[zambz]

Hey guys, I would really like to buy a second pair of headphones for the studio.  I appreciate that open cans sound better in general but I really need to stick to closed or semi open (minimal leakage) cans as they are primarily used when I can't use my monitors for mixing and for tracking.
 
Note, I have already heard and discounted the following...
 

1. KRK KNS 8400: Didn't like the mids on these and lack of bass and treble definition
2. Audio Technica ATH-M50: Way too bloated in the bass region and with recessed mids to my ears, wasn't a fan
3. Sennheiser HD-280 pros: Way too much sub bass and not enough mid bass, highs are not crisp, insanely uncomfortable (I've stretched it for days, guess my head is too massive).

 
I absolutely love the SRH-840s.  I think that any significantly less bass would be insufficient for my taste as the SRH840s seem to have just the right amount.  My only criticism of the SRH840s is that I find their highs a tad fatiguing, although I have not burned them in fully so this is likely to smoothen out over the next few weeks.  I absolutely adore the mids and love the soundstage and comfort.
 
So here are the remaining closed cans I am interested in.  The ONLY ones I have been able to find in a store are the AKG K271s which I'll check out later this week.  But I wanted to throw this out for your opinions and discussion.  Especially if you can help comparing the model to the SRH840.
 

1. Sony MDR-7506 ($199 @ Soundcorp): ?? still searching on these ??
2. AKG K271 ($229 AU @ Store DJ): Main pros seem to be excellent mids and highs, cons seem to be lack of bass (less than the SRH840) and bad build quality, is this your experience too?
3. AKG K240 ($279 AU @ Store DJ): ?? still searching on these ??
4. Sony MDR-7509HD/7510 (7509 HD $299 @ Turramurra Music): ?? still searching on these ??
5. Beyerdynamic DT250 ($349 AU @ headphones.com.au): These are probably the biggest mystery as they don't seem popular at all, yet they seem to come highly recommended by headphones.com.au for studio use and it seems some folks on head fi also agree.  My main critique of them (quite superficial) is that they are one butt ugly can to look at in the pics, but that wouldn't stop me going for them if they were worth it.
6. Denon ADH2000 ($649 AU RRP, can't seem to find a street price anywhere!  If > $400 AU street price, these are probably too much for me): I'm a little surprised these don't come with velour pads for the price and some are questioning the build quality (especially the plastic screw).  Others say the bass response is unnatural and excessive while many folks absolutely love these.  Your thoughts? - TOO EXPENSIVE ($488 AU is the cheapest I could find)

 
Would absolutely love some feedback, thanks so much guys!! 

 
Cheers
zambz

 

[eucariote]

From the headphones you are asking about the DT250 are the most neutral.  But they are lacking in soundstage and I actually prefer the sound of SRH840.  I'd choose Denons for listening to music, but they have more bass and weaker mids than the other headphones and so are probably not best for mixing. 

 

[zambz]

Quote:

From the headphones you are asking about the DT250 are the most neutral.  But they are lacking in soundstage and I actually prefer the sound of SRH840.  I'd choose Denons for listening to music, but they have more bass and weaker mids than the other headphones and so are probably not best for mixing. 

Thank you so much for your reply.  Unfortunately I checked out the price of the DENONs and they are a bit too much for me. So I've replaced them in my options list with Sonys.
 
So my current list looks like this (priced cheapest to most expensive)...
 
Sony MDR-7506
AKG K271
AKG K240 MK II
Sony MDR-7509HD / 7510
Beyerdynamic DT250
 
I'll update my first post with this info.
 
Of course, if none of these beat the SRH-840s, then I'll probably hold off buying a second pair or buy another pair of SRHs instead
 
Cheers
zambz

 

[bookaboo]

go for the dt250 80ohm version. jaben and addicted to audio have them in melbourne for $299. great balanced sound with an intimate sound great for music listening as well as monitoring. like a closed hd650. i love mine.

 

[zambz]

Quote:

go for the dt250 80ohm version. jaben and addicted to audio have them in melbourne for $299. great balanced sound with an intimate sound great for music listening as well as monitoring. like a closed hd650. i love mine.

Nice one, and Jaben is nearby in the CBD to my work.  Will give them a call to see if they have them available for a listen.  $299 is the best price I've heard the DT250s go for.
 
How would you say they compare to the SRH-840s?

 

[Brooko]

Are you looking for something very similar to the 840s or contrasting?
 
If you want similar - very balanced, extremely comfortable - and best of all insanely good value at the moment - have a look at the Brainwavz HM5 ($120 USD from mp4nation).  I owned the SRH840 for quite a while before I moved up to some mid level opens (DT880 / HD600), and was always going to buy the SRH840 again - as I'd never found anything quite as good value closed.  Then Brainwavz brought out the HM5 (a FA-003 clone).  They are fantastic and very similar to the SRH840 - just without the big mid-bass hump, and the highs are a little more balanced.
 
Worth a look.

 

[zambz]

Quote:

Are you looking for something very similar to the 840s or contrasting?
 
