If you want to try or buy VSX, you can support me by using my affiliate link here: stevenslateaudio.com/?ref=Wynne Important: I have been inundated with messages, emails and comments asking how I set these headphones up. It’s just a case of following the set up guide and takes about 2 minutes the first time you use them. After that there is no additional set up. Please read below for information about how I compared them. I tested each headphone with both a high quality headphone amplifier and a standard MacBook 1/8 audio output. I referenced, mixed and listened casually with each headphone over the course of many weeks and months to reach my conclusions. Good headphones should: 1) Provide an accurate, spacious sound stage to aid in mixing and mastering music. 2) Reveal low, mid and high frequencies without distortion so you can make quick production decisions. 3) Faithfully reproduce the dynamics and transient response of the material. 4) Reveal the true depth and image of audio material. 5) Feel comfortable on your head for many hours and be strong enough to withstand daily use.
Thank your always informative videos...I watch ur videos religiously...wanted to ask if possible seeing that u encounter vocal session nd recordings could u do the same video for microphones 🎤 maybe explaining from ur mixing perspective on the most troublesomes mics or their characteristics etc you've picked on session you had to mix from different mics etc . Thank you again for u content keep up the good content. ❤🙏🏽
@@cgnature That would be interesting indeed! Admittedly, with microphones I believe that as long as the quality is decent, the placement and positioning of them is by far the most important aspect.
@@Drummer1000George at 2:05 I talked about how they sent me the pair (I’ve been sent dozens of headphones to test from many brands over the years) and I talked about how they paid me for my time testing and evaluating the headphones. In this video I am sharing my own opinions and experience, they have not paid me to say anything positive or negative about the headphones and they had no control over the video :)
VSX by far the best, most flat sounding, most versatile. I tested EVERYTHING else and nothing comes EVEN CLOSE. The soundstage imaging, the clarity, the bass response, the flat frequency response curve.... VSX gives the best BANG (bucks aside as it's price is nothing, compared to value) not even counting the studio and headphone emulations. My cons on the VSX are the comfort, but then again I've got a big fat knob for a head so it may vary for you. I also don't like leather pads as they make your ears sweat, especially if you produce/mix/master for long hours at a time. But that doesn't take away from making them the best headphones out of all of them anyways.
Finally decided to begin a journey producing music and stumbled across you. I could listen to you for hours brother. Thanks for being so informative and relaxing to listen to.
I got the Beyerdynamics DT 770 Pro 250 Ohms Impendace and I can't say how awesome they are. Finally I can pinpoint, issues, where I never had idea of they existed in my music.
You’ve earned my trust. The return policy means giving them a chance is simple enough. I love my Audio Technica ATH-M50s, but now am eager to check out the VSX. Thanks!
i dont understand why people like the m50x. I Tried them 3 times.... I have hurt after 20min, and the sound is very not flat... and my mixes sound not good when I use them.
@@ChrisBessy Most people I know, including myself, replace the earcups right away with the AT-M40/50x series haha. Would be nice to not have to, but the cost still keeps them on the low end of the "Okay For Mixing" budget. And especially the high end with m50x could use some loving. But seems there's some great alternatives in this video!
@@thelolmighty can you sugest me earcups for m50x. i have bought some thick ones and i lack some bass and sound is diferent on almost anything i listen.
What did you end deciding? I’ve been mixing on the athm50s for so long (with correction software to adjust the hyped eq) that mine are pretty worn down now. I’d love to try something else.
So I actually got the VSX headphones and I experienced something I haven't really heard anyone talking about, so I thought I'd leave a comment. The psychoacoustic effect that they use to get that sub bass frequency feels extremely uncomfortable to my ears. I'm not sure why because I've heard no one else talk about this, but it almost feels like a physical pressure on your eardrums. To me, I can barely stand it for longer than 30 minutes and it's why I will likely be returning them. I think it might be analogous to pressing your ear against a quiet subwoofer. No matter how quiet I listen, that pressure is always there. Also a few other things to note are that the headband does start to hurt after listening for a while, and the fact that they're closed back means your ears will get kinda hot and sweaty. In summary, it is impressive that they managed to get the bass response they did, but I think it comes at a severe cost of comfort.
Currently using the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro 250 ohms and I absolutely love these head phones. Running them through the Presonus USB 96 and a Mackie HM4 to give them the extra power they need. So clear and balanced while also being comfortable on my large head. Having seen what the VSX is capable of, I may have gone with those if I didn't already invest in the DT 770s
yep same here, I run mine with the Pro-Ject Head Box DS. Rarely had such comfortable headphones and I can wear them all day long, without getting heavy on the head, it's like I don't even feel that I'm wearing one. And they're awesome for big ears.
