Budget Headphones!

[1stfiest]

So, looking in the 100-180 price bracket. So far came across these 2. If you own a pair, let me know what you think. Throw in a couple other suggestions, other than the Sennhieser HD25's, as i hear they are a piece of sh*t. If this debate has appeared before, throw me in the right direction. Thanks

ATH M505

AKG K550

[SaveMidnight]

Beats.
I know people through these around like they are a joke but they are decent headphones.

But srsly,
I had these for a while and I wish I didnt sell them.
MDR-ZX700 - Sony

[Electric_Head]

Beyerdynamics DT990

I sound like a stuck record in this forum.

[1stfiest]

Beats.
I know people through these around like they are a joke but they are decent headphones.

But srsly,
I had these for a while and I wish I didnt sell them.
MDR-ZX700 - Sony

I've tried some beats, they aren't bad, but they sound over-driven in the bass frequencies and a bit tinny.

The Sonys are a bit cheaper than what i was going for, so i don't imagine they'd bee to great for producing with, maybe good for DJing?

Beyerdynamics DT990

I sound like a stuck record in this forum.

I've heard good things about the Beyers, these i will look into, they are also a little bit cheaper than the AKG and AT

[Electric_Head]

Go over to headfi and read the comparative reviews of the 3.

[billybuxton]

What are you using headphones for ?
Djing ?
Production ?
General listening ?

Sennhieser HD25's are fucking amazing for DJ'in but i don't like making tunes on with them

[1stfiest]

Go over to headfi and read the comparative reviews of the 3.

Thanks for the advice, i found some great reviews when comparing speakers recently but wasnt sure where to find headphone reviews so thanks for this.

What are you using headphones for ?
Djing ?
Production ?
General listening ?

Sennhieser HD25's are fucking amazing for DJ'in but i don't like making tunes on with them

I will be using them for producing late at night, as i cant use my speakers at this time as they wake everybody up!
Hd25,s are pretty ruled out for me, i find sennhieser are appauling for how much you pay. My friends open back akg's are incredible, so i wonder how the closed back compares. Hopefuly i can find a decent shop and try out some of these cans.

[SKIN E]

Why would you buy closed back ones though? Get the open ones if it is just for production, they are meant to give a more true sound as to what speakers actually do.. and I 2nd Electric Head, got the beyerdynamic dt990 like many and don't think I've seen a single complaint about it.. comfy.. good sound.. I think I will buy a new pair soon as mine are getting a bit worn out

[Aufnahmewindwuschel]

there was this korean firm or what and they basically made the parts for the other firms and made a own headphone some said it was as good but not as comfortable i forgot everything though price name but maybe they still produce those dunno

[1stfiest]

Why would you buy closed back ones though? Get the open ones if it is just for production, they are meant to give a more true sound as to what speakers actually do.. and I 2nd Electric Head, got the beyerdynamic dt990 like many and don't think I've seen a single complaint about it.. comfy.. good sound.. I think I will buy a new pair soon as mine are getting a bit worn out

There is one good reason i won't go for open back headphones, there is too much background noise/humming in my room where i produce. If i had an acoustic treated room, i would more than definitely go for open back.

[Aufnahmewindwuschel]

Why would you buy closed back ones though? Get the open ones if it is just for production, they are meant to give a more true sound as to what speakers actually do.. and I 2nd Electric Head, got the beyerdynamic dt990 like many and don't think I've seen a single complaint about it.. comfy.. good sound.. I think I will buy a new pair soon as mine are getting a bit worn out

There is one good reason i won't go for open back headphones, there is too much background noise/humming in my room where i produce. If i had an acoustic treated room, i would more than definitely go for open back.

haha my reason for closed ones was way different

[Italus]

I have a budget pair of $50 Audio Technicas. Great headphones, I would think the more expensive ones are even better. So honestly I would go with Audio Technica.

