Grado SR60 vs. Sennheiser HD280 Pro

[rjoerger1291]

I need some good all around headphones, but I will mainly be using them to record music (specifically guitar) with. I have basically limited it down to these two. I like the around ear style of the sennheisers, but I've heard that open ear is what makes the grados so good. Noise cancellation really isnt a big deal. I don't need a lot of features, I just want the best sounding and most reliable set out of these two.

Thanks


Ryan

 

[bemmis]

for recording you also may want to consider

sennheiser hd555
audio technica ath-a700
grado sr80
akg k501

and this one pair of sonys of which the name doesnt come to mind

 

[rjoerger1291]

between the two which would you choose?

 

[captainbrendo]

grado sr60...... not so hot for recording guitar. They sound great for listening to already recorded and mastered guitar, but for monitors, I'd say they impart too much of their character onto the sound. These are not good recording cans imho!

The Senn 280 would be a better choice. Good neutral sound, but a bit rolled off in the highs.

If you are gonna use these primarily as recording cans, get the senns. If you're gonna use these to listen to music more, get the grados.

Also consider the sony v6, equation RP-21, Beyer 231.

I use my senn 595s for recording guitars and wind instruments, and I think they do a fine job

 

[Televator]

if you really want to go grado(ish), I'd get the more neutral MS1 for recording purposes...

 

[rjoerger1291]

how much?

 

[Televator]

MS1 is available from the Alessandro site for $99 (including worldwide shipping)

 

[rjoerger1291]

ive heard that the sennheisers arent as good for that rock, and that grados excel in it. Instead of the 280 im now looking at the 555 for the senn, and I would still go for a SR60 (would go 80, but im not much of a bass head). Between those two which one would best fit anything from post rock to metal?

 

[captainbrendo]

I have the 595 and the sr60 is a better when unamped with fast metal/rock/prog rock. Don't know about the 555 though. , haven't heard it. The 595s improve alot with an amp, so out of respect for your budget, the sr60 is probably better for you. Again, I say if that the grado isn't the best choice for recording music, but is great for listening to music.

 

[Televator]

a couple of things to keep in mind:

- SR80 is NOT a basshead phone! It is the most bassy of the lower level grados... but that still is pretty bass-light (but tight and punchy) compared to some other brands/models (Senns, DT770, Denons Dx000,...)

- I dunno where you live, but outside of the US, grado headphones are way too expensive (and they can't be ordered from the US either). You could still 1) buy used from this place, 2) go flea-bay (and lose warranty) or 3) go Alessandro which ships worldwide (and shipping is included in the price as well)

- grados are suggested for rock over senns because they are in-your-face fun and slightly aggressive while the senns are a bit too polished, polite and according to some veiled to allow rock/metal to shine. I use my grado SR-60's with postrock, experimental/prog rock, drone, sludgecore etc and the senns I auditioned could never bring me the same joy (YMMV).

- Alessandro headphones are essentially headphones closely resembling grados (built by grado) but more tuned to suit musicians (a bit less "fun" and a bit more "neutral" but still much more in-your-face than senns and less flat/dry as a K701)

 

[silverrain]

SR60 over HD280 any day, for anything.
But, Sony V6 would be even better.

 

[intoflatlines]

I love Grado, but I don't think that they would be very good for studio monitoring/recording.

 

[lordmozilla]

for recording/monitoring you'll want the hd280's. They dont sound nearly as good as the grado's or the 555's but they first off wont leak sound everywhere and be much more neutral. I'd say the 555's are the most comfortable then depending on your ears the HD280 or SR60 - the SR60 are weird but the 280's clamp quite hard

Try and test them out, i know in the UK richersounds stocks the 595/HD280 and grado SR60 and you can try them out.