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I've listened to Grados, various Sennheiser, etc.. and they're all fine. Good even. But there's just one thing I don't get about the "headphone scene". I've

by jamwt 15y ago

I've listened to Grados, various Sennheiser, etc.. and they're all fine. Good even. But there's just one thing I don't get about the "headphone scene". I've done various things as a musician over the last 15 years, and the cans you see EVERYWHERE are the Sony MDR-7506. Period. If it is good enough to mix and master, if it is good enough to monitor professional vocalists in the studio, it is good enough for you! These cans represent the music as it was intended to be heard. (And, subjectively, they sound fantastic.) There seem to sometime be arguments about "reference" vs. enjoyment, and things being "too neutral" in studio cans, but I dunno. The cynical side of it seems (to me) to be a sort of hobby-justification for spending more than $99 on a pair of headphones. Granted, taste matters and comfort matters. But arguments appealing to some kind of vague "quality"--I just don't buy it. The studio spent $50,000 on their mixing board. If they needed to spent $500 (vs. $100) on their cans, they'd do it. But they often don't.

keenerd 15y ago
If you don't want to give money to Sony, the Sennheiser HD-280 is nearly identical. Same sized ear pads, nearly identical bandwidth/specs, same coiled cord, same price. Made in Ireland for some odd reason.
- finnw 15y ago
  Durable too. Mine have lasted 8 years so far.
sciurus 15y ago
I've been happy with my Sony MDR-V6, which I think are almost identical the the MDR-7506. $100 on headphones seems pricey if you're used to earbuds, but these sound great, travel well, and should last forever. Wikipedia on the MDR-V6, MDR-V600, MDR-7506, MDR-7509HD, and MDR-CD900ST: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_MDR-V6 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_MDR-V6
- msutherl 15y ago
  The only difference is the magnet in the drivers as far as sound is concerned, but more importantly the 7506 has a 'pro' very long coiled cable while the V6 has a shorter, straight cable. From what I understand, the V600 is not in the same league, but you should check that at Head-Fi.
  - sciurus 15y ago
    My V6 has a coiled cable; it looks like the one pictured at http://media.headphone.com/productphotos/large/0020550006_5213.jpg http://media.headphone.com/productphotos/large/0020550006_52...
    - msutherl 15y ago
      Whoops, I guess I was just wrong about that. It was the only reason I bought the 7506 over the V6, but I guess I was misinformed somewhere along the line.
  - sliverstorm 15y ago
    I have always read that the only important difference is more bass emphasis in the V6's as compared to the 7506's, which have a very flat response.
    - uriah 15y ago
      You're probably thinking of the V600 which has heavier bass and swiveling earcups for DJing.
- zyeljanee 15y ago
  Besides brand there are some other things that one should look at like the cost and also whether headphones offer a natural means of listening. Remember ther is part of your health that you want to check.
msutherl 15y ago
I'be done A/B with the Sony's and the Sens and I can attest that they sound very similar. I went with the Sony's. However, I must say that the sound is nowhere close to my Grados. If you want closed-back headphones with a nice balanced, transparent sound and good sound stage, you're going to have to spend much more than $100. After doing a lot of research, I can recommend the Beyerdynamic DT-770's with a decent headphone amp ($50) as probably the best deal on closed-backs that are durable, beautiful, and rival sub-$200 open-back phones. My biggest complaint with the Sony's/Sens', aside from lack of detail, is that they have a lot of sibilance, which becomes fatiguing after an hour or two. I wear my Grados whenever I can (but can't when other people are around due to sound leakage).
- tricolon 15y ago
  The DT-880s are semi-open.
  - msutherl 15y ago
    Yikes, I meant the 770's!
jpitz 15y ago
I came here to say just this. I've had similar experiences, and have loaned my 7506's out to sound engineers on the road when their cans broke. As pro audio gear, they're also designed to be repairable. Having spent a few dollars on replacement ear pads, I have a pair of 7506's that have lasted 10 years.
- vukk 15y ago
  My first MDR-7506's had very soft rubber on it's cord, and eventually it broke. Changing the coil requires soldering and I and another person who actually had experience could not get it done, the wire resisted all attempts somehow... So not as repairable in my mind, but it is obviously somewhat relative term. Still bought new ones and the cord has been fine, if someone is wondering. Would prefer if the cord could be changed by just plugging a new one in however :)
deleted 15y ago
[deleted]
sliverstorm 15y ago
I own the MDR-7506's and a pair of Senn. HD6xx. I agree, the MDR-7506's are very good, and they were my only 'phones for years. I also cannot find a measurable difference between the two pairs. That said, after using both for months and months, I can tell you that I prefer the Senn.'s. The MDR's are good, and in good per dollar they certainly win. But, I find the Senn.'s more comfortable over long periods, and less fatiguing to my ears. This is, I believe, because the open 'phones let my ears breath, and because the sound on the Senn.'s is clearer/crisper. I wind up turning the volume up more with the MDR's, subconsciously seeking the clarity of the Senn.'s, which is more fatiguing for my eardrums.
- deleted 15y ago
  [deleted]
jdietrich 15y ago
Professional users have very specific requirements and their preferences shouldn't be taken as a general recommendation. For years, we used the Beyerdynamic DT-100s, which sounded absolutely awful but suited a professional environment well. They were ultra-rugged, provided good isolation from outside noise, were completely rebuildable with 100% parts availability, had a modular cable and provided a good reference in the mid-range frequencies which are most critical for broadcast. You'd never mix a record using them, but they were excellent for musicians or cameramen to monitor with. Similar logic applies to speakers like the Yamaha NS-10 or the Auratone 5C - horrible to listen to, but they provided a useful reference for specific tasks. The MDR-7506/7509 headphones are very popular for similar reasons to the DT-100s, although they sound much better. Here in the UK they're not especially popular in music, though they are used extensively in broadcast. Open-backed headphones like the AKG K701 or the Sennheiser HD650 sound very much better, but they're bulky, fragile, don't block out noise and leak sound out, which is a critical failure if you're sat in front of an open microphone. The Sennheiser DT-25s are another example - probably >50% of DJs use them, but they'd be a terrible choice for most users. They sound good, are very rugged and provide superlative isolation from noise, but they're miserably uncomfortable. DJs are quite happy to trade comfort for isolation as they only use their headphones intermittently, but for users who aren't trying to monitor in a noisy nightclub it's a bad call. There's little point in spending more than a few hundred dollars on headphones, but they're very specialised tools and you should select carefully based on your personal requirements.
vukk 15y ago
Also, if you get or already have MDR-7506, I strongly recommend getting the velour pads! They are made by beyerdynamic and are really for DT-250 but fit fine to MDR-7506. Since I didn't find a product number to give you, here's an amazon link http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-Velour-Earcushions-MDR7506-Headphones/dp/B0016MF7W2 http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-Velour-Earcushions-MDR750... that lists them currently unavailable though, but just to give you easier time finding them from some other retailer. bayerdynamic DT-770 is another popular choice in pro-use (just anecdotal evidence). My experience is that they are slightly more bass-heavy than Sony MDR-7506, but the sound is very equal otherwise. Also their round shape did not fit my head as well and caused pain on long sessions. Overall I see that some might prefer them over MDR-7506.
jaylevitt 15y ago
I tried 7506's (I think?) and found them really bright and fatiguing - kind of the Genelec of headphones. But as others have pointed out, you're optimizing for a different variable in the studio. First of all, you'd never mix or master on headphones unless you're testing to see how your mix sounds on headphones. So at that point, you probably want cans that translate well to "average" headphones, and it may well be that the Sonys do. Think about NS-10's, or even Auratones - they're not great speakers, they're just a common reference point that everyone knows. And for tracking, you really don't want flat response; you want cans that'll reinforce the musician's ability to hear themselves, the headphone equivalent of a presence peak. Isolation is critical - no headphone bleeding. But the most important quality for tracking headphones is ruggedness; they are going to get abused, and they need to be easily repairable but rarely need repairing. All of which is to say: being universal doesn't imply being the best-sounding or the most-comfortable; it implies being optimal for the needs of a recording studio.

