Since my " hobby studio" is in a small apartment, I’m pretty limited on the audio levels I can run without disturbing the neighbors (bummer ).
I seem to be acquiring multiple pieces of Moog gear that excel at producing audio in the lower octaves, so I figure it’s time to get a decent set of headphones that will do them justice. With that in mind, can anyone recommend some headphones that would be suitable and at a reasonable cost?
(Cost is definitely a factor ~ I somehow seem to have blown my hobby budget on Moog gear… )
Audio Technica ATH-M50s for bass forward clear an detailed, fun sound - can make ears tired. Used will get you below $150 American.
KRK KNS8400 awesome flat clear sound. All frequencies very present, I really don’t have a single complaint about these. I use em to jam, playing bass with lots of Moog gear. In the $150 range, worth at least twice! If you get them new, be sure to burn them in properly to ensure the bass frequencies are pleasing early. The other cool thing is they have a volume slide on the cable, allows for fast adjustment when frequencies go wild!! Analytical, clear and detailed, great bass extension while not being so refined that they take the fun away.
Grado phones are always fun to listen to, not very analytical tho… Decent bass.
Headphones always break (or get filthy), so i go the route of “disposable phones” with the Sennheiser hd202. Pretty flat for mixing, and I got 5 pairs for $100.
Beyerdynamic DT880. I use those for any critical tweaks when “the hour is getting late,” and a set of weSC RZA headphones when I want to test the mix on the type of headphones used by casual listeners (and sound great on my iPod… not to mention they match my favorite shoes!)
I once tested the Sennheiser HD380s, but found them just a bit too heavy on tha bass. Too plasiky too… but sounded pretty good for the price.
Audio-Technica ATH-M50. I have some high end AKG’s and Sennheiser’s. The AKG are exceptionaly light and durable and you can wear them for hours, but soundwise, the AT’s are superior to the AKG’s ans Senn’s, to my ears that is.
You should find a place where you can audition several pairs. I use a set of high end Sony phones that are about twenty years old. I replaced the ear pads once.
I wound up purchasing the ATH-M50, and they sound awesome!!
A bit more than I planned to spend, but wow, what difference it makes when listening through good quality headphones!
The Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO headphones are a perfect example of German engineering, with their matte black finish and minimal plastic covering the wires.
I have some Sennheiser HD280’s that are great for tracking because of their isolation, but they are very shy on bass, so I wouldn’t use them for synth monitoring.
My Sennheiser HD-598SE’s on the other hand, have nice low end & are comfortable with the more open design. So that would be a better choice IMO.
You will def be happy with your ATH M50 purchase. Used mine for years for checking mixes and pleasure listening. They match very well with my main monitors, Adam S3-A’s.
I have two pairs;
Beyerdynamic DT770
These are great closed back hedphones with a lot of detail and solid bass.
However they have a funny notch around 4k or so which drives some people crazy.
I like how they sound for just jamming on synths or tracking. You just can’t trust them for mixing at all.
AKG K240.
There are a couple versions of these. I liked my older K240M better than the current made in China K240 Studio.
But these are still some of the most neutral headphones to my ears.
I don’t feel they are hyping anything, or presenting overly bright as ‘detailed’.
They are open back so they will bother your housemates or fellow commuters if you are blasting your ears.
But you would be causing hearing damage at that point.
I always warn folks away from Sony 7506. These became a standard at one point because they were relatively rugged, closed back, and they folded. They were good for SR and field recording. But they have an overly bright profile. I’m pretty sure they are a leading reason so many sound guys have bad hearing.
I second and third this recommendation! I love these headphones.
“Sennheiser HD 650 Open-back Audiophile and Reference Headphones”
Expensive, but the ear cups fit nicely over my ears and don’t smash them and they adjust more than big enough to fit over my massive noggin . They are very comfortable to wear. I like the open-back design more than the closed back, too. Very good response and sound.
I totally understand the struggle of keeping the volume down in a small apartment! For headphones that work well with your Moog gear and won’t break the bank, I’d recommend a few options. The Audio Technica ATH-M40x has a nice balanced sound and handles low frequencies really well. Another great choice is the Sony MDR-7506; these are super popular and offer great clarity, plus they’re comfy for long sessions. I actually bought mine from https://www.dealsandstealstoday.com/view-your-deal/ The Sennheiser HD 280 Pro is also worth considering because they isolate sound really well, so you won’t disturb the neighbors, and they’re pretty sturdy. If you can stretch your budget a bit, the Focal Listen Professional headphones are excellent for low end sounds.
I’d advise against the Sony MDR7506. Unless you have a hearing problem and needs excessive treble. These were developed for consumer use in the 80s and are very smile curved. I think in an attempt to hype up the sound of analog media like cassettes.
AKG K240 and Beyer DTR770 are flatter. Though the 770 has a notch at 4k.
Hey there, I’m SO lucky , to see here anybody asking for headphone help, so I’m also lucky to have a chance to responnd
Ey man !!! in the 80ties I was looking for a headphone that can keep up with the famous basses of the famous Moogs…
So after carfully comparig some famous brands I’ve finally got to the AKG 380 with a phenomenal fundament of bass,
it’s a dynamic and it’l blow you away, if youve got i.ex. a Mini or a Taurus or etc…
Look on ebay, if you can find a AKG 380 with its extraordinary bass-capabilities, and your neighbours might kill ya’…
So if you ask me, I’m the most happy man on thin planet,…After purchased my Mini, the Taurus 1 and the Poly and the AKG
380 I’'m the most lucky man on earth !!!
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