7 ideas for buying headphones

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7 ideas for buying headphones

We are often asked which headphones to choose. Buying headphones on someone's advice is risky because there are no perfect headphones that will suit everyone. We recommend that you try all the options yourself before buying.

Nevertheless, on the eve of the new year, we decided to share a list of headphones worth paying attention to. All models from the list are suitable for working with Realphones and can be an excellent gift for the new year!

1️⃣ AKG K371

AKG K371

These headphones are a very good option for those who often have to work in noisy environments. Thanks to the closed design, they are also suitable for microphone recordings. But there is also a drawback characteristic of closed headphones - the width of the sound stage and spatial imaging are inferior to open models, so for more comfortable work with space in these headphones, we recommend using AKG K371 with Realphones studio emulation.

The frequency response of these headphones without correction has no sharp spikes and almost completely corresponds to the Harman curve, which can be useful when using headphones with synthesizers and household devices.

We recommend purchasing the wired version of these headphones, as it has better sound insulation, and there are complaints about the reliability of the headband about the wireless version.

2️⃣ KZ AS10

KZ AS10

Inexpensive 5-driver in-ear headphones, which turn into a useful additional monitoring tool when used with Realphones. Frequency response without correction is comfortable and slightly V-shaped. Using such headphones with correction allows you to hear tracks the way listeners will hear them, but without coloration of timbres.

3️⃣ Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO, DT 990 PRO,
DT 900 PRO X

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO

Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO - proven classics: robust design, engaging sound, these headphones are well suited for mixing modern music. Without correction, they may sound too bright due to the frequency spike around 7-10 kHz, which affects the perception of timbres. With the correction of the frequency response of Realphones, the timbres of musical instruments become much more natural.

Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X

Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X - this is a serious upgrade of the DT 990 PRO. Very nice headphones with good spatial sensations and sufficient detail for professional work, they are perfect for long work - new velour ear pads do not cause inconvenience. Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X have an impedance of 48 ohms and are not very demanding on the sound source, they can be considered as a universal option for working with music of any genre.

Without Realphones correction of the frequency response, the sibilants in these headphones may sound a bit sharp, there is also a slight lack of presence due to a dip in the 3-4 kHz region.

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO

If you like the energetic sound signature of Beyerdynamic, but you often work in noisy environments or record vocals, we recommend that you purchase the closed model DT 770 PRO. The 32-ohm version of these headphones has better sound insulation thanks to leather ear pads, for critical listening, it is better to check higher-resistance versions (if your audio interface allows it).

4️⃣ Sennheiser HD 600, HD 650

Sennheiser HD 600, Sennheiser HD 650

Headphones with natural and spatial sound, popular among sound engineers, are well suited for working with acoustic music and pop-rock. Both models are very similar in sound, the HD 650 has a slightly deeper bottom end, but some sound engineers prefer the HD 600, as they have a flatter tonal balance. Without frequency response correction, the sound of these headphones may seem too relaxed for monitoring, with a lack of details. Realphones corrects this shortcoming and turns Sennheiser headphones into a professional monitoring tool.

5️⃣ Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO

Beyerdynamic DT 1990 PRO

One of the most popular headphones among Realphones users.
DT 1990 PRO are energy and punch, and because of their engaging sound, they will be an excellent choice for working on arrangements and mixing electronic music, hip-hop, and rock music.

It is worth remembering that these are high-impedance headphones and they are quite demanding on the sound source. Among the disadvantages, we can note a rather sharp sound with a predominance of high frequencies when using these headphones without Realphones correction.

6️⃣ Sennheiser HD 800 S

Sennheiser HD 800 S

If you are looking for headphones with the best spatial imaging - these are for you. Due to their design features, it feels as if the source of sound is at some distance from the listener. HD 800 S will be an excellent option for working with acoustic and academic music. But when working with modern electronic music, you may lack low-frequency punch. The sound of these headphones can be described as calm and analytical. These headphones are positioned as audiophiles, so they have a “beautifying” frequency response, for this reason, it is difficult to evaluate the timbres and tonal balance of mixes with these headphones without correction. With the correction, the

Sennheiser HD 800 S are an accurate and excellent mastering grade monitoring tool.

7️⃣ Those headphones that you already have

Sometimes it is very difficult to make a choice. But there are no perfect headphones - even the most expensive models have disadvantages. We recommend focusing on the strengths of your headphones, and Realphones will help make them even better. It is important for any master to be able to achieve results using the tools that he has. You will achieve more if you start looking for the "right" sound for your track, and not the "right" headphones that should do all the work for you!