Hello everyone. Please help me choose headphones for home music production and mixing. I work mainly with melodic techno, hip-hop beats, dnb, so I want something more universal, but with good returns at low frequencies (within reason). Im stopped on open-back models: BD DT880pro (250ohm) and AKG K712pro (62ohm), well, or dt990.
A lot of information has been studied about these models, but I can’t decide for myself. In the dt880, the upper frequencies are alarming (at least there are many reviews) for this in the dt770 and dt990). And k712 is embarrassed that they are even more demanding on amplification, and if suddenly the power of my interface is not enough, there will be very few low frequencies. And the second part of the question: which of these models will work better with my Ni Komplete Audio 2 interface and sound in order to work in my genres? (the new interface is still in the distant plans).
Also, is there really a lot of treble in the 880?
Maybe something else advise?

 

Last edited: May 17, 2020

ATH-M50x or 40x
https://www.audio-technica.com/cms/headphones/99aff89488ddd6b1/index.html

 

Last edited by a moderator: May 17, 2020

i'll be following answers here too, i know it has been discussed before though. im still (suffering) along with my mdr 7506's because they're flat for that price point, not a recommended choice, but i picked them up a long time ago to gap fill, while i build other aspects. i recently upgraded my interface, room treatments, next will be near field monitors. genelac 8340a's are my obvious choice, but i might give the adam a7x's with a sub more for listening pleasure than purely for mixing

 

for headphones, you really want to get out of the written reviews. make a trip to GC and put a couple on. tell the governor i said it was essential

 

Try them. Nobody can tell you which one you like best, neither in terms of wearing comfort nor in terms of sound.
Also think about isolation. Would a closed-back model be preferable?

 

I have a DT 880 Pro and I read that K712 is only 62 ohms
So you are confused about the relation needed amp / ohms .
More ohms means more resistance, so the DT880 pro will need much more power than the K712.

In fact, I use the DT 880 Pro with a Scarlett 18i20 and I have to use it with the phone output turned at max all the time.

About the highs in the 880 I didn't notice anything harsh or bad, (my other reference are Event Opal speakers.)

Conclusion, if you are not sure about the headphone output of your audio interface, avoid high resistance headphones.

Side note about the DT880 pro:
The phones protection are very expansive and not very resistant, so I have to change every 8 month , cost: 40 euros.
The cable is not easy to change and it's a - sorry I don't know the name in English- pig tail like.

I hope this help

 

^ Hello @mOcean & welcome to the forum
If you're going to spend $500 on headphones like the k712,i would recommend to have a listen(if you can in a store) to the Neumann NDH20
From all the headphones i had in my life closed or opened these are the best for mixing/mastering imho & from my experience.
I have used them with an Apogee Duet 2 (be aware that you will need a strong headphone amp with these).
Here is a review :

If you go the Audio-Technica way choose the ATH-M40x :

If you want to spend a bit more go for the Focals ($300 range) :
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...n-pro-closed-back-reference-studio-headphones
If you want opened headphones & once again willing to spend around $500 look no further :
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...990-pro-open-back-studio-reference-headphones
Make sure you have an audio interface with a strong headphone amp of get a separate/dedicated one.
Best wishes with your music (nice choice of genres) & good luck

 

Headphones are quite a bit about personal preference. If you wanna mix something well, you're going to need more than a pair in my experience. The AKG K712 Pros are amazing for mixing. They really truly let you hear your mix in an honest way. But you can't use them as "this is what it should sound like in a club". If you mix your bass in 712s so that it "bangs", the mix is gonna be super bass heavy and blow up speakers, and not in a good way. The AKGs are about balance and transparency.

I like to use ATH-M50x when I make hip hop, EDM and pop beats, and then when I mix the actual song, I use the AKGs. And I go back and forth between the two making sure there's enough bass and the mix is still balanced. ATH-M50x is for when you want to hear the music as you would like to hear it and the AKGs are for getting you there without making things muddy. That's my opinion. Someone else might have a different one. There should be no amping problems with the AKGs, at least I've never heard of any.

 

I have two pairs of K712 Pros besides some other HPs and I love them. They dissolve the frequency spectrum and depth graduation well and can be worn for a long time without neck pain or hot ears. The flexible headband ensures that no painful pressure points can occur. They don't have a circle linear frequency response and sound very smooth in the mid-range, so you can listen to them for a very long time. In addition: The choice of amplifier has a relatively small influence on the sound characteristics of the K712. It doesn't really matter whether I operate the K712 on a smartphone, motu or hilo.

BUT: In the end you have to listen to and compare different HPs for yourself. It's your ears, your head and your taste that counts!

 

have had the DT-880 for about 20 years now, aside from the foam layer on the speakers (not the cushions) having dried out they still work like a charm

 

...

 

Last edited: May 18, 2020

Unfortunately, I have to choose from reviews. Where I live there are no shops where you can listen to these headphones live((

 

HD-600

 

Very often people write about it. For example, even here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/dt880-vs-k712-pro.773535/page-2

I almost ordered the K712, all I know from them is that I really like it. But again, I saw information that they are very tight / heavy for the amplifier. And again I am confused.

 

300Ω - its wiil be really hard for my Komplete Audio 2

 

^ this might help you my friend ,have a great day :

 

They are very different headphones.
You really should listen to both of them and then decide.

Oh, I just read someone is recommending the Neumanns... while I'm an abolute Neumann fanboy, loving their (klein & hummel) speakers, I must say: I've never heard a more overpriced sennheiser headphone (which it is, neumann is a sennheiser daughter now).

PS: The 770 is the NS10 of headphones somehow now...

 

I love Audiotechnica and AKG. both are great for mixing

 

The DT770 have a "loudness" curve that's more HiFi than exactly analytical, the bass range especially in the 32 and 80 Ohms models might be annoying for some, while the cleanest (but also somewhat "boring") headphones in the lower price range are the AKGs, only matched by some Sennheisers.
The 770s have two important advantages though: They are quite comfortable even for people with larger ears and they are perfect examples of closed headphones, the separation from outside noise is very good.
This is important enough for me to use them the most out of the AKGs and Sennheisers.

Impedance doesn't make a difference here because I'm using them with low-impedance capable Apple gear mostly.

 

I use the K712 pro (open) for Gaming & Multimedia (229€)
The DT 770 pro (closed) for recording vocals. (118€)
The DT1990 pro (open) for checking a mix/hearing music. (439€)
+ADAM A5X & ADAM Sub7
+Sonarworks

I never would/could mixing with K712 or DT770, (880 is soundwise near/same to 770 but open).
But heard of people who do mixing with these.
The DT 1990 is way better for mixing (in my opinion).

 

Last edited: May 17, 2020