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What's Better than the Sony MDR-7506 through a Recording Interface?

tlite

tlite

Active Member
Help me Level Up!

Thinking I may start listening more with headphones so the family doesn't kill me late at night.

What might be good "next step up" gear from what I have per the below?

Open to new headphones, headphone amps, whatever you folks with experience might make a noticeable difference. I have a pretty good budget, but prefer probably to keep this particular level up totaling under $1,000, and if it comes in a bit over, (or any amount under) I'm good with it.

What I have I've mostly used for recording/mixing.

I could also plug into the headphone out of a Marantz 2235, or Onkyo TX-NR808 but those receivers aren't that close to the comfy recliner where I sit and listen.

Does it make sense to get a dedicated headphone setup for music listening as opposed to production/mixing, or should I be good with what I have for awhile?

From what I can tell it sounds OK, but I'm new to this particular rabbit-hole, and don't know what I am missing with this setup vs. a more audiophile or audiophile-esque headphone/amp setup.

EDIT: A bit more FWIW: I mostly listen to...
  • Americana
  • Rock
  • Hip-Hop
  • Classic Jazz
Thanks for the advice!
 
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the skipper said:
that's a fairly subjective question.
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True. Couldn't really figure out a way to ask in a non-subjective way as lots I don't know. So I'm prepared for any answers- subjectively derived, biased, etc. Just wondering if what I'm using is way off the mark compared to the next level up (and what form the next level up might take).

Understand if too open-ended, though... it's just audio fun- no wrong answers as far as I'm concerned!
 
JoeESP9 said:
Have you considered headphones other than the Sony's?
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I haven't tried anything else, but yes, I'm open to whatever- looking for suggestions as to what to try that might be a noticeable step up. It's Friday and I feel like looking at new audio gear...
 
I added a bit more info to the original post regarding budget, etc. Again, I'm mostly looking for fun and logical "Step Up" recommendations from my current gear, and/or stuff to add to it (or remove from it) that you all have found to improve things with your systems. Thanks again.
 
again, "step up" is subjective. Change is easy. Better, not always the same and one person's "step up" might be a downgrade for you.
 
I've used the MDR-7506 before as well as the MDR-V6 which are almost identical. One defining trait of these headphones is a very big peak between 3-8kHz. This is actually great for broadcasting and mixing and so many of the things that they are used for in the professional world because it tends to make vocals much easier to hear. The only "problem" is that it's hard to transition to a more neutral headphone once you've become accustomed to the exaggerated treble. Every headphone will seem like something is missing there, until your brain re-adjusts.

As a good place to start, I'd recommend the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 80 Ohm headphones. They are similar to the MDR-7506 in that they are an older headphone that is still in production because they have stood the test of time. They won't break the bank. They are closed, so it won't bother anyone else when you listen. They are similar impedance to your MDR-7506 (80 ohms vs 63 ohms) so anything that can power the MDR-7506 should be able to power the DT770 80ohm just fine. I've had a pair of DT770-Pro 80ohm headphones for about 13 years and they have held up great.

I'd recommend only replacing one piece of gear at a time. Get new headphones, and after you've got used to them, then search for a new amp, etc. Replace everything at the same time, and it's much more difficult to identify what's responsible for the changes that you hear.
 
the skipper said:
again, "step up" is subjective. Change is easy. Better, not always the same and one person's "step up" might be a downgrade for you.
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Hey Skipper, et al. You're totally right, of course. My problem is where do I start to zero in on what my tastes are in the absence of anything other than pictures and text (assuming no local options to try stuff out).

I put together how I'm thinking about it, basically buy and try with a process. I'm kind of shooting blind, but this process at least might get things going.

Would welcome your thoughts and contributions where I'm off-base (or could be more on-base, etc.). As always, appreciate and value the wisdom of those with more experience than I have (i.e. pretty much everyone).

https://audiokarma.org/forums/index.php?threads/best-process-to-level-up-headphones.971734/

Thanks!
 
Well, I like Sennheisers and if I were buying today I'd probably go for the 600's or some such but they are open and may ne too "polite' for your tastes.

worry about an amp later
 
the skipper said:
Well, I like Sennheisers and if I were buying today I'd probably go for the 600's or some such but they are open and may ne too "polite' for your tastes.

worry about an amp later
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10-4. Thx. I think (emphasis on the "think", not "know") slightly to the warm side of neutral is where this may land for me, personally. Whatever I get I'll do my best to report the non-scientific result. I ain't measuring nuthin'... just going by my ears.

I keep trying to think of a good Gilligan's Island reference. I do prefer Mary Ann to Ginger, but haven't found a relevant place to really get that in there on the thread so far. I'll work on it.
 
If there is a Guitar Center close to you check out their headphone display. They carry a wide variety of well known headphones including Audeze, Sennheiser and AKG.
 
JoeESP9 said:
If there is a Guitar Center close to you check out their headphone display. They carry a wide variety of well known headphones including Audeze, Sennheiser and AKG.
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Great idea- I do have a GC (and I actually get good service there)!
 
I have a pair of the 7506, and they are quite bright or foreward sounding. As mentioned above they are designed for a specific purpose and designed well.

I don’t think they are the greatest for music reproduction. Another issue is the unit the thread starter will be plugging the headphones into. It states the following for output: 60 mW at 32 ohms.

Unless I’m missing something that output is not much and won’t allow for the use of higher ohm designs.

That all said, I’d suggest Grado headphones. They also have a foreward sound, but not as much as the Sony’s. They do music very well and aren’t a big load on a headphone amp section. The Grado SR225x gives great sonics.

They are an old school design, however, with a somewhat stiff cable. Also open backed, so some sound will be heard by others in the room. But since the OP is alone in the room late at night, this shouldn’t be an issue.

I am not sure what the OP is using as a music source, but I would suggest looking at a better headphone amp as well. The Schiit Audio Asgard, at $200 is quite a performer. The biggest change I found in going to a dedicated headphone amp was improved dynamics and SQ.

The Asgard needs a music source, however, sent to it through its rca inputs. The Grado are $250 I think, so 450 for both is not cheap. Listening to a lot of cans first is a great idea.
 
runnin' said:
I am not sure what the OP is using as a music source, .
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As of now I'm just using a CCA Optical into the Profire 610. The Profire's internal DAC either out to the Profire's phone out, or Profire into a Marantz 2235 and running the cans from that. That actually sounds pretty good through the Sony's but the Marantz has a bit of hiss to it that I need to fix, and that amp is far from convenient to move to other locations like the Schiit would be.

I've been eyeing the Grados as well. I'm just not sure about on ear vs. over ear but I could always order, try, and return what I don't keep.
 
I prefer on ear because they generally feel lighter on the head and my ears/head can heat up over time. The Grado are also pretty light to begin with.

But everyone is different, you might prefer over ear.
 
runnin' said:
I’d suggest Grado headphones. They also have a foreward sound, but not as much as the Sony’s. They do music very well and aren’t a big load on a headphone amp section. The Grado SR225x gives great sonics.
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Any thoughts on the less costly SR80x vs. the SR225x? Can't seem to find much in the way of comparisons online.
 
Generally speaking, the 225 has an upgraded cord(8 conductors instead of 4) and and upgraded wiring in the voice coil. Some say the 80 model is the best deal in the line as improvements in sound are very small as you go up the line until you get to the 325x.
 
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