Recommendations needed - Open back headphones

chenzman

Hi all,

I’ve been looking at purchasing open back headphones to play guitar in the evening.

I’m using my amps with two notes captor x into logic with a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M50x’s which I’m not enjoying for guitar.

Thinking an open back set may make it feel more like a guitar in the room, so been looking at the Beyerdynamic DT990 and Sennheiser HD560S sets. Also seen a new set released by Audio Technica (ATH-R50x).

Would anyone recommend these or any others in the £100-£150 range?

Cheers

Vince 

flying_pie

I'm not sure open back will make a massive difference and sound like an amp in the room (except that Boss Waza thingy that's designed to do that). To me playing with headphones on sounds like headphones regardless of open back, closed back or wired earbuds. Better to go with what's most comfortable

Bezzer

What the Mighty Pie said, you aren't getting "amp in the room" because the amp is silent and I presume you're using a speaker sim on the two notes captor. Means you're always going to hear the sound of a mic'd up all.

Open backs may be far more comfortable, and will have a more even bass response and a more even response over all (IMHO) but it won't help with the problem your trying to solve.

Winny_Pooh

Open back won't be "more guitar in room" but:
1- less sweaty
2- you can have your hifi playing in the room and jam to it.

I have DT880s that do this nicely plus their top end is smooth, which works well with electric guitar.

chenzman

Thanks everyone, I appreciate your responses

I think I may try a set of open headphones, see if I prefer the general sound against closed backs

Stratavarious

AKG K240s are very comfortable.  Nice flat response. 

i have several and see them a lot in different studios. An SM58 of earphones. 

UnclePsychosis

I can't stand closed backs (they make me feel anxious and nauseous) so I have DT990s and they're excellent.

One thing I will say, is that with open backs, if you're playing electric guitar - unless you have the volume seriously loud you can always hear the acoustic sound of the strings. This can be a bit off-putting, particularly if trying to "dial in tones". Its not a problem IMO but worth mentioning.

chenzman

Stratavarious said:

AKG K240s are very comfortable.  Nice flat response. 

i have several and see them a lot in different studios. An SM58 of earphones. 

Funny enough that’s what my mate recommended, so took delivery of the MKii version yesterday

Not had a chance to try them however hope they are a happy medium between closed and open backs

chenzman

UnclePsychosis said:

I can't stand closed backs (they make me feel anxious and nauseous) so I have DT990s and they're excellent.

One thing I will say, is that with open backs, if you're playing electric guitar - unless you have the volume seriously loud you can always hear the acoustic sound of the strings. This can be a bit off-putting, particularly if trying to "dial in tones". It’s not a problem IMO but worth mentioning.

They create a pressure on my eardrums, that can be painful at times, hopefully the semi-open design of my new ones will help 

Deft

I do actually find open back headphones better for guitar (DT990s) - not quite 'amp in the room' but definitely a better experience IMO

chenzman

Deft said:

I do actually find open back headphones better for guitar (DT990s) - not quite 'amp in the room' but definitely a better experience IMO

After a few recommendations and consideration to get them, I think I’ll have to grab the DT990’s at some point to go with the closed and semi-open sets I now have

Nikc

Funny I was thinking about some new headphones just today - a small amount of internet research and I've ordered a pair of AKG K240's. should be with me tomorrow.

stickyfiddle

I use DT770s for drumming and recording vocals, and 990s for everything else - guitar, keys and mixing. Very happy with both 

chenzman

Nikc said:

Funny I was thinking about some new headphones just today - a small amount of internet research and I've ordered a pair of AKG K240's. should be with me tomorrow.

I tried them out for the first time today and found that I preferred them for guitar vs the Audio Technica’s I have.

Hope you like them too, for the money they are great

Nikc

sat waiting for me when I got home

Nice, I tired them on and plugged in for a quick try out - lost myself for about an hour or so always a good sign, Comfy and no listening fatigue. Far more natral than closed back headphones that I'm used to.

Adjusted various settings on my modellers and got some very normal/natural sounds out. Obviously its not the same as an having an amp cooking but its pretty good and something I can happily live with for late night - actually early mornings for me when my wife is out walking the hound and the rest of world is still asleep, playing. I'm quite impressed around I can see me using them around the house without feeling I'm missing out not being in the music room with my full rig which is exactly what I wanted.

chenzman

Nikc said:

sat waiting for me when I got home

Nice, I tired them on and plugged in for a quick try out - lost myself for about an hour or so always a good sign, Comfy and no listening fatigue. Far more natral than closed back headphones that I'm used to.

Adjusted various settings on my modellers and got some very normal/natural sounds out. Obviously its not the same as an having an amp cooking but its pretty good and something I can happily live with for late night - actually early mornings for me when my wife is out walking the hound and the rest of world is still asleep, playing. I'm quite impressed around I can see me using them around the house without feeling I'm missing out not being in the music room with my full rig which is exactly what I wanted.

Awesome, glad to hear you’re enjoying them!