[Geo212]

I'm starting to get into producing music, but I lack any appropriate audio hardware for the job (and as a result my final mixes sound really cruddy...). I'm looking for headphones mostly because my current computer setup is less than ideal to work with monitors of any sort.

So does anyone have any suggestions for me? I remember listening to Sennheiser HD515's a little while back, and I think they sound pretty good for a job like audio mixing; they were at least flatter than anything else I've heard, and the soundstage was pretty impressive for the price. I was going to just go ahead and buy those again, but I figured I'd check if there was anything better for the price first.

Any help is appreciated

 

[KG Jag]

Shure SRH 440 can be had from Amazon sellers in the low $80's (plus shipping).

 

[ZARIM]

The Samson SR850, Sennheiser HD555, Sony ZX700, are neutral, shows good amount of details in all frequencies and offers good bass response.

 

[gelocks]

Quote:

Shure SRH 440 can be had from Amazon sellers in the low $80's (plus shipping).

 
THIS!

 

[LithosZA]

Sony MDR 7506 or Sennheiser HD280 PRO or Shure SRH 440 or Sony V6. I don't think the HD555 would be good for mixing. The HD595 that I have masks too many details and the HD555 should sound similar to it.

 

[ssrock64]

The KRK KNS6400 (coming from experience with it, the Sony MDR-V6, the Shure SRH440 and SRH840, the Fischer Audio FA-003/Brainwavz HM5, the Samson SR850/Superlux HD668B, Sennheiser HD518, Sennheiser HD558, Sennheiser HD280 PRO, and more) is generally what I use for mixing and monitoring. At its price, it's nearly impossible to beat for detail, though the Sony MDR-V6 is just a bit flatter in sound. However, the KNS6400 has the edge everywhere else, and is one of the most detail-oriented headphones under $300. Its soundstage, being closed, isn't astounding, but the sheer amount of detail serves it extremely well for monitoring.

 

[drtturnip]

I have tried to mix with hd595/555 and found it sorely lacking. KRK 8400 are very good but out of your price range. I have found that the cad mh310 is quite good and can be found for 40 on sale. It has more bass than the krk but lacks it's upper mid emphasis/definition and comfort. Great for the money though. I have gotten some decent mixes and when listening to music I don't feel the need to play with eq to enjoy them.

 

[gelocks]

Quote:

The KRK KNS6400 (coming from experience with it, the Sony MDR-V6, the Shure SRH440 and SRH840, the Fischer Audio FA-003/Brainwavz HM5, the Samson SR850/Superlux HD668B, Sennheiser HD518, Sennheiser HD558, Sennheiser HD280 PRO, and more) is generally what I use for mixing and monitoring. At its price, it's nearly impossible to beat for detail, though the Sony MDR-V6 is just a bit flatter in sound. However, the KNS6400 has the edge everywhere else, and is one of the most detail-oriented headphones under $300. Its soundstage, being closed, isn't astounding, but the sheer amount of detail serves it extremely well for monitoring.

The KNS 6400 hurt my ears!!! (ear-splitting highs, tiny tin-can sounding). It's brother KNS 8400 is WAY better BUT out of the original budget...
 
I guess the OP can try them from his nearest Guitar Center or so if he has one close by? (that would be the best way to go!)

 

[KG Jag]

Folks--a number of the cans suggested are well above the OP's $80-ish budget.

 

[LithosZA]

Based on the graphs from headphone.com:
 

 
That mid-bass hump of the KRK Systems KNS 6400 might be a problem. I haven't heard them so I can't really say.

 

[drtturnip]

Quote:

Folks--a number of the cans suggested are well above the OP's $80-ish budget.

I agree but in all fairness there just isn't much out there that fits the bill. The CAD I mentioned are the best I know of. He could always get some fake 7506's for 40 bucks!

 

[Geo212]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm looking at the Sony MDR-7506 and possibly the Shure SRH440, though an audiophile friend of mine is saying that the Sonys are my better bet. Should I go with that or keep looking?

 

[gelocks]

The Sony cans are pretty much a "standard" in most studios and there's a reason for it . So yep, you can go with those and give them a try. If you find they are not up your alley, then get any other brand and keep testing.

 

[KG Jag]

Quote:

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm looking at the Sony MDR-7506 and possibly the Shure SRH440, though an audiophile friend of mine is saying that the Sonys are my better bet. Should I go with that or keep looking?

 
Those are both good options within--or at least close to--your budget.

 

[DJHeadshot]

I would recommend the Sony v6 as a mixing headphone relatively flat response for the price and small sound stage with good detail retrieval and isolate pretty well.  I would not recommend them for casual music listening but for mixing it would do the job well imo.