Studio Headphones?

[ImCoolBeans]

I've been wanting a pair of really good studio headphones. I don't want to spend like 300 dollars on a pair of Dre's, when you can get more for your money. I'm not too knowledgeable about headphones - anyone want to shed some light on me here? :P

[Sugaree]

Audio Technica is your friend. (http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATHM30-ATH-M30-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00007E7C8)

[anonymous53]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106328

Seinheiser is also your friend.

[Djentleman]

http://www.exceptional-av.co.uk/product.php?fdProductId=354&gclid=CM3D14Kqhq4CFYsntAodkidf6Q

Grado is your friend.

[DJbeggar]

For studio headphone you need neutral frequency response. Beats has a lot of emphasis on bass plus you can get better sound quality at $100 than those $300 beats.
I'm suggesting these mainly for studio work but they are also fantastic for enjoying music.
Best Under $100
-Sony MDR V6 (Most of the studios use them or the 7506)
-Sony MDR 7506 (More neural than V6 but priced higher. )
-Sennheiser HD280
-Shure SRH440
You cant go wrong with any of them. All of them sound more or less same. The shure has a detachable cable so will last more and sound great from ipod, 7506 and the V6 also sound great from ipod. But HD280 needs more power. All of them should be better than the beats for studio work and they are under $100.

The Audio Technica and the grado mentioned earlier is also good for enjoying music but NOT for studio work.
Btw the grado SR60 and SR80 IS THE BEST FOR ROCK/METAL music. Very in your face type sound. And the audio technica for hip-hop/pop/rnb.

[Invincible]

Explored Beyerdynamic? I use headphones in the studio. Dre are street headphones and they don't stand a chance once you start looking within that price bracket.

Beyerdynamic will rock your socks off. You can't go wrong with Grado, AT, AKG or Sennheiser either. It's all how and where you use them though. Go open if you don't mind sound leakage, they're more comfortable and give more 'organic' sound. Get closed if you use them outside, or in an environment where you don't want leakage, and good sound insulation. Choose circumaural/supraaural based on your ears, really just a comfort thing. Circumaurals wrap your ear entirely whereas supra sits on your ear, making circumaural better at sound insulation.
Lastly, what is your sound source? Look at the ohmage - generally the higher the better, but you'll need a more powerful source, like an amplifier or powered sound desk. If you're playing off a phone or iPod I wouldn't look anything above the 120Ω range.


Remember to BURN IN your headphones. No headphones sound good until they've been burnt in. Google is your friend on that.

AKG K142/172 HD
Sennheiser HD280, 518, 558
Bose AC2
Beyerdynamic 650/750/850.

[DJbeggar]

Yeah Beyerdynamics are also fantastic as a studio monitor. But I also want to point out that some openback headphones leak a lot of sounds that is sometimes recorded by mic and you really dont want that to happen. Also Openback headphones provides better Sound quality, more natural sound with huge soundstage.
You should look for those headphones which are "Neutral, provides extended frequency response like 5hz-30000hz, and offers LOTS OF DEATILS, even better if they are analytical sounding.". comfort level is also important as you will be using them for hours.
This link should provide you some ideas about the best buy for your money.
http://head-fi.org/a/headphone-buying-guide

[Invincible]

Yeah Beyerdynamics are also fantastic as a studio monitor. But I also want to point out that some openback headphones leak a lot of sounds that is sometimes recorded by mic and you really dont want that to happen. Also Openback headphones provides better Sound quality, more natural sound with huge soundstage.
You should look for those headphones which are "Neutral, provides extended frequency response like 5hz-30000hz, and offers LOTS OF DEATILS, even better if they are analytical sounding.". comfort level is also important as you will be using them for hours.
This link should provide you some ideas about the best buy for your money.
http://head-fi.org/a/headphone-buying-guide

Remember the average human only detects sounds from 20Hz-20,000Hz. Although you can feel frequencies below 20Hz that's not as important as powerful bass that balances well with clear mids and highs. Some of the Sony headphones I've tried at the studio were really bass-heavy. Unnatural.

[shadowhunter320]

just grab some Vic Firth sound blocking drum headphones. nice sound,volume, and really cheap!

