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I apologize if this has been covered previously - I didn't do a search before posting.
I'm looking for a headphone which has a sound as close as possible to my AKG K240, but with a closed back, good isolation and comfortable fit, for location recording purposes. I like the sound of the upper end Shure models such as the 840 (haven't yet heard the 940), but haven't been able to compare them directly to the AKG.
If any of you are familiar with the K240 sound, and know of a good closed-back headphone with a similar sound, I'd appreciate your comments and suggestions.
Thanks!
Follow Ups:
First, I want to thank you all for the excellent suggestions! Any one of the recommended phones would make a music lover very happy.For me, it was all about a sound that was similar to the AKG K240 "Monitor", in a closed-back phone with good isolation. I bought those phones about 15-20 years ago specifically because they're a standard in the recording biz, they sound great, they're extremely comfortable, and they're not over-priced. I paid about ninety bucks, which was a bit pricey at the time, but not excessive. I still love 'em! Great investment.
Someone suggested the AKG K550, and someone suggested the A-T 50's. Well, I totally spaced out the 550 in my comparisons, and that kinda pisses me off. I need to write these things down before going shopping! I did listen to the A-T 50, the Sony 7506, the UltraSone some-or-other, and the Shure 440 and 840. A couple years ago, I'd previously listened to a $150-$200 (street) Sennheiser model as well.
Although I had several CDs with me for listening (Talking Heads, Eric Clapton, Frank Sinatra, ...), it was late in the day, so I didn't get into all of them. I chose the Mstislav Rostropovich DG recording of Schubert's String Quintet in C Major to do the comparison. It's a work that I'm very familiar with, have recorded live, and I have a good sense of the sound of cello, viola and violin (and variations among models).
I liked the A-T 50. Very nice sound, although bright-ish. "Average" isolation. This would be a great choice for many people.
As I said earlier, I didn't try the AKG 550. Dang!
Not impressed with the Sony 7506. High quality sound and good isolation, but not the audio contour that appeals to me for my needs.
Ultra Sone something-or-other, at about $150-$200. I'd already ruled out UltraSone, but gave them another listen anyway. Average isolation, artificially nice sound.
Shure 840. This is the phone that I thought I'd buy. But, it has a pronounced peak in the upper midrange which made it unlistenable at loud levels - it hurt too much. But very good isolation.
Didn't listen to the Shure 940 - out of the price range ($300).
Shure 440. Good isolation - as good as the Shure 840, decent match to the AKG 240 sound, and just as comfortable as the 840. Doesn't have the peak that the 840 has. Bought 'em for $99.
One of these days, if I can hear the AKG 550 and like 'em, I'll give my kid the Shure 440's. But for now, I'm a happy camper with them. Good isolation, comfortable, familiar non-peaky sound, great price.
Still, none of these phones have the isolation of my Peltor ear protectors. I think I see a product development in my future. Look out, David Clark! ;)
:)
Edits: 01/01/13 01/01/13
I have a pair of AKG K240's (amoung others) as well. I agree they sound great. But as you said they need some serious signal to play loud. I will have to track down a pair of Shure 440's and give them a listen. Thanks for sharing your journey. Happy New Year!
While not the K240 sound (I own a pair), I use the Audio Technica ATH-M50's for location recording. They are easy to drive, play louder than you would ever need for a location environment and comfortable. Definitely on the warm side with rich full bass. It can purchased with a straight cable (that is what I use) or a coiled cable. Like with any equipment, if you have a reference point, you know what you have. I am curious what you will find that is similar to the K240's. I know lots of people that like the Sony V6 headphones. They suck. I can't stand them as the sound they produce literally hurts my ears. I've tried several pairs of the V-6's and they all suck. Keep us posted.
Thanks for the replies. I'm taking my K240s to the Full Compass showroom soon (Christmas), so I can compare them to the models you suggest and to a couple of others. I'll be walking out the door with a set of "something", and will post an update after that. :)
Definitely bring back a report!
Frequency response doesn't tell you everything about a headphone, but here's a look at measurements from headphone.com 's site for comparison. Bythe way, the AKG K240's here are the mkII version -- don't know if your headphones are the first version or the second version.
You can look at some other parameters for AKGs and other brands
the semi-open AKG k240 I would certainly check out the K550 as an option. AKG says their design goal for K550 was to combine the noise-isolating qualities of closed-back headphones and the spacious, sound of an open-back design.
Good luck with your search!
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