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#1
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HI,
I need headphones for audio mixing. What are the pros using today? I've been dead set on Ultrasone as they use their S-logic technology for safer hearing. Logically I would buy the Signature master mkll. The problem is, they are not availablle in the UK and these guys DO NOT ANSWER emails when you contact them so I find it risky to buy them over the brexit trade madness with no customer service. Been researching Audeze. From their prodcucts I had the LCD-X in mind but they were released 11-12 yrs ago.(however wlast update in 2020). Then there's MM-500 and MM-100. Any users? Advice much appreciated |
#2
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Neumann and Beyer Dynamic open backs.
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Desktop build: Pro Tools Studio 2024.6 / Win 11 / i9-11900K @ 5.1GHz / 64GB / 4TB NVMe PCIe 4 / Gigabyte Z590 Vision D / PreSonus 2626 Laptop: Pro Tools Studio 2024.6 / Win 11 / i5-12500H / 16GB / 1TB NVMe / Lenovo IdeaPad 5i Pro / U-PHORIA UMC1820 Ancient/Legacy (still works!): Pro Tools 5 & 6 / OS9 & OSX / Mac G4 / DIGI 001 Click for audio/video demo Click for resume Last edited by EGS; 01-18-2025 at 12:40 PM. |
#3
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Probably most common one around me is the Sennheiser HD600. That's including a lot of famous mixers who get the high-priced ones given to them for endorsements.
Once the marketing pictures are taken, it's back to the HD600. Headphones are like speakers -- you need to "know" them; chasing the latest or most expensive set isn't going to help. Sennheiser is going to have a revolt if they ever kill off the HD600 (there was a slight panic at the end of last year and people began snatching up any stock at dealers as spares)
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#4
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Sennheiser HD 650 here
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Janne What we do in life, echoes in eternity. |
#5
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I have the Audeze LCD-X (latest version), MM-500, and the MassdropxSennheiser HD6xx. The HD6xx has the same sound as the Sennheiser HD650 but rebadged at 1/2 the price.
Of all three, I keep coming back to the HD6xx. In my opinion, they are the best deal out there in any price range. They are very balanced and easy to work with. My mixes translate quite well when I work on them. I just sold the MM-500s as I found them to be similar sonically to the HD6xx, and I didn't find over $1000 worth of value over the HD6xx. The MM-500, however, has superb mid-range that is useful when focused on vocals or dialog. The LCD-X I found fun to listen to. They have a bit more bass extension than the HD6xx and a bit more extension on the top end. I use these when working with bass-heavy stuff or listening for enjoyment. I wasn't prepared for just how large the LCD-Xs are. I look ridiculous with them on. All 3 are excellent - just different. What works for me might not work for you. |
#6
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Personally I'd want a variety... Sennheiser HD650, Etymotic Research E4SR and HF5 and ER6i lower end models, and Shure SE425 Pro IEMs. IEMs are very high audio quality and not just for tracking/sound isolation. I also have some older vintage Sennheiser but they are more collectors/yellow foam fetish toys. Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 250 Ohm when I need overear closed headphones.
I would never give up the HD650 or E4SR (but the E4SR have annoying cable microphonics you have to deal with). I cannot stand listening on headphones without a cross feed and mostly use that built into a Grace m920 headphone amp/monitor controller. |
#7
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Possibly for a different reason though. Personally I find the LCD-Xs a more forensic mixing tool and I make better decisions with them. But… I don’t like the sound of them and much prefer listening to music on the 650’s!
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#8
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#9
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Thanks so much everyone for responding. All detailed opinions are really very helpful.
To Egs, I hadn't considered them but I will look into Neumann and Beyer Dynamic OB BScout, thanks for letting that out. I fell for it as I learned about Audeze watching a mastering tutorial on youtube by Jonathan Wyner. That's when I also researched the HD600. I bought them. At that moment my Ultrasone pro750 were still working and I could compare both. 100% I preferred the 16yo proline 750 and sent back the HD600 the next day. From the pic you can see how much I like the pro750 I tried everything to keep them working. I thought if I prefer in 2023 the proline 750 from 2007, when Ultrasone had several likely better options then Ultrasone's latest Signature master has to be a much better choise over HD600. That said to get an honest comparison I should've mixed the song using the HD600 and then listen to the result through the Proline750. Given the positive feedback here on the HD600/650/6xx I will look into them again maybe buy as a 2nd pair to compare my mixes and who knows they may become my goto headphones too. npapaleo great you have the MM-500 and LCD-X. Your opinion I feel it was the right choise to return the LCD-X but for a different reason. I received them 3 days ago. Putting them on I was pleasantly surprised how they fit and sit comfortably. I used them for at least 5 hours and the weight didn't bother me. I'd been working on the mix of a song since September at least several day a week - while I search for the right one - using backup headphones Ultrasone pro 480i knowing they are not up to the standard for mixing. Trying out the LCD-X I could actually define the limitations of the 480i and dramatically improved the mix in just those hours. They have "more space" and allow to hear issues so much better. Having them will dramatically reduce the time I need to mix a song. The bass extension npapaleo mentions was quite audible and while I think I mix the bass and drums a bit too low they are a bit too much with the LCD-X. Like Marsdy's I agree LCD-X are a more forensic mixing tool and I make better decisions with them. Which is exactly why I wanted to keep them But also … I don’t really like the sound of them. The reason I returned them is that the next day I woke up after 4 hours of sleep with worse tinitus in both ears. (and I already have tinitus) The LCD-X send audio directly into my ear canal, the Ultrasone doesn't resulting in louder preception of sound so I can keep the volume lower. With the LCD-X I turned up the volume it may have been at 90db. Darryl Ramm I will check out those you mention too. EDIT: Etymotic Research E4SR is in-ears. Not for me. I need to avoid In-ears when can. Last edited by Kelly2003; 01-19-2025 at 09:34 AM. |
#10
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Headphones are so personal it's hard to tell someone what to do. You really need a dealer that will let you audition for sound and comfort.
That being said the Senn HD600 and 650 are a great place to start. Not sure I've heard anyone dislike them. I like the Beyer DT770 for comfort but they need to be learned more than the Sennheisers. I prefer planar magnetic cans for mixing. I use the Avantones which look ridiculous but I'm able to mix effectively at night and be happy the next day on monitors. Audeze are similar.
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