Hi!
I live in Argentina so I can’t try headphones before buying. So I need you guys to help me find the best headphones for my use.
I’m looking for closed back cans that are comfortable for hours of listening, with a flat response, without the need for an external amp, and finally my wallet says it has to be less than $200.
Which headphones tick all those boxes? Thanks a lot in advance 
Cheers!
Sennheiser HD 280 Pros (I own them. “Widen” them over books for one night, otherwise they’ll be like, bassy C-Clamps for your skull).
Audio-Technica ATH-M50X (They’re everywhere in studios).
Graphs for both: https://www.rtings.com/headphones/1-2/graph#299/2031/295
Fostex T50RPs (Planars! They’re technically “semi-open” because of a 1cm by 1cm square but whatever – You’ll hear every detail you need and more with these, planars oblige).
Graph:
And the Sennheiser HD 58X are 100% open, but they’re so neutral I have to recommend them too.
Graph:
Check out the Sennheiser HD650, they’re incredibly neutral and I know music producers that use them.
Ath-M40x are tuned very flat and are $99. You will probably want to upgrade the pads. That will run you from $30-40. I would say most prefer these to the M50x
First of all…thanks for the answers!
I want recommendations of headphones that you have tried instead of well known ones because, for example, I’ve tried a couple of times the M50X that are supposed to be good and used everywhere and I hated them. I found them clampy and too bassy. Didn’t like the sound at all.
I tried the M40X and they were better but still far away from comfortable and from a good sound to me (I didn’t change the pads, it was just a pair at a shop that I tried).
That’s why I’d love to see more and more opinions.
Also, has anyone tried the Telefunken THP-29? I tried those recently and they were super comfortable and they sounded great…although they are supposed to be good for drummers or something like that because of the 29 db isolation they have (also: they are ugly af…but they sounded amazing to me and really comfortable).
I watched a recent Zeos review on Youtube of the SIVGA SV006. Has anyone tried those?
Sorry for the long answer and thanks again for all your answers!
Cheers.
Avoid the HD280 Pros then. 
T50RPs are probably my next headphones… for my home studio. Haven’t tried them yet. But if you buy, then don’t like, T50RPs, you can mod them. A lot. Like, it’s hard to find reviews and measurements of them stock, non-modified.
Still, you may need an amp for them… Sorry. 
I own a pair of Shure SRH840s. I got them on Ebay for about $50. I did change the pads to Brainwavz HM5 for added comfort. Otherwise, the best monitoring cans under $200 in my opinion. Sonically, I do find the sub-bass a little recessed.
My only major complaint is the build feels (to steal Zeo’s term) “plastic-y”. Once it’s on your head it does feel solid though.
If the ATH-M50X are too bassy for you, the Shure SRH840s/440s should be better, yup.
https://www.rtings.com/headphones/1-2/graph#295/2031/456
Otherwise… I don’t have them, but, the cheap Superlux HD681, Superlux HD668s, maybe, even if they’re semi-open.
ATH-M40x’s are less bassy, and recommended by Zeos as a “top pick under 100$” for closed headphones (and half the price!).
EDIT: Also, for my second pair of clampy AF Senneiser HD280 Pros, I just put them over a wide stack of books for one night. Making them less clampy also made them less bassy.
I recently bought m40x and it has more of a V shape. In comparison to the SRH840, the bass is emphasized and the highs don’t have the same resolution. For mixing and tracking I would prefer the SRH840.
I will add I found the m40x to be more comfortable than the SRH840. SRH840 has this hot spot on my head that bothers me after long listening sessions.
Zeos does say something about “unless you’re mixing” with the M50s. I like my pair for mixing but they aren’t super comfortable.
I would recommend AKGs strictly on comfort. I own the K72s as a pair for clients, I settled on those because the 92s were out of stock, and the 72s aren’t anything too exciting.
Just adding that, since then, I got T50RPs. You need Shure 840 pads with these. Otherwise it’s basically “treble murder” headphones.
And they’re power hungry. You’re lucky if you don’t need an amp. I’ll have my JDS Labs Atom monday.
-With Shure 840 pads, they sound clear. A bit more treble than neutral. A bit thin, too.
-With an amp, apparently, they’re close to neutral, and they sound “fuller”.
I’ll use my T50RPs for music production too (…cheap home studio). HD280 Pros sound like they’re in “mono” compared to these (less detail, soundtage, stereo separation, etc).
You should perhaps try out the k371 and see what you think. I personally think the best budget studio headphones are the dt880 600 ohm or for closed now the k371
+1 DT 880 600 ohm are the best… until you can afford 1990s
I still use them occasionally (but my other studio headphones have taken over lol)
I actually ended up spending way more than my initial budget and bought the DT1990.
They are not as good as I thought they’d be. The exagerated boost at 8k is quite anoying, and the overall sound for me is weird. I know I have to get used to them but for now at least I’m a little bit dissapointed. Also, not as confortable as I read on reviews.
The 1990 are just a professional tool and not for the living room.
The headphones are held relatively tight so they sit securely on the Head while working. With Beyerdynamic the spring steel can be replaced with a weaker one. Also you can bend the headband without hesitation.
Personally, I was always impressed with the details of the 1990’s for the price range. I only know of the AKG 812 when it comes to better details for studio use.
Personally, I prefer to mix on monitors (Adam S3V) and occasionally with DT880s. But I’m also far from being a professional.
The peaks from 1990 have never disturbed me with respectable recording, or when mixing … it is relatively smooth… Maybe your interface just sounds bad?
Alternatively try out LCD-X if you want a completely different sound signature. They are quite good in the studio.
A hd600 is pretty great in the studio as well. Or a audio technica r70x if you wanted something similar to the 600 but a bit better extended
I couldn’t get behind the 812 for some reason, just wasn’t my type of headphone
AT r70x are relay amazing! I completely forgot.
Sennheiser I find very pleasant, but not as helpful as a the only headphone in the studio.
Yeah, they are good in a rotation, but still a great option imo. I typically have 3-4 headphones in the mastering rotation (although now the 600 isn’t used as much lol)