Good, cheap headphones for listening?

[Terry93D]

So earlier last month I started up a blog reviewing film, tv, game, and anime scores. It's called Sincere Overtones.

Anyway. The more music I listen to, the more I realize my headphones' inadequacy for the task of reproducing music clearly, evenly, without muffling or incomplete frequencies; especially when it's a nice, big orchestral soundtrack with density of instrumental lines.

My ideal pair of headphones reproduces sound clearly, "as it is," without excess of bass nor excess of treble, without muffling or restriction or incompleteness of frequencies. Oh, and it's also sub-$200, if at all possible. And, ideally, it would be a pair of headphones that I could use while composing, too.

So - what do you all use for listening? What do you recommend?

[Michael Willis]

I use Senneiser HD 280 Pro headphones, both for arranging my own music and listening to other music. I can't really compare them with much, other than that they are way better than the cheaper headphones I was using before.

Some reviews claim that the frequency response is lacking a little bit on the low end. I don't really have any such complaint; I wonder if those reviews are comparing to some consumer headphones that give an inordinate boost to the low end.

[Nayrb]

I use the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x, which run about $70.

I don't have much experience with fancy monitors or phones, but I have been pretty happy with them. They seem to give me a pretty accurate and clear representation of the sound. I think you'll have to expect some coloration from any set you use, but there isn't much I've noticed beyond maybe slightly renounced highs in these. And the below video gives a reasonable explanation for why that might not be such a bad thing.

They are quite comfortable, too.

This video is very rambling, but it might give you some further insight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1aAjnMafkw

[Samulis]

I used the AKG Q701's for about 8 years- they just recently gave up the ghost after heavy use. I actually preferred them to most monitors I've heard, although they were distinctly lacking in bass, their mids and highs were excellent and stereo positioning was superb for the price.

IMHO I have not found any close-backed headphones which sound right to me. I have a pair of AKG K72's I picked up real cheap for multitracking, but they have too much bass and meh mids. The Q701's are discontinued, but their siblings the K612, K701, K702, etc. are all around. I haven't tried any other brands, but I like AKG headphones, although some people say they are a bit brighter.

What I would STRONGLY suggest is going to a local music/electronics retailer where you might be able to try headphones out in person. Do note that headphones do change over the first few hundred hours of use, but overall a shoot-out between headphones in a retail store would be the easiest way to get a decent idea of what you're getting into. Bring a reference track you know already if possible.

[Terry93D]

(02-03-2019, 09:46 PM)Samulis Wrote: What I would STRONGLY suggest is going to a local music/electronics retailer where you might be able to try headphones out in person. Do note that headphones do change over the first few hundred hours of use, but overall a shoot-out between headphones in a retail store would be the easiest way to get a decent idea of what you're getting into. Bring a reference track you know already if possible.

I think this is probably the best advice you could've possibly given me. I will try and do that sometime soon.

[peastman]

I'm not at all an audiophile. If I did a back to back comparison of several high end headphones, I probably couldn't tell which was better. But for what it's worth, I have a pair of AKG K240s that's I've been very happy with. I got them a few years ago for I think around $60, so they're not at all expensive.

[Samulis]

Just took a day trip to New York to visit B&H, a big pro electronics store. They had a great display with a bunch of headphones out, so I spent about 30 minutes trying a few around my price range until I found whichever ones I liked the most (currently wearing!). They had a music player set up with some demo tracks, but they also let me use my phone to play some reference tracks I'm more familiar with. Ended up going with a pair of ATH-R70X, which I like a lot so far, but we'll see as they wear in. It was actually a big surprise to me, as I wasn't expecting I'd like them, so I really want to emphasize again how important it is to try them out for yourself and don't just take reviews or recommendations for gospel.

I would say the AKG open-back headphones I've used have less bass than other brands, which may or may not be beneficial for you. I think their closed-back headphones are a different situation.

I would also suggest that, unless you live in a noisy space or have people working very close to you who may be bothered by a little sound, open-back headphones (at least in my opinion) tend to sound a bit more linear and might be worth checking out in your case.

[Terry93D]

Thank you all for your advice. I've sprung for an Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 and it should arrive tomorrow.

[Nayrb]

Awesome! Let us know how they work out.

[Terry93D]

Thus far, extremely pleased. I listened to Waters of Redemption again - I heard parts in the low strings I didn't even know were there before.