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Upgrading From My Sennheiser HD 418's, Where Should I Go?
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| MIKE333ACE |
Over a year ago I purchased a pair of Sennheiser HD 418's which I've used for all my productions so far. However they're now not living up to my standards as a developing music producer and the low end has become so weak in them that I'm having to use my CX300II earphones when mixing bass sounds becuase otherwise they're not clear enough in my 418's.
Anyway, I may be posting this in the wrong forum section, but seeing that everyone in here is focused on producing I thought this would be the best place for advice. So here's what I'm after
---A Noticeable improvement from the HD 418's (http://www.engadget.com/products/se...r/hd/418/specs/)
---Good Bass clarity without drowning out or hindering performances of mid and high reproduction
---Just in general a good pair of headphones that are designed for Trance/Dance music in general
---Price range is a max of $250 Aud (228 USD) (I won't be spending this much but if they're this price RRP I'm assuming I'll be able to find them on ebay or something for the price I'm actually wanting to spend which is around 180 max.
[[[**EDIT**
I know how this will sound but I'm very comfortable with Sennheiser becuase I've used them for all my quality audio purchases so far. I have done some research and found that sennheiser generally isn't best or dance music compared to some other brands, however despite this if you know some good Sennheiser headphones that fit what I've said I would prefer those. Don't know why, just do, I guess I've just fallen for their marketing. But with that said I have no problem trying other brands of course, I just like the build and design that Sennheiser brings to the table ]]]
Thanks in advance for your contributions to this
-Mike |
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| cryophonik |
| Hey Mike, what's your budget? The HD800s are supposed to be incredible, but at $1350, probably more than most people are looking to spend. The HD650 and HD600s are excellent headphones for mixing and much more affordable (but still not cheap). |
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| MIKE333ACE |
| quote: | Originally posted by cryophonik
Hey Mike, what's your budget? The HD800s are supposed to be incredible, but at $1350, probably more than most people are looking to spend. The HD650 and HD600s are excellent headphones for mixing and much more affordable (but still not cheap). |
I said my budget in the OP
it's around $250 Aud RRP but realistically I'll then find those headphones for cheaper on ebay for hopefully no more than $180 Aud |
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| DJ RANN |
Be a little bit careful with ebay. I've seen several people end up with knockoff(fake) major brand headphones.
I can't help much with headphones for mixing; I use a pair of Sony 7509HD's and they are amazing for sound design, detail and clarity but I don't trust them at all for mixing (mainly because they are closed back and if I know it may sound weird, but a little too detailed (I hear things on them that most monitors won't reproduce)). |
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| XDR |
I can recommend the Audeze LCD-2 which I've been using for about half a year now.
It matches all your requirements but sadly not your price limit.
It is a really great headphone (fantastic bass, great detail and no distortion at all) that I can comfortably mix on for hours and then won't run into any surprises at all when I play things back on speakers. I previously used the Sennheiser HD 25-C II and it was terrible for mixing. Things always ended up sounding very disappointing on speakers.
Like the other recommended expensive Sennheisers these are open-back headphones which is what you want to look for when in need of headphones for mixing. Unless of course you need to work in a noisy environment or someplace where you can't make any noise.
If you do end up considering the LCD-2 now would be the time to buy it as it's 20% off :) |
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| itsamemario |
Save your money until you can afford an upgrade that's worth it.
Also, the bass has "become weak"? What the hÆll are you on about? :P
How loud do you normally blast them? And did you properly break them in? Don't know about your pair specif. but my akg k240's needed more than just a little time to sound not like cardboard.
And finally, how are you connecting the headphones to computer?
Are you using a dedicated audio interface or just hooking up to the mini-jack on the builtin soundcard? cus that could definitely be the culprit. mobo soundcards are tripe, and if you're making music, you at least need a headphones preamp to be able to power them fully, as the builtin one just don't deliver enough juice for hq audio equipment. |
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| MSZ |
| Hd600, you wont have to upgrade. |
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| MIKE333ACE |
| quote: | Originally posted by itsamemario
Save your money until you can afford an upgrade that's worth it.
Also, the bass has "become weak"? What the hÆll are you on about? :P
How loud do you normally blast them? And did you properly break them in? Don't know about your pair specif. but my akg k240's needed more than just a little time to sound not like cardboard.
And finally, how are you connecting the headphones to computer?
Are you using a dedicated audio interface or just hooking up to the mini-jack on the builtin soundcard? cus that could definitely be the culprit. mobo soundcards are tripe, and if you're making music, you at least need a headphones preamp to be able to power them fully, as the builtin one just don't deliver enough juice for hq audio equipment. |
I've had the headphones for over a year now and over time, (whether it be the plug or the speakers), they've lost a lot of power in the low end making it virtually impossible to properly mix any low end.
And I'm only using the default 3.5mm headphone jack. is there supposed to be a noticeable improvement if I get a seperate soundcard? |
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| cryophonik |
| quote: | Originally posted by MIKE333ACE
I said my budget in the OP
it's around $250 Aud RRP but realistically I'll then find those headphones for cheaper on ebay for hopefully no more than $180 Aud |
Sorry, I guessed I missed that. In that price range, I'd look at something other than Sennheiser. Personally, I'd go with the BeyerDynamic DT990s - I'm not sure what those sell for in Australia, but they should be in the ballpark of your budget. Better yet, do as others have suggested and save a little longer for the HD600s, BD DT880s, or AKG 701/702. |
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