good headphones for mixing/mastering

Ace · 02-15-2010, 01:22 AM

Sennheiser HD280s. Best headphones I've ever used, both in studio and out.
They work very well in picking out subtle mistakes in your mix.
They also work very well for general listening purposes, and they are neutral.

You can get a pair from ProAudioStar on Ebay for $83.00.

Psy-Fi · 02-16-2010, 09:57 PM

You might want to consider the AKG-K701 headphones. They retail for around $250, but are worth every penny in my humble opinion. Certainly worth a listen.

Indie_Lover · 04-14-2010, 09:02 AM

IMO you don't EVER use headphones to mix/master with. Always use a nice pair of Active or Passive Speakers. You can get a sexy pair for around £200-300.

The problem with headphones is that you cannot tell the amount of low end is in the mix. The levels won't work in the speakers because after 10 minutes of using headphones, you automatically push sounds 'louder'.

I'm studying Music Tech as a degree and have been recording for 5 years now, from my experience this is the case and all of my lecturers would agree so.

Hope this negative message helps.

Freebase Dali · 04-15-2010, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indie_Lover

IMO you don't EVER use headphones to mix/master with. Always use a nice pair of Active or Passive Speakers. You can get a sexy pair for around £200-300.

The problem with headphones is that you cannot tell the amount of low end is in the mix. The levels won't work in the speakers because after 10 minutes of using headphones, you automatically push sounds 'louder'.

I'm studying Music Tech as a degree and have been recording for 5 years now, from my experience this is the case and all of my lecturers would agree so.

Hope this negative message helps.

Not only that, but proper stereo imaging is another factor. While no one can argue the effectiveness of proper monitoring, headphones can be a good tool for particular critical listening when editing, as well as A/B referencing. Simply mixing/mastering your music through only your studio monitors might be great if everyone's going to listen to your music through studio monitors, but since that's not usually the case it also helps to tweak your final product to a medium through which the music will be most heard.
With that in mind, I think it's best to use a standard, mediocre headset that will cover a larger average representative of the listener's situation, in addition to a pair of reliable studio monitors.

TRAHAN459 · 04-21-2011, 06:43 PM

Hey guys; Man I have been mixing in my studio for years and have found that the more speakers you subject your music to the better the mix will be. I do use headphones to tweek the volume on the tracks but the sound is very bright and not true with a set of monitors. I cut a record in nashville in the 80's in Jim Reeves studio and I was amazed what was on the wall. A cheep-o set of what looked like clock radio speakers, a mid sized (4'') stereo speakers and finally a set of jbl huge monitor speakers. Now this was a million dollar studio back then. Cant really final mix on a pair of cans but you do need to know how the mix is flowing on all size speakers. Oh just bought a set of the AKG K-240's, havent recieved them yet but the reviews are good.

s_k · 04-22-2011, 02:56 AM

I do agree with the AKG's

As far as the speakers go; It depends on what market you're aiming at.
Most peoples listen to PC speakers or cheap-ass all-in-one sets or these crappy 5.1 surround crap things. Most records are aimed to sound properly on these pieces of ****.
But believe me, when you have a pair of proper ears and a proper audio set-up, these records are annoying as hell...

highoctane93 · 04-22-2011, 09:54 AM

i suggest beats by dr.dre they are pretty pricey ($700) but my older brother kyle is a mix artist as well as dj and he loves his. i have a pair also and think that the $700 i paid was well worth my cash lol

s_k · 04-22-2011, 11:36 AM

... --> Three dots to express I obviously don't agree.
A hype is never worth the cash

ThePhanastasio · 04-22-2011, 11:56 AM

IMO, Beats by Dr. Dre are NICE headphones, but not at all worth the price tag. Dropping $130 on AKG K240 MKII headphones will get you comparable quality for a fraction of the ridiculous price tag - and the mix won't be oversaturated with the low end as with the Beats headphones.

Beats > Bose, I suppose, but I still wouldn't spend that much for an inferior product.

s_k · 04-22-2011, 12:00 PM

Pretty much every brand > Bose.
For both headphones and home-speakers.
They have some nice PA and Car speakers, but apart from that. Avoid it like your mother in law.

It's exactly like Sara says here: Beats aren't necessarily bad, but they cost at least four times what a comparable AKG or Beyerdynamic or certain Sony's cost. You pay for Dre. Not for soundqualité.
They're made for Dre-like music. Loads of low-end. Mix your **** on these things and you will end up with too much mid and a ****load of bass.
For me there's only one 'brand' and that's AKG. But if you are into acoustic/vocals, be sure to consider the Beyer DT100's and Sennheiser HD25. Real monitor headphones, very good for solo instruments or acoustic music. If you want to make a great mix of multiple instruments, have a look at a proper AKG Hifi headphones. They are really honest and uncoloured.