[Electric_Head]

Why would you buy closed back ones though? Get the open ones if it is just for production, they are meant to give a more true sound as to what speakers actually do.. and I 2nd Electric Head, got the beyerdynamic dt990 like many and don't think I've seen a single complaint about it.. comfy.. good sound.. I think I will buy a new pair soon as mine are getting a bit worn out

There is one good reason i won't go for open back headphones, there is too much background noise/humming in my room where i produce. If i had an acoustic treated room, i would more than definitely go for open back.

Then go the DT770 route.

[1stfiest]

How about these?

http://www.krksys.com/krk-headphones/kns-8400.html

[Johnst]

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=67063 Big, badass discussion of headphones for producing.

I personally have the AKG 240's. $100, sound great, awesomely flat, just like a like it. Very difficult to really hear sub frequencies well enough to manipulate them, but I think that's just a problem with headphones in general. Anyone can feel free to correct me if I'm wrong on that.

[1stfiest]

I do hear that the akg's are great, however the krk's have been highly recommended, though they do have some violent frequencies and an airy sound. Also i hear that beyers are "fun" headphones with a fantastic bass response.

Someone who has "owned" all these headphones is recommending the Shure SRH840's.

Ffs. All these headphones have there pros and cons that outweigh one another. Would someone please make a perfect pair of cans that features all these great qualities! (for £150 >< )

[HoogerJ]

How about these?

http://www.krksys.com/krk-headphones/kns-8400.html

I own this baby. Love it. No colouring whatsoever. Really flat and a proper bass response.

[AxeD]

For producing Beyerdynamic or maybe AT or AKG.
Hardly budget imo, but not that expensive.

[Barka]

Shure SRH-440s are awesome for production as well as general listening, otherwise I can recommend the KRK 8400s which i've tried.

[1stfiest]

Why i might go for the KRK KNS 8400, as opposed to Beyerdynamic DT770, Shure SRH 840, AKG K550 or AT M50.

Beyer DT770


This graph shows a very bright sounding top end with over exaggerated lows. This could result in some interesting sounding mixes, but i feel they are going to be too sensitive to bass orientated music. The mid's are looking quite good, with an interesting dip at 5khz. Overall, mixing on such brightly coloured headphones is a huge put-off overall.

Shure SRH840


Bass cutoff at 50hz is quite unappealing, as i don't have a sub, i will be using headphones as my main bass reference. Very strong mid's, which means if you listen to anything that has been mixed on a "flat" system, the mid's are going to come across very shouty and in your face.

ATH M50


Scarily similar to the Beyerdynamics above, Bright top end and over exaggerated bass response, mid's are looking quite strong, giving them the shouty effect that the Shure SRH840's do.

AKG K550


Again, we are looking at a over exaggerated bass response, but really shallow high's. Which is unfortunate as this pair looks like it might have a really sweet sounding mid.

Finally, KRK KNS 8400


Here we have something a bit different to all the others, which is a strong bass response from 50-30hz, giving you a great definition for sub referencing. The high's are not over exagerated and the shallow dips at 5k is really going to give your music room to breathe. Another really interesting aspect of these headphones, is the dipped mids, as opposed to them being boosted and shouty, like all the other headphones.

In the past week, i have been fortunate to wear a couple of these headphones.

The SHURE SRH840's and the KRK KNS 8400's.

This, backed with what i can interoperate from the frequency response graphs, is what is shaping my decision.

The Shures and the KRKs are complete opposites in terms of there response in the mids. One being shouty and "in your face", and the other being dipped and slightly "pushed back". Now, if i am planning to listen and work on a project for hours on end, i don't want headphones that are going to be too shouty, too bright sounding, too over-exaggerated in any area. Something subtle and rather flat is preferred, this way I will enjoy the experience more, and spend more time enjoying production. Which, tbh, is what i'm after. Somewhat more of an audiophile opinion than that of a producer maybe? Or maybe the other way round, I can't really say.

Fortunately next week i will get a chance to listen in on some Beyerdynamic DT770's, which will also form my final opinion of the ATH M50's as they are very similar in terms of frequency response. My only regret, is that i won't have a chance to try the AKG K550's, which look like a really interesting "bass orientated" pair of headphones.