Need Studio Headphones $200 what should I get?

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skullfxr

skullfxr

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I am looking to spend $200 on a pair of headphones. This will be used with a DAW and for my Suhr RLIR. I am looking for something relatively flat, but comfort is important too.

These will be used in conjunction with my NS10's for mixes, although I am used to the NS10's for mixing for the final master.

What do you recommend? I have been looking at behrdynamic mainly, as they are in the price range and are well regarded.
 
I just got the DT990 Pros and I like them. They are comfortable as all hell, and open back for good bass response. I still like the Audio-Technica ATH-M50X a lot too.
 
Are you looking to track or mix with them?
- If you are tracking where there is a microphone in play, go for closed-back. Otherwise an open back headphones will bleed sound into the mic. The Beyerdynamics DT990Pro is a good deal, I bought a set for $131 brand new last year from Sweetwater.

-go open-back if mixing.
In my Opinion, under $200, there is not a lot of difference. To me, cheap Open back headphones suck. I’ve tried a couple and hate them, like a buzz saw of treble in my ears. YMMV.
 
Do you have clean 200wpc on your NS-10s? If not, something like a Sumo Andromeda or Bryston would be a good way to see what they can really do.
As for phones, I’ve loved my Sony MDR-V6 for nearly 30 years. A friend who worked at Ardent and also mixes on NS-10’s loved them and would mix/master smaller projects on them.
 
I’ve had AKG240’s for ever and they’re still my go to. Like how they aren’t bass heavy and the midrange is similar to the Yammy’s. Used NS10’s for a long time back in the day. I’ve had the same pair for over 20 years so don’t know if they’ve changed in quality. They do seem to be sub $100 these days. Would like to find some close back for tracking but haven’t found a winner yet. Don’t want to spend stupid money.
 
I ended up getting Beyer 880 Pro. Should work well for what I need. $206 all said and done.
 
The m50x is not flat but its bass emphasis is paired by many with NS-10’s, for people to reference to low end on their mix.

it’s great for tracking too because it has great sound isolation and is quite detailed if you compare them to the senhieser 58x which just blurrs everything together and makes everything sound pleasant.
 
Last edited:
Actually to be more specific:

go to 10 minutes. At this guys level, it kinda made me realize you don’t need fancy gear or equipment. I wouldn’t be able to get music to sound even close to this guys mixes. If all he uses are those headphones for low end, check out Nick Johnstons latest album Remarkably Human that was mixed by that guy
 
Faded Abyss said:
The m50x is not flat but its bass emphasis is paired by many with NS-10’s, for people to reference to low end on their mix.

it’s great for tracking too because it has great sound isolation and is quite detailed if you compare them to the senhieser 58x which just blurrs everything together and makes everything sound pleasant.
Click to expand...
This can be fixed if you use the corrective EQ.

https://github.com/jaakkopasanen/Au.../oratory1990/over-ear/Audio-Technica ATH-M50x
 
I miss skullfxr/trashedlostfdup (the OP)

I'm actually pretty worried about him. skullfxr/Dereck - if you see this please reply to my PMs/contact me :(

Thanks CrystalSky for the necrobump.
 
skullfxr said:
I am looking to spend $200 on a pair of headphones. This will be used with a DAW and for my Suhr RLIR. I am looking for something relatively flat, but comfort is important too.

These will be used in conjunction with my NS10's for mixes, although I am used to the NS10's for mixing for the final master.

What do you recommend? I have been looking at behrdynamic mainly, as they are in the price range and are well regarded.
Click to expand...
Most DAWs are made for low impedance headphones. Most low impedance headphones aren’t flat. You really need high impedance headphones for that. Beyerdynamic makes higher impedance 250 ohm) options in several of there affordable models, but driving them is going to be a challenge through most DAWs.
 
311splawndude said:
I miss skullfxr/trashedlostfdup (the OP)

I'm actually pretty worried about him. skullfxr/Dereck - if you see this please reply to my PMs/contact me :(

Thanks CrystalSky for the necrobump.
Click to expand...
I am on a search for headphones and heaitated to create a new thread.

Sorry for necrobump.
 
scottosan said:
Most DAWs are made for low impedance headphones. Most low impedance headphones aren’t flat. You really need high impedance headphones for that. Beyerdynamic makes higher impedance 250 ohm) options in several of there affordable models, but driving them is going to be a challenge through most DAWs.
Click to expand...
Is amp for 250 Ohm variants needed? Or can Apogee Jam Plus level device drive them?
 
Shure SRH840a gets my vote. Great cans for the price. Mostly flat with a bump around 100-200hz. I’m not a fan of the Beyerdynamic tuning, which is way too bright in the upper treble frequencies and caused ear fatigue a lot quicker than any other headphone I’ve used. Some people love them though, and the build quality is very good.
 
311splawndude said:
I miss skullfxr/trashedlostfdup (the OP)

I'm actually pretty worried about him. skullfxr/Dereck - if you see this please reply to my PMs/contact me :(

Thanks CrystalSky for the necrobump.
Click to expand...
I checked for you, sullfxr is doing fine judging by his Instagram, last post was on 26th of September.
 
P
scottosan said:
Most DAWs are made for low impedance headphones. Most low impedance headphones aren’t flat. You really need high impedance headphones for that. Beyerdynamic makes higher impedance 250 ohm) options in several of there affordable models, but driving them is going to be a challenge through most DAWs.
Click to expand...
DAW’s have nothing to do with headphones. It just sends the outputs to the audio interface and even then, you can use any headphone amp with the audio interface as long as it has basic features
 
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