Recommendations for Open-Back Headphones for Bass-Heavy Production

[Deemoz]

Hello everyone,

I’m in the market for open-back headphones for production and mixing, especially for bass-heavy electronic music (techno, experimental, etc.). My budget is around $400–$500, and I’m interested in hearing your recommendations based on personal experience.

I’ve been considering the Ananda Nano since they’re planar and measure close to a neutral target, but I’m a bit concerned about the distortion measurements—though they seem to have their fans. Another option I’m eyeing is the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO, but I’m worried they might lack sub-bass presence like many other open-back Sennheisers.

For context, I currently own the HD 6XX (love them, but wish they had more bass) and the DT 770 PRO X LE (not a fan overall, use them to focus on low end during mixing).

What do you think about the models I mentioned? Are there better alternatives I should consider in this price range? Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[twsecrest]

I 've always assumed boring headphones are best for audio production, like the (closed) Sony MDR-V6?

 

[Robin L]

Hello everyone,

I’m in the market for open-back headphones for production and mixing, especially for bass-heavy electronic music (techno, experimental, etc.). My budget is around $400–$500, and I’m interested in hearing your recommendations based on personal experience.

I’ve been considering the Ananda Nano since they’re planar and measure close to a neutral target, but I’m a bit concerned about the distortion measurements—though they seem to have their fans. Another option I’m eyeing is the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO, but I’m worried they might lack sub-bass presence like many other open-back Sennheisers.

For context, I currently own the HD 6XX (love them, but wish they had more bass) and the DT 770 PRO X LE (not a fan overall, use them to focus on low end during mixing).

What do you think about the models I mentioned? Are there better alternatives I should consider in this price range? Thanks in advance for your help!

If you really want more bass look at closed back headphones.

 

[Phorize]

Hello everyone,

I’m in the market for open-back headphones for production and mixing, especially for bass-heavy electronic music (techno, experimental, etc.). My budget is around $400–$500, and I’m interested in hearing your recommendations based on personal experience.

I’ve been considering the Ananda Nano since they’re planar and measure close to a neutral target, but I’m a bit concerned about the distortion measurements—though they seem to have their fans. Another option I’m eyeing is the Sennheiser HD 490 PRO, but I’m worried they might lack sub-bass presence like many other open-back Sennheisers.

For context, I currently own the HD 6XX (love them, but wish they had more bass) and the DT 770 PRO X LE (not a fan overall, use them to focus on low end during mixing).

What do you think about the models I mentioned? Are there better alternatives I should consider in this price range? Thanks in advance for your help!

I'd go for an akg 371. May fall to bits after a year but it's a cheap set with decent Harman oe compliance complete with thunderous sub bass.

 

[Deemoz]

I 've always assumed boring headphones are best for audio production, like the (closed) Sony MDR-V6?

Boring = Flat to Harman, but it still must be detailed with quite resolution and separation, Sony MDR-V6 technically is not mixing headphone at all imho.

 

[Robin L]

Boring = Flat to Harman, but it still must be detailed with quite resolution and separation, Sony MDR-V6 technically is not mixing headphone at all imho.

The Sony MDR-V6 (and its replacement, the MDR-7506) are not what I'd call mixing headphones either. They aren't what I'd call flat:

Sony MDR-7506 Review (Headphone)

This is a review and measurements of the Sony MDR-7506. I purchased this headphone last year due to reputation of getting some of the highest scores relative to Harman preference curve. It costs US $89 on Amazon including Prime shipping. I like the look and feel of the MDR-7506: The...

www.audiosciencereview.com

I'd say the Sennheiser HD 650/Drop 6XX is closer to the mark:

Sennheiser HD650 Review (Headphone)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Sennheiser HD650 open back headphone. I purchase mine back in 2017. It costs US $400 with free shipping as of this writing from Amazon. My sample is near new because I don't use it everyday (due to high noise level, I have to wear closed back...

www.audiosciencereview.com

But neither go all that far into the bass all by themselves. The AKG K371 does:

AKG K371 Review (closed back headphone)

This is a review and detailed measurements of the AKG K371 closed-back headphone. I purchased this last summer and it currently costs US $149 on Amazon including shipping. Note: our company, Madrona Digital, carries various Harman brand products although not the AKG products. The K371 is made...

www.audiosciencereview.com

But it lacks finesse in the upper ranges which are more important for mixing.

When eq is applied to the Sennheiser HD 650 there's enough bass to make up the difference. In any case, it's best not to mix using headphones anyway. If you have to, it's better to mix focusing on octaves above the bottom two as most people don't have the playback gear to do that region of sound justice. I've owned all three headphones. The Sony headphones are designed for certain kinds of pro audio applications - they're really good at tracking down the sorts of sounds one doesn't want to hear via PAs like A/C hum and buzz. The Sennheiser headphones are more like good speakers. The AKG headphones are good if you want bass but are a bit deficient in reproducing the upper partials. None of them will "image" like good speakers properly set up.

 

[andymcbain]

From personal experience working on electronic music over the years - my HD650 did a pretty decent job for monitoring the subs when EQ'd (I used Sonarworks) - and also paired with Goodhertz Canopener for some crossfeed. So I wouldn't rule out the HD6XX... it's certainly capable.

Nowadays during both the production stage and mixing stage, my low end decisions are made using Slate VSX + the associated plugin, which I've found invaluable. But they're closed back.

 

[Graph Feppar]

HD490 Pro is most logical choice, relatively cheap, reliable, comfy, very flat FR out of the box.

However, they dont have the lowest distortion in bass. They are miles ahead of old Sennheisers like HD600 and other dynamic headphones, but a well sealed electrostatic like Nectar HiveX is far more linear. Electrostatics are expensive, the amps are expensive and they are fragile especially if they are sealed for flat bass extension but the THD is superb.

People often think about distortion as creation of new tones, but that is only the half of the problem. The other big problem of distortion that almost nobody thinks about is the compression, the energy for the distortion harmonics comes from the original sound, the original sound becomes quieter as result, distortion is sonic energy vampire. Distortion compression is basically volume dependent variable EQ, the louder the bass becomes, the more rolled off the bass becomes, not good for music production.

 

[numgis]

I picked up a pair of HD490 Pro's this weekend for general music listening and some production and so far really enjoying the sound and comfort. A huge step up in sound quality from my old Sony and Beyerdynamic headphones. The bass is tight and clean, could be a bit more thump yes, but still very good. The mids and highs are great without anything shouting at me. I can also listen to them for hours without my ears getting tired, perhaps that's why the bass is not so heavy. I did try the HD600 in the store and they sounded crap to me due to the lack of bottom end.