Headphone specific to Genre

[Kevbaz]

There are a lot of questions for recommendations for headphones for a specific Genre like classical, jazz etc.
Are some headphones better for some genres or should a headphone that is neutral such as one following Harman target be a better option.
I hear a lot of people saying Grado are great for Jazz, what is it that makes a headphone better for one Genre such as Jazz.
Cheers
Kev

 

[fredstuhl]

Flaws of headphones with an unbalanced frequency response might be more or less obvious with specific music genres. A well designed headphone should work well with all types of music.

 

[Kevbaz]

Flaws of headphones with an unbalanced frequency response might be more or less obvious with specific music genres. A well designed headphone should work well with all types of music.

That’s what I would assume also, but seems a large number of people recommend specific makes/models for certain genre. But it does seem mostly on other forums that happens.
Kev

 

[markanini]

I'd go as far as generalizing that open backs are better at female vocals, acoustic instruments. Closed backs are better for bass heavy music with forward drums. I don't like that excuses are made for a headphone being limited by its construction type though. AKG K371 for example can do it all, basically. I haven't heard an open back with the low-end slam that satisfies me yet but I'll still listen to any open back.

Saying that certain brands are better for certain genres sounds really random.

 

[JJB70]

A good headphone can play music from any genre. However, different sound signatures (which does not have to mean different headphones, you can do it using EQ to a great extent) can be particularly pleasing for different genres and applications. My preferred headphone is the Etymotic ER4SR (OK, I guess its not a headphone), some find it dry and lifeless but I find it neutral, balanced and detailed and it suits me perfectly. However, when I play rock and pop (mostly I listen to symphonies and opera) I still enjoy my Sony MDR-Z7 which has a kind of 'Beats-lite' tuning, I don't normally like hyped bass but there are rock tracks where it works and is a lot of fun. Which is weird because I still dispute the idea that the ER4SR lacks bass and think that it rather does not emphasise bass (not the same thing). The reason I am not a fan of the Harman curve is that I find it bass heavy for most music I listen to (which is not bass lite music, orchestral music has loads of bass) but for some tracks I admit I like it.