Natural sounding headphones.

[Arpangel]

I’ve got no space left now, for a second pair of monitors on my synth table.
But I still need to hear accurately what I’m doing while programming.
Im almost going to buy a pair of Sennheiser HD600’s, they have an open natural sound, which is what I need, something that’s not going to feel like I’m wearing phones, something that makes the transition from monitors to phones well.
Apart from the 600's, are there any others I could consider? the 600’s are quite old now.

[Bob Bickerton]

I used to use HD650s but found they were a little 'tight' on my head. For long sessions, I'm also after comfort. These days I use Beyer DT880s, which I find very comfortable, suitably neutral - well let me explain - they have a bit of a HF lift - but that helps my ageing ears.

I found this website very useful: https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com You can compare frequency plots of a number of headphones there.

Bob

[Chet Leeway]

I'm enjoying these a lot for the reasons you mention: https://austrian.audio/hi-x65/

Refiew here: https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/au ... dio-hi-x65

[Arpangel]

Thanks, I’ll check out the Austrian Audio ones, I’ll probably end up getting sent the 600’s and the AA's, it’s the only way I can think of trying them out.

[ManFromGlass]

I’m finding the Shure SRH1840s fit my odd shaped head, aren’t heavy, don’t get hot on the ears and are very comfy with the fuzzy fabric. I’ve mixed using these and the mixes have translated very well to monitors.

[Matt Houghton]

Are you specifically looking for something in that price range? I noticed the Audeze LCD-X (as eell as higher end models) are discounted for Black Friday in some retailers... eg SCAN. Very happy with mine, particularly coupled with Acustica Sienna. But they're still rather more pricey than 600s/650s...

[ef37a]

Arp', can you not just use a monitor controller to select the source to the existing monitors? Maybe just a 4pdt switch in a tin?

I think "natural headphones" is a contradiction in terms...NOT how we 'naturally' hear things.

Dave.

[Sam Inglis]

In that sort of price range, I'd second the Shure SRH1840s. Very light, comfortable to wear and a nice balanced frequency response without the obvious treble boost you get in a lot of headphones.

[James Perrett]

Very happy with HD600's here. They have a similar balance to the monitors I use so I know I won't find any big surprises when I listen on monitors.

My choice was influenced by the reviews on the Sonarworks website which has a pretty comprehensive roundup of studio headphones and also by comments on here when the HD600's have been discussed before.

[Arpangel]

Very happy with HD600's here. They have a similar balance to the monitors I use so I know I won't find any big surprises when I listen on monitors.

My choice was influenced by the reviews on the Sonarworks website which has a pretty comprehensive roundup of studio headphones and also by comments on here when the HD600's have been discussed before.

James, you’ve just confirmed what I think, I know people who have accidentally pulled the 600’s off their heads, thinking they were still listening to the monitors!
I know them and like them, the 650’s have a bit more top end, which I don’t like, 600’s are way more neutral.
Dave, I haven’t got space for my secondary monitors, and the mains are too far away to hear properly.

[tea for two]

Here you go

https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/view ... 11#p788811

Here's my auditioning £3K £2K £1K open back headphones.

Including a £300 open back Reference headphone I have that is fairly near an Outstanding £2.5K open back headphone.
This £300 headphone is so light you will be shocked when you lift them, I almost feel like I'm not wearing them. SoS did a review in 2015.

And a £35 semi open DJ headphone that's more balanced in sound than my Akg K702 and my Beyer 250 Ohm dt880 pro for a variety of genres. So much so that my dt880 pro went to a new home.

[Arpangel]

Here you go

https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/view ... 11#p788811

Here's my auditioning £3K £2K £1K open back headphones.

Including a £300 open back Reference headphone I have that is fairly near an Outstanding £2.5K open back headphone.
This £300 headphone is so light you will be shocked when you lift them, I almost feel like I'm not wearing them. SOS did a review in 2015.

And a £35 semi open DJ headphone that's more balanced in sound than my Akg K702 and my Beyer 250 Ohm dt880 pro for a variety of genres. So much so that my dt880 pro went to a new home.

The Superlux sound interesting.
At the moment, I’m using Sennheiser HD25’s, they are too claustrophobic, and have a bass boost.
I need to be able to still feel connected to what’s going on around me.

