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I use Audio Technica headphones, and they are great for listening. Everything sounds better through them. But don't mix with them, because the resulting mix won't sound as good on other systems as it did through the phones.
Can't speak for the other brand, as I have never used it.
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I like the M40f/s.
Just a personal observation as I haven't tried the others you mentioned, so I can't give a comparison.
Everything I read about Grado says 'they make the music sound better', which is not what I want.
I've had the M40f/s for a couple years now. I have bought other, more expensive headphones for the studio since owning them. I always grab the m40's when I need headphones. Some of the others I have really tint the sound and I don't like it.
The M50's, by same company were a big disappointment here. Three times the price and a lot of color added.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Pat
I know some of the ATH headphones do just as you say, see my note on the M50 series above.
However, have you tried the M40f/s?
I plan on buying a couple more sets, and wish I would have instead of spending more on others.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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About Grado: I agree with rharv that you do not want headphones to "make music sound better". I want flat response. The headphones I use are Allesandro Ones, a modified version of a Grado that looks like and is priced the same as the 80i in your link. They are open air, very comfortable, and there is no coloring of the sound at all. I cannot speak for the regular Grado line, though.
About headphone style: The two Grado models are open air. The Audio Technica is a closed headphone. Two different purposes. If you are monitoring for long periods, the open air phones are great. If you are tracking in the studio, you must have a closed headphone to prevent bleed.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Use any headphones you want but don't use them for mixing or monitoring. Monitors would be the best thing to buy if you want to monitor.
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Yeah, I never finish in headphones, but I can get a lot done with them. Get things pretty close but finalize with monitors.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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AT ATH-M40fs. I've used these for years and do all my mixing on them. Very nice. I actually have worn out the ear pads and need to find new ones.
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Quote:
Pat
I know some of the ATH headphones do just as you say, see my note on the M50 series above.
However, have you tried the M40f/s? I plan on buying a couple more sets, and wish I would have instead of spending more on others.
I just looked at my headphones and they are the Audio Technica M40 f/s. I guess people are getting "mixed" results (pun intended) when using these while recording. I can only say that I do hear differences in my mix when I listen through the headphones as opposed to listening to the monitors.
I posted a song to the forum several months ago that was recorded and mixed with only the ATH headphones, and I was really pleased with the sound. When people starting commenting on things I didn't hear, I went out and bought studio monitors. Only then did I hear the things others were reporting. IMO, even the M40f/s sweetens the sound.
Having said all that, you are a professional and I'm a hobbyist. 'Nuff said. I make no claims whatsoever of having any credibility in the realms of mixing and mastering.
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About the cautions not to mix or monitor with headphones: You should always check a final mix with headphones (along with every other type of sound device you can test). The stereo image can do funny things in a headphone, and a lot of people will listen to your product that way.
BIAB 2026 Win Audiophile. Software: Fender Studio One 8, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Fender Quantom HD8 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Best advice is to take a couple of CD's you know well and listen to your selected headphones. Take into consideration that your new cans not only have to have a flat response but they also should be comfortable. After all, you might have to wear them for hours on end. Let your ears be the judges. As for the regular Grados: I have a pair of Grado RS2i and I absolutely love them. The R stands for reverence.... I use them for mixing as well as just listening to music. Headphones that are popular in studios are: beyerdynamic dt770 pro AKG K240 Sony MDR 7509 / MDR V900 Sennheiser HD600 I tried them all and I chose the Grado RS2i. With these cans I wast best able to analise the music, the placement of all the instruments on the virtual stage, the sound of each instruments, even stringnoise and pick-noises I never heard before. The big downside of-course is the price of the cans 
Last edited by Mike sings; 12/13/10 01:28 PM.
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I have had a pair of the beyer DT770 since 1996. I got them for medical transcription, then found out that music sounded fantastic through them. For a long time they were better than any speakers I owned.
They're a little inefficient but the frequency response is 5 Hz to dog-whistle range. If you can get enough power to 'em you can listen at live levels.
Never mind the naysayers, I have mixed with them and gotten fine results. You really have to know your system and material, though. They are classed as reference headphones.
They're a little spendy at around $200, somewhat less if you look around, but worth it IMHO. Look at the fact that they've survived 14 years of daily use, then divide cost by years.
Richard
"My primary musical instrument is the personal computer."
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I love my Audio Technics ATH-M40fs. I like them better than the much more expensive Sennheisers I was using. I've almost wore them out and will definately be getting another set.
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I have some Sony wireless, and they're cool, too! But most of all I like my teeney-tiny Apple Ear Pods for the fidelity attained from my Neon and IPOD touch. Assuming that I'm playing Real Band, Real G-Daddy, RealBook (Electronic Web-Edition), IPad's Apple Real Book, with a cool recorded jazz accompanyment, sans melody lines--(I'm basically a MelTorme-Jazz-Sound-a-like so I've memorized alot of the melody/lyrics...it only took 60+ years to memorize. \ So, just about every sound source reall sounds good...even great...but I know you were not referring to minis. I use the Sony's regularly in the studio. They're great to use to keep my JackRussel and ToTo Cairne Terrier from "baying" in the background when they hear good jazz.   
Yamaha...Motif ES-8, Motif Rack, CS6X
Korg...Karma,Triton Classic, PA-80, M-1+
AkaiSampler-S5000, Roland.. X5080 Rack/G-1000 Arranger
Various Guitars/Basses Amps Pedals Rec.Equip.
Plus, BIAB 2015 and Sonar Platinum 2015 Upgrade from Cakewalk's Sonar X-3
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.
Thanks for all your advice. I had alrady narrowed the field to just Grado vs. AT. Looks like the ATs win.
Of course I prefer to mix with monitors. I use cans when I have to avoid disturbing the family, which is often.
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Quote:
I love my Audio Technics ATH-M40fs. I like them better than the much more expensive Sennheisers I was using. I've almost wore them out and will definitely be getting another set.
Josie,
Did you know that the "fs" in the model means field serviceable? Unless the drivers are pooched all the parts are easily replaceable. I need new ear muffs.
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