04-22-2011, 02:56 AM	#16 (permalink)
s_k Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,206	I do agree with the AKG's As far as the speakers go; It depends on what market you're aiming at. Most peoples listen to PC speakers or cheap-ass all-in-one sets or these crappy 5.1 surround crap things. Most records are aimed to sound properly on these pieces of ****. But believe me, when you have a pair of proper ears and a proper audio set-up, these records are annoying as hell... __________________ Click here to see my collection

04-22-2011, 09:54 AM	#17 (permalink)
highoctane93 Groupie Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: sumtimes in a god awful world ;) Posts: 44	i suggest beats by dr.dre they are pretty pricey ($700) but my older brother kyle is a mix artist as well as dj and he loves his. i have a pair also and think that the $700 i paid was well worth my cash lol __________________ Remember, 50% of people are of below average intelligence Last edited by highoctane93; 04-22-2011 at 10:00 AM. Reason: more info

04-22-2011, 11:36 AM	#18 (permalink)
s_k Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,206	... --> Three dots to express I obviously don't agree. A hype is never worth the cash __________________ Click here to see my collection

04-22-2011, 11:56 AM	#19 (permalink)
ThePhanastasio Killed Laura Palmer Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Ashland, KY Posts: 1,679	IMO, Beats by Dr. Dre are NICE headphones, but not at all worth the price tag. Dropping $130 on AKG K240 MKII headphones will get you comparable quality for a fraction of the ridiculous price tag - and the mix won't be oversaturated with the low end as with the Beats headphones. Beats > Bose, I suppose, but I still wouldn't spend that much for an inferior product. __________________ Phish: Studio Discography Reviewed 100 Albums I Heartily Recommend My last.fm It's a hand-me-down, the thoughts are broken Perhaps they're better left unsung

04-22-2011, 12:00 PM	#20 (permalink)
s_k Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,206	Pretty much every brand > Bose. For both headphones and home-speakers. They have some nice PA and Car speakers, but apart from that. Avoid it like your mother in law. It's exactly like Sara says here: Beats aren't necessarily bad, but they cost at least four times what a comparable AKG or Beyerdynamic or certain Sony's cost. You pay for Dre. Not for soundqualité. They're made for Dre-like music. Loads of low-end. Mix your ** on these things and you will end up with too much mid and a **load of bass. For me there's only one 'brand' and that's AKG. But if you are into acoustic/vocals, be sure to consider the Beyer DT100's and Sennheiser HD25. Real monitor headphones, very good for solo instruments or acoustic music. If you want to make a great mix of multiple instruments, have a look at a proper AKG Hifi headphones. They are really honest and uncoloured. __________________ Click here to see my collection

02-16-2010, 09:57 PM	#12 (permalink)
Psy-Fi Aficionado of Fine Filth Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: You don't want to look in there. Posts: 6,798	You might want to consider the AKG-K701 headphones. They retail for around $250, but are worth every penny in my humble opinion. Certainly worth a listen.

04-14-2010, 09:02 AM	#13 (permalink)
Indie_Lover Groupie Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: London Posts: 5	IMO you don't EVER use headphones to mix/master with. Always use a nice pair of Active or Passive Speakers. You can get a sexy pair for around £200-300. The problem with headphones is that you cannot tell the amount of low end is in the mix. The levels won't work in the speakers because after 10 minutes of using headphones, you automatically push sounds 'louder'. I'm studying Music Tech as a degree and have been recording for 5 years now, from my experience this is the case and all of my lecturers would agree so. Hope this negative message helps.

04-21-2011, 06:43 PM	#15 (permalink)
TRAHAN459 Groupie Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 1	Hey guys; Man I have been mixing in my studio for years and have found that the more speakers you subject your music to the better the mix will be. I do use headphones to tweek the volume on the tracks but the sound is very bright and not true with a set of monitors. I cut a record in nashville in the 80's in Jim Reeves studio and I was amazed what was on the wall. A cheep-o set of what looked like clock radio speakers, a mid sized (4'') stereo speakers and finally a set of jbl huge monitor speakers. Now this was a million dollar studio back then. Cant really final mix on a pair of cans but you do need to know how the mix is flowing on all size speakers. Oh just bought a set of the AKG K-240's, havent recieved them yet but the reviews are good.