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Reddit Reviews
challenjaThey have been fine for me. A music studio staple since 2014. I’ve upgraded to Slate vsx platinum for producing with closed backs. But old faithful never let me down for hours upon hours a day.
I can only recommend what I have and use as a producer. Mobile use -Sony 1000 xm4’s. In ear mobile use Airpod pro3. Producing closed backs- Steve slate vsx, audio technica m50x. Open back ( more holographic 3D sound) audeze lcd 2c( eq’d and paired with a headphone tube amp) and hifiman edition XS( not unveiled) . If you have never heard dnb on open backs you’re missing out.
MasidusYou can solve all of these problems by getting Steven Slate VSX headphones and room emulation - will remove 95% of your need for external monitoring.
StyrantI haven't been using the VSX closed since I got the Immersion One so i'd say they are a good upgrade, if you've never tried planars they may be a good introduction to them, [Emrah of Mixphones](https://youtu.be/mnpGtSDtQB8) thinks pretty highly of them. I got them via the upgrade pricing of $599 from owning the closed backs
badgerbot9999Seriously. I got those as a birthday present to myself a few weeks ago and it’s mind blowing. They’re amazing
BitchILikeSaladThis is the best answer right here. VSX is so helpful.
contrapti0nSlate VSX is pretty good, but you have to feel your way into it, listen to a lot of reference tracks and pick one of the “rooms” to make your own. It’s also right at the top of your budget. I tend to write on AKG702s if there’s nobody around to be bothered by the bleed, swap to AirPods Pro if there is, then flip to the Slates when mixing and mastering. I also spend a fair amount of time optically checking the low-end track with an oscilloscope, because in the absence of proper monitoring it’s easier that way.
Yeah, I’m amazed by how much better it is post-update, and I thought it was pretty good before
diggidaFor serious work on a computer that must be done on headphones, I recommend Slate VSX.
Evain_DiamondThe 770s are a good all round headphone but a little janky in the lows. I use them for tracking and sound design and the bulk of my producing. Plus they are super light and comfy. I also have the Slate VSX which are great for mixing on, you can pick a room for a good mix critical listening perspective. You can also quickly compare other devices. They now also test your ears and hearing to give you a personalised eq. Everyone's ears and hearing are different so this helps. The VSX also give an accurate Harman Curve. They are quite light but not as comfy as the 770s My favourite for low end mixing are the Hifiman Anandas, a 6db 100 hz EQ boost will give you great low end which the planars can handle plus you get a good open sound field with them being open backed. They are quite heavy and big though but for planars not too bad. If I recommend just one pair Id say the VSX as you can use them in many different ways, not as punchy or broad in the lows as the Anandas but they do a good job with the lows regardless.
Ath50x are good, they have a smiley curve which lends itself to Dnb but have an overall nice sound. If you want to feel like you are listening to speakers the slate audio vsx are very good. The Skullcandy crusher are very bassy with an added bass/vibration adjustment. They are pure bass and other than that they don't sound as good elsewhere but the EQ app can help.
Rankings by Use Case
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