you will get much help. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by lejaz 

My k240studio has a hell of a lot more low end(mid/upper bass) than the k702. And they're both supposed to be 'neutral' studio monitors.   Maybe the truth is somewhere in the middle? The Shure 840 and the KRK's might be worth considering since the OP could just plug into the line6, AFAIK. 

 

I did not say the 702 were particularly neutral on their own... none of these, save the 600 really are (and even it can benefit from a little tweak). I eq my 702 to get them where I need for mixing/monitoring (close to matching the response of my near-field monitors). Ditto just about anything else listed here. 

There are, however, degrees of neutrality. The 240 has more bass, but needs eq in other ranges. The 702 pretty much only needs additional bass, and a spike at 9k toned down... the 880 needs bass, and some mids restored... etc. 

I said these were all closer to neutral, because cans like the M50, 990, 770, are WAY not close. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by liamstrain 

I did not say the 702 were particularly neutral on their own... none of these, save the 600 really are. I eq my 702 to get them where I need for mixing/monitoring. Ditto just about anything else listed here. 

 

There are, however, degrees of neutrality. The 240 has more bass, but needs eq in other ranges. The 702 pretty much only needs additional bass, and a spike at 9k toned down... the 880 needs bass, and some mids restored... etc. 

 

I said these were all closer to neutral, because cans like the M50, 990, 770, are WAY not close. 

No problem...I wasn't quoting you personally, only that both phones are often considered 'neutral' studio monitors...or at least advertised as such. I like the hd580 for music production, myself, though I'm sure I could get used to the 702 if I eq'd it a bit. Never heard the others other than the k240, which Sufjan Stevens supposedly used to mix one of his albums. Don't know which version of the 240, though.