Okay experts..headphone buying advice needed.....

[Yamaha Man]

Thinking about getting some higher quality headphones suitable for mastering application...Currently looking at the AKG K 702's .. AKG advertises them as studio grade mixing and mastering headphones...

Now's your chance... yea or nay !!!!! or what else have you ??

Talk to me before I pull the trigger.

[runamuck]

http://gradolabs.com/


Even the cheap ones are very good but get the best you can afford.

[Yamaha Man]

What about the Sennheiser HD 650's ?????

[rockabilly69]

Some good choices, although I think the AKG's 702's are fine for mixing...

Beyerdynamic DT 880 and Sennheiser HD 650

[KevWind]

I have the Sennheiser HD 600's and really like them for mixing
The HD 650's would likely be even better

Both are open back which ostensibly helps eliminate possible undesirable reflection issues, that may be present with closed back HP's. But as with anything audio there are also a number of variables in play.

Both can purchased fairly reasonably on line from Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD.../dp/B00018MSNI

[Yamaha Man]

Thank You all for your input.

Sennheiser HD 650 won out with three votes including mine. I found a "Like New" set in an open box for a nice discount on Amazon last night and waited till this morning to get your opinions. I grabbed it before someone else did.

The Grado's line also came with lot's of support but I found their line confusing, Too many options.....They have models ranging in price from $80-$1,695.

The AKG 702's came in second place because some people are complaining about the ribbed head piece that's uncomfortable.

The Sennheiser HD 650's have been an industry standard for a long time. Many people on the Gearslutz forum rave about them.

[Yamaha Man]

They shipped out last night and are scheduled for delivery on Thursday.

Yay !!

[Yamaha Man]

I received my Sennheiser HD 650's today. Yep they are like new in an opened box, looks like somebody tried them out one time and returned them. Or kicked around the store for a short while. They look like new and sound great. I think they are excellent reference headphones as the magnify they known problems in my mixes. They certainly tell the truth. I tried them out on some mixes from Peter Gabriel's Studio and the mixes sounded perfect. Some of my mixes sounded really bad thru these. These are definitely my new favorite reference headphones, and all my future mixes will have pass the test with these.

I'm running them out of the Focusrite 18i8's headphone output and I'm getting just enough volume for me, when everything is cranked up. A separate headphone amp may be needed, I don't know yet. Many people recommend it.

They are opened back headphones which means there will be some bleed, but it's not much. As far as comfort goes... They are very comfortable, much nicer than all my other headphones.

So bottom line is I'm very pleased with them.

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by Martin Maniac

I received my Sennheiser HD 650's today. Yep they are like new in an opened box, looks like somebody tried them out one time and returned them. Or kicked around the store for a short while. They look like new and sound great. I think they are excellent reference headphones as the magnify they known problems in my mixes. They certainly tell the truth. I tried them out on some mixes from Peter Gabriel's Studio and the mixes sounded perfect. Some of my mixes sounded really bad thru these. These are definitely my new favorite reference headphones, and all my future mixes will have pass the test with these.

I'm running them out of the Focusrite 18i8's headphone output and I'm getting just enough volume for me, when everything is cranked up. A separate headphone amp may be needed, I don't know yet. Many people recommend it.

They are opened back headphones which means there will be some bleed, but it's not much. As far as comfort goes... They are very comfortable, much nicer than all my other headphones.

So bottom line is I'm very pleased with them.

While IMO they are excellent for mixing I would not recommend them for tracking. The bleed will be very noticeable (particularly with better mics) if used for tracking and IMO the accuracy that they afford for mixing decisions is not as necessary for tracking

[Yamaha Man]

You're right, I would not use these headphones for tracking. Even though the bleed is small, it's still there and could ruin an otherwise good recording. I bought these for mixing and mastering, and I think they'll work out fine for that.

[Yamaha Man]

I just got done listening to quite a few Loreena McKennitt tracks, some live, some studio tracks. They were all professionally mixed at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studio's in England. The only way I can put this is that I can finally here what was intended by the engineers at the studio...I can hear nuances that I couldn't hear before. I saw Ms McKennitt live in concert a few times, so I know what she and her band sounds like live...these recordings are perfect, and these headphones bring out that perfection. It's hard to put my finger on it, but these headphones sound very special, they have a very high quality to them. I'm glad I bought them.

I don't think I need a headphone amp, I'm getting plenty of volume and clarity out of the Focusrite 18i8. Even at mid volume they sound great. Coupled with the Yamaha HS-8 monitors, I'm all set !!!

[StringFive]

These Sony MDR7506's are the go-to standard http://amzn.to/2dZ74sz

[Yamaha Man]

That depends on who you ask. The Sennheiser HD650 came very highly recommended by many people. Now that I have them bought, and actually tried them out, I'm very pleased with them. Ya I possibly could have saved some money buying a cheaper pair, but I wanted really nice phones. I already have the AT 50's and a set of Tascams, and a set of Fostex, but I wanted what other people are highly recommending... In other words I wanted an expensive pair to see what all the hubbub was about, now I know. Like I said, a good mix sounds really good with these and mixing problems really stand out with them. My other phones are good for tracking because they are closed back, the 650's are open back, better for mixing and mastering. Although I'll do most of my mixing and mastering with my Yamaha HS8 monitors, I'll use the 650's for checking mixes....and late night listening.

[Yamaha Man]

I told a friend of mine about these headphones and when I told him how much they cost, he said " WTH, do they have little monkeys come out and lick your ears ?? " Almost !! I said. LOL !!

[Bob Womack]

Expert
"Ex" is the unknown quantity.
A "spurt" is a drip under pressure.

Expert: A man from out of town with a briefcase.

Bob