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OK, my trusty Sony MDR 7509's (the old ones) are falling apart and I'm looking to replace them.
I AM getting a pair of ATH-M50's but also want a higher end (mid level ?) Sony or Sennheiser. I'm looking at the Sennheiser HD 600 or the Sony MDR-7520
Does anyone here have / use either, both ? Primary application is for mixing, not tracking, so I can go open or closed design.
NOT looking for alternative suggestions... there would be tons of opinions. Just hoping some guys here have the Senns' or the Sonys.
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FWIW, Kemmrich and I just traded headphones. I sent him the M50s and he sent me the M40s. We are both happy  I have a set of Sennheiser HD's here somewhere .. but I think they are the 200 series, not 800. I don't know where they are because I wasn't impressed at all. I think they are in my book bag for school. Kemmrich seems to have a knowledge of Sennheiser 'phones, so hopefully he will chime in. What's failing on the 7509's? Earpads (often easily replaced)? or cord? or ?
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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If you have the HD280's ...they SUCK. OK for tracking but pretty useless for mixing. Senns higher end line stuff is pretty awesome. I had the old HD580's and they were outstanding. I'm a die-hard Sony / Senn fan when it comes to phones... BUT, I've never tried the ATH-M40/50 so going to get the 50's ...just cuz.
7509's... all of the above. I've had them forever and the drivers are starting to become 'weird' sounding... I know, not very descriptive but they have changed.
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Headphones have different purposes for different people. That's why there are so many choices.
The fact that Kemmrich and I are each happy with the M40 and M50 trade testifies to that.
Agree; the HD 2XX series was pretty bad. I don't think they were 280's but probably not far from it. Like I said, they are in a bag somewhere for 'emergency' headphone use, like watching a video at school, not for anything serious.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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I bought the HD280's on sale locally, but I will probably return them. When I was studying headphones a couple of years ago, the 280's and sony 7506's were the "go to" headphone in the $100 camp. It does seem that most folks nowadays don't like the 280's for mixing at all -- although some still love them. You have to be able to listen for yourself and decide -- which is sometimes hard to do, because these decisions need comparative listening.
Between the m50's, my desktop speakers and cheapo other headphones, I hope I can come close to a good mix. We will see how it works out.
Kevin
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oops... guess I should not have been so adamant about the HD280's. I just did not prefer them much... more correct (and kind).
I'll dig up the other thread, but what do you like about the M50's better than the 40's ?
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Quote:
... I'll dig up the other thread, but what do you like about the M50's better than the 40's ? ...
When I first listened to the 40's, they seemed tinny to my ears. Maybe the highs and lows were more muted and the mids were more dominating. Of course as you listened along, the ears adjusted and it seemed better. However, since my mixes seemed to be bottom heavy, I was afraid I would have a tough time adapting to the 40's (quickly, that is). Of course, maybe the 40's sound representation is what makes it a top mixing headphone in its price range. FWIW, the HD280's seemed similar to the 40's in sound.
I didn't get to compare the 40's head to head with the 50's -- that would have been interesting. So I couldn't say that I preferred the 50's over the 40's, but I was planning on returning the 40's and Bob offered the swap. It seemed like a worthwhile risk. Even if I decide on a different set of headphones in the future, having a set of 50's (or 40's) around can't be a bad thing.
Kevin
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Thanks. Going to get a set of 50's I think. So many guys use them and the 40's. Still after the higher end Sennheiser or Sony though.
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To my ears the M50 and M40f/s have a pretty drastic amount of difference in sound.
For clarity; I'm not saying the M40's sound 'better' than the M50's. That is not what I am after. I think a mix done on M40 f/s transfers better to other systems than when I attempt the same mix on M50's (M40's appear to be more true). I may be unique in that opinion, but I have done side-by-side comparisons here using those two.
If I was looking for a set of headphones to give a client to listen thru to make the work sound 'better' I may choose differently, but that's a different set of parameters.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Done ! Ordered both the ATH-M50 and the Sennheiser HD600. I have to do all my mixing by phones so now with 3 different sets, I think I'll have all key areas covered.
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I think I will return the HD280's -- and then if I see another sale, I think I'll re-pick up the 40's (ha, ha). It would be nice to have two decent sets of headphones around.
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Sorry to hear about having to use headphones only for mixing ! I have to all summer long and every school vacation ,cause nobody here wants to hear Grandpa's loud Blues music ! Which Hippie was you ,ya little sneaker ! If you was to come by my house we might let you in ,if ya knew the secret Hippie hand shake !
