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Open back mixing headphones (self.headphones)

submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by eezeebee to c/[email protected]

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I'm looking for opinions on good mixing headphones. I've been using Sony MDR 7506 for a couple of years and they are starting to peel, so I'd like to reserve them for recording situations and upgrade to something new for mixing.

If I'm understanding correctly, open back are superior for stereo image and bass so I'm interested in those. Feeling a bit of choice paralysis since there are so many options / different models that people swear by.

Also wondering how loud are they for those around you? Would being in a midly treated room with the door closed be silent from outside the room?

I'll be saving up for whatever I decide on, so budget isn't a big issue, I'll wait longer if needed. Hoping to stay under $500 Canadian or so.

BTW I would put "true" /flat sound as a priority. Also I have small ears.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

In terms of FR, the HD560s are quite good, but I feel like they compress the dynamics a bit. Probably wouldn't be the only pair I use (but I'd always check on multiple anyway), but they are hard to beat in terms of price vs performance. The Beyers can be good for treble analysis in particular, but I have a big head and they are just not comfortable for me. Still, those would be my two picks.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Throwing this out there: I have these https://www.brainwavzaudio.com/collections/sheepskin-earpads/products/sony-mdr-sheepskin-earpads

Been about two years on my MDR-v6 headphones and they’re pretty nice for the price

As far as the open backs go, I’ve only had some grado 80s. Didn’t like them being on ear, the band was flat and plastic (appears the new ones have some padding), and I could hear absolutely everything in the house when I was using them

Just my opinion but I’m sure there are plenty of other ones out there and plenty of people who like the open back more

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

DT900 pro x. I think its relatively flat without EQ. With EQ the bass is godly.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Is its treble response more laid back than the DT990s? Those actually hurt my ears

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I havent had DT990 but DT900 is generally considered more balanced. Less V shaped.

I mostly used it with Oratory EQ. I might have had issues with particularly sibilant tracks. Only relatively sibilant ones are okay.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Not sure if you purchased something but open is the way to go.

If you are serious about mixing then check the models that SoundID (Sonarworks) supports. It means you can use them for multiple listening tests.

I have found that using that with the software creates very translatable mixes.

[–] eezeebee 1 points 10 months ago

I did! Ended up going with MASSDROP X SENNHEISER HD 6XX. They are extremely comfortable and I notice such a big difference in details and space in the stereo field. I also have access to SoundID from a friend.

The hard part is now getting used to how different they sound compared to the Sony MDR 7506 I'm so used to - I'm still using them as my source of truth. The high end feels very lacking compared to the Sony's, even with SoundID. I know the point is for a neutral response, it's just hard to wrap my head around.