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I have a pair of decent headphones as it stands right now, they were about 50-60 bucks a few months ago. They are consumer phones, and do not provide flat (or anything near it) response. So rather than dropping 500 on a pair of KRK 8's at this time, I am looking to upgrade my phones. Looking to spend around 200, hopefully less. I have two requests, they cover the whole ear, and the cable be the phone cord kind that has a bit of give so I don't go ripping the interface off my desk.

Have at thee. :)

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soapfloats Fri, 04/03/2009 - 19:55

Not a phone cord type, but I really love my AKG k240s.
I hate phone cords. The cord on it is plenty long though (6ft I think).

Haven't tried the ATH, so I don't know how it compares.
I do like the AKGs better than my Sennheiser HD280s or Sony MD9506(?). Or whatever the numbers are on it. It gets regular mention on this forum.

Guitarfreak Fri, 04/03/2009 - 20:22

You know I have been looking at the k240, actually I've been researching both the k240 and M50 for the last few hours. The phone cord thing is the least important part of the deal in my mind, I want a set of headphones that will last me a while and help me make great mixes. I like them both. I'm planning on taking a trip to GC to try them both out soon if I get a minute to run out there. Any other contenders to add to the list of things to try?

Guitarfreak Fri, 04/03/2009 - 21:20

I have heard about the powerful bass with that particular unit. Is that because it is showing you the bass that is there, or is it because it is boosting bass frequencies?

I have had a pair like those in the past where I got it sounding good in the phones, and then on my iPod it had no bottom end. And then you have to make the mix sound ridiculously bassy, muffling everything else and limiting the fine-tuning you can do with the rest of the mix...I hated it.

anonymous Fri, 04/03/2009 - 21:28

I think sometimes they show me things I wouldnt normally hear, whether thats good or bad depends on my mix, mood, and the tracks I have to work with.

I will often reference with something right before I put them on, to make sure they aren't lying to me too bad.
They have their place in my humble set-up.

ouzo77 Sat, 04/04/2009 - 03:39

i got the akg k271 mkII a few months ago. they're closed backs but you don't get that isolated feeling. they sound very balanced and don't boost the bass. can sound a bit thin in comparison to other headphones, but that's a good thing.
due to my limited "studio" situation they are my main monitors when mixing. and since they're closed they're really great for tracking vocals or drums.

Guitarfreak Thu, 04/16/2009 - 11:48

OK so I went to GC today and they don't let you try headphones, and there is no return policy, they won't take them back once you buy them. The guy behind the counter said that it's like buying underwear....ok. So I'm going to make a blind purchase on something because some idiot behind a counter recommended it? He also said that the Sennheiser HD 380's were good but again I didn't get to try them. Anyway, what do you guys say?

rockstardave Thu, 04/16/2009 - 20:10

280s are good. the guys at GC see what everyone buys and know what they're talking about.

hd380s are what you want - but hd280s are what you will settle with.

on a small purchase like headphones, who cares. once the big purchases come, then spend more time demoing things. high-end preamps, studio monitors, pa speakers, etc. who cares about $90 head phones? just get the 280s and move on.

good luck

djmukilteo Thu, 04/16/2009 - 21:10

My vote is the ATH-M50's....I've already mentioned to GF I use both the Sony MDR7506...(I have a couple of pairs of those) and the ATH-M50's....hands down the ATH-M50's are more comfortable, they are flat and produce more accurate bass....the Sony's are crispier and brighter but don't produce a good bass balance like the ATH-M50's do!!
Have I used ATH-M50's enough is this post yet? LOL
ATH-M50'sATH-M50'sATH-M50'sATH-M50'sATH-M50'sATH-M50'sATH-M50'sATH-M50'sATH-M50's

Codemonkey Thu, 04/16/2009 - 21:31

I agree, ATH-M50's will probably be better than HD280's because the 280s sort of eat your head, although they DO block out a lot of noise (good for live sound) and are loud I don't think you need it in a studio. Trying to mix on them, ugh - four hours of clamps on your ears? I'm starting to dislike the notion (I'm also wearing HD280's right now).