Home Computer-Based Studio Headphones

[s0n!k]

Hi everybody
I'm building my home studio and the budget is tight.
I cannot afford a good pair of monitors , so i turn to headphones as a cheaper solution (under €300) mainly for mixing ( pleasure comes second ! ).
And the question is the obvious one : which headphones ?

To be more specific , i have no other audio equipment and i want to keep it minimal.The only equipment i have is my laptop and i am about to buy the M-audio Profire 610 firewire soundcard ( €369 in Greece )

The styles of music that concerns me (mainly for production) are modern classical and electronica.

In favor of AKG , i conclude to these models :
K 240 MK II
K 601
both under €250.

Any suggestions ?

(I also noticed reading posts in the forum that K601 are hard to drive and i don't know if the soundcard can handle them [?] )

thx in advance

 

[Omega]

My sanity will probably be questioned for suggesting something waaay under budget, but the classic recommendation for studio is the Sony MDR-V6 (same as the 7509? or was it 7506?)

They're very sturdy and ruthlessly revealing on studio material. Not my first choice for a pleasant hi-fi experience, but you choose the right tool for the job, right? They should be <$80. Easily driven by anything, even a moderate computer sound card will do the trick. Good presentation across the frequency spectrum. Soundstaging is lacking compared to high-end phones.

If you get the Sony's, I'd highly recommend replacing the stock pleather ear pads with Beyerdynamics' plush pads. World of difference in comfort.

I would be skeptical that the K601 will be driven well by a soundcard output.

NOTE TO OP & MODS: This should probably go in the Headphones forum, it will get a better response there!

 

[s0n!k]

thx for the advice Omega .
the soundcard's output is 20Hz to 80kHz (192kHz) and the 7509s vast frequency response seems to be ideal even if i don't know if i can hear anything above 20KHz !
However both the MDR -V6 and the 7509 are closed and this is not nice.
I manage to expand my budget a bit and i'm considering the AKG K 702 . I hear a lot of good things about them but the drive issue still concerns me...

How can i move the post to the Headphone forum by the way ?

 

[Omega]

I believe a moderator has to move a topic to a new forum. You can change the title to attract their attention though.

I wouldn't worry about frequency response so much. Even if you are hearing upwards of 18kHz, it is subtle. Being able to drive the 701's or 702's is an issue though. I believe they are known as difficult-to-drive 'phones. What's wrong with closed cans? Most studio monitoring headphones will be closed!

 

[acidbasement]

For both mixing utility and pleasure, I would consider a Beyer DT880, which is 'semi-open'. Big disclaimer: I have never tried this headphone; I merely parrot what others have written in this forum. I use the DT990, which is considered a less neutral can.

 

[terrymx]

I have heard the AKG K501 and for classical it is good, but I haven't heard the later version (6xx, 7xx), just make sure they have good low frequencies bass reponse too which it didn't have, but I guess that changes with these new version. I always felt the AKG to be more geared toward sweet sounding. The V6 was recommended because it is very ruthless in revealing, but not pleasent for relaxing listen, at all. Also check out the BeyerDynamic DT880, you can get the older version for cheaper than the new one. If you want comfort both the AKG and Beyer is comfortable, but I find the Beyer phones to clamp more sturdy and has the most comfortable paddings I've ever experienced. From all the Beyer I've tried they are a little sharp on the high end, in a precise way. Also I don't pay attention to frequencies responses, unless you put some frequencies filter into the circuitry.

If you are going to spend that much on phones and the amp, you can possibly buy a cheaper external sound card like the Emu Tracker Pre, which is similar spec as my 0202, but it has phantom power for mic. It's not too bad at driving phones either. Then you can have more money for a decent monitor. I do think headphone is best at getting all the details, but preferably a combination of both. Don't rule out the usage of IEM, if your ears can bare them.

 

[Detritusdave]

I would really try to factor in some monitors as well, if even just to listen to the final mix on. Something like the Alesis Monitor One MK2's are dirt cheap for example.

I know a lot of people that use HD-25's when composing (especially electronic orientated music), but they are of course not a neutral sounding phone so you can only mix to a certain extent with them. I love the energy of them for writing tho

Although not sure from your post if it's a home studio where you will be composing, or recording other people....

 

[s0n!k]

I found the Alesis M1 MK2's for €310 but i do need a pair of good headphones since i mainly work (mastering with recorded samples) late at night and I'm almost certain that the Profire 610 will fit my needs so i dont want to change it.
And since i've heard so much bout the K702 and i can afford them, the question is this :
Will my Profire 610 drive the K 702 satisfactory ?
I'm going for shopping this Friday !
Does anyone knows what technical data/values do i have to match ?
thx for your time and knowledge

 

[s0n!k]

both the K702 and K701 will cost me about €350 cash. K601 < €180 ! (in the box from the local store in greece)
Just a thought :
both models have the same design , and correct me if i'm wrong K601 was launched together with its more "elegant"- then flagship K701 with lot of talk around here and there about color preferences ( i cannot even see them when i listen ! ...unless i use a mirror !sick)
In my shopping opinion so far, i also noticed that products come in many flavors when they share common core technical specs and price category.

the data [ official prospect spec ]
K702
K701
AKG Personal Audio - K 601 - Specifications

what is with Flat-wire voice coil ?

being a newbie in pro-audio quality systems and a musician , i came to the conclusion that the extra money required for the fidelity of the K701 and K702 models will be more well-spend in a wireless MIDI system.

Buying AKG , i'll take the K601 ... or the K 240 MKII :}

 

[s0n!k]

Thx for the replies guys .
I bought the K 601 model.
I'll post impressions with the Profire 610 use when i'll put my hands on them !
cheers