Guide to Orchestra Headphones

The Ultimate Guide to 

Orchestra 

Headphones

The Ultimate Guide to 

Orchestra 

Headphones 

By Composer David Isaac 

Discover music composition at: 

www.davidimusic.com/blog

In this guide you will discover: 

• How to avoid the worst headphones for Classical 

Music. 

• 18 amazing orchestral/classical headphones 

for any budget. 

• How to upgrade your entire music collection 

with a great headphone. 

• Why you should buy headphones instead of 

speakers. 

• How to find comfortable headphones. 

• How to protect yourself from hearing loss. 

• How to interpret frequency response graphs 

to help you understand the sound profile of a 

headphone. 

• How to navigate the confusing terminology 

of the headphone world. (Over-the-ear, circumaural, 

in-ear, closed-back, open-back?!) 

• How to choose the style of headphone for 

your listening needs. 

• The problem with headphones, and how to fix 

it.

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones 1 

Upgrade your entire music collection 

If you are listening to a great recording of Joshua 

Bell playing his 4 million dollar Gibson Stradivarius, 

but you are using 15 buck earbuds, the music is 

probably not going to sing to you like it should. 

You need to upgrade your headphones, my friend. 

When you purchase a great set of headphones, 

you immediately upgrade your entire CD and audio 

collection. I would say that you—at least—double 

or triple the value. You will hear things that you 

didn’t hear before. 

Since I am a composer and audiophile, I had a friend 

once tell me, “I thought you liked music, but you 

don’t have really great speakers.” 

It is true that I don’t have really expensive speakers 

in my home. I like to use headphones more 

frequently than speakers or audio monitors. 

Why? 

Because if you use great speakers, the acoustics of 

the room has to be excellent, which would mean 

plunking in thousands of dollars just to buy the 

acoustic foam and reflectors to fix the acoustics of 

the room. My house is mostly tile with hard walls 

and ceiling, which creates a ridiculously noisy and 

live sounding environment. 

writing it. I was searching online to find something 

useful, but there was no comprehensive guide 

that explained what to look for in a headphone for 

orchestral or classical music. This is why I wrote 

this guide. 

While I am knowledgeable about music composition, 

arranging, and orchestration and some subtler 

aspects of music theory, I am not the most knowledgeable 

on headphones. So I have gotten a bit of 

help to write this guide. 

In an exclusive interview, I talked with Mike Olson, 

an expert on headphones from headphone.com. 

I asked Mike to recommend headphones at several 

price points:

2 

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones 

About the expert 

For the past 12 years, Mike Olson has been working 

at Headroom (www.headphone.com), where 

learned each make and model of headphones 

through his day-in and day-out experience and 

through the experiences of his customers. Headphone.com 

has conducted thousands of headphone 

reviews over the decades. 

Head Room was founded in 1992, and they were 

one of the first research labs to build headphone 

amplifiers. Later in this guide, you will learn more 

about when headphone amplifiers are needed. 

Avoid these headphones 

There are certain brands of headphones that won’t 

represent the quality of the orchestra very well, 

and you should avoid them at all costs. Most of 

the popular manufacturers for consumers are designed 

with popular music in mind, not classical 

or orchestral. These headphones just don’t have 

a flat response, good stereo field, and articulate 

sound—the qualities that are needed for great orchestra 

headphones. 

Avoid these brands: *Beats, Soul republic, V-moda, 

Monster, Bose, Skull Candy, and any brand of 

cheaper headphones. 

*These names are trademarks of their respective 

owners. 

Later in the guide, I will reveal the one brand of 

headphones that Mr. Olson says “is the best overall 

for classical music.” 

Compare headphone manufacturers by clicking 

here.


What type of headphone should you buy? 

We scoured the universe for headphones that are 

very detailed, very accurate, and very articulate. 

They should show all frequencies with accuracy, 

which means that they have a flat frequency 

response, and don’t overly emphasize a certain 

frequency, such as the bass. However, you still 

want bass for the kettle drums. Just not an overwhelming 

bassy sound like Beats. 

For classical music, when a recording and headphones 

have a good sound stage, you can almost 

visualize the instruments in the different parts of 

the orchestra. The strings are in front, the basses 

to the left and the timpani is toward the back. 

All things being equal, open-back headphones usually 

have a better sound stage since the sound is 

not trapped in, but allowed to move away from 

the ears. In fact, all the headphones in our highest 

price range are full-sized open back. 

In a quiet room, the best style of headphone is the 

full-sized, over-the-ear headphone with an openback. 

Open-Back vs. Closed-Back 

Closed-back headphones isolate you from outside 

noise, and also prevent people nearby from 

being disturbed by your music. Since they isolate 

you from the outside world, they can give a more 

intimate experience when listening to music, and 

you can better travel out in public with this style of 

headphone. Closed back are the traditional headphones. 

While there are great benefits for having closedback 

headphones, open-back headphones give 

the best sound quality. Since an open-back allows 

the sound to escape, it gives you a better sense 

of space and stage. According to Mike an openback 

headphone is the “supreme experience” and 

“the way to go” when buying a headphone for 

orchestral music. 

On the flipside, open-back headphones are not 

good in noisy environments, since the openness 

allows noise in. Also, open-back headphones 

sometimes need extra power from a headphone 

amplifier. Open-backs tend to be more expensive 

than closed-backs.

4 


How to find a comfortable 

headphone 

When do you need a headphone 

amplifier? 

Every ear is different. 

Like clothing, the secret to finding comfortable 

headphones is…to try them on. If you don’t have a 

good headphone shop near you, HeadRoom (headphones.com) 

does offer a 30-day “no-questions 

asked” return policy. According to Mike this means 

that you can try on the headphones and if they are 

not comfortable, then you can return them. 