[Wakesetter03]

If you do buy a set of Headphones bigger than 120 ohms, I do believe Sennheiser make an amplifier that's universal for brands?
I'm considering one myself.
Anyone know much about them?

[Silicate Wielder]

studio headphones don't need to be flashy. just need to meet your purpose, mine are a custom made Radioshack 12-932 headphones, they're worth like $60 but I got them for $4 they're not flashy but meet my expectations and purposes. flashy dosn't always mean their better. try looking up on google, and looking at yard sales, its amazing what you just might find.

[Say It Aint Tim]

i got the 200 dollar pair and love the beats by dre.

[ImCoolBeans]

i got the 200 dollar pair and love the beats by dre.

I don't listen to much "gangster rap" though lolol

[Wakesetter03]

I don't listen to much "gangster rap" though lolol

I find my beats by Dre (studios) perform well on a wide variety of music. Occasionally I have to fiddle with my UQ level in my iPhone so the bass isn't overpowering, but once that's done it's great. It shocked me.

Mind you, I am selling my Dres for Grado SR225's, just because I listen to rock mainly. If I didn't listen to rock with a lot of subtle hints musically, I would be more than happy to stick with my Dres.

Once you get a decent set of headphones, your next question is whether or not you feel the need for an amplifier.
At $300 on top of any headphone, I think it's a waste of money, but I listen to 90% of my music on my ipod dock.

So tell us, what music do you listen to, how often, and how much of an audiophile are you?

[Silicate Wielder]

I find my beats by Dre (studios) perform well on a wide variety of music. Occasionally I have to fiddle with my UQ level in my iPhone so the bass isn't overpowering, but once that's done it's great. It shocked me.

Mind you, I am selling my Dres for Grado SR225's, just because I listen to rock mainly. If I didn't listen to rock with a lot of subtle hints musically, I would be more than happy to stick with my Dres.

Once you get a decent set of headphones, your next question is whether or not you feel the need for an amplifier.
At $300 on top of any headphone, I think it's a waste of money, but I listen to 90% of my music on my ipod dock.

So tell us, what music do you listen to, how often, and how much of an audiophile are you?

I feel like my headphones might have an amplifier built in, These don't take as much a toll on my Radio, computers, handheld games, and TVs as most headphones I've used. and I don't have to go 50% over the regular volume limit on my computer just to be able to hear these (considering the sound limit on my computer is only like 75% volume on windows) MY sisters headphones are half as loud as my laptops actual speakers.

Mine are a pair of "Radioshack AM/FM STEREO DIGITAL TUNE WITH AUX INPUT" Headphones, For me the bassboost is awesome and as a plus I can listen to the radio on school field trips that allow me to bring an MP3 Player or something from home to do on the trip.

[canadaski]

Anything by sennheiser is going to blow you away. A $70 pair of sennheisers often beats a pair of $200+ phones from another manufacturer. They also make the world's most expensive pair of headphones, the HD800 series for $1500.;)

[Invincible]

Anything by sennheiser is going to blow you away. A $70 pair of sennheisers often beats a pair of $200+ phones from another manufacturer. They also make the world's most expensive pair of headphones, the HD800 series for $1500.;)

That's nowhere near most expensive mate.



I feel like my headphones might have an amplifier built in, These don't take as much a toll as most headphones I've used. and I don't have to go 50% over the regular volume limit on my computer just to be able to hear these (considering the sound limit on my computer is only like 75% volume on windows) MY sisters headphones are half as loud as my laptops actual speakers.


Probably a low impedance one that is built to run on low-power sources like phones, ipods and shit.

[Skyhawk]

Hmmm my $140 Bose headphones from 2008 sound better than my brother's $300 dr.dre headphones from 2010, and my mom's $140 Bose headphones form a month ago sound even better.

Bose is your friend, best headphone/speakers I've ever heard (And I've done some intense testing on head phones and speakers)

[Djentleman]

Bose is your friend, best headphone/speakers I've ever heard (And I've done some intense testing on head phones and speakers)

Bose make awesome speakers but I don't rate their head gear.