by jamwt 15y ago

keenerd 15y ago

If you don't want to give money to Sony, the Sennheiser HD-280 is nearly identical. Same sized ear pads, nearly identical bandwidth/specs, same coiled cord, same price. Made in Ireland for some odd reason.

finnw 15y ago
Durable too. Mine have lasted 8 years so far.

sciurus 15y ago

I've been happy with my Sony MDR-V6, which I think are almost identical the the MDR-7506. $100 on headphones seems pricey if you're used to earbuds, but these sound great, travel well, and should last forever. Wikipedia on the MDR-V6, MDR-V600, MDR-7506, MDR-7509HD, and MDR-CD900ST: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_MDR-V6 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_MDR-V6

msutherl 15y ago
The only difference is the magnet in the drivers as far as sound is concerned, but more importantly the 7506 has a 'pro' very long coiled cable while the V6 has a shorter, straight cable. From what I understand, the V600 is not in the same league, but you should check that at Head-Fi.
- sciurus 15y ago
  My V6 has a coiled cable; it looks like the one pictured at http://media.headphone.com/productphotos/large/0020550006_5213.jpg http://media.headphone.com/productphotos/large/0020550006_52...
  - msutherl 15y ago
    Whoops, I guess I was just wrong about that. It was the only reason I bought the 7506 over the V6, but I guess I was misinformed somewhere along the line.
- sliverstorm 15y ago
  I have always read that the only important difference is more bass emphasis in the V6's as compared to the 7506's, which have a very flat response.
  - uriah 15y ago
    You're probably thinking of the V600 which has heavier bass and swiveling earcups for DJing.
zyeljanee 15y ago
Besides brand there are some other things that one should look at like the cost and also whether headphones offer a natural means of listening. Remember ther is part of your health that you want to check.