Classical goes from extremely soft, to very loud 

and robust. A headphone amp gives a finer adjustment 

than a phone. For example on the phone, one 

level up is too much one down is too much. 

Every headphone on this list can be improved with 

a headphone amplifier, but for some headphones 

with a high OHM rating, the amplifier is required. 

In addition to trying on the headphone, here is 

some information about the different types of 

headphone fittings. 

Full sized, over-the-ear headphones are usually the 

most comfortable. Technically called circumaural, 

they sit around your ear and can be cushioned to 

seal against the head. On the down side, they can 

sometimes be heavy. 

On-the-ear are usually considered to be the next 

most comfortable. Technically called supra-aural 

headphones, the ear pads rest on top of your ear 

lobe. The closed-back, on-the-ear headphones do 

isolate from some outside noise, but usually don’t 

do this quite as well as the over-the-ear, closedback. 

Finally in-the-ear are considered the least comfortable 

since they fit into and seal the ear canal, 

similar to earplugs. Some styles fit deep into the 

ear canal and can give you the best isolation from 

ambient noise, and most in-the-ear headphones 

have different types of eartips to better fit your ear. 

How long do headphones last? 

Good quality headphones should last for 8 years 

or more if they are treated well. Some companies, 

such as Sennheiser and Audio Technica have two 

year warranties. 

Earbuds and Clip-ons are headphone styles that 

are are not covered in this guide.


Frequency response in headphones 

I have included frequency response graphs to 

compare each price point of headphones. Here is 

some information from headphone.com, so you 

understand the what the graph means and how 

to interpret it. 

“What it means: Frequency response is the measure 

of a headphones ability to reproduce all frequencies 

equally. Theoretically, this graph should 

be a flat line at 0dB. The left hand side of the line 

is the bass, the right side is the treble. If the line 

is high on the left and low on the right, the headphones 

would be considered bass heavy. If the 

line is low on the left and high on the right, the 

headphones would likely be “bright” sounding with 

an emphasis on the highs and lean bass response. 

ear; a gently sloping flat line from 1kHz to about 

8-10dB down at 20kHz is about right. You’ll notice 

all headphone measurements have a lot of 

jagged ups & downs (peaks & valleys) in the high 

frequencies; this is normal and mostly due to reflection 

cancellations in the folds and ridges in the 

outer part of the ear. Ideally however, the ups and 

downs of the frequency response should be fairly 

small and average out to a flat line. Large peaks 

or valleys over 3kHz in width usually indicate poor 

headphone response, and should be viewed as a 

coloring of the sound. Some small dips in the highs 

may actually be desirable and should exist in the 

2kHz to 8kHz region.” 

“How we test frequency response: To perform 

this test we drive the headphones with a series 

of 200 tones at the same voltage and of ever increasing 

frequency. We then measure the output at 

each frequency through the ears of the highly-specialized 

(and pricey!) Head Acoustics microphone. 

After that we apply an audio correction curve that 

removes the head-related transfer function and 

accurately produces the data for display. 

“How to interpret the line: A “natural sounding” 

headphone should be slightly higher in the bass 

(about 3 or 4 dB) between 40Hz and 500Hz. This 

compensates for the fact that headphones don’t 

give you the physical punch or ‘impact’ that the 

sound waves from a room speaker have; so a slight 

compensation for increased bass response is needed 

for natural sound. 

Headphones also need to be rolled-off in the highs 

to compensate for the drivers being so close to the

6 


Protect yourself from hearing loss 

Since I do a lot of music transcription work, I have 

suffered minor hearing loss. I cannot hear anything 

much above 15k. You can test your frequency range 

on this website: http://www.audiocheck.net/audiotests_frequencycheckhigh.php 

to see where your 

hearing stops. Make sure to turn the speakers way 

down because these tones are really annoying and 

can be damaging to the ears!! 

I have also suffered tinnitus, a ringing in the ears. 

In my case, my ENT doctor diagnosed the cause 

as continual jaw clenching, not over-exposure to 

music. 

The largest burden of noise-induced hearing loss is 

through occupational exposures, and since this can 

be the case for me, sometimes listening to music 

8+ hours a day for transcription, I am more at risk. 

“Music-induced hearing loss is still a controversial 

topic for hearing researchers. While some populational 

studies have shown that the risk for hearing 

loss increases as music exposure increases, other 

studies found little to no correlation between the 

two. Experts at the 2006 “Noise-Induced Hearing 

Loss in Children at Work and Play” Conference 

agreed that further research into this field was 

still required before making a broad generalization 

about music-induced hearing loss.” [Wikipedia: 

Noise-induced hearing loss.] 

going up. They seem to keep making it louder and 

louder. During one trip to the movies I measured 

the sound to go up to 115 decibels. However, I was 

using an app on my iPhone, so I can’t be sure how 

accurate those readings are. 

Use this guide to help determine your exposure 

and protect your hearing when listening to your 

music on headphones. You will also need an Sound 

Pressure Level (SPL) meter to help determine the 

decibels that you are listening. 

Click here & use the chart in this informational 

brochure to determine the levels of exposure you 

can withstand. 

According to this, if you listen to the music at high 

volumes, you may reach full exposure after only 15- 

60 minutes, depending upon how loud the music is. 

Recent research suggests that despite concerns 

about the proliferation of personal music players, 

in fact discos, concerts and live music events may 

be more hazardous to youth’s hearing. 

I don’t know if this is true, but in the movie theaters 

that I attend, the music loudness seems to keep


The problem with headphones and how to fix it 

THE PROBLEM 

Sometimes when you are listening to headphones, 

it feels as if there is a blob of sound on the right, 

and a blob of sound on the left. This can create 

fatigue in listening because the sound is not getting 

mixed between the two sides of the headphone. 