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Quote:
NOT looking for alternative suggestions... there would be tons of opinions. Just hoping some guys here have the Senns' or the Sonys.
I have used the Sennheiser HD800 headphones for about 1 hour. They were insanely great as open backed phones. Seriously, I have not heard a better set of open cans since I used to use STAX electrostatics on a regular basis.
Now, with that said, I do have an alternative solution for you Mitch - I realize that you said no alternatives, but just in case you have some extra GAS. The company I work for is Westone Laboratories. One of our product lines is in-ear monitors. I believe ours are the best on the planet.
You can use these for mixing in rather loud or quiet environments with the same precision as over the ear cans. You can use them for 'walking around' headphones without looking ridiculous with giant muffs over your ears. And you can use them for their original purpose of in-ear monitoring while performing.
We just launched a new website this week. Here's the link: http://www.westonemusicproducts.com/music/
Warning - the custom shop pieces are absolute works of art. If you add their function as wearable art then you have yet a 4th use to the audiological usages.
-Scott
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Tommy... HA!  Nobody here want's to hear my 21st century surf music either  Hmm.. it's been a LONG time since I did the Hippie Handshake. Not sure I remember all the moves ? How 'bout I just knock, and you Don't Let Me In ?  I looked into the HD800s but didnt want to go quite that high. I'll check into the in ear phones sometime today. Thanks !
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Sometimes ya just gotta stop and smell the surf music! You know the hippie hand shake ,you take the fatty out of your right hand and pass it to the left ! Now I know why yall look so shocked in your avatar ,yall must have looking at the hair-dew's in the video !
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Quote:
Done ! Ordered both the ATH-M50 and the Sennheiser HD600. ...
MitchC,
I've had the HD 600's for over a decade. I wrote a post last night intending to post this morning. This morning I find you pulled the trigger!
My guess is that you're going to love the HD 600's!
Here's a copy / paste of some stuff that you might still find informative or interesting.
*****
A few years after I got the HD 600's, I got the HD 280's as monitors for vocals (I like the flip-able ear cups) and for their excellent sound isolation when tracking in a live instrument setting. I bought them for that specific application.
IMO, they sound nothing like the HD600's. NOTHING.
I think the HD 280's are fair on comfort; it's never been a problem because they're not worn that long (application).
IMO, they feel nothing like the HD 600's. NOTHING.
My HD 600's came with a 1/4" phone plug that snaps apart to reveal a mini-plug. (If you don't read the manual you wouldn't know; I know 2 other owners (for years) who were surprised when I told them this.)
I no longer consider this an asset, though.
After all my use (see my 2010 post - I'm not exaggerating about the number of hours) I didn't always get positive contact with the hidden gold connector. So I replaced the cable. Sennheiser offers either the old cable or the HD 650 cable, which terminates only in a 1/4" phone plug. That cable is significantly heavier.
I have no idea if currently shipped HD 600's come with the old style sleeved connector. If they do, I would never use the mini-plug. (It took many years for mine to exhibit the intermittent contact.)
By a large margin, the HD 600's are the most used headphones of my lifetime (of dozens).
I posted about the HD 600's in this 2010 thread; it has some additional info.
http://www.pgmusic.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=299403&an=0&page=0#Post299403
Some of the links are a no go for headroom (headphone.com); the url's have changed.
Today I visited headroom.com (or headphone.com) and they now don't list the HD600 (only the HD650) and the HD800 (which they still feel are the best headphones in the world.)
So I visited Sennheiser USA. The still list the HD600 as a current product (call the HD600 "the mastering engineers headphone of choice", and (laughing) have a page about the HD700 to be introduced at CES 2012.
HTH.
*****
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Le Miz, thanks for the info ! Curious to know what cord will be supplied ? Looking forward to the HD600. Tommy:
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rharv, I have the M40f/s as you recommened and just love them. My mix quality would not even approach yours, but the comment: Quote:
That is not what I am after. I think a mix done on M40 f/s transfers better to other systems than when I attempt the same mix on M50's (M40's appear to be more true). I may be unique in that opinion, but I have done side-by-side comparisons here using those two.
Was a "Salient" view/hearing that I feel is so true.
Thanks !
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Quote:
I think I will return the HD280's -- and then if I see another sale, I think I'll re-pick up the 40's (ha, ha). It would be nice to have two decent sets of headphones around.
Now I feel bad for taking your M40's
It's my fault
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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