Any headphone experts?
Discussion
Hiya. I'm not a headphone expert - sorry, but my comments might help.
Being a musician, I have often been in various recording studios, and had sound engineers at our gigs.
Discussing the dynamics of microphones and headphones with various sound techs over the years, there are a couple of things which stand out.
Firstly, a lot of the headphones available in the usual retailers are aimed at the majority of the buying public. That is, as you say - units that are tuned to give higher bass and treble - which sounds more 'pleasing' to most untrained ears.
However, as you've also correctly identified - if you want a natural soundstage and sense of imaging - you need headphones which don't pander to some false idea of sound just to sound 'good' - you want something that gives you a faithful reproduction.
So for what it's worth - when I visit a studio, I would say 9 times out of 10, the headphones I am handed when I start recording are usually Sennheisers. So I guess the majority of recording studios must be right?!
Being a musician, I have often been in various recording studios, and had sound engineers at our gigs.
Discussing the dynamics of microphones and headphones with various sound techs over the years, there are a couple of things which stand out.
Firstly, a lot of the headphones available in the usual retailers are aimed at the majority of the buying public. That is, as you say - units that are tuned to give higher bass and treble - which sounds more 'pleasing' to most untrained ears.
However, as you've also correctly identified - if you want a natural soundstage and sense of imaging - you need headphones which don't pander to some false idea of sound just to sound 'good' - you want something that gives you a faithful reproduction.
So for what it's worth - when I visit a studio, I would say 9 times out of 10, the headphones I am handed when I start recording are usually Sennheisers. So I guess the majority of recording studios must be right?!
I would not call myself an expert but I can vouch for the quality of Beyer DT880 as my son has just had a pair for christmas along with a FIIO USB headphone amp. He uses them for gaming too.
He is very pleased with them. They are the 250 ohm version. Find out what impedance phones your proposed sound card will drive. The usual rule is "higher is better" as long as your card is capable. I believe that all the phones constituent parts are replaceable too.
I have listened to them using some of my favourite tracks and can only agree with him. I doubt that you could possibly be disappointed with them.
You might find that your "surround sound virtualisation" gizmo makes things worse rather than better.
We use DT100's when doing PA work as do many professionals. They are closed back though but are damn near indestructible. At home I use Jecklin Floats.
If I were replacing the Jecklins today DT880's would be on the shortlist.
He is very pleased with them. They are the 250 ohm version. Find out what impedance phones your proposed sound card will drive. The usual rule is "higher is better" as long as your card is capable. I believe that all the phones constituent parts are replaceable too.
I have listened to them using some of my favourite tracks and can only agree with him. I doubt that you could possibly be disappointed with them.
You might find that your "surround sound virtualisation" gizmo makes things worse rather than better.
We use DT100's when doing PA work as do many professionals. They are closed back though but are damn near indestructible. At home I use Jecklin Floats.
If I were replacing the Jecklins today DT880's would be on the shortlist.
I am certainly no expert in headphones, but the usual rule of trying them out applies!
Try HiFi lounge near Hitchin if you are ever near there, they've got a massive range of headphones for testing. I've never seen a selection like it any where else and if you need to make your mind up, then sticking them on your noggin sounds like the safest bet.
Try HiFi lounge near Hitchin if you are ever near there, they've got a massive range of headphones for testing. I've never seen a selection like it any where else and if you need to make your mind up, then sticking them on your noggin sounds like the safest bet.
IforB said:
I am certainly no expert in headphones, but the usual rule of trying them out applies!
This! Go with what your own ears tell you 
Preferably driven by the same kit that you're actually going to be using.Have got DT770 Pro here (80 ohm), driven from a small mixing desk. When I was looking I tried various things, including DT880, DT990, and Grado SR60i, SR80i and SR125i. Ended up going for the DT770 because they were closed back and have good sound isolation - one of the reasons for me getting headphones was that next door had a baby and being modern town houses with f
k all to stop sounds traveling between them I needed some peace and quiet from the screaming. The Grados particularly sounded very transparent and natural, but being open backed (as are the DT990s - the DT880s are partly closed) also let pretty much all the ambient noise through, defeating part of the object for me. The DT770s are a touch more bass heavy than the Grados, but the best for what I wanted. The DT770s are now available in a 32 ohm version which might suit well if your sound card amp is not the most powerful.Have also had in the past Sennheiser (can't remember the model - a more budget end of the spectrum but ok for the price), Philips (bloody awful - never again), and through radio/music work have used DT100, DT150 and DT250 (all of which are brilliant for what they're designed for, but for comfort reasons wouldn't be my choice for home music/gaming use).
