Topic: Headphone recommendation? (from Modartt too?)

I was googling for some headphones to use with Pianoteq and came across this old thread and saw that Modartt primarily uses the AKG K240. That was posted in 2009, and I'm wondering if this is still the go-to in 2018. Also would like to hear from the rest of you regarding your experiences. I'm not an audiophile but would like something that sounds excellent and is able to reproduce the "live" piano sound to a reasonably good degree. Currently borrowing a HyperX Cloud headset from my gaming PC and it sounds alright I guess but I would like to leave it for that and have a dedicated pair at the piano.

Thanks and any/all responses are greatly appreciated.

Last edited by Roneleth (22-08-2018 22:43)

Re: Headphone recommendation? (from Modartt too?)

I use Sennheiser HD 600 and have found them to be enormously satisfying.

That said, headphone choice is personal and other's experience won't necessarily serve as a guide for your own satisfaction.

- Open headphones tend to provide a "more natural" experience whereby the sound feels more ambient and less "injected" into your head. Open headphones allow you to hear ambient sound, and do not insulate the sound they produce from the environment.

- Quite a few headphone manufacturers boost different frequency ranges (low, mid, or high) to create a "fun" sound profile or one more suited to drum-based musics. This contrasts with a "flat" response favored in monitoring. Knowing your own sonic-profile preference can guide you toward a satisfying result. The HD 600 I mention aspires towards flatness, and some would say a more muted higher end.

Commonly preferred headphones:

Sennheiser HD 650, HD 598
Audio Technica ATH-M50x
BeyerDynamics DT 880 and DT 770

plenty more ...

Headphone choice makes an enormous difference.

Best of luck

Re: Headphone recommendation? (from Modartt too?)

I confirm that choosing a good headphone greatly improves the playback quality of Pianoteq. As a regular user of Pianoteq I have tried a dozen models of headphones, including Sennheiser HD600, HD650 and HD800. (I still own the last 2). The result is very satisfying with these headphones, especially the last also very comfortable. However, after a test of my Stax SR07 MK2 electrostatic headphones on Audio Value Luminare tube amp, I much prefer to use planar-style headphones (tested with my 2 Audez LCD-3 and Kennerton Odin headphones on the audioFormula-S amplifier) . The best results so far have been with the Kennerton Odin headphone (1st generation). I am wondering today about a possible acquisition for use with Pianoteq a Kennerton Thror headphones, still much better after my first listenings, and especially with much less distortion at high volume, but more upscale ( always in planar technology). There seems to be no limit to how a better headphone can improve listening and especially playing with Pianoteq. Pianoteq is of course perfectible, and improves from year to year, but the processing of the audio system downstream from Pianoteq is very important if you want to enjoy it to the fullest. That said, it is possible to enjoy very pleasantly Pianoteq with a relatively economical headphones. While traveling, I had a good time with Pianoteq with a TS-433 (G & B) headphones at 25 € to avoid damaging my equipment. However, I have more fun with a Kennerton headphone that can work in good conditions with the built-in amplifier of my computer despite its low power, even if a good DAC and a dedicated amplifier still improve the result a little. (a bit, but much less than with a less good headphone compared to Kennerton with a USB DAC with built-in amplifier like the Behringer U-Phoria UMC204 HD at € 85 that I have long used with Pianoteq)
When it comes to choosing a more economical headphones than planar-sized headphones, there are many more models than Sennheiser interesting ones. I've heard a lot from professional musicians about the BeyerDynamic DT990 Pro headphones (111 €) which can also work on a modest amplifier like behind the headphone jack of a standard computer, or better a small integrated USB Dac like the Behringer U-Phoria (or many others).
In general, a very important point for the piano is to check the absence of audible DISTORTION at relatively high level (100 db), especially check the absence of parasitic vibration of the shell and the headband of the headphones for ALL the notes of the piano at high level.

Bruno

Re: Headphone recommendation? (from Modartt too?)

Thank you both for the replies. After a bit more research I ended up ordering the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro 250 ohm along with a modest desktop headphone DAC/amp. I'm not very experienced with audio equipment but I'll let you know what I think after I try them out, they should be arriving tomorrow.

Re: Headphone recommendation? (from Modartt too?)

I am personally using Logitech G430 and Mixcder E9 headset for my personal use and I would recommend you to use this because it is a very good option instead of the handfrees and It is quite affordable.

Re: Headphone recommendation? (from Modartt too?)

I have a pair of Audio Technica ATH-M50 (birthday gift!). They are good, but a little on the bright side, very clinical and accurate.
I also have a pair of Grado S-80 open air, that sound very good. Not as detailed as the M50, but a warmer sound.

Last edited by aWc (19-07-2020 19:09)
PT 7.3 with Steinway B and D, U4 upright, YC5, Bechstein DG, Steingraeber, Ant. Petrov, Kremsegg Collection #2, Electric Pianos and Hohner Collection. http://antoinewcaron.com

Re: Headphone recommendation? (from Modartt too?)

I have a pair of Grado SR80i, too. To me they sound quite detailed, musical, natural and with good/right recording - beautiful. It’s about personal taste, always, but i like too, that I can can jump between genres without any obvious flaws highlighted. And they sound good with Pianoteq (at least to my old ears

Re: Headphone recommendation? (from Modartt too?)

I enjoy my beyerdynamic DT880 headphones.  They are over-the-ear, but of open design, so that you hear what is being played through the earphones, but still hear the world around you.

- David

Re: Headphone recommendation? (from Modartt too?)

I use a Koss Porta Pro Classic for live presentations and home studio. Excellent resolution, comfortable and affordable.

Respeito, Esforço e Sabedoria

Re: Headphone recommendation? (from Modartt too?)

Sennheiser HD 598 good enough too

Re: Headphone recommendation? (from Modartt too?)

Ultrasone

Re: Headphone recommendation? (from Modartt too?)

I own these 4 headphones:

Beyerdynamic DT770 (32 ohms)
- favorite for listening, playing. my main headphones in the studio

Sony MDR-7506
- favorite for critical listening, DJ’ing and shooting videos ... least favorite for listening/playing

AKG K240 Studio
- my favorite as far as the most "real" sounding for acoustic instruments, the bass response is nice and clear (not heavy or pushed). The K240 Studios are also my favorites as my most comfy pair headphones, I can literally and physically forget I'm wearing them. But .. I feel like they need a proper headphone amp to sound their best, they can be a too quiet/remote with typical consumer amps (like I said they're not bass heavy). In contrast, the other 3 headphones can be easily driven by almost any headphone jack, especially the 32 ohm DT770 and SR850. For this reason, I don’t reach for the K240 Studios as much as the others in this list and they end up being my studio “guest” headphones but still one of my favorites. They sound great when the amp matches and you get a nice strong signal, with the open back, classical, jazz, latin and vocals sound very good/real on these headphones.

Samson SR850 (32 ohms)
- favorite knock-around, bang-up headphones (out-of-studio, rehearsal, gigs), and are a good bang for the buck. Wait for sales or shop around you'll find them for around US$30. Performance is 90%+ of what the other more expensive headphones give you. They work best with a bit of EQ to tame the highs. I treat them like a pair of old jeans, you’re not going to wear them to a formal party, but for daily casual use, they’re good.

Last edited by Groove On (22-07-2020 14:29)

Re: Headphone recommendation? (from Modartt too?)

i've used Beyerdynamic DT990pro with a Native Instruments Komplete Audio 6 midi interface for a few years now.  really happy with them both.