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Best headphones for writing/mixing?

AKG K701 here, love them. They are one of a handful of headphones that have an EQ curve preset in the Abbey Road Studio plugin, which tell you something.
 
Check out the start up called MassDrop.
There’s some phones not on the market but a collaboration from lots of people making suggestions to Sennheiser and other companies.
They end up making some really cool stuff that’s not available and inexpensive.
I have the Massdrop HD6XX, which are HD650 clones. They're my first open back headphones so I can't really compare but I can say that they are crystal clear and comfortable enough to wear for long sessions. Ive been using them for 18 months and have not felt the urge to upgrade. They're keepers.
 
Another happy hd600 user here. I mix on a combo of Dynaudio bm5's, Avantone mix cubes and hd600's. While I haven't used many of the others mentioned here, I do feel the 600's are quite neutral and my mixes translate very well so I'm totally satisfied with them
 
I have the Massdrop HD6XX, which are HD650 clones. They're my first open back headphones so I can't really compare but I can say that they are crystal clear and comfortable enough to wear for long sessions. Ive been using them for 18 months and have not felt the urge to upgrade. They're keepers.

Im a custom IEM guy myself.
The first models in the mid 90s were good for iPods, etc.
But about 18 years ago the additional drivers and new advancements were a leap in quality.

Im using JH Audio 24way IEMs and can barely tolerate any speakers much less headphones.
Im so spoiled now I had to buy some pricey RCF TT08A’s and a DBA Sub for stage monitors just to get close.

Theyre the best investment for ear protection too.
Ive got some HDs I bought but rarely use, and my Headphone output on my Interface has to be cranked to 70% where as the IEMs being so custom fit, only need 25%.

Something to consider for future investments in ear protection and sound quality.
 
I'd agree with Ryans regarding hd600. The best results I've got so far was using those, although I don't spend too much on sets so!!!!
 
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Sonarworks tests headphones - their highest scoring is the Sennheiser HD650 for it's flat response. I used to own a pair at my old job. I'm going to pick up one again. At first listen they did seem a bit "boring" but I quickly fell in love with them. Now other headphones seem so sonically "sloppy" for lack of a better word.

 
AVANTONE MP-1 MIXPHONES

Have you tried this sexy baby? I used the ATH-M40fs for years, but after using the Avantone for 30 min, the ATH sounded like an old telephone receiver.

A friend of mine used to have huge headaches working with cheaper headphones, he just couldn't work for extended periods of time. Splitting headaches. Now he works with the Avantone and never has those headaches anymore.

Reveals details very well. You can also switch between STEREO, MONO or CUBE mode with a switch located right on one of the cups.

YMMV. Only downside for me is that they are a bit tight for long periods of work. But the image is clean, imho.

https://www.avantonepro.com/mp-1.php (<a href="https://vi-control.net/community/attachments/dc84e5564db8635ecb6015dbb253ad7b-png.23771/" target="_blank"> <img src="https://data.vi-control.net/attachments/22/22559-c951a03ae27eb7d86f8b1011ef46c057.jpg" class="bbImage " style="" alt="dc84e5564db8635ecb6015dbb253ad7b.png" title="dc84e5564db8635ecb6015dbb253ad7b.png" width="298" height="300" /> </a>)
 
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I use Audio-technica ATH-50x, closed though. I love them for writing and even for mixing. Some people say they are bit coloured in tone. True to a certain extent, compared to my monitors, they really feel different, but I got use to it and I can say my mixes have improved a lot!
 
And if you're interested in the Sonarworks correction software why not buy a individually calibrated pair from them.:)
 
Not sure if youve already picked a pair but I would have to give the AKG k712 a +1
I started working from home and becuase my apartment is not treated the best I decided to save my neighbors trouble and do headphones at night. Theyre super comfortable and I havent had really much trouble with my mixes outside of being a little too heavy on the bass which Ive pulled back. The open ears are great for cancelling ear fatigue.
 
