Headphones For The Budget Home Studio, what should i buy? Options

[snow]

well, the title says it all.
would love to hear any recommendations on pro-sounding phones in a musician's budget. . .

[rickenbacker]

First off, like anything else, you simply cannot get pro-sounding equipment on a budget. You've got to spend at least a decent amount of cash to get something worthwhile - as a rule of thumb, more than you originally planned to spend and more than you'd spend on the same item for recreational use should be your guide.

Secondhand isn't a bad idea, as long as you can really test them before buying. I got a pair of AKG K-400s, which I like, for £50 and they've served me well for some years now. I also have a pair of Audio Technica Pro6s (the camouflage ones), which give a solid sound and are completely closed, so ideal for recording vocals.

Otherwise, the Sennheiser range is well-known. The HD25s are like the Shure SM57 of studio monitoring headphones - a long-running classic that won't let you down. Not cheap, but they sound great. The BBC uses them a lot, apparently.

There is also an important difference between headphones designed for enjoying pre-recorded music and those designed for studio recording. The latter have no colouration, like the difference between having studio monitor speakers and trying to mix on your hi-fi speakers.

There are hundreds of headphones out there - my advice is to hit a music store and try out as many as you can. Or maybe look up a website like www.studiospares.com and read about a selection of pro headphones designed for making music, then go from there.

And remember: never mix while wearing headphones!

[snow]

thank you for your detailed reply. since i live in the mountains, a music shop is quite a long way. i am going to try musician's friend, so i wanted a recomendation on a pair i can't test.
it was helpful. thanks again.

[rickenbacker]

Well, I stand by my advice, regardless of your living arrangements.

I did mention several models of worthy headphones in my post, along with a useful internet link - use that to hone in on a couple of likely candidates and then Google reviews or opinions on them. At least that way you should be able to get some user feedback.

Enjoy your mountains.

[snow]

thank you rickenbacker. you post was helpful.
i will.

[midilance]

Recommendation:

Buy the best you can afford when it comes to the things you use the most. This would probably include headphones. Cutting corners on something that doesn't portray your music in it's best light is not a bargain at all.

If you are using the headphones for mixing I'd recommend AKG 240DF headphones, lightweight, and semi-open design(usually sell for over $100). They are totally flat. What you hear is what you have. Nothing more, nothing less. However, they require more power than a lot of headphones. A lot of people use Sony 4506 headphones (usually sell for $99) but I don't think they're "flat". They're closed-ear and very efficient (require less rms power to get loud).

I would advise you not to scrimp on either headphones or the power to drive them.