Can anyone recommend some headphones that are good for consistent low end translation on to other systems when mixing electronic music? I have SONY MDR-7506 which have no low end at all. I need some headphones that are able to properly deliver low end down to 40Hz.

 

I often use AKG K-701s, and I find them accurate when doing bass frequencies (as long as I A/B them with speakers). But I'm very used to them, some people find them a bit high freq oriented.

If you have a chance to try them (which might be challenging in these times) pick some reference tracks and give them I go.

 

I use Shure SRH1540's, these go very low. I can clearly hear the sub bass @45Hz on David Wingo - Midnight Special Theme (music for film) or Deadmau5 - Whelk Then for an example in the electronic genre, with sub bass around the same 40-45Hz level, which I can also clearly hear.

I use them with Sonarworks or Realphones correction though, as they are not 100% neutral. But whatever correction software you use, they're always in the supported devices list.

 

Last edited: May 12, 2021

For sub bass Audio Technica ath50x is my go to.

 

Btw, check out the Sonarworks reviews on headphones: https://www.sonarworks.com/soundid-reference/blog/gear-reviews/ I think that will give you a better educated opinion.

I was very surprised to learn that my consumer level Sony WH-1000XM3 noise canceling headphones - which I absolutely hate - are actually better than my Shures in the low end after correction I've just wired them into my interface, loaded the Sonarworks correction profile, and o boy, what a difference. Sony majorly screwed up their default tuning for these.

 

Last edited: May 12, 2021

senhisers

 

If you want to create headphone mixes that translate well to loudspeakers, using high quality headphones
models like Sennheiser's HD650 and AKG's K701 will help you judge bass and spatial detail more easily.
www.soundonsound.com/techniques/mixing-headphones

Sennheiser cost 335 EUR - the AGK K701 cost 129 EUR !

Spoiler: Headphones Recommendations

Headphones Recommendations

AKG K-701 (129 EUR)
Flat-wire technology: Brilliant highs and rich bass
Circumaural
Open
Dynamic
Impedance: 62 Ohm
Sound pressure level: 105 dB
Frequency range: 10 - 39800 Hz
Max. input level: 200 mW

Sennheiser HD-650 (335 EUR)
Dynamic
Open
Impedance: 300 Ohm
Sound pressure level: 103 dB
Frequency range: 10 - 41,000 Hz

beyerdynamic DT-990 Pro Kopfhörer
Open design
Circumaural design
Dynamic
Diffuse-field equalised
Impedance: 250 Ohm
Sensitivity: 96 dB/mW
Frequency response: 5 Hz - 35 kHz

Sony MDR-7506
Closed
Circumaural
Impedance: 63 Ohm
Sound pressure level: 106 dB
Frequency range: 10 - 20 000 Hz

Shure SRH1540
Closed-back
Circumaural
Dynamic
40 mm driver with neodymium magnet
Impedance: 46 Ohm
SPL: 99 dB
Max. input level: 1000 mW
Frequency response: 5 - 25000 Hz

Audio-Technica ATH-M50 X
Closed
Circumaural
Dynamic
45 mm driver with neodymium magnet system and CCAW voice coils
90-Degree swivelling earcups
Frequency range: 15 - 28000 Hz
Maximum input power: 1600 mW at 1 kHz
Impedance: 38 Ohm
Peak SPL: 99 dB

Sennheiser HD-25
Successor to the HD-25-1-II Basic Edition
Dynamic
Closed-back
Supra-aural
Impedance: 70 Ohm
Max. SPL: 120 dB(1 kHz,1 Vrms)
Frequency range: 16 -22000 Hz
Total harmonic distortion at 1 kHz: <0,3%
Max. input level: 200 mW

Sony MDR-7506
Closed
Circumaural
Impedance: 63 Ohm
Sound pressure level: 106 dB
Frequency range: 10 - 20 000 Hz

 

As the fine gentleman above noted, the Sennheiser's HD650. Quality headphones, been using them for 10+ and many times I prefer mixing with them than on my studio monitors or even my studio. You can't go wrong with them.

 

Audio Technica ath50x are good for sub ranges but you can't go wrong with the DT990.

 

not trying to be funny, but are you sure it's not your hearing? i found this chart on the freq response of the MDR-7506's. i've used them for over 20 years & can hear low end very well in them.

https://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/report/hp/sony-mdr-7506.php#gsc.tab=0

 

those headphones are good enough they cost over 100 learn them shits. I did
i learned with this song on repeat..

find yours

remeber u are feeling it, not hearing it. And it just doesn't matter if you can't hear somwething, you just have to knopw what it's supposed to to sound like on what you are listening. don't waster your money and allow people to over complicate shit with different theorems and adverissments. seriously

 

Last edited: May 13, 2021

No matter what headphone you use, if you want to clearly hear that low, you have to push the volume too much and it's not great for your ears.
You can find some great headphone that are great for low end, but in that range it's more about what you feel, so the best would be a subpac, in combinason with your current headphone (that I guess you already know well), it's perfect to work with real precision on everything bellow 100hz (and as low as 5hz).
And because it's vibration you can push it hard without ear damage, and make it like you're in sit on a big festival sound system, it's also great for finding phasing issue with kick and sub.

I know I sound like I got some interest in their sell, but it's really a game changer, especially for electronic music. I DJ a lot with my track and since I got this, I never had any issue with my low end on mixing. If you already got a great headphone, then I think it's better to go with this instead of a new headphone

 

Mix with Acustcia Audio Siennia.
HD650, HD600, 660S (Very recommend)
AKG K701,K702
DT 1990 PRO,990 PRO

 

Honestly, like flat-response, bassless, etc., a lot of it is getting accustomed to listening to music, as well as your mixes, on your headphones. I'm a broke mf'er, and have been using Avantree's Audition series which aren't amazing mixing headphones, but they work well for me because I know exactly how they're going to translate over. This isn't to dissuade you from buying higher-end/better headphones, but maybe take into consideration the familiarity you have with music other than your mixes on the headphones that you already own.
Just my two cents...

 

the DT-990's are good for the price, but many users complain about the high end. Beyerdynamic have claimed they do not need to be burned in, but I think they do sound nicer after a decent amount of use. If you don't like them, you can use them as expensive ear muffs.

 

depends on the budget. assuming you're in the US:

≤ $300 - hd6xx (hd650, mid forward, bass is decent at best); dt770/880/990; hifiman 4xx; akg k701
≤ $600 - hd600; fostex closed backs have great bass (also on massdrop); dt1990 (great bass, imo the best in this range; treble can get hot but responds well to EQ); hifiman sundara
≥ $600 - beyer t1; focal clear; hd800 (used, bass isn't good enough for critical low end mixing); hd800s (better than hd800, bass is same); hifiman arya/ananda

many headphones can give you low extension, but whether or not it's clear is a different story. Again, like i said it depends on your budget

a lot of big tracks are made on basic consumer headphones, so reference tracks and testing in your car, etc. will get you very far

 

Dsoniq Realphones,on sale right now...i have senn's 650 and the bass with this software is spot on!and most of all no ear fatigue,really great
software

 

Shure SRH 1840 (report for a pro)
https://reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/report/hp/shure-srh-1840.php#gsc.tab=0

 

i find these good for quality & good value https://i.ebayimg.com/thumbs/images/g/O3YAAOSwK21ZeyFN/s-l225.webp
superlux HD681