AKG k240DF with better bass?

[Acix]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lejaz /img/forum/go_quote.gif Acix, I think I can guess your answer Anyone want to say what has most accurate highs...HD600, k701, k501, 240DF's, Beyers, m-50's, 7509,...?

Hey Lejaz,

Looks like you're searching for new inspiration. Yes, I definitely would recommend the 701. You can buy them used on the forum and always sell it for same price if you don't like them. About the DF, they have sweet highs, just try not to exaggerate with them in the mix. You can cut the high and start to roll them off around 14-15kHz. The HD 600s sound balanced, but not exciting by any means. The M50 are great for bass and studio, really sweet headphones, but you already have 2 headphones that are bassy enough.

I worked with the 702 for the last year and they provided enough inspiration for the next year, too.

 

[Acix]

'correct' treble from monitor speakers you can get only in acoustic control room. The second option is to compare your mix on multiple sources, and to know your sources well, and the right balance between them .

 

[mypasswordis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhythmdevils /img/forum/go_quote.gif Or there's always orthos. The Fostex T20v2 was designed for studio use...

Non-flat and bloated (slow, bassy) sound stock. Needs modding (pretty much just a lot of felt) to flatten out response.

 

[Adda]

The treble problem could very well be amp related, the DF's treble chages a lot from amp to amp.
With music production on the DF the only problems I find is getting the right balance between the instruments and the bass, treble they do fine.
I think the volume balance between tracks is a general headphone problem as they are much clearer than most speakers, so I always do a quick fixup on my old home built speakers witch where made in 1975 for acoustic music, then the result becomes very good.

 

[lejaz]

Wow...very informative replies...thanks!

Adda: That's good to know about the treble being amp related. For music where bass plays a prominent roll, I can always use the RP21. They are far superior to the DF's for bass heavy music, IMO. I am listening to "Rubber Soul" by the Beatles right now, and I understand your point about checking the mix on speakers. The DF's are so clear that instruments with prominent highs, like cymbals and some of the electric guitar parts, really jump out at you more so than they would on speakers. Ringo's drums sound pretty good though, with the DF's, not as exaggerated highs as I originally thought. It's just relative to my other headphones that they sound exaggerated. Still, my system(DF's with 0404) is giving me a bit more of the cymbals than I think the producer/engineers intended...but just a bit.

Acix: Good point about listening in an acoustically controlled environment. My room is not well treated, so my monitors are not giving me the most accurate picture. Neither the bass nor the treble will be totally accurate I'm afraid, which is why I want the most neutral/accurate headphones I can find. BTW, an experienced AE from the Gearslutz form also swears by his AKG's....the 701's in his case.

mypasswordis: I wil definitely avoid the Fostex. I've read that the treble is lacking also.

O.K. back to my listening test. Simon and Garfunkle...some other very well produced albums, up next.

 

[lejaz]

O.K., earlier today I put on 'the Essential Simon and Garfunkel' originally recorded in the mid-late '60's by columbia records. I was definitely hearing too much sibilance on some songs, and I'm assuming these albums were recorded with the best equipment by some of the best engineers available at the time. I have to conclude that the 240DF's are to blame(at least paired with the 0404 amp), and are somewhat more forward in the treble than the monitors the producers/engineers of these albums were listening on. Also, on more careful listening to 'Rubber Soul' I found more sibilance on a couple of tunes than I would expect considering the talent the Beatles had working for them in the studio. In fact the Beatles themselves were very aware of the sibilance problem and would sometimes go so far as to wave their hand in front of their mouth when singing words with strong s's. Anyhow, if I use the DF's for mixing I'm going to have to take into account their weaknesses and make my mixes a little heavy in the treble so they will sound balanced on more accurate monitors. For mixing bass, the DF's are out...I'll have to use the RP21's for that particular task. Eventually I'll try the HD600's or maybe the k601's which are supposed to be very balanced. For now my budget won't allow that luxury. Thanks again for all the helpful feedback. Oh, I shouldn't forgot to add...if you can put up with their relatively minor flaws the DF's are great sounding headphones and were worth every penny I paid for them and probably a lot more! The RP21's have better bass for sure, but in every other area the DF's are in a whole other league!