“These headphone psycho-acoustic problems are 

very real and can be explained technically. Imagine 

that you are listening to a pair of big room speakers. 

If you turn off the left speaker, both ears continue to 

hear the right speaker, but the left ear will hear the 

right speaker sound wave after a very short time 

delay (ITD) and with an equalization difference (IAD) 

as the sound wave travels across the face/head. 

In tandem, these psycho-acoustic effects are also 

known to audio eggheads as Head-Related Transfer 

Function (HRTF). Now think about listening to a pair 

of headphones. If you somehow turn off the left 

channel, only the right ear can hear the sound. Of 

course, to the brain, this is highly unnatural since in 

a “normal” [speaker-based] listening environment 

both ears hear both speakers and in everyday life, 

sounds are generally heard by both ears. Your 

mind doesn’t really know what to do with sound 

that it only hears in one ear so, for most people, 

the sound ends up being over-localized. Hence, 

premature listening fatigue sets in.” 

Symphonic Dances 

Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra / Saint-Saens: 

Symphony 3 

Since there are not many binaural recordings 

available, in order to get the best sound and avoid 

headphone fatigue, you can use electronics, or use 

computers to correct this. 

Click here to learn more about fixing headphones 

using electronics. 

Click here to learn more about fixing headphones 

using computers. 

When an engineer mixes an album he puts it on two 

speakers, which means that most every recording 

out there is designed for speakers. 

THE SOLUTION 

First, there are a couple binaural classical albums 

designed for classical listening. Click on the title 

to open up the Amazon page: 

Stravinsky: Le Sacre du Printemps / Rachmaninoff:

8 


The Recommended 

Headphone list 


The expert opinion 

These are in-the-ear headphones with great isolation. 

They are also very detailed and accurate. 

Great for portable use, they block 98% of ambient 

noise, so they are great for traveling and listening 

while on the go. 

Cons: Eartips need to have a tight seal for accurate 

bass. Some people may find the triple flange tips 

uncomfortable. 

2 

Etymotic MC5 $59 

From the Etymotic website 

Most low-cost earphones are made 

with dynamic (moving coil) drivers 

that have undesirable frequency response 

peaks and weak highs. Etymotic 

created a dynamic driver that 

mimics high-end drivers by inserting 

a proprietary acoustic side-branch to 

redistribute energy, smooth the peaks 

and compensate for weak highs. 

Sound Accuracy 

• 85%+ accuracy score 

• Tight, accurate bass with crystal 

clear high-frequency detail at all listening 

levels 

Noise Isolation 

• 35-42 dB of noise isolation 

• Documented highest noise isolation 

of any earphones or headphones on 

the market today. 

Style and Fit 

• High-gloss, polished anodized aluminum 

finish 

• Assortment of noise-isolationing 

eartips to ensure proper seal and 

comfortv 

Durability and Warranty 

• 2-year replacement warranty 

• Kevlar®-reinforced cable for durability 

• ACCU•Filter user-replaceable filters 

to protect the moving coil drivers 

from earwax and debris

10 



Don’t get turned off by the porta-potty like name of 

this headphone. Few headphones under $50 have 

this great of sound quality that translate well. It is 

an on-the-ear open-back headphone. Compared to 

the Etymotic MC-5, it has a better cost-per-price, 

as well as a better sound stage, and a bit more 

openness. 

Cons: It doesn’t isolate sound well. Some people 

have reported that hair can get caught on the 

bands, and the end of the cable is not the most 

durable. Also, the design is a bit quirky. 

1 

Koss Porta Pro $45 

From the Koss website 

Known for its high-level of comfort, 

the Porta Pro has adjustable temporal 

pads to relieve pressure on the ears. 

Its lightweight, open-air cushions for 

hear-through sound keep listeners 

aware of their surroundings while 

delivering exceptional sound. The 

oxygen free copper voice coils and 

dynamic elements allow the Porta Pro 

to deliver rich bass and a remarkably 

wide frequency response. 

Whether you’re listening at home or 

on the go, the Koss Porta Pro delivers 

all the excitement of a live performance. 

Features 

• The ultra portable on-ear headphones 

• Comfort Zone setting on temporal 

pad for comfortable secure fit 

• The ultimate active headphones 

with a collapsible headband design 

for protective storage 

• Dynamic element for extended frequency 

response 

• Oxygen-free copper voice coils 

deliver deep bass and signal clarity 

• Includes a convenient carrying case 

for protective storage 

• Covered under the Koss Stereophones 

Limited Lifetime Warranty




$61-99 Price Range 

These headphones show a modest improvement 

over the

12 



These headphones are fantastic sounding for the 

price. They are accurate, clean, and dynamic. They 

are on the ear, and open back. 

They have a interesting retro-design. 

Cons: The cushion is made out of foam, and these 

are not the most comfortable. In Mike’s experience, 

women especially find these to be less comfortable. 

Some people consider the sound to be too 

bright—too much treble. Also, there is not much 

sound isolation to speak of. 

3 

Grado SR60e $79 

From the Grado website 

Everyone loves a thumping bass and 

kick-drum, but not at the expense of 

everything else. The Grado SR60e is 

your entry to the world of full spectrum 

audio. You’ll actually hear notes 

you never knew were there. Perhaps 

your audiophile friends have fueled a 

desire for the legendary Grado sound 

but you thought it was out of reach. 

Try a pair of our affordable open-back 

headphones and experience fuller, 

more realistic sound. Club-footed 

imports can’t match the sonic enlightenment 

from Brooklyn, USA. 

new driver design, a new polymer to 

better damp resonant distortion in the 

plastic housing, and a new cable from 

plug to driver connection. The way 

the SR60e’s new driver and plastic 

housing move air and react to sound 

vibrations virtually eliminate transient 

distortions. This allows the signal 

flow over the new cable to reproduce 

sound that has tight control of the upper 

and lower range of the frequency 

spectrum, while supporting Grado’s 

world renowned midrange. 