I just got a pair of the Massdrop/Sennheiser 6XX and I think they might replace my 701s. For me it's easier to hear when I've dialled in too much low-end, and with the AKGs I was also rolling off a lot of upper-mids (maybe because I'm sensitive to those frequencies) resulting in a duller sound on other playback systems, whereas the 6XX don't make me want to do that so much.
 
And if you're interested in the Sonarworks correction software why not buy a individually calibrated pair from them.:)

I’ll buy the headphones version of Reference 4 for sure... don’t know about the calibrated phones... almost twice the price if I buy from them, is it worth it? A bit out out of my budget atm as I’m aiming for Apollo Twin as well and Spitfire’s Christmas sale drained me as well 😂
 
Dec 31 - one hour to closing time, I find the HD600 on a $50 down, 90 days interest free, last day of 2019 deal at a store in another province I'm visiting. And a bit cheaper than Amazon too. DONE! :) Always prefer to support local stores when possible.

Now my ears will be closer to seeing 20/20!! (Sorry for the already overdone pun).

:rofl::dancedance:o_O
 
Lots of great feedback here! Thnx ;) I currently own ATH-50x but I think I'm gonna get HD650 as well to try them out...

Personally I own the HD600, DT990 Pro, and KRK 8400. I also owned the AT M50 for years which are not neutral at all.

If you like the V shaped sound of the AT I doubt you will like the HD sound. The mids and soundstage of the HDs are sublime but I've always missed more low and high end. I find the "Sennheiser veil" to be quite annoying although some people refer to that as a smooth sound.

I haven't done a proper mix in years so I don't know which are the better ones for that task but for producing and writing music I much prefer the Beyerdynamic sound. The first weeks the sibilance of the DT990 was painful and had to use an EQ but I've been using them for about 8 months now and I'm very pleased with the sound. There is still a peak around 8-9KHz but it's much less pronounced. I don't need an EQ anymore.

There are many people mixing on the M50s, the trick is knowing them and testing your material in as many places as possible. For example if mixing EDM it's fundamental to try on a PA or club setting.
 
I strongly recommend trying on whatever headphones you are looking into. If you're going to be spending a lot of time in these headphones and it is highly recommended that you make sure they are comfortable before you buy them.

I recently bought some AT-50s online because they were highly recommended on the internet. And they do sound pretty good, but what I discovered is that, for me anyway, they are extremely uncomfortable. The padding is kind of stiff, but worse they have a sharp plastic seam around the inside that causes actual pain when I wear them for more than 15 minutes.

And once they start causing pain, it really doesn't matter how they sound.
 
I strongly recommend trying on whatever headphones you are looking into. If you're going to be spending a lot of time in these headphones and it is highly recommended that you make sure they are comfortable before you buy them.

I recently bought some AT-50s online because they were highly recommended on the internet. And they do sound pretty good, but what I discovered is that, for me anyway, they are extremely uncomfortable. The padding is kind of stiff, but worse they have a sharp plastic seam around the inside that causes actual pain when I wear them for more than 15 minutes.

And once they start causing pain, it really doesn't matter how they sound.

I had that sad experience with the otherwise awesome (to me) Avantone Mixphones. After a few minutes, all I could focus on was the blood pulsing in my temples because the cups were too tight on my big head. Although now in comparison, my ATH-40mfs sound like a 1960's phone receiver.

Hope the HD600 will be kinder and let me enjoy a more friendly soundstage so I can actually work...
 
I just got a pair of the Massdrop/Sennheiser 6XX and I think they might replace my 701s. For me it's easier to hear when I've dialled in too much low-end, and with the AKGs I was also rolling off a lot of upper-mids (maybe because I'm sensitive to those frequencies) resulting in a duller sound on other playback systems, whereas the 6XX don't make me want to do that so much.
I also went with the Massdrop variant of the HD650...until recently I hadn’t heard of Massdrop (now they‘really just called Drop). Got the 6xx for $180 on Black Friday...amazing deal!
 
A bought a pair of Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro (open back) early December. I've been using them for writing and mixing the last few weeks. They are very comfortable to use for hours. I (now) prefer them over the Audiotechica m50x I had been using the last ~5 years. The sound is more wide and open and the headphones simply feel less confining somehow.
 
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