Best Studio/Producer Headset?

[fritzinator]

Hello, new user hurr. I was suggested to check this site out by a few friends who are DJs and say they have found quite a bit of useful information here.

I know I'm kinda lame throwing a question at you with my first post hah but it seems like an important question to me.

I'm looking to get into producing quality music I use Ableton and I have run into a pretty silly problem, my Sennheiser HD280 Pros have been beaten to a pulp and really need a replacement.

I have done quite a bit of research for new headsets and good isolation could definitely come in handy but isn't 100% mandatory. I remind you that I plan on using these at home, no traveling and I tend to keep care of my things.

Now one question I have while doing researching, is having a headset that requires an pre-amp going to provide that much better quality of clearer sound?

I have somewhat narrowed it down to a few choices...
(I am keeping comfort-ability into consideration, because I plan on sitting for hours on end enable to learn what I want and to accomplish my goals)

Non-preamp headsets

AKG K 242 HD High-Definition Headphones
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/AKG-242-HD-High-Definition-Headphones/dp/B0028N78J8"]http://www.amazon.com/AKG-242-HD-High-Definition-Headphones/dp/B0028N78J8[/ame]


Beyerdynamic DT 860 Premium Headphones
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-DT-860-Premium-Headphones/dp/B000Y0IPF8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1279497646&sr =1-1"]http://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-DT-860-Premium-Headphones/dp/B000Y0IPF8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1279497646&sr =1-1[/ame]


Pre-amped Headsets

AKG-K702-Open-Back-Headphones
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/AKG-K702-Open-Back-Headphones/dp/B001RCD2DW/ref=pd_cp_e_1"]http://www.amazon.com/AKG-K702-Open-Back-Headphones/dp/B001RCD2DW/ref=pd_cp_e_1[/ame]


Beyerdynamic DT-770 Stereo Headphones
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-DT-770-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B000F2BLTC/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top"]http://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-DT-770-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B000F2BLTC/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top[/ame]


Sennheiser HD600 Over Ear Professional Headphones
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD600-Over-Ear-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top"]http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD600-Over-Ear-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00004SY4H/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top[/ame]


I haven't really looked at any pre-amps say... to go with any of these headsets yet lol or I'd link them.

But I would REALLY appreciate any feedback whatsoever... if you have tried any of these headsets (I'm aware some of these you have to break in, a couple 100 hours seems like wtf but it'd properly fly by).

I have just started getting into sound and sound development, so any pointers would be appreciated.

(I looked through forums for other headset post yet most were towards live playing headsets, which I am not at that stage yet)

My main questions are:

Have you tried these headsets?
What headsets would you suggest?
Does having a pre-amp really affect the quality of sound?

Thanks!

-Lucas

[Nephew]

Look into Ultrasone, best headphones you'll find hands down

[photojojo]

Did you not like the 280's for any reason?

[fritzinator]

Just suggestin Ultrasone from experience?

No, no reason I have loved my Senns HD 280, I got them when I used to play CSS constantly hah
(I do have problems wearing them for long periods of times sometimes too, tend to start hurtin the ears)

Im just lookin for some change, maybe thought that I could get higher quality sets

I just am startin to take this seriously and wanted some good bang for the buck ya kno what i mean?

[Nephew]

Yeah, I'm suggesting the Ultrasones from personal experience. Plus I've converted over a few people after letting them try mine out for a week or two and they just couldn't go back to their original headphones.

I use my monitors when I'm writing/doing sound design/arranging,but I use the headphones too when I start doing my mix down and start EQ'ing stuff as you'll notice a lot more subtleties.

[Str8upDrew]

I love my Sony MDR SA5000's. I know what you're thinking, and yes pretty much every other sony mdr series sucks, but these are different. They are by far the best headphones i've ever owned. I use them for everything, and they're made out magnesium so they're practically indestructible. They aren't the most practical headphones for dj'ing, but after using them so much in the studio every other set of headphones just sound dull. The only downside is that when i'm playing a old record that's poorly mastered they really bring out all of the dirt in the tracks.

[ClumsyMoe]

Well in that list you can take out the K701 (2 is just a different color) and the HD 600 because they don't sound too good without an amp FWIR.

I have some HD 25s (or more accurately, the HD 25-1 II) for DJing, but I'd say they would work well for production as well. Not sure about how flat the frequency response is (sounds fine to me) but the detail level is a notch above my AD700s.

[Ola]

I have some HD 25s (or more accurately, the HD 25-1 II) for DJing, but I'd say they would work well for production as well. Not sure about how flat the frequency response is (sounds fine to me) but the detail level is a notch above my AD700s.

They're pretty flat I think (I love mine), but since they're closed back and sits rather firmly on the head, they tend to be a bit tiresome to wear for long periods. My HD650s are a lot more comfy for the ears for long periods. I think I need to get a better amp than my firebox thou, the bass is a bit boomy (tightens up on the firebox compared to the macbook).

As for the question of the impact of the amp for the headphones is yes it makes a difference. It's dependent on the quality of the DAC, and then the quality and character of the amp. One of the reasons you need an amp for some of these is that the headphone out from a computer/ipod/whatever is usually too weak to drive them. But I'd say that with a high quality soundcard (which you'd probably have for production anyway, right?) the headphone out might be both good enough and strong enough to drive one of these.

[ClumsyMoe]

I didn't have any comfort problems at all with mine with the velour pads on them. I was also worried about comfort but they seem pretty comfortable. I've worn mine for long periods (5+ hours) before, no pain or fatigue. Of course YMMV, some people are a lot more picky about how comfortable their headphones are.

Just make sure you get the HD 25-1 II, those come with a set of velour pads.

[Ola]

I didn't have any comfort problems at all with mine with the velour pads on them. I was also worried about comfort but they seem pretty comfortable. I've worn mine for long periods (5+ hours) before, no pain or fatigue. Of course YMMV, some people are a lot more picky about how comfortable their headphones are.

Just make sure you get the HD 25-1 II, those come with a set of velour pads.

I do use the velour pads, it's not that they're uncomfortable, but I do get ear fatigue when doing critical listening (producing) for longer periods of time. They can stay on my head pretty much all day for casual listening at work thou. All is relative.