reference-quality headphones

Hello I tried searching for this before I posted, but the headphone discussions seem to focus mainly on isolation. I'm wondering if there are decent-quality headphones that basically replicate a true and accurate pair of studio monitors --- the idea of course, being able to work on those late night sonic brainstorms without waking the neighbors or the girlfriend. Any suggestions? They don't have to be ultra-perfect; I would still do my final mixing on speakers. It's just that too many times have I spent hours laying down parts, only to listen aghast the next morning when the EQ's are all over the place. Thanks in advance for any help.

shure E5 are very good in-ears, but they seem to be lacking on the (very) high frequencies, so if you mix with them, your mix will have too much high end in it. those however introduce you to a very good stereo imaging, so give them a try. shure E1 on the other hand seem to be more accurate on the high end but are very lacking on the bottom... in-ears are the only type of headphones that i use. once you try them, you cannot go back.

Hello billy101. I use the AKG K*141*Monitor in my home studio. Pretty good and comfortable. Check out the link: "The cult headphones. According to a recent Billboard survey, the K 141 Monitor are the most used headphones in US studios. "

You cannot mix with headphones. The effect of having each speaker in your ear (i.e. headphones)versus facing speakers and having the sound mix before it reaches your ears ( i.e. monitors) has too big an impact on the perception of sound. I've tried mixing with open and closed cans - Sony 7509 and the mix sounds great in the phones and like crap thru monitors. Whereas if I get the mis right thru monitors, they also sound great thru phones. Headphones are for monitoring and tracking. Period.

I've tried and owned virtually every pair available that falls below $300. I narrowed my choice down to 2 pair; the Sony MDR-7509 and the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro. The difference for me was that the Sony (this applies to all Sony headphones, too) sounded very good, but in the way that a good home theatre sounds. Just too much hype; good to listen to cds, movies, walkmans, etc but not to work on. The Sennheisers were "closer" to the sound of a set of studio monitors. They fit snug and comfortable and feel more solid than the Sonys. They do have some hype, especially with the low end. And they're more power hungry than the Sonys, so you'll have to run your output to them hotter than you would on other cans. As others have pointed out, you'll never.....NEVER......do a real, complete workable mix on headphones. When I say the Sennheisers are good, I mean from the standpoint of writing, edited, just working on tracks or critical listening to stereo fields or panning and having things relatively close to mix conditions. I frequently work at night either editing or writing/sequencing. Using the Sennheisers and listening back the next day ( I always have to allow time for my ears to relax after using headphones) through the mains to where I left the project has been surprisingly close! I never, ever got that close on any other phones including the Sony's, AKGs or Audio Technicas.