[Dynamic Mike]

Grado SR325e (now 'x') are the least occlusive headphones I've ever used. I've no idea how accurate they are though. But then I find HD25's comfortable compared to 702's so I may just have a strange head!

[James Perrett]

At the moment, I’m using Sennheiser HD25’s, they are too claustrophobic, and have a bass boost.
I need to be able to still feel connected to what’s going on around me.

I was using HD25's before buying the HD600's. They're great when listening for defects (like clicks and dropouts) but the balance is more scooped with enhanced bass and treble. The HD600's are definitely better for mixing and more comfortable if you wear glasses but I still use the HD25's for location recordings for their isolation and the fact that they don't take up much space.

[Arpangel]

But then I find HD25's comfortable compared to 702's so I may just have a strange head!

Not as strange as my head.

I was using HD25's before buying the HD600's. They're great when listening for defects (like clicks and dropouts) but the balance is more scooped with enhanced bass and treble. The HD600's are definitely better for mixing and more comfortable if you wear glasses but I still use the HD25's for location recordings for their isolation and the fact that they don't take up much space.

That’s what I bought mine for, outside work, small, light.
They do make things sound larger than life though, I’ve thought "wow"! about some things when using them, and then when I’ve listened on other things it turns to "meh"

[Arpangel]

Double posting is getting worse, the submit button doesn’t work, so you do it again, and find out it has.

[tea for two]

I think it would help when a headphone is recommended it's added for which genres styles.

There's no headphone that covers every genre styles not even the Outstanding £2.5K-£3K Hifiman He1000se I auditioned.

Same as speakers. Same as we would select mics for specific purposes.

::

I think my next port of call is to compare £200-£400 open backs
For a variety of genres styles.

Akg K712
vs
Audio Technica Ath R70x which I have and Mix on. R70x is fairly near the Outstanding £2.5-£3K Hifiman He1000se just R70x is missing some clarity some treble and a little presence, a little separation in comparison to He1000se. R70x is a brilliant all rounder across several genres from complex to subtle to hard to bass heavy, from acoustic to electronic, more so than the Hifiman He1000se.
vs
Grado Sr325e
vs
Sennheiser Hd600
vs
Shure Srh1840.

Also with Sonarworks sound id.

::

*The hidden gem £35 headphones I mentioned is Superlux Evo Hd681 semi open back DJ headphone 32 Ohm 98dB sensitivity.
It does rather well from Orchestral to Hard Rock to Choral to Jazz to World music to Reggae to Electronic to HipHop.
Detachable cable, lightweight.
I prefer Superlux Evo overall balance of sound across several genres styles compared to my open backs Akg k702, Beyer dt880 pro and Philips x2hr bass monster.
Because Superlux Evo easy to drive even from mobile phones they are my go to when outdoors making music on my macbook.
Although I prefer to pair Superlux Evo with a USB DAC amp as my Apogee Groove.

[The Elf]

*The hidden gem £35 headphones I mentioned is Superlux Evo Hd681

Worth taking a chance at that price - bought.

These might be ideal for location work.

[Hugh Robjohns]

Double posting is getting worse, the submit button doesn’t work, so you do it again, and find out it has.

Clearly, the submit button does work. If it didn't you wouldn't have had a double post.

It can be a little sluggish sometimes, though, particularly when using mobile phones. Try slightly more patience...

[Arpangel]

Try slightly more patience...

I’ll try, but I'm finding cocodomol work better, they help stop the shaking when I press the submit button, I’ve never really been into submission.

[ManFromGlass]

Good to hear I’m not the only twitchy fingered one who double posts!

[tea for two]

*The hidden gem £35 headphones I mentioned is Superlux Evo Hd681

Worth taking a chance at that price - bought.

These might be ideal for location work.

I had to get the white ones to pretend I'm a hipster lol.

[ConcertinaChap]

Good to hear I’m not the only twitchy fingered one who double posts!

{Listen, don't mention Delete. I mentioned it once but I think I got away with it all right}

[The Elf]

*The hidden gem £35 headphones I mentioned is Superlux Evo Hd681

Worth taking a chance at that price - bought.

These might be ideal for location work.

Gottem!

A bit hyped in the highs/lows (lows especially), as if a 'loudness' curve was switched in, but not bad at all for the money. Thanks for the steer!