(Studio Worthy Headphones of up to $200) UPDATE: I got the ATH-M50's. I hate them! Why?.. Thoughts?
Dec 19, 2010 at 4:47 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 45

Typhoon859

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Studio Worthy Headphones ("Better" than the Sennheiser HD 595's) - Roughly $150-
 
So I recently made a purchase of the HD 595's and I was quite dissatisfied (review here: http://www.head-fi.org/products/sennheiser-hd-595-headphones/reviews#4540).  I was thinking of returning them but considering I got them on sale, I'm not 100% sure what exactly is better of similar type for the value. 
 
Basically, I'm looking for headphones I can listen to through my receiver for music, but more importantly really, for my recordings (guitar, keyboard, alto saxophone, vocals) often mixed with other backing tracks.  Obviously, for such a purpose, the sound must be very balanced (which the 595's actually had covered, just nothing else) so that when trying to balance your own material, it'd be accurate.  The bass though must really have the capability of being significantly amplified (not just louder but punchier/more assertive) from its more balanced default sound.  As a matter of fact, I might actually prefer more powerful bass by default.  Also, very important is that it has good sound isolation so that when recording, no additional sound leaks into the microphone.
 
I really enjoy the warmth level of the Brainwavz M2's (ViSang R03's), for those familiar; I find it to be perfect! 
 
Thank you guys, sincerely.
 
PS- I would actually be willing to push the budget to $200, as the very limit, in extreme cases that are maybe well worth over anything cheaper.  I'd also just like to mention that current and previous sales should be kept in mind; I might wait and come across it once more.  Thanks again
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EDIT: The headphones don't need to be "Studio Headphones", just worthy enough/acceptable for the purpose.  They can be, but I'd still like them to have some excitement. 
 
 
Update: The concern and the current issue at hand is stated on the 21st post where the thread was revived: http://www.head-fi.org/t/529104/studio-worthy-headphones-of-up-to-200-update-i-got-the-ath-m50s-i-hate-them-why-thoughts/15#post_7983214.  Thanks in advance!
 
Update: Resolved - http://www.head-fi.org/t/529104/studio-worthy-headphones-of-up-to-200-update-i-got-the-ath-m50s-i-hate-them-why-thoughts/30#post_8437266
 
Dec 19, 2010 at 2:55 PM Post #3 of 45


Quote:
You can try the GMP8.35, or the M-50. But louder bass and punchier, is in mix process...and this why is better to have flat FR, or balanced hps.



The GMP 8.35's are out of my price range but the ATH M50's seem interesting. 
 
I've also got recommendations for the Sennheiser 380 Pro (which you can imagine I'm skeptical of) and the Beyerdynamic DT 770, though I'm really confused as to which one..  There are multiple ones for under $200: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Beyerdynamic+DT+770&x=0&y=0
 
Dec 19, 2010 at 3:42 PM Post #4 of 45
i know it's a love hate thing with these headphones but i love my akg 240 studio. they sound very close to flat to me and i just love the midrange a lot on these. female vocals in trance or in general sound amazing with very well defined soundstage. also can try the fostex t50rp around that price range, lot of rave around the fostex models been getting more noticed around here.
 
Dec 19, 2010 at 4:04 PM Post #5 of 45
Here's a list of threads about studio headphones.  More discussion is always a good thing, but these threads should provide you with a lot of good recommendations. 
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/495501/question-about-studio-monitoring-mixing
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/493746/reference-studio-grade-headphone-appreciation-thread-discussion
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/492628/studio-headphones-any-recomendation
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/481606/studio-headphones-vs-reference-headphones
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/472222/audiophile-vs-studio-professional-headphones
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/419451/hello-there-need-headphone-suggestions-for-studio
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/371355/what-are-the-differences-with-studio-vs-audiophile-headphones
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/379141/headphones-for-studio-production-mixing-and-engineering
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/372399/whats-the-best-closed-studio-headphone-unamped
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/332385/studio-headphones-for-a-new-old-school-recording-studio
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/324079/recomendations-for-best-studio-headphones
 
Dec 19, 2010 at 6:13 PM Post #8 of 45


Quote:
XB-700 studio worthy?  um.....


