Headphones Best Bang For The Buck

George Redmon · Post by **George Redmon** » 2 Jan 2007 5:54 pm

What do you guys recommend for the best bang for the buck headphones for recording and.....for hi fi listening phones? Something light weight would be nice. I tried Behringer, they stink, i get distortion threw them now and those over priced sennheisers cables fall apart on me....and they should be able to work with my Samson S~Phone rack headphone amp. Right now i have a couple of mid priced Sony phones. Any others you guys like?

Bobby Flores · Post by **Bobby Flores** » 2 Jan 2007 11:20 pm

I've always liked the AKG K240 headphones, 55 ohms. They're not real heavy, not very expensive and I like the sound compared to others that have that dreaded, hard mid-peak thing goin' on.

I like to wear them with the headband down out of the way towards the back of my head, and because of their shape they seem to fit well this way. Fairly comfortable to me.

But then again, I like bad shrimp and footcramps.

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 3 Jan 2007 2:06 am

I have probably a dozen sets of Phones..most sound just OK and are probably to heavy for me to wear for any extended period. Most are some sort of large bodied Sony's or AKG's..

For my everyday practice I use a pair of Sony lightweight MDR-V300 which are probably a tad on the bright side but are very comfortable and do have a very smooth overall response.. No Distortion....These were about $50 or $60.

For my PC I have another pair of lightweight Sony's, which sound JUST OK..but are also very comfortable, MDR-V150

ok..for Christmas my wife gave me a piar of Bose Earbuds..

Now these are the best little phones I have ever listened thru. Compared to my daughters supposed hi dollar Sony Earbuds there is no comparison....The Bose are great..pricey, but great...

t

Leroy Golden · Post by **Leroy Golden** » 3 Jan 2007 6:14 am

Hey George, I have two favorites: AKG 240M (600 ohm) and Audio Technica ATM 30 a little on the bassy side but very clean sound, if I was going to mix with headphones (which you should never do) I would use the AKG's they are very accurate.

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 3 Jan 2007 6:16 am

Like Bobby, I keep mostly K240's at my studios, along with some Fostex T20's. They both hold up well and players like them. I use Grados for checking mixes...

James Quackenbush · Post by **James Quackenbush** » 3 Jan 2007 8:39 am

Sony 7506....They're not hyped ...If you have a problem with your recording , they'll surely let you know....It's like good monitors ...They tell you the truth....If you want something that will boost frequencies , and not give you the REAL truth, look elsewhere ....Jim

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 3 Jan 2007 9:57 am

Bought me a pair of them Sony 7509HD's. Splurged a little, they're a bit pricey... Sound great but still can't tell what the meaning is of an "oxygen free copper" voice coil.

Scott Appleton · Post by **Scott Appleton** » 3 Jan 2007 8:29 pm

Oxygen Free is a copper which has less lets call it resisitance to
the signal coming down the wire from the mixer or headphone
jack. Its a mixture of things including that old devil Impedance
You know the thing that keeps the Viagra peddlers in chips.
Its the darndest thing but Oxygen free copper sounds better.

George Redmon · Post by **George Redmon** » 4 Jan 2007 12:20 am

Why can't you use studio phones for just listening to your stereo? I was told that i need "Hi Fi" phones? that stinks..i guess it has to do with the "Flat" eq response?

Larry Clark · Post by **Larry Clark** » 4 Jan 2007 6:38 am

George Redmon wrote:Why can't you use studio phones for just listening to your stereo? I was told that i need "Hi Fi" phones? that stinks..i guess it has to do with the "Flat" eq response?

I can't see why it would matter if you're listening to your stereo with "flat" studio phones. You always have tone contols you can modify the sound with.

I am a fan of the sony 7506/MDRV6 headphones as well. The only drawback with them is the vinyl ear cushions seem to prematurely destroy themselves. Fortunately they can be replaced with a pair of velour pads from Beyer that makes wearing them much more comfortable.

George Redmon · Post by **George Redmon** » 4 Jan 2007 8:26 am

It makes a big difference Larry..I have noticed no matter what stereo i am listening to, the music sounds thin, and lifeless..i plug in my daughters headphones, it's a world of difference. The studio phones just don't work very well for a standard home stereo. Everyone has told me i should use what they call "Hi Fi" headphones.....

Al Terhune · Post by **Al Terhune** » 4 Jan 2007 11:52 pm

Larry -- where can I find the velour Beyer pads? I love the 7506's, but would love more comfort.

Al

John Daugherty · Post by **John Daugherty** » 5 Jan 2007 8:31 am

Re: oxygen free copper.
I read a "consumer reports" report about oxygen free copper wires. They varified what I have always believed. The so-called oxygen free copper speaker wires performed no differently than plain copper cables built to the same specifications.
In my opinion, the only thing that matters is the wire resistance and the capacitance between adjacent wires.
I tend to stay away from products that claim "snake oil" properties, with terms like
"oxygen free", "skin effect", etc. .

Larry Clark · Post by **Larry Clark** » 5 Jan 2007 4:41 pm

Al Terhune wrote:Larry -- where can I find the velour Beyer pads? I love the 7506's, but would love more comfort.

Al

I got mine here:

Beyer pads

Al Terhune · Post by **Al Terhune** » 5 Jan 2007 5:15 pm

Thanks, Larry. Here we go: Do you just slip them over the torn Sony covers, or do you take off what's left of the Sony cover?

Also: ...I forgot...oh, I remember: 7506's have a reputation for one of the ears going out; I've searched but can't find what I thought I'd heard was a remedy. Are you familiar with this and know the remedy?

Larry Clark · Post by **Larry Clark** » 12 Jan 2007 2:52 pm

Al, Sorry I didn't see your question sooner. As I recall when I did mine I completely removed all of the sony pad. Then you have to "finesse" the Beyer pads on. By that I mean you work the vinyl part of the cushion into the groove on the Sonys. There might be a better description of the process somewhere on the net.
As far as one of the ears going out it seems to be the right side that occasionally gives people some trouble. I believe it's due to the fact that the cord enters the phones on the left side and the small wire that goes to the right side sometimes gets pinched in the headband

Al Terhune · Post by **Al Terhune** » 13 Jan 2007 11:42 am

Thanks, Larry. I'm going to give them a shot. I'm an admirer of comfort!

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 13 Jan 2007 7:07 pm

Great information! I have been looking for new headphones for a few months now and just ordered a pair of AKG K240 headphones, 55 ohms.

Greg

Hal Schmid · Post by **Hal Schmid** » 13 Jan 2007 9:20 pm

I recently ordered a pair of AKG 240S studio phones from Boynton Pro Audio and got a very good deal. But you'd best call and talk with a salesperson.

erik · Post by **erik** » 14 Jan 2007 6:45 am

I have had 7506 for over 10 years. The pads deteriorate quickly. You can buy the original pads online from sony. My phones still work properly.

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Headphones Best Bang For The Buck

Headphones Best Bang For The Buck

give me oxygen