If you want similar - very balanced, extremely comfortable - and best of all insanely good value at the moment - have a look at the Brainwavz HM5 ($120 USD from mp4nation).  I owned the SRH840 for quite a while before I moved up to some mid level opens (DT880 / HD600), and was always going to buy the SRH840 again - as I'd never found anything quite as good value closed.  Then Brainwavz brought out the HM5 (a FA-003 clone).  They are fantastic and very similar to the SRH840 - just without the big mid-bass hump, and the highs are a little more balanced.
 
Worth a look.

Thanks for the suggestion.  Yeah, I think I would like something relatively similar to the SRH-840 but with velour pads and a smoother high end.  I love the SRHs very very much, but do find the treble a tad fatiguing at times.  Now either my monitors are not bright enough (unlikely with ADAM's ribbon tweeters going up to 50 kHz or something ridiculous like that), or these headphones are a little treble happy.
 
What I'm loving most about them though is that they reveal the same problems as my monitors when mixing.  I can quite easily switch to headphones, repair a problem and then confirm it's OK on my monitors.
 
This is especially true with vocals, where my headphones showed me that I had my singer set too low in the mix.  The ADAM monitors didn't make it anywhere near as obvious.

 

[Brooko]

Ok - the HM5s are a lot flatter than the Shures to my ears - still very enjoyable though.
 
They don't come with velour - just pleather - but soft like the SRH840, very comfortable, and quite a bit thicker.
 
If you wanted the velour - you'd need to look at the Fischer FA-003 -> same headphone, just comes with the one cable (HM5 has two), and spare velour pads.  The Fischers are a little more expensive as well.
 
Here's a long thread about the FA-003:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/491632/review-fischer-audio-fa-003-a-neutral-champ
 
Enjoy!
 
Don't know if you've heard the HD600s - but some people have said these are similar.  IMO they don't have the same dynamics or timbre - but the signature is similar - very neutral.  I'd guess they'd be pretty good for mixing.

 

[zambz]

Quote:

Ok - the HM5s are a lot flatter than the Shures to my ears - still very enjoyable though.
 
They don't come with velour - just pleather - but soft like the SRH840, very comfortable, and quite a bit thicker.
 
If you wanted the velour - you'd need to look at the Fischer FA-003 -> same headphone, just comes with the one cable (HM5 has two), and spare velour pads.  The Fischers are a little more expensive as well.
 
Here's a long thread about the FA-003:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/491632/review-fischer-audio-fa-003-a-neutral-champ
 
Enjoy!
 
Don't know if you've heard the HD600s - but some people have said these are similar.  IMO they don't have the same dynamics or timbre - but the signature is similar - very neutral.  I'd guess they'd be pretty good for mixing.

Thanks a lot, biggest issue will definitely be having a listen to these cans since I don't know if they are available here in Australia.

 

[Acix]

Try the GMP 8.35 D Monitor.

 

[Brooko]

If you want to 'take a punt' - and you're not overly worried about the velour pads - check this link:
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=AA2065&form=CAT2&SUBCATID=1015#4
 
They look as though they are made by the same ODM (original design manufacturer = Yoga Electronics)
 
There is an extremely high chance that they are the same voicing as the HM5 / Fischer Audio FA-003.  They look identical - specs are same too.
 
Over to you if you want to take the chance.  If you do - I'd be very interested to hear what you think!

 

[zambz]

To be honest, if I was a regular headphone buyer, I would give it a shot, but I simply need one more pair at most and wouldn't wanna risk getting a dud. I plan to audition the next pair and it's likely between the DT250s and one of the AKG models I think.
 
I do appreciate the additional suggestions too though, and will see if I can hear them anywhere.
 
Really I would like to understand how each of the models differ from the SRH840s in sound so I have an idea what I would be gaining by going with that model.  Sounds like the FA-003 is a good choice too though.

 

[Brooko]

Courtesy of InnerFidelity .......
 
SRH840 - http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/ShureSRH840.pdf
FA-003 - http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/FischerAudioFA003.pdf
 
840 has that mid-bass hump that gives the impression of more thump - but it does roll off in the sub bass.  Also has a real sparkle - almost peaky in the highs.
 
FA-003 is a lot flatter, extends further.
 
Post in the Aussie/Kiwi forum - and see if anyone in your area has either the FA-003 or HM5.  Someone is bound to have them - that way you can demo them first.  I'd send you mine - but the freight from NZ is expensive.

 

[Acix]

Quote:

To be honest, if I was a regular headphone buyer, I would give it a shot, but I simply need one more pair at most and wouldn't wanna risk getting a dud. I plan to audition the next pair and it's likely between the DT250s and one of the AKG models I think.
 
I do appreciate the additional suggestions too though, and will see if I can hear them anywhere.
 
Really I would like to understand how each of the models differ from the SRH840s in sound so I have an idea what I would be gaining by going with that model.  Sounds like the FA-003 is a good choice too though.

To try yourself is the best thing you can do.

 
Here is some nice read...
 
1. http://www.head-fi.org/t/393139/k702-in-the-studio
2. http://www.head-fi.org/t/406658/the-german-maestro-gmp-8-35-d-monitor-in-the-studio-serious-about-audio-indeed/375

 

[zambz]

thanks so much everyone, will do some reading indeed.
 
I noticed that the Fischer graph does look flatter but there's a decent dip around 300 Hz, is that noticeable?