Headphones

[T.C. Elliott]

Question: What headphones do you recommend for 1) mixing or 2) listening?

My fairly cheap Audio-technica ath-m3x headphones are losing their padding (actually just the fake rubber bits are flaking off onto me) every time I use them and I've been wanting a set for mixing (yes, I know) for a while now. I will rarely (if ever) mix with just headphones, but a nice, fairly flat set would be welcome.

I ended up buying a pair of these (see overly large picture below) Sony headphones. But now I'm wanting a better set to listen on. GAS will not leave me alone.



 

[Hook]

I bought some AKG44's a year or 2 ago & to be honest I've never been impressed with them. There ok to listen with but terribly unreliable to mix with. I have a cheap $20 pair of sony headphones (that swivel & lay flat for GHS) & I get the best headphone mix from them. I then try to listen with earbuds, monitors & in the car. Bruno has a pair of the Bose noise canceling ones he raves about.

GAS will not leave me alone.

I know nothing of this GAS you speak of!
Acquire On!

[Oldrottenhead]

i got a pair of koss ur-20's http://www.amazon.com/Koss-T55959-UR-20-Home-Headphones/dp/B00005N9D3/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1402153051&sr=8-4&keywords=koss+headphones from my daughters for christmas. i think they paid about £16. i use them for everything. they are as good as any i've tried. and surprisingly good for mixing. i rarely mix using monitors now as i get good results using these headphones. in the past i've had more expensive headphones that where awful for mixing. results sounded great on the headphones but terrible when played elsewhere. not a problem with my koss headphones.

[cuthbert]

I have a set of Grado SR60 headphones that I use for listening and mixing (but not recording - they're too "open" and bleed into the microphone). The ear pads are foam, and I've replaced the foam once (same problem: disintegrating material…these are 8 or 9 years old, and get daily use).

I love them, even though the post is coming loose on the right ear.…gonna apply some epoxy to it soon, and keep them going.

[T.C. Elliott]

Just broke down and ordered another pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M3X headphones for 24 bucks U.S.   And a set of replacement cushions (the over the driver kind.)   So I should have two pair of tracking headphones that can double as listening headphones as well as the new slightly more expensive mixing headphones. It'll be interesting to see if my over 100 dollars in headphones purchases will be as valuable as the free set I've been using since 2008 when I got the BR-900 (and was given the free set of phones.)

[64Guitars]

My fairly cheap Audio-technica ath-m3x headphones are losing their padding (actually just the fake rubber bits are flaking off onto me) every time I use them

the free set I've been using since 2008 when I got the BR-900 (and was given the free set of phones.)

My Roland RH-50 headphones are doing the same thing. I wrapped cling film around the head band to stop all the little bits from getting in my hair. But the ear cushions are doing the same thing so I guess I'll have to get some replacement cushions. I got the RH-50 phones free with my BR-864 in 2003. Are they the same ones you got with your BR-900?

I don't have any specific recommendations for headphones but I can tell you about a feature that I think is really good. Some of the newer headphones such as the Shure SRH440, Audio Technica ATH-M40x and Audio Technica ATH-M50x come with detachable cords. I think this is a great idea and all headphones should have detachable cords. When the cable gets broken, it can be quickly and easily replaced. The ATX-M50x comes with three cords - a 1.2m-3m coiled cable, a 3m straight cable and a 1.2m straight cable. Cool idea! When I'm at the computer I don't want a long cable that's going to lie on the floor and get run over by the wheels of my office chair, so the 1.2m cable is ideal. If I'm listening to my stereo in my living room, the longer cables are more suitable. It's nice to have a choice! It's also nice to have spares. If one cable gets broken, you've still got two others to use. Mind you, these aren't cheap headphones. The SRH440 and ATH-M40x headphones are about $100, and the ATX-M50x are about $170. Nice phones though.

I also like how they fold up for storage.

Shure SRH440

Audio-Technica ATH-M40x

[phantasm777]

for a long time I had been using some JVC headphones. I just bought audio-technica ATHM40fs.
I highly recommend for the price.

Type      Closed-back dynamic
Driver       Diameter 40 mm
Magnet       Neodymium
Voice Coil       Copper-clad aluminum wire
Frequency Response         5 - 28,000 Hz
Maximum Input Power        1,600 mW at 1 kHz
Sensitivity       100 dB
Impedance     60 ohms
Weight       8.8 oz (250 g) without cable
Cable       11' (3.4 m) (OFC litz wire, left-side exit)
Connector       1/4" (6.3 mm) phone plug

[T.C. Elliott]

I got the RH-50 phones free with my BR-864 in 2003. Are they the same ones you got with your BR-900?

Nope. I got the Audio-Technica ATH-M3X free... the guy at the store told me if I bought the 900 today he'd give them to me. I came back the next day and guilt tripped him into it. He wasn't happy but I've been using them ever since.

[alfstone]

Headphones for mixing? NO, please, don't do it!!! 

Alfredo

[na_th_an]

Agreed. Never. NEVER mix on headphones.

Use them for premixes or to arrange/mount your song, but always mix on open air.