Moog Music Forum

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... )

Thanks in advance!

Randy

Sennheiser HD280 Pro. For $100, pretty good set of phones.

I can't stand HD 280, sooo sterile!

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.

Beyer DT 770 80 ohms rule. Just bought my second pair, after having my first for a couple of years.

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 appreciate everyone's input

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!

Thanks!

Randy

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 a couple pairs of Sony MDR7506 and think they sound great. Not flat for mixing, but fun for playing.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000AJ ... =UTF8&th=1

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.

Sennheiser hd650
Fits nice, sounds great / reliable

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.