Best Headphones For Mixing?

[Drew Stephenson]

I use Sonarworks for my DT990s as it gives them the same tonality as my monitor set-up so I'm not second guessing myself with any EQ decisions.
I also have an NS-10 profile set up on my AKG702s as a mid-range examiner option.

[Luke W]

Shure SRH1840 for me.

I know a lot of it comes down to personal preference, but for what it's worth, these are my cans of choice as well. They sound great, are really light/comfortable, and have been performing flawlessly for about eight years now. Well worth a try, in my opinion.

[The Elf]

I use Sonarworks for my DT990s as it gives them the same tonality as my monitor set-up so I'm not second guessing myself with any EQ decisions.

Oddly, my AE22s and AKG K7xx *do* sound eerily similar. It is for this reason that I bought my AE22s!

I also have an NS-10 profile set up on my AKG702s

Those poor K702s!

[Martin Walker]

I use Sonarworks for my DT990s as it gives them the same tonality as my monitor set-up so I'm not second guessing myself with any EQ decisions.
I also have an NS-10 profile set up on my AKG702s as a mid-range examiner option.

I do exactly the same with my AKG K712 Pro's, so they sound similar to my loudspeakers.

Yes, of course you can totally get used to the sound of any headphones in time, and make sensible mixing decisions with them (especially when also listening to well-known tracks as a reference).

However, for me being able to switch between headphones and loudspeakers without my ears having to readjust is really helpful.

[Dave Rowles]

I'm going to come in here and recommend the Slate Audio VSX as I always do on headphone threads. I find I've got the best mixes of my life using them. Yes it's software correction, but I tried sonarworks on my old headphones and I felt the correction didn't help me.

[Drew Stephenson]

I also have an NS-10 profile set up on my AKG702s

Those poor K702s!

I can only wear them for about 10 minutes before they start hurting my head so using them as a mid-range checker is about my limit.

[The Elf]

I also have an NS-10 profile set up on my AKG702s

Those poor K702s!

I can only wear them for about 10 minutes before they start hurting my head...

That's the perfect description of NS10s, so the emulation must be pretty good!

[Folderol]

I've got several pairs of headphones, but by far my favourites are the Sennheiser HD598SE, and the only ones I can wear for hours at a time. They fit right over my ears, so put no pressure on them at all. Sound-wise they are also a pretty good match to the Alesis Monitor One Mk2 speakers I have on the Amp.

So as not to annoy the neighbours I tend to rely on them if I'm working at odd hours, or repeatedly running over the same sections while composing. I also switch to them sometimes to pick out small details in a complex track.

[alexis]

I'm going to come in here and recommend the Slate Audio VSX as I always do on headphone threads. I find I've got the best mixes of my life using them. Yes it's software correction, but I tried sonarworks on my old headphones and I felt the correction didn't help me.

Great to hear, Dave Rowles! I referenced them in my reply very early in this thread as something to definitely consider, based on SOS's review
https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/st ... -audio-vsx . Nice to hear of an actual user's experience!

[Dave Rowles]

I've found them to be my perfect solution. They still require some getting used to, and finding the right "room" for your mixes. But with the software enabled I've found them to be very honest headphones, and able to highlight issues with my mixes I hadn't heard before.

Plus, they are incredibly lightweight so I don't get tired as easily.

[interweave harmonic]

I use AKG K712's. Lovely phones. Just about right for bass against my age old Fostex PM5s.

[tea for two]

AKG K245 semi open excellent I find for mixing my Beatz based stuff, Bass Guitar,
https://www.soundonsound.com/news/akg-l ... headphones
I found my K245 is not excellent for Orchestral bass sounds .... could well be my gammy ears lol.

One of my Orchestral type pieces I mixed for Bass using K245, sounded way too Bass heeveee when I listened on my just arrived Shure Srh1540 their top closed. Srh1540 has deep Bass extension, one of the more neutral closed backs.
So I've remixed in a jiffy my Orchestral type pieces using Srh1540.

Just to say getting headphones suitable appropriate for the types of music we make goes someway in getting an improved mix.

[mountain lion]

Has akg released any new Headphones after 2017?

[Jathon Delsy]

Well, I bit the bullet and got the Audeze LCD-X.
I've just spent a glorious few days using them to listen to lossless tracks on Tidal, keeping Tidal's loudness function tuned off to deliver the full dynamics as they were mastered.
The headphones are outstanding, revealing all the nuanced detail of the sound. I believe that they may not be the best choice for listening enjoyment as their sound is sort of flat and forensic, it does not envelope the ear in a pleasureable sonic sensual experience.
But for analysing songs they are marvellous. Using them while watching a spectrum analyser is both fun and educational.
I can hear things like compression, reverbs and overall sonic balance with super clarity.
Interestingly there are some very popular current songs that I believe have some promenent mixing faults.
The headphones are physically large and heavy and can be tiring to wear for long periods, but I just love the sound!
I prefer them without Sonarworks eq curve, which sounds a bit artificial to me.
So hopefully I can become familiar with the sound of my favourite songs on these headphones and use this as a reference to mix my own tracks.