msutherl 15y ago

I'be done A/B with the Sony's and the Sens and I can attest that they sound very similar. I went with the Sony's. However, I must say that the sound is nowhere close to my Grados. If you want closed-back headphones with a nice balanced, transparent sound and good sound stage, you're going to have to spend much more than $100. After doing a lot of research, I can recommend the Beyerdynamic DT-770's with a decent headphone amp ($50) as probably the best deal on closed-backs that are durable, beautiful, and rival sub-$200 open-back phones. My biggest complaint with the Sony's/Sens', aside from lack of detail, is that they have a lot of sibilance, which becomes fatiguing after an hour or two. I wear my Grados whenever I can (but can't when other people are around due to sound leakage).

tricolon 15y ago
The DT-880s are semi-open.
- msutherl 15y ago
  Yikes, I meant the 770's!

jpitz 15y ago

I came here to say just this. I've had similar experiences, and have loaned my 7506's out to sound engineers on the road when their cans broke. As pro audio gear, they're also designed to be repairable. Having spent a few dollars on replacement ear pads, I have a pair of 7506's that have lasted 10 years.

vukk 15y ago
My first MDR-7506's had very soft rubber on it's cord, and eventually it broke. Changing the coil requires soldering and I and another person who actually had experience could not get it done, the wire resisted all attempts somehow... So not as repairable in my mind, but it is obviously somewhat relative term. Still bought new ones and the cord has been fine, if someone is wondering. Would prefer if the cord could be changed by just plugging a new one in however :)

deleted 15y ago

[deleted]

sliverstorm 15y ago

I own the MDR-7506's and a pair of Senn. HD6xx. I agree, the MDR-7506's are very good, and they were my only 'phones for years. I also cannot find a measurable difference between the two pairs. That said, after using both for months and months, I can tell you that I prefer the Senn.'s. The MDR's are good, and in good per dollar they certainly win. But, I find the Senn.'s more comfortable over long periods, and less fatiguing to my ears. This is, I believe, because the open 'phones let my ears breath, and because the sound on the Senn.'s is clearer/crisper. I wind up turning the volume up more with the MDR's, subconsciously seeking the clarity of the Senn.'s, which is more fatiguing for my eardrums.

deleted 15y ago
[deleted]

jdietrich 15y ago

Professional users have very specific requirements and their preferences shouldn't be taken as a general recommendation. For years, we used the Beyerdynamic DT-100s, which sounded absolutely awful but suited a professional environment well. They were ultra-rugged, provided good isolation from outside noise, were completely rebuildable with 100% parts availability, had a modular cable and provided a good reference in the mid-range frequencies which are most critical for broadcast. You'd never mix a record using them, but they were excellent for musicians or cameramen to monitor with. Similar logic applies to speakers like the Yamaha NS-10 or the Auratone 5C - horrible to listen to, but they provided a useful reference for specific tasks. The MDR-7506/7509 headphones are very popular for similar reasons to the DT-100s, although they sound much better. Here in the UK they're not especially popular in music, though they are used extensively in broadcast. Open-backed headphones like the AKG K701 or the Sennheiser HD650 sound very much better, but they're bulky, fragile, don't block out noise and leak sound out, which is a critical failure if you're sat in front of an open microphone. The Sennheiser DT-25s are another example - probably >50% of DJs use them, but they'd be a terrible choice for most users. They sound good, are very rugged and provide superlative isolation from noise, but they're miserably uncomfortable. DJs are quite happy to trade comfort for isolation as they only use their headphones intermittently, but for users who aren't trying to monitor in a noisy nightclub it's a bad call. There's little point in spending more than a few hundred dollars on headphones, but they're very specialised tools and you should select carefully based on your personal requirements.

vukk 15y ago

Also, if you get or already have MDR-7506, I strongly recommend getting the velour pads! They are made by beyerdynamic and are really for DT-250 but fit fine to MDR-7506. Since I didn't find a product number to give you, here's an amazon link http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-Velour-Earcushions-MDR7506-Headphones/dp/B0016MF7W2 http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-Velour-Earcushions-MDR750... that lists them currently unavailable though, but just to give you easier time finding them from some other retailer. bayerdynamic DT-770 is another popular choice in pro-use (just anecdotal evidence). My experience is that they are slightly more bass-heavy than Sony MDR-7506, but the sound is very equal otherwise. Also their round shape did not fit my head as well and caused pain on long sessions. Overall I see that some might prefer them over MDR-7506.

jaylevitt 15y ago

I tried 7506's (I think?) and found them really bright and fatiguing - kind of the Genelec of headphones. But as others have pointed out, you're optimizing for a different variable in the studio. First of all, you'd never mix or master on headphones unless you're testing to see how your mix sounds on headphones. So at that point, you probably want cans that translate well to "average" headphones, and it may well be that the Sonys do. Think about NS-10's, or even Auratones - they're not great speakers, they're just a common reference point that everyone knows. And for tracking, you really don't want flat response; you want cans that'll reinforce the musician's ability to hear themselves, the headphone equivalent of a presence peak. Isolation is critical - no headphone bleeding. But the most important quality for tracking headphones is ruggedness; they are going to get abused, and they need to be easily repairable but rarely need repairing. All of which is to say: being universal doesn't imply being the best-sounding or the most-comfortable; it implies being optimal for the needs of a recording studio.