Hey all, I'd like to use headphones late at night for monitoring whilst songwriting (I write by recording bits - guitar and vocals together, and playing them back to judge and compare them). I've looked all around the internet, forums, reviews etc but its hard to tell what headphones would be best for this my purpose.

Its really important to me that I can get the most accurate sound possible, so I can be confident in using them to write. I can spend £200, more if absolutely necessary.

Another thing, I record using a VS-840 ex 8-tracker, which I'm guessing has a poor headphone amp. So would it be better to split the budget 50-50 on a headphone amp and headphones, or go all out on better headphones?

I hope someone can help me out, I'm really lost!

Thanks,

sach

Well, the real problem here is that you are not going to be able to mix for the soundstage and imaging of a speaker usefully, by using a headphone, unless you use a spatializer with HRTF options, such as the AKG Hearo 999 processor.

But, if you are after tonal accuracy, the Sony MDR-7506 is about as accurate as I think you are going to achieve for midrange and treble accuracy.

I make this statement based on A/B of sound source vs. live feed of the headphones. The live feed consisted of two omnipolar measurement microphones(linear amplitude response) on either side of me, I stood in the center. No FX or EQ was applied to the signal. Comparing the headphones to the miced source, they sound virtually identical in the midrange and treble bands. I could not compare bass frequencies because that would require a bit different comparison, since the headphones can not appreciably isolate/block low frequency signals. I tried this experiment after a similar experiment that was reported by J. Dunlavy of the former Dunlavy Audio Labs. You can read his opinion/experience by clinking on the following link and scrolling about halfway down:

http://groups.google.com/groups?q=Dunlavy+...torg.com&rnum=4

-Chris

I would say maybe you don't need the most accurate sound possible if you are just creating lyrics.
I have had bad experience with headphones described as good for monitoring. Probably they aren't as "accurate" as they say.
Why not get something that sounds good rather than something that will bring out everything that happens in the performance and recording. My AKG K501s are great and I am sure they would be fine for your purpose. They will leave you with money for an amp. 200 quid should get you K501s and a PIMETA. The very popular Sennheiser HD580/600/650 is rather coloured and not good for guitar and voice IMO. You could also look at Beyerdynamic.

The 'key' is to use the accurate device for monitoring. You think I can stand to use a 7506 for more than a few minutes for 'pleasure' listening? :-)



That happens to be one of my favorite headphones for acoustic, vocal and classical. But, I use mine modified, to a signficant increase in sound quality to my deaf tin ears. If you are intersteed(it's off topic here), email or IM me.

-Chris

Go to the shop and ask to listen on a rig that comes closest to your won. For 200 quid they'll be accomodating.
For song writing you cn get by with a bit less headphone. Worry more about the mic's.