Iām looking at getting the Katana Go: Headphone Guitar Amplifier, but I donāt have a decent set of headphones to go with it.
Iāve tried to look for different guides for figuring out which headphones to get, but it seems no one can really agree on them unless you are paying for the absolutely most expensive ones out there.
I primarily want to use them for the Katana Go, but I also would love to be able to use them to listen to music on special occasions when I want a high quality experience.
I also have a piano that I wouldnāt mind being able to use them with, but itās definitely not my top priority.
You could get a lot of different valuable recommendations for headphones.
It really depends on your own preferences.
For the best hearing experience often open headphones are recommended.
Like that DT990 pro.
Or AKG 701 / 702 (both are similar), or Sennheiser HD 560S
There are lots more, but these arenāt too expensive, are often recommended and are on the rather neutral sounding side.
But maybe youād enjoy music more on not so neutral headphones, people have different feelings about this and many people prefer a warmer than neutral sound or increased bassā¦ ?
Then, there are the more portable phones, like Adrian recommended, for example.
open and closed available.
Personally, I really like my Koss Porta Pro - not exactly neutral, but for the size they have a good sound (on the warm side) and for me they are a nice companion for a guitar with headphone amplifier to take away or use on the sofa for example, because lightweight and very portable.
And for recording via microphone, itās nice to have closed headphones, like a Beyerdynamic DT770 pro for example, because they will emit less sound to the outside - or if you want to listen to music when others are near who you donāt want to disturb.
Maybe think about open vs. closed headphones, if they better be very neutral (some feel a lack of bass then) or if you want really lightweight ones?
Or just get more than one
I have the DT-770 Pro and I would highly recommend them. Iāve not tried the 990s.
Iād also recommend the Sennheiser HD line based on my experience with an older set of HD-595 open backs.
Then there are also the Sony WH-1000MX5 if you want a Bluetooth set that sound great. They can also be used as a corded headphone so there is no lag.
āListening to music with a high quality experienceā, to me says you should go for ones with a good bass response.
The piano is a full range instrument, so I think you also need ones with a good bass response. In the days before we used in ears at church, we had 2 different fold back monitors - one had a good bass response and the other didnāt. I had to educate the sound techs as to which ones were required for the keys / piano player (unsurprisingly the ones with the good bass responseš). On an 88 key piano the lowest note is A0 which has a frequency of 27.5Hz. You probably wonāt find headphones that claim a frequency range lower than 30Hz, and in any case youāll still hear the overtones. Iād say as a minimum you need 40Hz and 30 would be better provided you arenāt paying a fortune to get down from 40 Hz to 30Hz.
Edit: I donāt think this changes my conclusion, but adds a bit more context. E1 (I.e the lowest E on an 88 note piano and the open E / lowest note on a 4 string bass guitar) has a fundamental frequency of 41Hz. I guess most of us donāt play much lower than that on a piano very often.
Hard to not add to the wide mix in answers. I think the best resource I found was RTINGS. I read, compared with what I could borrow or already was familiar with and made my decision. I have been very happy with my Grado 225e performance. I chose these for neutral frequency response knowing I could EQ to my taste. I have seen reviews raving about the sound and others hating it or complaining about breaking them.
Be sure to think through some of the features that are important, like if you want them to block outside noise, what will be comfortable, and that kind of thing. For example, I knew I wanted light foam, not covered with leather or soft vinyl because I am generally so warm it would cause sweating. I am very careful with stuff, so I was less concerned about delicate points once I saw how it was made and knew I could avoid the problems folks reported.
I bought some Anker Soundcore noise cancelling headphones when I did an international trip a few years ago (just lovely for plane/train use, even with no audio playing). Now I use them more when mowing the lawn, actually.
They have a corded option and with an adapter Iāve also used them as monitors connected to my AI. I have also plugged them into the headphone port of my amp and Iām pretty pleased with their performance.
If I ever start doing more recording then I might wind up buying a monitor headset, but for now these work and I can use them in other ways, too.
I live in Oz and havenāt looked into this stuff before, so I have no idea where I would go to try them out. Iāll have to google it.
I think I would prefer open-back headphones.
I tend to run hot as well, but I always have AC going where I would be using them, which is only my living room, so I should be ok with any type of material.
Iāve seen quite a few people talk about EQ. Iām assuming I would need some type of program on my PC to do this? Does it somehow save it to the headphones or can you only do EQ if you have it actively connected to something that allows for that?
The only headphones Iāve ever bought are a pack of ear buds from 7-11. I got a pair of wireless ones for Christmas a few years back, but I rarely use them. So I have no idea how any of this stuff worksā¦
Hmm, maybe I should have a chat with Chatgpt, no idea how good (accurate) it would be with this kind of stuff.
I continue to encounter in the ai bots that all the search engines are foisting upon us right now many blatantly incorrect answers to things that I try to search.
I think when it comes to headphones you need to consider peopleās uses for them and their backgrounds. Someone in your situation is not likely to be terribly picky about headphones. I know Iām not terribly picky. The ones I have sound respectable when hooked up to my audio interface or into my amp. So Iām cool with that.
Iād use the ones I got for playing games on my computer, except they wonāt work with music stuff since they connect via usb.
Someone whoās into working in a studio and music production and whatnot, they wonāt be happy with my choice. Neither is wrong. We just have different needs and expectations.
Iāve used Audio-Technica studio headphones for a while now, and find them excellent gear. Very good quality flat sound, very comfortable, and the range allows for entry points at various price levels.
I currently have the Mx40s, only @ $150 AUS, and pretty flat studio headphones.
Go for comfortable, flat-response studio headphones like Audio-Technica or Sony they make the Katana Go sound way better and still rock for music listening.
You do not need super-expensive ones; just prioritize comfort and clarity for long sessions.
One of my headphone sets has an app that allows adjustments to eq. You can either go with one of their pre-sets (e.g. Rock), or adjust yourself. I think thereās even a ādo you prefer this or thatā type selection process. These are the ones I use most often for general music listening. You can save your preferred eq settings.
As far as Iām aware the other 2 sets I have donāt use this kind of adjustment.
The headphones Iām referring to are wireless. They connect to an app on your phone. I guess the functionality would work with any Bluetooth enabled device on which you could install the app.
I know the sort of thing. I have a couple of BT headphones (Soundcore) which have that sort of EQ.
But wireless headphones arenāt going to be useful for a headphone amp like the Katana Go, which requires a wired connection. There are some BT headsets which offer a wired option, but I donāt think the EQ is available in wired mode.
Nor, frankly, are they any for use practising in general, as the latency of even ālow-latencyā Bluetooth headphones is too high for comfortable monitoring/headphone practice.
@stormlord I agree with Keith re wireless headphones and the Katana GO. I was answering the preceding question, rather than paying attention to your OP. Apologies.
If you are set on the Katana stop reading. Would a Spark Neo not cover everything you want in one purchase?
I not stating it as something you should, I am asking it as a question as it is possibly something you want to look into and others may have thoughts on this as an idea.