Grado has taken one of the world’s 

most legendary headphones and 

made it even better. The SR60e has a



This is good standard over-the-ear and closed-back 

headphone. They have good detail and bright upper 

frequencies. 

Cons: Bright upper frequencies could bother people 

who are younger or more sensitive to higher tones. 

(Sometimes women.) Also, some people find that 

the headphones are too tight and press too hard 

on the ears. 

2 

Sony MDRV6 $99 

From the Sony website 

A headset system designed for audio 

professionals. 40 mm drivers 

deliver accurate sound throughout 

the frequency range. Circumaural 

design keeps ears comfortable. Reduces 

noise from the outside world. 

Copper-Clad Aluminum Wire (CCAW) 

Voice Coil enhances movement of PET 

diaphragm. 

• Neodymium magnets and 40mm 

drivers for powerful, detailed sound 

• Over-ear design provides comfort 

and outstanding reduction of external 

noises 

• 10-foot oxygen free copper cord 

ends in 3.5mm plug; 1/4-inch adapter 

included 

• Copper-clad aluminum voice coil 

wire for improved power handling

14 



This is a closed, over-the-ear headphone. It is a 

studio reference headphone. Although it tends not 

to be as bright and clean as the others at this price 

point, it is still detailed and smooth. If you are older 

or have lost some upper frequencies, you might 

want to consider a different pair of headphones. 

Cons: Some people have reported creaking sounds, 

uncomfortable fit, and some have reported reliability 

issues with the chord, and with customer 

service. 

1 

Shure SRH440 $99 

From the Shure website 

The SRH440 Professional Studio 

Headphones from Shure provide 

exceptional sound reproduction and 

comfort. 

Optimized for home and studio recording, 

SRH440 headphones reproduce 

accurate audio across an 

extended range. 

Impedance, power handling and 

sensitivity are all calibrated for professional 

audio devices such as DJ 

mixers, mixing consoles, and headphone 

amplifier. Includes carrying 

bag and threaded 1/4” (6.3mm) gold 

plated adapter. 

Features 

• Enhanced frequency response delivers 

accurate audio across an extended 

range 

• Impedance and power handling 

optimized for performance with professional 

audio devices 

• Adjustable headband and collapsible 

construction provide comfort and 

portability 

• Bayonet clip securely locks detachable 

cable into ear cup





The quality of these headphones shows a marked 

difference compared to the previoius two pricepoints.

16 



This is an around-the-ear closed headphone. It 

will give you a nice flat clean sound, with touch 

of warmth. This headphone is not very bright. For 

the price, the headphone is very comfortable. It 

includes a detachable chord with an inline mic and 

3 button control for use with your device. 

Cons: Overall, this headphone feels a bit cheap in 

construction. The warmth of the headset might 

make the audio sound muddy for people with upper 

register hearing loss. 

4 

Sennheiser HD 471i $110 From the Sennheiser website 

With its striking aesthetics and unsurpassed 

sound quality Sennheiser’s 

HD 471 offers pure listening pleasure, 

whether you’re on the go or in your 

living room. Highly advanced transducers 

and innovative, lightweight 

diaphragms work in conjunction to 

provide clear, detailed sound reproduction, 

while the ergonomic circumaural 

design ensures maximum 

attenuation of ambient noise and a 

comfortable fit even after hours of 

use. And because these headphones 

are fully compatible with both portable 

devices as well as home stereo 

equipment, you’ll be able to enjoy 

amazing sound quality anywhere. 

Sennheiser’s HD 471: If you’re looking 

for high-performance audio, you’ve 

found it. 

• Comfortable fit due to the ergonomic 

design 

• Improved freedom of movement 

and convenience thanks to the detachable, 

single-sided cables with 

in-line remote 

• Optimal connectivity to home stereo 

equipment with gold-plated plugs, 

an additional 3m cable and a 6.3mm 

plug adaptor 

• Added protection and convenience 

with the storage pouch and extension 

cable 

• 2-year warranty



HF5: These are in-the-ear headphones for classical 

people. It does have a similar design to the Etymotic 

MC5 reviewed earlier. 

Cons: No microphone or controls. The cable is not 

removable, and some people have had issues with 

the quality of the cable. 

HF3: This is essentially the same version as the 

HF5, but it has both 3-button volume controls and 

a mic. The sonic signature is almost identical to 

the HF5. 

3 

Etymotic HF5 $129 

& 

From the Etymotic website 

2 

Etymotic HF3 $149 

No compromise, high-performance 

noise-isolating earphones that deliver 

best-in-class benefits and superior 

value, perfectly matched to the latest 

product innovations from most music 

players that support a 3.5-mm stereo 

phone plug. 

Sound Accuracy 

• 85%+ response accuracy from 20 

Hz – 15 kHz 

• Achieves highest output sensitivity 

in its class with 105 dB SPL sensitivity 

at 1 kHz at 0.1 mV 

• Accu•Driver high performance, 

precision matched, balanced armature 

drivers 

Noise Isolation 

• 35 dB - 42 dB noise isolation 

• Documented highest noise isolation 

of any earphones or headphones on 

the market today 

Style and Fit 

• Soft touch finish in black and cobalt 

• Assortment of noise-isolating eartips 

ensure proper seal and comfort 

Durability and Warranty 

• 2-year replacement warranty 

• Kevlar®-reinforced cable for durability 

• ACCU•Filter User-replaceable 

filters that protect the balanced armature 

drivers from ear wax

18 



This headphone has some of the best sound for the 

on-ear, open-back headphone genre. Good on-ear 

headphones are hard to find. 

