#130

Agreed. I think there are plenty of identities that are “forgotten” about. people who are addicts, people with chronic pain, people from rural areas…lots of other things too. To be honest my friend and I had a conversation about the names of this stuff and how tacky they are. I hadn’t really considered that it could be insulting too, and appreciate you bringing that up

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#131

That makes sense, appreciate the advice there.

At some point I’d love to try the next “tier” (in particular hd800s, focal clears, audeze lcd-x/2). Another friend has some Beyer T1s that were interesting to compare to my hd600 (the highs weren’t my favorite but they definitely had some interesting qualities like very detailed bass). Kind of a bit unreasonable budget wise for me now, but maybe one day hah

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#132

I’ve had a pair of DT770 Pro 250 ohms for maybe 12 years and they’ve mostly been plugged in a mixer, with the coiled cable. That cable is pretty heavy and the constant bend in the same direction (from my mixer to where I was sitting) basically broke the connector. The rest is fine but I need to replace that part. And that requires soldering, which I don’t have much time for.

I suspect that things would still be fine if it had a straight cable (less pressure).

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#133

My DT770 pro 80 Ohm have a long straight cable. I would not be surprised if you could just order that part and slap it right in to your 250 ohm units if you’d rather not keep with the coiled style.

Personally, I find them both useful - I use the coiled one on my DT-990s (with a little velcro strain relief) permanently attached to my RME UCX, and move the straight one on the 770’s around between a cue feed / duplicate master and various instruments. It’s less comfortable (I personally like the gentle weight of the coiled cable and the way it feels, I feel physically more “connected” wearing it) but more useful as the roaming headset in the studio.

#134

I have been using AKG K550’s for mixing for the past 8 or so years, they’re closed back headphones so they’re not ideal for the task but I have used them so much for so long that I feel that I could get decent sounding mixes out of them. Sadly, its ear pads are disintegrating and I think it’s time to try new ones, preferably open back.

I have been reading and watching everything I could find with regards to mixing headphones and I have narrowed it down to these three:

  1. AKG K701/2
  2. Beyerdynamic DT 880 Pro 250 ohms
  3. Massdrop x Sennheiser 58x

From what I read here and everywhere else, it seems that in their price range the AKG & Beyerdynamic are almost industry standards. The 58x, while well reviewed, is very rarely talked about in the context of mixing, so I wanted to know if anyone on here has had any experience with them. From Ulav’s excellent video, I think I will really like their sound, they sound very well rounded and without the very sizzly top end the other two seem to have.

In terms of genre, I have several projects and bands that make everything from sludge metal to electronica to ambient. Thanks!

#135

Seems I may offer a different perspective. I own a somewhat embarrassing amount of headphones. The two that use for music production meet all your needs.

Shure SRH840.
Sony MDR 7520.

The Sony are much newer and I like them better, mostly from a construction standpoint. I still use the Shure everyday at work without issue, and for long sessions the 840 is much more laid back than the Sony. The MDR 7520s have amazing detail though.

Both are fairly good for mixing. Both are easy to drive. Both have removable coiled cables.

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#136

While I’m not entirely sure this applies to the K7xx series in the AKG line, but one knock on the Q701s is widespread shoddy soldering that over time causes the right ear cup to drop audio if strained. There is apparently a simple diy fix that I haven’t been able to employ after getting rid of my iron in the last move related purge. The headband is also notoriously uncomfortable on the K/Q70x at first, but after a couple of months it softens and hasn’t caused me discomfort since those early days.

All of that said, I love the neutral and open sound stage on the AKG K/Q70x. Most of my personal sonic exploration is in the ambient, sludgy noise areas, and I would highly recommend something like the K70x for those use cases.

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#137

AKG headphones are now made in China. I’ve got two sets of K240 from before and after the move and the quality has gone down. For example the parts that keep the headband tension are looser and don’t sit as well on the head.

#138

Definitely true. K240’s are still my favorite all around headphones (except when isolation is required) but my last pair fell apart so quickly.

#139

oh damn that definitely doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence. Are the Beyers any better construction wise? and are the 880’s highs really as pronounced as people say they are?

these are both closed backs though, do you also use them for mixing?

#140

Yes. I have, uh, a few open backs as well to check against but usually it’s ok even on the low end. I find it better to use the closed backs to check for muddiness. Some things can sound somewhat clear on the open backed phones and fall apart on closed backs. OTOH, sometimes I do need to adjust percussion transients for open backed phones even if they sound adequate on closed back.

My mixes are pretty crap regardless of equipment though! I’m also pretty simple minded when it comes to sound sources. No dense ambient drones here. More straight techno and acid.

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#142

They’re fantastically well made, even if a lot of the frame is plastic (lighter weight = more comfortable for long sessions). Every single part is still available individually for repairs as needed for the life of the product, too. Beyerdynamic is good at that.

To my ears, yes. That’s why I mix on 990’s and jam out in private on 770’s. I feel like I get a better, more translatable mix and my ears are very sensitive to highs (in terms of comfort/pain, not necessarily that I’m golden eared - I’m probably average). Personally I prefer the 990’s strongly to the 880’s, but I’m sure others feel equally strongly the other way. I’d suggest doing what I did: take several albums you know well and that have lots of stuff going on in the highs at the same time, and go listen to songs in their entirety on both headphones at a local store. Switch after a full song, and then switch back again. After your ears adjust to each headphone’s profiles (it usually takes at least one full song) you can get a sense for whether or not you personally are annoyed or pleased with the tonal differences. As long as you, personally, can hear all the detail in either pair of cans, then you’ll be able to pull off a great mix on either set. Pick the set you feel the most comfortable listening to for long periods of time and that’s the set that you’ll get the best mix on, because you won’t have ear fatigue as quickly.

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#143

Just wanted to add a note here on Beyers - I’ve been a DT250 user for many years now, but just also purchased a pair of DT770M (the more isolated 770) and just can’t believe the difference in sound between them. I think it might be down to the more on-ear style of the 250 than the 770s, but the 770s are a much more spacious soundstage. The 250s though have much more / solid bass. Not sure which is accurate, but the 250s are a more impactful listen for sure. So worth listening to the difference if you get a chance!

Also one great thing about the 250s is that the cable is a separate part. I’ve been through a couple in the 10 years I’ve had them, but they may be a better choice than other Beyers if you want to throw the headphones in a bag, and the coiled cable is way more convenient imho.

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#144

Even though the cable isn’t separate on the 770/880/990s, it’s completely user replaceable and spares are readily available direct from Beyerdynamic.

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#145

I’m going to have to replace the cable on my 770’s. I don’t know about you all, but the polymer that my cable was dipped in at the factory is awfully “grabby”. Like, instead of being smooth and glossy, it’s a plastic that really likes to grab onto things. Like my feet or my chair. Drives me crazy. It will drag things off my desk!

#146

If you like closed back, my DT150 are still going strong over 10 years later. Changed the cable and earpads once. Preferred the sound of them to the DT770 and ATH-M50 in side by side testing.

#148

Oh I love the 770’s to bits. I’m going to switch to the curly cord. That 9 ft straight cable is my only complaint- though it’s a big one.

#149

i’m in love with my Beyerdynamic DT-770 (250om)

#150

Hello, I saw that there’s a 80 ohm version of the Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro but only int he US.
Do you know why ? I tried to contact Beyerdynamic and they said that’s not planned - euh I’m confused…