Question about studio monitoring/mixing

[kwkarth]

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DT-48S ( the S series sound more balanced than the E series).
Pioneer monitor 10. ( flat with a great balanced ).
K-1000 (are one of the best way's to get natural flat and balanced sound).
Fostex T-20v2 (sorry kwkarth, no experience with the 50rp ).
HD-600 ( nice and flat... just a little claustrophobic,and no sound stage allowed ).
K-240DF (one of my favorite vintage, as well the Sansui SS-35).
 

Sorry, but I guess we don't hear much alike. 

 

[kool bubba ice]

I know of people who own the HD800/DT48, & a couple who auditioned the two.. All agreed the bass on the HD800 is much better.. More impact, quantity, better textured, fuller, more palpable, & goes much deeper.. If there is two things the HD800 clobber the DT48 it would be the bass & size of sound stage.
 
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thanks..have you compared their bass to the HD800 or anything else that can go deep down? just interested.

 

[rhythmdevils]

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Smarter people then I can do a better job at answering that question. Some feel you need to add a certain amount of emphasis in order for the bass to be neutral. (ala sub bass) I just know from the graphs I seen they measure flat.. & know a few headfiers who owns the HP1/2/K1000/240DF/DT48 & claim them to all being neutral despite the fact that each vary in terms of bass.. I think Beyers wanted a bass without any emphasis to hear the bass as it is, without adding anything to it.. Like you alluded to, critical listening in a controlled environment. The type of bass you get totally depends on the recording.. If a song has deep bass you will hear it.. That to me is a neutral headphone.. Like a chamelon, the bass will depend on the song, unlike headphones like the D5000 or 650 where bass will always be present regardless.. Even with Jazz & classical which I find annoying..
 

I would guess that the DT48 is not made to monitor music/sound with bass, but Beyer focussed on the midrange.  I think many monitor headphones remove bass to give the headphones a more clinical, analytical sound which can make flaws worse than they actually are.  So they are not in fact neutral, they present the listener with a kind of worst case scenario in terms of the midrange and treble, so that the listener doesn't miss any flaws.  In the case of the DT-48, I imagine at that time, they couldn't get the driver to reproduce the full frequency range, so they just focused primarily on the vocal range.  They are made for vocal monitoring are they not?  I really wanted to get them for video work, but just couldn't justify the price. 

 

[kool bubba ice]

You bring up some excellent points.. Some I never thought of.. You are correct about the focus on the mid range, as they are used for field recordings & speech playback. Bass is more of an afterthought when talking about the DT48A, with the e models, not so much IMO. As one of their functions is for monitoring music. You do bring up some good points, maybe some can enlighten us.
 
Maybe me, you, & ACIX can hold a mini meet. I'd bring my 50's DT48a APS VS3/NAGRA DT48S APS V3/ new DT48e 25ohm/ & my franken DT48 200 ohm, which has taught me the difference between absolute detail & musical detail.. All 4 sound different in their own special way.. My amp/oppo83 SE are neutral, so you might not like the combo.. Maybe you have a warm amp..
 
Either way, interesting take.. Your post make me think, which is a good thing.
 
Quote:

I would guess that the DT48 is not made to monitor music/sound with bass, but Beyer focussed on the midrange.  I think many monitor headphones remove bass to give the headphones a more clinical, analytical sound which can make flaws worse than they actually are.  So they are not in fact neutral, they present the listener with a kind of worst case scenario in terms of the midrange and treble, so that the listener doesn't miss any flaws.  In the case of the DT-48, I imagine at that time, they couldn't get the driver to reproduce the full frequency range, so they just focused primarily on the vocal range.  They are made for vocal monitoring are they not?  I really wanted to get them for video work, but just couldn't justify the price. 

 

[Remedial]

Quote:

DT-48S ( the S series sound more balanced than the E series).
Pioneer monitor 10. ( flat with a great balanced ).
K-1000 (are one of the best way's to get natural flat and balanced sound).
Fostex T-20v2 (sorry kwkarth, no experience with the 50rp ).
HD-600 ( nice and flat... just a little claustrophobic,and no sound stage allowed ).
K-240DF (one of my favorite vintage, as well the Sansui SS-35).
 

So, you would really place the Fostex T-20 in the same category as these other big names?
 
And, just to be sure, this is the T-20 that you mention?:
 
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fostex-T20RP-Headphones-103525960-i1125841.gc
 
I'm kind of in the same situation as the original poster but slightly different.  I produce electronic music and really don't need a tremendous bass roll-off or exaggeration.  I spend a lot of time (at night, unfortunately) doing drum sound design and definitely need something with better representation of the low end than my horrid HD280 Pro's (I've owned two pairs and both have literally fell apart and the bass in almost nonexistent).  I've recently had to stick with getting really close to my monitors while keeping the volume down low enough so as not to bother the neighbors.
 
I might even give the T-50's a go, because, even they are very reasonably priced. 
 
Lastly, how would I be able to tell whether or not the T-20's are version 2 or not?
 
Thanks beforehand.

 

[Acix]

 
Quote:

So, you would really place the Fostex T-20 in the same category as these other big names?
 
And, just to be sure, this is the T-20 that you mention?:
 
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fostex-T20RP-Headphones-103525960-i1125841.gc
 
I'm kind of in the same situation as the original poster but slightly different.  I produce electronic music and really don't need a tremendous bass roll-off or exaggeration.  I spend a lot of time (at night, unfortunately) doing drum sound design and definitely need something with better representation of the low end than my horrid HD280 Pro's (I've owned two pairs and both have literally fell apart and the bass in almost nonexistent).  I've recently had to stick with getting really close to my monitors while keeping the volume down low enough so as not to bother the neighbors.
 
I might even give the T-50's a go, because, even they are very reasonably priced. 
 
Lastly, how would I be able to tell whether or not the T-20's are version 2 or not?
 
Thanks beforehand.

 
The T-20 v2 are manly for vocals because there mid range, and you'll need some power to drive them. I prefer the K-702 with Apogee mini DAC, or the Duet and of course with bigger budget you can add a pro amp like the SPL's . For cheaper options you can try the GMP 8.35, or the M-50, they are both around 35 ohm.

 

[Acix]

Quote:

Sorry, but I guess we don't hear much alike. 

Please explain.

 

[Remedial]

Quote:

 
 
The T-20 v2 are manly for vocals because there mid range, and you'll need some power to drive them. I prefer the K-702 with Apogee mini DAC, or the Duet and of course with bigger budget you can add a pro amp like the SPL's . For cheaper options you can try the GMP 8.35, or the M-50, they are both around 35 ohm.

 
Hate to harp, but, did I get the right T20 with that Guitar Center link?  Right now, I have a Presonus HP4 (which I love for it's mono switch) and my Motu 828 mkII (which I plan to upgrade to an RME Fireface or Echo Audiofire soon enough).  I don't think I'd be willing to spend more money on another heaphone amp or DAC right now, as new cans are my priority.  Might later on.  Have been eyeing the lower end Apogee soundcards for their portability, especially the Duet.
 
Thanks for the suggestions.
 

 

[Farelistic]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ1ertk19Uo