Cons: Some people don’t find these comfortable, 

and also find the detail at the top end harsh. Also, 

some people think that the midrange and bass are 

on the weak side. 

1 

Grado SR225e $200 

From the Grado website 

“... What these ‘phones do surpassingly 

well is present each track in its own 

volume of air so that the character of 

the voice or instrument is timbrally 

distinct in the mix. I can almost picture 

the engineer pushing the fader 

up to isolate the part I’m focused on. 

I understand that one part of the Grado 

magic is building a rigid structure 

around the dynamic driver to damp 

resonances 

- Listener Magazine, Lang Phipps 

colorations. The way the SR225e’s 

new driver, cable and plastic housing 

move air and react to sound vibrations 

is virtually unaffected by transient 

distortions. Bass, midrange and 

treble are all more wide open and you 

will enjoy the fine tonal spread and 

balance. The SR225e will produce a 

sound that is pure Grado, with warm 

harmonic colors, rich full bodied 

vocals, excellent dynamics, and an 

ultra-smooth top end. 

This headphone has sizable rear air 

flow through a metal screen, while 

utilizing Grado’s larger ear cushion 

and closely matched drivers. The result 

is a broad soundstage free from


Bonus Pendulumic 

Stance S1+ 

$199 

This one didn’t quite make it into a category, but 

it is the BEST WIRELESS headphone for classical/ 

orchestral music. 

This is the best orchestra blue tooth headphone 

that is over-the-ear and closed-back. Other headphones 

of this type tend to be sort of heavy. These 

are more audiophile headphones. They have great 

battery life. People love it. If you want, you can use 

it with the wire with volume control adjustment. 

From the 

Pendulumic 

website 

Cons: Some customer say that it does not do a 

good job of blocking ambient noise. Only one device 

can be paired at a time which makes it inconvenient 

when using, for example, a computer with a 

phone. The mic is not open, so it makes it difficult to 

hear your own voice when talking over the phone. 

Over-the-ear and closed-back, this headphone is 

actually lighter than similar headphones and has 

great battery life. If you want, you can use it corded 

with volume control adjustment. 

STANCE S1+ will surely liberate you 

from the tyranny of cords. Add to that 

freedom from the misery of recharges, 

as well as down time. This is all 

thanks to lnstantOn—the industry’s 

only AAA-battery backup and power 

source. It works with the internal 

battery for up to 30 hours of wireless 

playback. And it also lets you power 

up instantly when out of juice. Or listen 

to audio for days on end, without 

going near an AC plug. Just pop in a 

couple of fresh AAAs, and you’ll be 

instantly up and running again. And 

again. That’s really something no 

other wireless headphone can offer. 

That’s what true freedom is. 

This isn’t just a high-end, wireless 

headphone. It’s four headphones in 

one. There’s Wireless Mode, which 

puts high-fidelity listening on the 

move. Amplified Mode, for a sonic experience 

that’s literally a blast. Wired 

Mode, for reference-quality mixing, 

latency-free recording, and battery 

conservation. And Phone Mode, 

which hooks you up with sealed listening 

quality, and a noise-reducing 

mic. All to made sure STANCE S1+ 

can adapt to wherever you go, and 

however you want to listen. 

At PENDULUMIC, our design process 

starts at the end — with the human 

using our innovations. This is why we 

tested the ear types and head sizes 

of over 500 people before designing 

the natural-feeling ear cups and 

comfortable frame of STANCE S1+. 

It’s also why we chose our analog 

PENDULUMIC Dial – after observing 

how effortless and intiutive it was, 

as opposed to the electronic buttons 

used in other products. It’s designed 

for simplicity. That’s what makes the 

user experience of STANCE S1+ as 

familiar and effortless as it can get.

20 





For many people, it is worth considering a headphone 

in this price range. After these headphones, 

the prices jump up to the $500.


4 

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO 

250 OHM $129 + Amp cost 

These are comfortable full-sized headphones, with 

a closed-back that isolates pretty well. Really bright 

and clean. Considered a reference headphone in 

the studio, it is one of the best sealed headphones 

under $300. 

These headphones can get a good range of sound. 

The bass is punchy, but not overly done. There are 

two versions: 32-OHM version good for phones. 

250-OHM needs the amplifier. It gets a bit of better 

range with the amplifier, so that is why it is recommended 

here. There is also a 32 ohm version 

that is the same price, but does not need the amp. 

Cons: Mids can be a bit shallow, and can be overshadowed 

by the low end on bass heavy tracks. 

From the 

Beyerdynamic 

website 

The DT 770 PRO is a closed dynamic 

headphone which has been designed 

for critical music and sound monitoring. 

The single-sided cable makes the 

handling of the headphone easy. 

Characteristics: 

• Closed diffuse-field studio headphone 

• “Bass reflex” technology for improved 

bass response 

• Comfortable fit due to rugged, 

adjustable, soft padded headband 

construction 

• Robust, easy serviceable construction 

as all parts are replaceable 

• Velour, circumaural and replaceable 

ear pads 

• 3.0 m (9.8 ft.) coiled cable (single-sided) 

• Including drawstring bag 

History of DT 770 PRO / DT 880 PRO 

/ DT 990 PRO: 

beyerdynamic’s DT 770 PRO, DT 880 

PRO and DT 990 PRO headphone series 

has it’s roots in the early 1980s. 

Since then, millions of audio professionals 

from all parts of the world 

have become loyal users of beyerdynamic 

products. 

