Headphones

[rrhea]

I just bought my PX4 yesterday and was playing with it non-stop all day. I am not very pleased with the hi-gain sound of the unit, but the clean sounds and effects are just amazing.

My question involves the headphones you guys are using. I also bought some Sennheiser Pro 280s yesterday to replace my RadioShack Optimus phones I have been using for a couple of years now on the GuitarPort. However, I noticed that the PX4 sounded really terrible and was worried that I made a bad purchase... then I tried my Optimus headphones and the sound was so much better.

What are you all using with your Pandoras or Pods? When I finally got home yesterday I plugged into the GuitarPort with the Sennheisers and I wasn't impressed with them there, either.

The Pandora manual specifically recommends a 32 ohm impedence or less. The Senns are 64 ohm. Could this make a difference? I confess complete igornance when it comes to ohms and frequencies, etc.

Since I never played the Pandora before yesterday, I do not have it setup to sound good with my cheap headphones, so I don't think it is a matter of tweaking. The Senns are just to trebly sounding, and the distortion on hi-gain settings sounds very digital and the bottom end just breaks up with no "oooohmpf". My cheap phones actually improve this considerably.

I fear, though, that my cheapos will not last very much longer, and I think RadioShack has discontinued them. Any advice?

Thanks!

Ryan

[JESTER700]

I doubt the Senns' impedance is an issue - they're still low (not 600 ohms like AKG 240s!) And they're efficient. I think you just don't like the sound of them. They're kind of "midrangey", "laid back", or "british" sounding in audiophilespeak.

Many phones (not the Senns) are designed with boosted lows & highs because 1) it cuts better in noisy environments, and 2) modern kids dig that sound - a permanent "smile curve".

Some good phones of the Senn's quality level but with more of this "rock sound" would be the Sony MDR-7506. They're my favorite. A little tipped up in the bass & treble, but not too much. VERY efficient.

[rrhea]

Awesome, Jester.

I really appreciate the advice. I was planning on taking these back for a refund, but I very well might just exchange them for the Sonys. That was the other reccomendation that guy made, and I have heard good things about them in other forums on the web.

One other question: Is it wise to buy high-end headphones for something like the Korg PX4 or GuitarPort? Perhaps the phones could be too "honest" for the low quality output of these devices?

Thanks again!

RR

[JESTER700]

Originally Posted by rrhea

Awesome, Jester.

One other question: Is it wise to buy high-end headphones for something like the Korg PX4 or GuitarPort? Perhaps the phones could be too "honest" for the low quality output of these devices?
RR

Sure. The output quality of those things aren't really that low. As good as many MP3 players, anyway. I have a PX3 and a Zoom PS02, and I prefer the Sonys with them rather than cheap phones.

If you get the Sonys, pony up $25 for the velour replacement earpads from Beyer for their DT250 phones. They fit perfectly, and are much comfier than the pleather Sonys.

[krizz]

I don't have a POD or a GuitarPort but I use Sony MDR-CD480 headphones. I think they're very impressing very clear sound and a lot of bass (there's a strong neodymium magnet in there). They also have this nice form _around_ your ears, which I think is very important, I would never buy another form (my head feels like a blowing coconut after half an hour with those 'on-ear' forms ).

But hey, that's just me eh?

[RSVampire]

I have a pair of Sennheiser's the HD570's, love em.

[Two hands31]

I'm probably going to be looking for a very very good set of headphones soon, and I'm wondering what you'd consider to be good headphones for mixing and monitoring? I want a really clean/flat sound to really give me a high-quality sound. I mean, I want to be blown away with how accurate they are and how great they sound.

[JESTER700]

Originally Posted by Two hands31

I'm probably going to be looking for a very very good set of headphones soon, and I'm wondering what you'd consider to be good headphones for mixing and monitoring? I want a really clean/flat sound to really give me a high-quality sound. I mean, I want to be blown away with how accurate they are and how great they sound.

I'd never mix on phones. They likely won't translate well. Monitoring & tracking, sure.

Lots claim a high quality sound, but they still vary. Since I track vocals with them, I like sealed cans. Sony MDR7506, Sennheiser HD250 (both $100), and Beyer DT250 ($180) are all good sealed cans. I own the first 2, and like them both for different things. Overall, I prefer the Sony.

[jay ratkowski]

I have some Sennheiser HD265's that are nice. I need an amp though...

I'd really like these:
http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/pr...1%20Headphones