[Costas888]

Helo,
Recently I had a really bad experience with a set of AKG-712 Pro. I wanted to use them for composition with symphonic orchestral libraries. To my disappointment, I found out that the mid-highs of the strings and brass where absent, leaving the sensation of hearing them through a wall.. It was sad and frustrating. I would like your advice for a set of headphones that would match my needs. Will the HD600 cover me, or will their sound-stage size ruin the realism? I want them to inspire me with their immersiveness! Thank you.

ps. I connect them directly to an RME Fireface 800.

 

[PurpleAngel]

For audio production (creation, mixing, editing, etc), Sony MDR-V6 or MDR-7506 headphones (buy used off eBay).
I believe you want a somewhat boring/neutral headphone for audio work.

Then buy a second headphone for audio enjoyment (budget?).
What sources or DAC/amp will you be plugging the headphones into?

 

[Costas888]

An RME Fireface 800 external sound-card. It's DACs are renowned and the amplification is ample and clean.
So you believe that those headphones can unfold a symphonic orchestra vividly and accurately?

 

[buke9]

What kind of budget do you have?

 

[PurpleAngel]

An RME Fireface 800 external sound-card. It's DACs are renowned and the amplification is ample and clean.
So you believe that those headphones can unfold a symphonic orchestra vividly and accurately?

Accurately yes, and i believe you want to use un-biased headphones, no "vivdly" biased headphone
The end-user, the ones who you would expect to listen to your audio creation, they would use a headphone with the biased they like or use the EQ to tailor the sound.
The 300-Ohm HD600 might be what some people use for audio production, not something I'm qualified to make a judge on.
Some HD600 users really like the sound, of the HD600, plugged into a good tube headphone amplifier.
So if you buy the HD600, for whatever reason, maybe also invest in a good tune headphone amplifier and connect it to the Fireface 800's line-output jacks.

Another option is to get the 32-Ohm Soundmagic HP200 headphones, should give you a good vivdly or fiesta sound, for a lot less cash (but may not be best for audio production, but still good sounding headphones)

 

[Costas888]

Here's what makes the situation tricky: I absolutely need them to portray the instruments tonically accurately, but since I need them for composition first and foremost, I need them to be emotionally engaging at the same time. Not just hearing a cello for example, but feel it as if I was actually there in front of it! Imagine standing where the maestro stands. That's what I need. The mastering engineer can then take it and make it universally compatible so everyone can hear it balanced as well, like I did.
As for the budget, of course I would prefer to get this in the price range of the HD600 (who wouldn't), but if it deems necessary I could raise money for the HD800s price range. I couldn't go any higher than that though.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Here's what makes the situation tricky: I absolutely need them to portray the instruments tonically accurately, but since I need them for composition first and foremost, I need them to be emotionally engaging at the same time. Not just hearing a cello for example, but feel it as if I was actually there in front of it! Imagine standing where the maestro stands. That's what I need. The mastering engineer can then take it and make it universally compatible so everyone can hear it balanced as well, like I did.
As for the budget, of course I would prefer to get this in the price range of the HD600 (who wouldn't), but if it deems necessary I could raise money for the HD800s price range. I couldn't go any higher than that though.

So are you making music audio using live instruments (cello)?.
So when you create the audio to were you like it, the Mastering Engineer will still modify/change the audio from what you have created?

One of the modified Fostex T50-RP headphones ($300?) might give you want.

 

[Costas888]

I use the highest quality of symphonic orchestral libraries through Cubase. Those libraries are pre-recorded and mixed to a single instrument level. The "mixing" for my part is happening through proper orchestration and harmonization in real-time while composing. The final export of the score is then given to a mastering engineer to make it sound right on any system.

 

[PurpleAngel]

I use the highest quality of symphonic orchestral libraries through Cubase. Those libraries are pre-recorded and mixed to a single instrument level. The "mixing" for my part is happening through proper orchestration and harmonization in real-time while composing. The final export of the score is then given to a mastering engineer to make it sound right on any system.

So your creating audio (music) from pre-recorded instruments sounds.
And you want/need to feel you are in the same room where the instrument is being used/played.
I think the Beyerdynamic T90 (open) or Beyer t70 would offer good clarity, for the price (used off eBay).
I have zero experience with audio production, so not sure what other headphones to recommend.

 

[Costas888]

Do you think the DT1990 pro from the same company could do an equally good job? I'm seeing a lot of people in the web crying out loud about their capacity for reconstructing the instruments as if they were right in front of them in the finest details.

 

[Monsterzero]

I know next to nothing about orchestral composition,but there are some universal truths across this hobby regardless of genres.
If the rest of your audio chain is lacking it really doesnt matter how much cash you throw at headphones,its only going to sound as good as the rest of your chain. This is especially true with HD800s.
AKGs arent necessarily easy to drive. I own the K701s and have tried them on several amps. They usually sound average at best,but once I found a good synergy with my current amp,and various tubes,it sounds really good.

Ive never heard a pair,but the AKG 501s supposedly are great for classical music. Whether thats due to the crazy staging,or the tonality,I do not know.

 

[PopZeus]

Been reading/hearing a lot of good things about the Neumann NDH 20 recently. Neutral, clear, open are the words being used to describe it, which also sounds like it's what you're looking for, and it seems like it's within your budget. It's a studio monitor, so also being closed-back makes it sound pretty darn useful as a multi-purpose tool.

 

[PurpleAngel]

Do you think the DT1990 pro from the same company could do an equally good job? I'm seeing a lot of people in the web crying out loud about their capacity for reconstructing the instruments as if they were right in front of them in the finest details.

Would I like to own a Beyerdynamic DT1990, sure.
But have no idea on how well it is for audio production.

 

[Drog]

HiFiMan Sundara would be a great fit, especially if stringed instruments are important to you.