From the headphone.com website: 

For years the Beyerdynamic DT 770 

Pro Headphone 250 Ohm has been a 

staple for studio engineers and audiophiles 

alike. With their amazing clarity 

and accuracy, the DT770 pulls out every 

last ounce of detail in any music 

or recording. The bass is very tight, 

punchy, and detailed to handle just 

about any genre of music from rock 

and classical to hip-hop or EDM. The 

250 ohm version will struggle to pull 

decent volume out of a phone or audio 

device, so we recommend a headphone 

amp for best performance. The 

construction is rock solid and should 

provide many years of reliability. The 

earpads are super-soft velour that are 

extremely cool and comfortable for 

hours of listening enjoyment. The 

closed design does provide decent 

isolation, however the velour pads 

do not provide the best seal. As an 

alternative, the beyerdynamic DT 770 

32 Ohm is easier to drive with most 

devices and has a leather pad for better 

noise isolation. For one of the best 

sealed headphones under $300, it’s 

hard to go wrong with the beyerdynamic 

DT 770 250 Ohm.

22 


3 

Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO 

250 OHM $199 + Amp cost 

Open back, full sized-over ear. Compared to the 

BeyerDynamics DT 770, the DT 880 has a little 

better bass response, but very controlled. This 

headphone also has a better sound stage than the 

DT 770. It also needs an amplifier. 32-OHM version 

is good for phones. However, the 250 OHM has a 

better range with the amplifier, which is why we 

have it on this list. 

Compared to the Grado 225-e, the #1 pick from the 

$60-199 category, the DT 880 has a similar sound 

signature although it is much more comfortable. 

Cons: There have been some complaints about 

the company honoring the warranty, so make sure 

you review Beyerdynamics limited warranty before 

purchasing. 

From the 

Beyerdynamic 

website 

The DT 880 PRO is a reference-class, 

semi-open studio headphone which 

combines all strengths of open, transparent 

headphones with those of 

more powerful, closed headphones. 

Specially designed housings and an 

improved system equalization turn 

this “remake” of the studio classic DT 

880 into an ideal studio monitoring 

headphone, with analytical qualities. 

Soft ear pads and adjustable, sliding, 

earpieces together with a single sided 

connecting cable ensure listening 

comfort during extended periods of 

use. 

Characteristics: 

• Semi-open diffuse-field studio 

headphone 

• 250 ohms 

• Analytical Sound 

• Comfortable fit due to rugged, adjustable, 

soft padded (leatherette) 

headband construction 

• Robust, easy serviceable construction 

as all parts are replaceable 

• Velour, circumaural and replaceable 

ear pads 

• 3.0 m (9.8 ft.) coiled cable (single 

sided) 

• Including drawstring bag 

From the headphone.com website: 

At the far end of the spectrum from 

folks who like strong bass punch are 

listeners who want their audio presented 

with light, detailed buoyancy; 

enter the Beyerdynamic DT-880. 

Capable of rendering the sound of a 

fingernail stroke on gut, the stiction 

of rosin on a cello string, and the airy 

spaciousness of sound bouncing off 

cathedral walls, these venerable audiophile 

cans deliver dynamics and 

depth with extraordinary clarity. The 

DT-880 may also be re-wired for XLR 

balanced operation. Choose between 

high impedance 250 Ohm or the more 

efficient 32 Ohm version.


2 

Audio Technica ATH-MSR7 

$250 

Full-sized, around-the-ear, and closed back. These 

headphones have a great reference sound. 

The sound is very clean and accurate and the style 

is comfortable. These headphones are more compact 

than the two previous Beyerdynamics headphones. 

Since they can be powered right from your 

phone, they don’t need an amplifier and are more 

practical. However, they are not quite as bright as 

the next headphone on the list. 

Cons: Some people consider this headphone to 

be pretty heavy and uncomfortable. Also the build 

quality can make them seem bit cheap. 

From the 

Audio Technica 

website 

Springing from Audio-Technica’s rich 

heritage in professional audio, the 

ATH-MSR7 Over-Ear High-Resolution 

Audio Headphones are designed to reproduce 

Hi-Res Audio, allowing users 

to hear music the way it was intended. 

The over-ear headphones are outfitted 

with exclusive 45 mm True Motion 

Drivers, which utilize lightweight 

voice coils, a custom-mounted printed 

circuit board and specially designed 

diaphragm to improve transient response 

and minimize sound distortion 

for rich, detailed audio reproduction. 

The ATH-MSR7 headphones also 

feature multi-layered air damping 

technology for extended mid-to-low 

frequency response. The housings, 

designed to “mirror” the full shape 

of the ear, are constructed of an aluminum/magnesium 

mix, layered to 

provide a lightweight, rigid structure 

that reduces unwanted resonance. 

Three precisely placed vents within 

these layers work to control air flow 

and improve dynamics. 

The over-ear headphones’ highly flexible 

swivel design, with soft, memory 

foam earpads and headband ensure 

lasting comfort even during the longest 

listening sessions. And with 

three detachable cables (standard 1.2 

m (3.9’) and 3.0 m (9.8’) cables, plus 

a 1.2 m (3.9’) cable with in-line controls 

and microphone for compatible 

smartphones and other devices) the 

ATH-MSR7 can provide Hi-Res Audio 

anywhere you go.” 

Features 

• Newly designed 45 mm True Motion 

Drivers deliver Hi-Res Audio reproduction 

• Multi-layer Air Damping Technology 

comprised of a layered aluminum/ 

magnesium housing and triple-vent 

system reduces unwanted vibration 

and controls air stream for high audio 

clarity 

• Ultra-comfortable, soft, memory 

foam earpads and headband 

• Three detachable cables: standard 

1.2 m (3.9’) and 3.0 m (9.8’) cables, 

plus 1.2 m (3.9’) smartphone-compatible 

cable with in-line controls & mic 

• Stainless steel acoustic mesh resistor 

provides improved high-frequency 

response, while bass acoustic resistor 

delivers accurate low-frequency 

response 

• Includes carrying case 

• Available in black (ATH-MSR7BK) 

and gun-metal grey (ATH-MSR7GM)Z

24 



This is a full sized, very large ear cup. It has an 

open-back design. Fantastic classical sound. The 

AKG brand in general suites classical very well. 