XB700 aren't far from "studio" sounding marketed headphones like Beyer DT770 Pro for example except for the stronger sub-bass which can be EQd out. They are both just tiny bit on the laid-back side of neutral and very clear sounding due to somewhat exaggerated highs but the mids are slightly recessed too much like DT770 Pro 80 but I'd say even slightly less recessed on the Sonys. -4dB to 32 - 62Hz range and maybe -1dB at 125Hz and +2dB increase to 1 - 2kHz and you should have a fairly balanced sound and DT770 Pro benefits from similar settings and is just a bit less exaggerated in the deep bass apart from that they are very close sounding, so if DT770 Pro can be marketed as studio headphones I don't see why XB700 couldn't as they are the most similar sounding headphones I can think of. :p
 
Dec 20, 2010 at 12:18 AM Post #10 of 45
They are very far from neutral and aren't even designed to be studio phones in any way.  Nothing wrong with liking them though, neutral is just one of many flavors of ice cream.  As they say, if it sounds good, it is good.
 
Dec 20, 2010 at 4:00 AM Post #11 of 45
Quote:
XB-700 for that "in the club" feeling.
Beyers are the midway between the bass heavy Sony and the non-existent bass Senn.

The XB-700's have been recommended to me elsewhere as well but their look and marketed price (especially coming from a company like Sony) is really throwing me off.  That's of course not a very professional way of looking at it, especially because I've enjoyed Sony headphones in the past - they give little to criticize (just like their TVs) but just nothing special.  That's all good but something about these just rubs me the wrong way.
 
 
Quote:
XB700 aren't far from "studio" sounding marketed headphones like Beyer DT770 Pro for example except for the stronger sub-bass which can be EQd out. They are both just tiny bit on the laid-back side of neutral and very clear sounding due to somewhat exaggerated highs but the mids are slightly recessed too much like DT770 Pro 80 but I'd say even slightly less recessed on the Sonys. -4dB to 32 - 62Hz range and maybe -1dB at 125Hz and +2dB increase to 1 - 2kHz and you should have a fairly balanced sound and DT770 Pro benefits from similar settings and is just a bit less exaggerated in the deep bass apart from that they are very close sounding, so if DT770 Pro can be marketed as studio headphones I don't see why XB700 couldn't as they are the most similar sounding headphones I can think of. :p

Is that commonly agreed upon?  The similarity in sound between the two I mean.  There are so many elements to sound that I doubt the only major difference is more exaggerated lower bass.  If I got either of the two, I'd definitely try out your EQ though, lol.  Thanks though. 
 
 
Quote:
Why aren't they?  Is it not expensive enough? 
If Dr. Dre were in the studio, I bet you he'd choose the XB-700 over any Sennheiser.
Choose the right can for the right music. 
 
Expensive is not de facto better. 
 
Quote:
XB-700 studio worthy?  um.....


 

Based on your descriptions so far and just my nudge in general, doesn't seem like they're for me.  Thank though.  I definitely gotta consider them if recommended more than once.
 
 
Quote:
rhythmdevils said:
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They are very far from neutral and aren't even designed to be studio phones in any way.  Nothing wrong with liking them though, neutral is just one of many flavors of ice cream.  As they say, if it sounds good, it is good.

Thanks for the input.  But umm, in regards to the original reply, I'll definitely read through a good amount of those eventually (and I always do), but I'm wondering if you have any recommendations of your own, considering what I'm looking for.  To sum that up, if you've ever heard the Brainwavz M2's/ViSang R03's, I want a more advanced version of those with better treble, just more acceptable for the studio.  Love them :D
 
Dec 20, 2010 at 4:41 AM Post #14 of 45
No, the pro series in itself generally has "more" bass. I would just suggest the 80hm version, as it's generally recommended and favored the most in the pro series. 
 

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