[mouchoir]

I'm an aspiring composer looking for a good pair of studio headphones. My budget maxes out at about $500. I'm currently using an E10K ampdac, however I will probably be upgrading. I'd prefer a pair of closed back headphones, but am open to open backed suggestions.
Thanks in advance!

 

[howdy]

Do you like a clear representation or flavored to the warm side?

 

[mouchoir]

I'm something of a newbie, so bear with me.
I use a pair of Shure SE215s on my commute which I like very much, and a pair of Grado SR60es at home, another favorite. As I am creating music, I would like something that is close to neutral, but I'm open to suggestion and some variation.

 

[howdy]

Well there are the Audio Technica (they are pretty popular for studio use) and they have a few good ones for cheap like the ATH-M50X, they are a fairly neutral headphone with a hint of bass. There are the Oppo PM3 which I have and they sound great. You don't think the Grados will do it for ya?

 

[mouchoir]

Well, I want to upgrade from them. They are nice-sounding but are horribly uncomfortable. I've never heard of Oppo, but I'll look into them.

 

[Music Alchemist]

I will rank (in descending order based on my preference of the stock sound) the closed-back studio headphones I have owned:
 
Yamaha HPH-MT220
Focal Spirit Professional
Audio-Technica ATH-M40x
Audio-Technica ATH-M30x
Sony MDR-V6
Sony MDR-7506
Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
NVX XPT100
Sennheiser HD 280 PRO
Monoprice 8323

 

[OMGLadyGaga]

The nad viso hp50 for closed but since you can swing it might as well get the open senn hd650 for studio use your mixes will thank you, they also have user replaceable parts so they should last forever. I've had mine for 4 years now and still looks new (I did change the pads once)

 

[nick n]

Perfect for you.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/560124/new-jvc-victor-studio-headphone-the-ha-mx10-b
the thread says it all.
If you want more impressions backup:

1. click on the star symbol with the numbers for the reviews. https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi9v_30yOTKAhUU_WMKHSuwBKwQ7gEIQDAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftranslate.google.ca%2Ftranslate%3Fhl%3Den%26sl%3Dja%26u%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fkakaku.com%2Fitem%2FK0000226530%2F%26prev%3Dsearch&usg=AFQjCNGvWaUxgLmTNRt-MebwMJ_EzSMwnA

 

1. https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=21&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjb5NqhyeTKAhVE8WMKHUgoDTk4FBDuAQghMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftranslate.google.ca%2Ftranslate%3Fhl%3Den%26sl%3Dja%26u%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.jp%2FJVC-HA-MX10-B-%2525E5%2525AF%252586%2525E9%252596%252589%2525E5%25259E%25258B%2525E3%252583%252598%2525E3%252583%252583%2525E3%252583%252589%2525E3%252583%25259B%2525E3%252583%2525B3-%2525E3%252582%2525B9%2525E3%252582%2525BF%2525E3%252582%2525B8%2525E3%252582%2525AA%2525E3%252583%2525A2%2525E3%252583%25258B%2525E3%252582%2525BF%2525E3%252583%2525BC-%2525E3%252583%252596%2525E3%252583%2525A9%2525E3%252583%252583%2525E3%252582%2525AF%2Fdp%2FB004MLWVKU%26prev%3Dsearch&usg=AFQjCNHH5d3BZOoDTzhST_JfLiFIC4D8jw&bvm=bv.113370389,d.cGc

 
 
Yamaha MT220 is another good option having heard it repeatedly, now discontinued. Were it me I would go MX10-B.
 
You can even find them using an overseas shopping site for Yahoo Japan a lot cheaper used/slightly used. Sites like Rinkya or JAUCE as an example do the buying for you then ship here. Rinkya you can declare any value you wish also so no customs ( or less ), unsure about Jauce.
Then there is always CDJapan or ebay.

 

 
 
Spend the rest of the $ on something else like equipment or save it.
One thing you will need to clean the headphone jack if you get it, tends to sound scratchy sometimes, all that takes is a cleaning with contact cleaner and done.
I hit mine with Deoxit D5 and never had an issue since. ( Deoxit is available in small wipes that is cheaper for you. Good to use it on anything you have anyhow.)

 

[mouchoir]

I'm liking the sound of the JVC cans. Any recommendations for open back?
Thanks!

 

[Music Alchemist]

  Any recommendations for open back?
Thanks!

 
The best I've heard (sounds better to me than ultra-high-end non-electrostats) is the STAX SR-207. (If you're willing to buy a voltage transformer or modified power supply to safely use the Japanese-imported amp in your country, you can get it along with the required electrostatic amp here brand new for ~$475 including shipping. The system is normally $790 here, so it sort of lets you rocket past your price bracket.)
 
Others I like in your price range include the HIFIMAN HE400i, Sennheiser HD 650, beyerdynamic DT 880 Edition 600 Ω, and Philips SHP9500.
 
You'll definitely want to equalize whichever headphones you get, as even the most neutral headphones benefit from EQ. Check out the guides in my signature.

 

[howdy]

 
The best I've heard (sounds better to me than ultra-high-end non-electrostats) is the STAX SR-207. (If you're willing to buy a voltage transformer or modified power supply to safely use the Japanese-imported amp in your country, you can get it along with the required electrostatic amp here brand new for ~$475 including shipping. The system is normally $790 here, so it sort of lets you rocket past your price bracket.)
 
Others I like in your price range include the HIFIMAN HE400i, Sennheiser HD 650, beyerdynamic DT 880 Edition 600 Ω, and Philips SHP9500.
 
You'll definitely want to equalize whichever headphones you get, as even the most neutral headphones benefit from EQ. Check out the guides in my signature.

 

What makes you like the HD650 over the HD600? ( that is if you have listened to both)

 

[Music Alchemist]

What makes you like the HD650 over the HD600? ( that is if you have listened to both)

 
I owned an HD 650 and "owned" a second one that I transferred ownership of before receiving it...but I have never heard the HD 600. haha

 

[howdy]

 
I owned an HD 650 and "owned" a second one that I transferred ownership of before receiving it...but I have never heard the HD 600. haha

 

Cool! Im really considering the HD600 to go with the iFi DSD Micro. They say they are virtually the same with a bit more emphasis in the bass for the HD650. Im not really a bass head but when I feel like it I have my M100s.

 

[mouchoir]

Alright. I'm now settled on either the JVC pair or the HIFIMAN one. I might just get the HIFIMAN and then buy the JVC later.
Thanks guys!

 

[Music Alchemist]

Cool! Im really considering the HD600 to go with the iFi DSD Micro. They say they are virtually the same with a bit more emphasis in the bass for the HD650. Im not really a bass head but when I feel like it I have my M100s.

 
All I know for sure is that the HD 600 is a bit more neutral. If you read all the comparisons out there, you'll see that preference can go either way and some people feel that the HD 650 has better resolution and so on. Since they're both fairly affordable, the best way to go about it (in my opinion) is to buy both and perhaps return the one you like less, unless you have the luxury of auditioning them for free. It's also a good idea to equalize both to have the same frequency response, which would enable you to better assess their other qualities in a more controlled manner.
 
I'm a full-time audiophile and part-time basshead. haha
 

  Alright. I'm now settled on either the JVC pair or the HIFIMAN one. I might just get the HIFIMAN and then buy the JVC later.
Thanks guys!

 
The HE400i is slightly warm and dark, but very close to neutral. Here is a graph to give you a better understanding of what I mean.
 
The one I owned had the grill mod, which I suggest you implement if you end up buying it.