Cons: Although the headphone has a fairly efficient 

62 Ohms impedance, due to the headphones low 

sensitivity, an amplifier is highly recommended 

for use with computers, phones, or tablets. Also, 

many websites recommend replacing the chord, 

which adds to the cost. Some people feel that the 

bass is a bit thin. 

1 

AKG K702 PRO 

$299 + Amp cost 

From the AKG website 

The K702’s are reference, open, overear 

studio headphones for precision 

listening, mixing and mastering. They 

combine an extremely accurate response 

with agility and spaciousness. 

This is achieved by using revolutionary 

flat-wire voice coils and a patented 

Varimotion two-layer diaphragm. A 

totally open design and a high-performance 

cable complete these reference 

headphones. 

The K702’s comfortable, specially 

shaped 3D-foam ear pads and a genuine-leather 

headband ensure a perfect 

fit. They provide a professional mini 

XLR connector for quick replacement 

of the cable. The K702s are individually 

tested and serial-numbered. 

Features 

Over-ear design – maximum wearing 

comfort for long work sessions 

Sophisticated open technology – for 

spacious and airy sound without compromise 

Patented Varimotion two-layer diaphragm 

– for improved high-frequency 

range and better performance at 

low frequencies 

Unique flat-wire voice coil – for higher 

sensitivity, better impulse and treble 

response 

Specially shaped 3D-foam ear pads – 

for optimum fit and ease of use




$300+ Price Range 

In this price range, you have many of the flagship 

headsets of the some of the different brands. Each 

one of these headphones is an over-the-ear (fullsized) 

open back headphone, which gives them a 

great sound stage. 

Most of the headphones on this list require a breakin 

period of 100-500 hours to sound their best. 

Read below to see the best headphone set on our 

entire list.

26 



Originally released in 2003, for many years, this 

headphone was the flagship headphone, the best 

headphone, from Sennheiser. You need an amplifier 

to use this headphone. 

Cons: These are heavy headphones and can get 

tiring over time. In an attempt to match trends in 

music listening, Sennheiser did add more bass to 

these headphones. Some people consider the HD 

650 to be a bit bass heavy and murky in the lower 

and mid frequencies. 

4 

Sennheiser HD650 

$500 + Amp cost 

From the Sennheiser website 

In the HD 650, audiophiles will experience 

truly unique natural sound. With 

sound this good, long concerts in the 

comfort of your home are a certainty, 

so the HD 650 also sets standards 

in comfort and convenience. The HD 

650 is a genuine masterpiece, which 

will satisfy even the most demanding 

listener. HD 650 – the Reference Class. 

Features 

• Top-of-the-range open, dynamic 

hi-fi stereo headphones 

• Systems with narrow tolerances (± 

1 dB), hand-picked in pairs 

• High-quality titanium/silver finish 

• Specially developed acoustic silk 

for precise, uniform attenuation over 

the entire area 

• Specially modulated connecting 

cable (detachable) made from highly 

conductive OFC copper, with very 

low handling noise, i.e. low structure-borne 

sound sensitivity 

• Extremely lightweight aluminium 

voice coils ensure excellent transient 

response 

• Exceptionally comfortable to wear 

due to elliptical design adapted to the 

shape of the ears 

• Can be directly connected to stationary 

hi-fi components of the highest 

quality, in particular SACD, DVD-A 

and CD players 

• Built-tough with a 2 YEAR warranty


3 

AKG 712 PRO $500 + Amp 

Phenomenal. This open-back, over-the-ear headphone 

has a little more bass than 702. Even still, 

it maintains clarity throughout the rest of the frequency 

response. The headphone is still very much 

a reference. This headphone needs an amplifier. 

This headphone is brighter than the Sennheiser 

HD650, the last headphone on this list. The AKG 

is arguably less engaging. 

Compared to the 702, AKG also removed bumps 

on the underside of the headband, which prevents 

wearing fatigue, and memory foam is more comfortable 

around the ears. 

Cons: Since the headphone is more light-weight 

than the 702, some people think it feels cheap and 

fragile. 

From the AKG 

website 

The K712 PROs are reference, open, 

over-ear headphones for precise listening, 

mixing and mastering. The 

over-ear design guarantees maximum 

wearing comfort for fatigue-free mixing 

and mastering, while providing 

spacious and airy sound without any 

compromise. Their precise powerful 

sound results from improved low-end 

performance by 3dB. 

These headphones have a genuine 

soft leather headband for a lightweight 

and comfortable fit. Their 

carefully selected transducers provide 

consistency and accurate localization. 

The K712 PROs come with a 

professional mini XLR connector for 

quick replacement of the cable. Also 

included is an additional coiled cable 

and a premium carrying bag. 

Features 

Over-ear design – maximum wearing 

comfort for long work sessions 

Sophisticated open technology – for 

spacious and airy sound without compromise 

Improved low-end performance by 

3dB – for more powerful sound imaging 

Revolutionary flat wire voice coil – 

for incredible impulse and treble 

response 

From headphone.com: 

When we first checked out our new 

K712s, we noticed the box said ‘improved 

bass by 3dB’. We had to wonder, 

is this marketing jargon, or the 

real thing? But it only took a moment 

to realize that AKG was not kidding. 

