Which headphones to take the role of monitors?

tryan225 · Post by **tryan225** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 7:40 pm

Hey y'all. Kinda broke, but I got about 100$ to spend, and I'm currently running my tape deck through a pioneer stereo, but I want to be able to hear what I'm working on with a more flat response...

Just wondering what some recommendations would be for a pair of headphones for around 100$

Thanks

TheKeytarist · Post by **TheKeytarist** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 8:43 pm

Look in to a pair of sure in ear monitors. My brother who plays in a band, got a pair for around $90 on eBay, brand new.

Post by **tallowwaters** » Mon Mar 21, 2011 11:46 pm

TheKeytarist wrote:Look in to a pair of sure in ear monitors. My brother who plays in a band, got a pair for around $90 on eBay, brand new.

In ear monitors in place of studio monitors? In ear monitors are for monitoring your mix on stage, studio monitors are for mixing and mastering music in a studio.

Please do not offer advice on subjects that are clearly out of your depth. As a matter of fact, it's stated in the rules.

organsymphony · Post by **organsymphony** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:06 am

Yeah... IEM's aren't what you're after.

I really enjoy my AKG K240 mk 2s. I *think* they're going to be around $100 considering what I paid for them over here in the UK.

But they sound really good. They handle bass frequencies really well. My friend got a couple of pairs of the AKG K171s to use during tracking and whilst they work really well at reducing bleed they just don't have the ability to reproduce bass as well as my K240s. But my K240s bleed a lot so you can't really use them for tracking if you're recording acoustic sources with microphones. You've got to make your mind up whether you want maximum isolation (K171) or a more natural open sound (K240).

Post by **Ry-Fi** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:10 am

Actually Tallow, I think the recommendation was sincere. Regardless of whether the term "in-ear monitors" is meant to be reserved for those used on stage or not, I think the recommendation to spend $100 on in-ear headphones is a good one.

$100 doesn't go far for a nice set of pro circumaural headphones, where it's nice to have a budget of at least $300 (K701, DT250, DT880, HD600/HD650, etc.). But that same amount of money spent on an in-ear can go a lot further in providing better frequency response for studio/mixing applications. Unfortunately, I personally can't recommend a good brand/model as I have limited experience with those...

Post by **tallowwaters** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:15 am

Ry-Fi wrote:Actually Tallow, I think the recommendation was sincere. Regardless of whether the term "in-ear monitors" is meant to be reserved for those used on stage or not, I think the recommendation to spend $100 on in-ear headphones is a good one.

Fair enough, but anything that goes into your ear is not going to give you any sort of real world response in comparison to studio monitors. Actually, that is true of headphones as well, but in ear monitors are most certainly not 'go'.

organsymphony · Post by **organsymphony** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:19 am

In ear monitors are probably gonna fatigue your ears a lot quicker than headphones. Whilst they *might* give you more 'bang for your buck' in sound quality the isolating design isn't going to be very comfortable to sit and mix with.

Whilst you *can* get universal fit IEMs there's also a reason people pay quite a bit of money on having their in ears custom molded for comfort.

Post by **Stab Frenzy** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:30 am

US$100 = Sony MDR-7506. I wouldn't rely on headphones for mixing though, especially $100 ones. I have some nice Beyerdynamics and I still don't rely on them for mixes, headphones throw your perception of frequencies right out.

Esus · Post by **Esus** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:33 am

Stab Frenzy wrote:US$100 = Sony MDR-7506. I wouldn't rely on headphones for mixing though, especially $100 ones. I have some nice Beyerdynamics and I still don't rely on them for mixes, headphones throw your perception of frequencies right out.

What he said.

Hair · Post by **Hair** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 3:32 pm

If you don't need isolation, and engineer buddy of mine said if he ever was forced to mix on headphones, he would only consider the Grado SR125 (or better) - I had a listen to his pair and they were awesome, but again, they're totally open cup so they bleed like a mother.

TheKeytarist · Post by **TheKeytarist** » Tue Mar 22, 2011 9:54 pm

FIY, the guy did specify headphones. And I'm not quite sure what made tallowaters asume that sound and mixing is "out of my depth". All I did was suggest some earphones, is there anything wrong with that?

Any way if you really want to test your music and get a "real world reference", I would recommend a cheap pair of earphones(ones like the average Joe would have) to go along with your good ones. Sure has lots of options great options such as the SCL32. If you want actual headphones, the sure SRH440 or 240's look decent.

Post by **tallowwaters** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 2:58 am

Shure, for goodness sake, Shure!

And yes, there is something wrong with recommending in-ear monitors for studio mixing. Most people would look at me like a crazy person if I suggested using a scalpel to butcher a cow or a hammer to loosen a screw. Different tools are for performing different jobs.

Look decent, eh? So have you actually tried them?

Purveyor · Post by **Purveyor** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 4:34 am

You are getting a very good recommendation on the AKGs. I bought the 240Ms in 2006 and I can't find a pair I like better.

Post by **Stab Frenzy** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 4:51 am

TheKeytarist wrote:FIY, the guy did specify headphones. And I'm not quite sure what made tallowaters asume that sound and mixing is "out of my depth". All I did was suggest some earphones, is there anything wrong with that?

Any way if you really want to test your music and get a "real world reference", I would recommend a cheap pair of earphones(ones like the average Joe would have) to go along with your good ones. Sure has lots of options great options such as the SCL32. If you want actual headphones, the sure SRH440 or 240's look decent.

Can you just pipe down please? The OP asked for headphones they could mix on, not crappy earbuds for a 'real world reference'. Dude already has a stereo, wants something TO MIX ON. Also your opinion on the looks of the shure headphones isn't relevant to this topic, if you've used them and can offer comparitive opinions on their sound then feel free to join in.

I had AKG K-141s a while ago and they sounded alright but were uncomfortable on my head (may not be applicable to you) and their semi-open design had too much bleed for my liking to use for vocal tracking and not enough isolation for live work, and those are the two things my cans get used for most. Semi-open sounds more natural though, so if you must mix on headphones it's a better choice.

I recommended the MDR-7506s because they're a proven workhorse and very good value, they're quite forward in the high-mids which I like for mixing, my MSP5As I use for monitors are the same. Gives you a good amount of detail on vocals for getting mix decisions right.

Another pair worth looking at are the Fostex T-20s. I've seen them on special a bit lately and they're really quite good. I'm looking at getting a few pairs for bands I'm working with.

tryan225 · Post by **tryan225** » Wed Mar 23, 2011 5:09 am

I was kinda leaning towards the MDR-7506's prior to posting, but I think I'm gonna pull the trigger on 'em. I'm not really trying to go pro or anything, just looking for something with a more neutral response than my 10" 1970's fisher speakers. Keytarist, don't worry about the hate, it's all just postin' on the net.

Which headphones to take the role of monitors?

Which headphones to take the role of monitors?

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Re: Which headphones to take the role of monitors?