Headphones

[Nine Volt]

*I looked through the past three pages and didn't find anything so please don't eat me if there's already a thread on this*

I'm thinking it's time for a new (and better, preferably) pair of headphones. However, I have no idea where to start and I don't really feel like combing Google for an answer.

My price limit right now is about $350 USD. Should I save up for better headphones or can I get a decently good pair for that little?

I've heard good things about Sennheiser, but I looked at their site and don't know where to start or what ones would be good for production.

Any help would be appreciated! Also, if you need more information just let me know

[MrBronyPlan]

I personally use Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, mainly cause I found them sittin' around my house like they own the place. They do good for me, they cost about $100 straight from the Sennheiser website. I'm not to sure about headsets. Not too sure about other Sennheiser stuff though. Or too much about any other brands.

[the4thImpulse]

I use Beyerdynamic headphones, DT-880's 600 Ω.

I forget the exact price I got them for, it was more than a year ago, I think it was around $300.

[Nine Volt]

I use Beyerdynamic headphones, DT-880's 600 Ω.

I forget the exact price I got them for, it was more than a year ago, I think it was around $300.

These look quite nice; the list price is 400 but Amazon has it for 350. And since I know you know what you're talking about I think these are probably what I'm going to get when I get a bit more money.

Out of curiosity, what is the difference between the 600 ohm version and the other ones?

[Freewave]

I'm curious if people really think you need to spend $300 or more for a set of really good headphones because that seems a bit extravagant to me.

[Nine Volt]

Why?

I personally need headphones because I can't be playing my music out loud because reasons, so I can't get speakers (I forget what the actual term is ;_;) if that's what you're implying. Also I enjoy the mobility aspect (I don't listen with good headphones on the street or whatever though)

[the4thImpulse]

I'm curious if people really think you need to spend $300 or more for a set of really good headphones because that seems a bit extravagant to me.

Have you intently listened to real studio headphones before? There is a difference between them and expensive consumer headphones, the more attuned your ears the bigger the difference. Cheaper headphone don't do it for me anymore, and my $300 phones are still at the bottom end of whats out there.

Out of curiosity, what is the difference between the 600 ohm version and the other ones?

Ohms are the measurement of resistance the speakers face when a voltage is applied, I am really simplifying it but it basically means they take more power to operate (I use audio interfaces with good headphone amps). Ipods wont power them like they would the included ipod headphones, they will be much quieter. The big advantage is accuracy and frequency response (you want headphones that can play outside of common human hearing 20-20k).

[Nine Volt]

Out of curiosity, what is the difference between the 600 ohm version and the other ones?

Ohms are the measurement of resistance the speakers face when a voltage is applied, I am really simplifying it but it basically means they take more power to operate (I use audio interfaces with good headphone amps). Ipods wont power them like they would the included ipod headphones, they will be much quieter. The big advantage is accuracy and frequency response (you want headphones that can play outside of common human hearing 20-20k).

So does the power requirement matter with regards to my computer? It's a somewhat low end laptop.

[the4thImpulse]

So does the power requirement matter with regards to my computer? It's a somewhat low end laptop.

Your computer won't be able to get them up to a high volume level. It should get them to an adequate listening level for commercial music but when making music you may be finding the quiet. If need be you can get cheap headphone amplifiers for the time being, until you get a good soundcard with nice DA converters you won't be getting the full potential out of the headphones. But don;t let that be an excuse to get anything not studio quality, they are just so much better.

[Orange]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but with a high ohm set of headphones, you'd need a headphone amp to make it worth the money no?

EDIT: Ninja'd by 4th

[Nine Volt]

...he just explained that...

[S.P.P]

I use Sennheiser HD 205, cost me about £50.

But I hear most professionals use Beats by Dre because they have exceptional coloration on the bottom end.

[Nine Volt]

I use Sennheiser HD 205, cost me about £50.

But I hear most professionals use Beats by Dre because they have exceptional coloration on the bottom end.

ohgod I cant tell if you're serious or not aaaaaaaaaaa
part of me thinks you are
But part of me doesn't

[itroitnyah]

Yeah, your best bet is the headphones that 4th recommended. A few headphones in the same price range come close, such as the AKG K701 and K702, but it really sounds like have all the extra ohms should be helpful. Really looks like you're going to want to save up a few extra dollars and get an audio interface while you're at it (it'll benefit you in terms of future equipment you'll be getting). This one is perhaps the cheapest most reliable looking one with a good 24bit/96kHz quality. Yeah, this stuff is expensive. I know. But it's worth it. Although if you just decide to spend a bit extra to get a bit more reliable of an interface, the focusrite scarlett 2i2 is a great one.

P.S. PYR3LIGHT is joking

[Nine Volt]

Eh, that's not that bad. I expected it to be more expensive honestly. Hopefully I can get a job this summer and maybe actually start getting decent gear

[the4thImpulse]

Hopefully I can get a job this summer and maybe actually start getting decent gear

I am wanting to do the exact same thing, best of luck to the both of us!

I should also add that you should absolutely go to a music store and check out (and specifically listen) to their headphones. Bring a cd/ipod or something and listen to songs you know really well; they should be well mixed and produced too.

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

My Sennheiser HD 280's have served me well enough.

Obviously not the top of the range, but they're still really good in my opinion.

[bartekko]

I currently use HD280, but as with all more expensive headphones, you're going to want to not let them out of your house at all times. No taking them on school trips, no taking them to school even though they have exceptional noise isolation they are really fucking fragile and i had to use warranty two times in a year.
At your price range i would suggest ATH-M50 because that's what i;m going to get next

[Mr. Bigglesworth]

I currently use HD280, but as with all more expensive headphones, you're going to want to not let them out of your house at all times. No taking them on school trips, no taking them to school even though they have exceptional noise isolation they are really fucking fragile and i had to use warranty two times in a year.
At your price range i would suggest ATH-M50 because that's what i;m going to get next

This. I have a rule with headphones.

Treat them like glass puppies or you deserve the price tag of replacing them.

[itroitnyah]

Eh, that's not that bad. I expected it to be more expensive honestly. Hopefully I can get a job this summer and maybe actually start getting decent gear

Haha, with the way you're sounding, what you should really do is just save up and buy a nice $500-600 pair of headphones, go all out. And if you just decide to do that, then go for either the Sennheiser HD650 ($500), or Shure SRH1840 ($700) headphones. But if you want to remain stuck closer to your original budget, the Beyerdynamic DT-880 600 Ω will be your best bet.

[Fimbulin]

Monoprice has an excellent pair of headphones for travel. I think its about $22. One of the best pairs I have ever used- and comparable to the high end brand stuff too. I have so many friends that swear by those things!

[itroitnyah]

Unless the headphones you're talking about are on an 84% sale, there's a good chance they don't compete with the headphones that 9V is looking at getting.

[Ocular]

I am wanting to do the exact same thing, best of luck to the both of us!

I've seen your studio, and I really hope you're joking.

[itroitnyah]

He mostly wants to get some more hardware synthesizers. He even got a new audio interface with more ports so that he could do that without switching out connectors on a constant basis.

[Ocular]

I just barely scraped together the money to buy a $500 synth over the course of 4 years.

Please kill me.