I use Beyer DT770's and they are (IMHO) pretty good, but do need a decent headphone amp to get the best out of them.
Similarly for the Grado's I used to have (SR80 IIRC).
My son has been through various headsets (mostly wireless), and recently bought a pair of Sennheiser PC363D which he reckons are the best he's had for games so far. He doesn't listen to much music with them though.
Similarly for the Grado's I used to have (SR80 IIRC).
My son has been through various headsets (mostly wireless), and recently bought a pair of Sennheiser PC363D which he reckons are the best he's had for games so far. He doesn't listen to much music with them though.
Just bought a set of AKG K451 and they are stunning for the money and won What hifi product of they year in 2013.Think I paid £50 for mine and the quality is superb.
http://www.whathifi.com/review/akg-k451
http://www.whathifi.com/review/akg-k451
anonymous said:
[redacted]
It's a bit difficult to say, but they're more comfortable (that's not to say the Beyers are uncomfortable by any stretch) and when listening to any music which isn't bass heavy, the sound of the 598s is preferable to me. Much more airy, more like you're listening to speakers than headphones. macp said:
Just bought a set of AKG K451 and they are stunning for the money and won What hifi product of they year in 2013.Think I paid £50 for mine and the quality is superb.
http://www.whathifi.com/review/akg-k451
Does anyone know if this would work with gaming? How would it connect to the TV or PS3 etc, as it only seems to have a lead?http://www.whathifi.com/review/akg-k451
Mo D said:
macp said:
Just bought a set of AKG K451 and they are stunning for the money and won What hifi product of they year in 2013.Think I paid £50 for mine and the quality is superb.
http://www.whathifi.com/review/akg-k451
Does anyone know if this would work with gaming? How would it connect to the TV or PS3 etc, as it only seems to have a lead?http://www.whathifi.com/review/akg-k451
This is a version available with a microphone, not sure if it's any good for gaming though.
My personal experience (DJ), is Sennheiser HD25 or the HD25sp which are a slightly cut down version.
Most professionals use them in broadcasting, DJing, studios and much more.
The sound produced is very dynamic and gives you a full range.
They are not cheap but if you want a set of head phones for life, you cant go wrong.
IceBoy
Most professionals use them in broadcasting, DJing, studios and much more.
The sound produced is very dynamic and gives you a full range.
They are not cheap but if you want a set of head phones for life, you cant go wrong.
IceBoy
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I use Beyer for work and at home. I'm a location recording engineer.For the most natural, spacious response I use the DT990s. At home, usually, I'll use DT770 pros. Given the choice, I'd use the DT990's all the time. The good, and bad thing is that they are open backed. If the wife's watching TV at the same time I'll hear the TV, and she'll hear the headphones.
If it's only you in the room though, I'd go for the DT990'. It really sounds like you are in a room with the instruments around you. The difference with the closed back 770s is that there's more bass, and as such a 'darker' presentation where it a lot more closed, and the sense of surround and width is much reduced.
It's personal preference. To some, the 770s would be better due to the bass response and sound rejection. The 990s are no slouch with bass however, it's just a more flat and open presentation.
Ahh yes - I've just read the rest of the thread to see that.
If you can only have one pair, the 880s will be the best of both worlds.
I can give some hope about the clamping - that's happened to all of mine.
It does ease up. What tends to happen is it's not so much the top bar, but the foam tends to mould to the contours of your head and that does release some of the ear to ear width.
If you can only have one pair, the 880s will be the best of both worlds.
I can give some hope about the clamping - that's happened to all of mine.
It does ease up. What tends to happen is it's not so much the top bar, but the foam tends to mould to the contours of your head and that does release some of the ear to ear width.
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