Headphones Dilemma

[rgw]

I wish to buy an open back headphone for use when playing my SX900 at home. I've narrowed the choice down to Sennheiser HD599 and Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO. Any advice from Members as to which would be the more suitable would be greatly appreciated.

Richard.

[Toril S]

Do you have the opportunity to try them in a store? Our hearing is different, so it is really up to you. Sennheiser is known for great sound.

[Graham UK]

Richard. Both models you list are good performers so should give very good results.
It's really down to which is most comfortable for you.
Beyerdynamic benefits are all parts are owner replaceable.

[blackpool]

I have Sennheiser. Very comfortable and seem fine. I only use mine for the repetitive practice of passages or when getting voicing right and trying styles out...etc... ( just so i dont drive the household mad ) 

So I cant really comment for 'full time' use. I have friends who have Beyer, not sure if there would be much in it, i would buy the best priced personally as both seem fine.

keith

Might be worth checked out the top ten -
https://www.headphonesradar.com/best-open-back-headphones/

[rgw]

Hi Toril,

I'm self isolating, so can't go into a store unfortunately - hence the post.

Thank you to Graham and Keith for your thoughts on these headphones. I'll check the Link Keith and see what they have to say.

Best wishes,
Richard.

[overover]

Hi Richard,

I recommend the "AKG K712 Pro" headphones. It's a bit more expensive than the two models you mentioned, but it's worth every penny.

The "AKG K712 Pro" are Studio Reference headphones. It is very suitable for all applications and has a very good, powerful sound.

I have been working with these headphones for a long time and use them on my Tyros5 and Genos, among others. The Master EQ is always set to FLAT on my keyboards, and the "AKG K712 Pro" sounds perfect to me here.

>>> https://www.thomann.de/gb/akg_k_712_pro.htm


Best regards,
Chris

[rgw]

Thanks for the Info Thomas. I will certainly check these out.

Best wishes,
Richard.

[Del]

I was recommended Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 80 Ohm from someone here and I have not looked back. They cost me £126 but I can sit and play for hours on end they are very comfortable to wear even if you wear glasses, and I'm sure you can get parts for these headphones if for some reason they break.

[Normanfernandez]

Go for the DT990 PRO

[mikf]

I think you can already see from the replies how personal the choice is with any sound equipment.
Mike

[alanclare]

Go for the DT990 PRO

That's what I've gone for, partly because of your recommendation, Norman.

Alan

[alanclare]

Does "open back" make a noticeable difference? How could one know without comparing equivalent designs?

Alan

[mikf]

 In theory open back can provide 'more natural' sound - whatever that means. But then the basic sound quality and comfort of the headphones and whether they suit you still comes into the equation. What is indisputable is the downsides of open back which would not suit some people - mainly that they are not silent in the room and don't block outside noise. But I assume the OP already knows that and doesn't consider those things a problem. I personally would never choose them because occasionally my wife watches TV or does some other activity like embroidery or reading in the same room, and the leaked sound would just annoy both of us.
Mike

[alanclare]

Thanks. As it happens, luckily (in this context) I live alone in a reasonably sound-insulated flat, so the question of leakage from the open-back design is not a factor to be taken into consideration.

Alan

[rgw]

Thanks to everybody for their Inputs.
Chris the AKG are out of my price range.

As there seems to be little difference and a more mellow top range on the HD599 I hvae gone for those. What finally helped was the fact that yesterday was Prime Day and I managed to get them for "95 as opposed to $130.

Many thanks again to all.

Richard.