The 712 is reminiscent of the trusty 

K701’s spacious and airy sound, but 

instead of a dry uncommanding bass, 

the 712 actually gets you moving a little 

bit. The 712 is by no means the next 

‘bass-head’ headphone, but it seems 

everyone can appreciate a dose of inviting, 

well controlled thump. AKG has 

done a beautiful job getting the bass 

to an appropriate level while maintaining 

clarity throughout the rest of 

the frequency response. If you prefer 

a generally accurate sound, but get 

bored with the so called ‘analytical’ 

headphones, try putting a little butter 

on your toast and liven things up a bit 

with the K712. 

Another nice update on the 712 is the 

fit... Included in the box is a carrying 

bag and two removable cables, one 

coiled style and one straight style. 

These cables use the same 3 pin connector 

found on the K702, and other 

AKG models.

28 



This is the flagship, the best, headphone of AKG. 

It has clean, accurate, sound stage, dynamics and 

separation. 

Same class and category as the top headphone 

on our list. This headphone has a little more bass 

response than then our next selection, the top 

headphone on the list. Otherwise, this headphone 

is somewhat similar in tone. 

Cons: Some people think that that the highs and 

mid-highs overpower the low-mids and bass. 

2 

AKG 812 $1500 + Amp 

From the AKG website 

The AKG K812 Superior Reference 

Headphones carry 53mm transducers 

– the largest transducers AKG has 

ever applied. With the 1.5 Tesla Magnet 

System and an ultra-lightweight 

two-layer voice coil, these headphones 

deliver an accurate imaging 

and pure, natural sound. The K812 was 

also designed for long mixing or listening 

sessions: An open mesh headband 

and 3D-shaped slow retention 

ear pads ensure maximum comfort 

that will let you forget that you have 

the K812 on your head. 

• Sophisticated open-back technology 

– reduces reflections for accurate 

imaging and natural sound 

• 1.5 Tesla Magnet System, Ultra-lightweight 

two-layer voice coil 

– provides the most accurate and 

powerful experience possible 

Features 

• Powerful 53mm transducers – enable 

highest in-class headroom


1 

Sennheiser 800 S 

$1700 + Amp 

Not only is this the flagship headphone for Sennheiser, 

but it is also the best headphone on the list. 

The sound quality is phenomenal. It shows every 

little difference. You can pick out all the different 

instruments in the orchestra. 

Fortunately, all of the really good things heard in 

the original HD800 basically remain intact in the 

HD800S. The HD800s has a fractional bump up in 

audible bass presence due to new anti-resonator 

dampers. These minimize the 6,000 kHz peak previously 

noted in the upper midranges. Sennheiser 

states the reduction of these upper resonances 

reduces the ‘masking effect,’ where the human ear 

struggles to hear certain sound frequencies when 

louder lower frequencies occur simultaneously. 

From the 

Sennheiser 

website 

Super wide sound stage. Very dynamic. Full-Sized, 

open-back. 

Cons: Needing a good amplifier, the overall setup 

can get costly. Some people consider the upper 

register to be too bright, and the upgrade from the 

HD 800, to not be worth the price. 

The striking industrial design combines 

form and function seamlessly, 

the layered metal and plastic 

headband construction attenuating 

vibrations to the earcups while the 

handmade microfiber earpads offer 

exceptional comfort for even long 

periods of listening enjoyment. 

Crafted for perfection, the HD 800 

and the HD 800 S are precision-built 

in Germany from only the finest materials 

and components. The transducer 

is encased by stainless steel, while the 

headband and headphone mounting 

utilises the most advanced materials 

developed in the aerospace industry 

for high strength with minimal weight. 

The new HD 800 S offers even better 

high precision connectivity options 

and is now supplied with two connection 

leads, a 6.3mm connector and a 

XLR-4 balanced cable to offer even 

better quality sound from sources 

with balanced outputs such as the 

Sennheiser HDVD 800 headphones 

amplifier. 

Absorber technology of the HD 800 S 

The enhanced sound reproduction of 

the HD 800 S is achieved through the 

addition of the innovative absorber 

technology that was pioneered in the 

Sennheiser IE 800 – a breakthrough 

that preserved the audibility of very 

high frequency sounds by eliminating 

a phenomenon known as the 

“masking effect”, where the human 

hear struggles to hear frequencies of 

sound when lower frequencies of a 

higher volume occur at the same time. 

By absorbing the energy of the resonance, 

Sennheiser’s patented absorber 

technology prevents any unwanted 

peaks and allows all frequency components 

– even the finest nuances – in 

the music material to become audible. 

This innovation was a key element in 

making the IE 800 the world’s best 

sounding in ear headphone, and in 

the HD 800 S it helps to bring even 

greater purity and precision. 

Such enhancements build on the formidable 

achievements of the classic, 

with the 56mm sound transducer – the 

largest ever used in dynamic headphones. 

The unique ear cup design 

directs sound waves to the ear at a 

slight angle to create an impressively 

natural and spatial listening experience. 

While much appears the same, the 

enhanced performance within is revealed 

by a distinctive new look, with 

the silver finish of the 2009 classic HD 

800 making way for high-class matt 

black for the HD 800 S.

30 


Best Brand for Orchestral Headphones 

All of Etymotic’s products are great for classical 

music. The company has a lot of different versions 

of their product with the same type of sound signature. 

The product line improves steadily as you 

move up in price-point, which is not the case with 

all brands of headphones. 

These are the in-ears for classical people.


Frequency Response Graphs 

Brands to avoid. 

32 



$100-200 Price Range



$300+ Price Range

34 


Afterward 

I hope that you liked this guide! I hope that it has 

been a great help in finding your favorite pair(s) 

of headphones for listening to your classical or 

orchestral music selections. 

I would like to hear from you, and if you are interested 

in learning more about how music works, 

or about composing music, sign up for my blog 

www.davidimusic.com/blog. 

Have a great time listening to classical and orchestral 

music with your new headphones. 

Sincerely yours, 

David Isaac

Visit www.davidimusic.com/blog 

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