Couldn't agree more about the vsx Michael. I have full confidence that what I hear when mixing with them, won't need altered when played back on another system. Because you get the feeling you're already listening to great monitors, there's no need to check them on actual monitors . Being able to check car stereo setups, boom box, and even earbuds just gives a great all round look at what you're doing from every possible angle. For me, these are a personal revolution.
Got tired of the "boxiness" of my M50x and needed something new. Bought the Vsx based on your recomendation and i have to say... Best Headphones i've ever had.
I've always used and loved my m50x's but lately they've been collecting dust since my VSX's can perfectly emulate their sound. they even managed to replicate the m50x's soundstage and bass respose, sounds identical to me. it's truly impressive
I question why pay double for a pair of these to only replicate a headphone that is half the price. I would expect to not maybe get double the sound improvement but a serious margin of improvement.
@@ELG1958 well, it can replicate, doesn't mean you have to care about that, it has a lot more to offer. this just makes the process of getting used to sound of the emulations and the headphone itself a lot easier. since I'm past that point I use this particular emulation a lot less, now I just use it as a tool to check the harshness of my high-end, since the bump around 10kHz of the m50x is very useful for that (if you're used to how they sound, of course)
@@Aestareth_ lol I understand that feeling. at first I didn't think they have a pleasant sound, and they really don't, it's harsh af, but they are quite useful for music production once you get used to how they sound. you're getting a very detailed sound for the price you pay. VSX is much more useful though, and can be quite pleasant depending on the preset
@@bfreitas456 might as well get AKG 631s then. still, i think i'm gonna keep my HyperX Cloud IIs for now, until i'm ready to upgrade to higher tier headphones
You really should share your creativity! If you want help with this, you could check out our Discord Server where you can share ideas and music without judgement. We are just a bunch of people who love music and support each other. The link is in the description of the video here.
Very helpful as always. As others have said you have earned my trust with your superb repertoire of videos so naturally I came here as I need a new set
The Beyerdynamic DT 900 Pro X are 345g. So I agree that they are heavy. All 7 other headphones I compared them too were between 235g and 290g. So too much pressure on the top of my head for me, which I could tell (when I tested them in the shop) would get uncomfortable over a long session. They did sound fantastic though.
Hi. First off I want to say that I'm not an expert and what I'm going to say it's just my thought and experience. Before you spoke about the AKG I was expecting the "not enough bass", it's something I noticed in every AKG to be honest, people always tell me that AKGs are good, for recording, mixing, monitoring, etc. But when I produce with them I use to mix low end real bad, so I would never recommend any AKG.
Same here...I have some AKG 271 MK ll...no bass at all !!! Not very comfy for many hours. What i do like is that the sound mutes when you take them off. I got them 10 years ago for like 180€. Never again. 😉 At the moment im using the Superlux HD660 Pro for 49€....AND they sound 10 times better than the AKG. But im thinking about the DT700 or DT900 or even the VSX now...👍
@@tak-pa3134 Nah fam, it really depends, you can't do no trap, or drill without powerful ad distorted 808s. To make music and mix it as you want you need to hear it as flat as you can, that means without boosting or attenuating the low end or boosting the high-end. That's why certain gear is used as standard, like monitors, headphones, etc.
Love the video, but I'll take this with a hefty brick of salt. Every time a new, affordable piece of gear comes out, it's touted as the next best thing at half the cost with twice the features. That being said, I've heard great things about the VSX, but I've also seen everyone and their mother advertise for and be sponsored by Slate Digital in the last couple months. I think time will tell if this is a passing trend or an innovation. I'm a big fan of SD, but I like to wait for the marketing frenzy to die down a bit. That way if I'm disappointed in the purchase, there's no one to blame but myself. Edit: and where are the 280 Pro's?!
The 280 pros are unusable for mixing, they are more suited to broadcast and live playback situations. I reviewed them in my previous video ($50 to $150 review) if you would like to know my thoughts? I wanted to point out that SD is a different company from SSA in case there was some confusion. I was also highly skeptical of the VSX system but ultimately the sound and money back guarantee won me over. Researching and buying what you are most comfortable with is a good strategy, I hope my video helped.
@@inthemix Oof, I guess it's a good thing mine have been relegated to tracking use these days, but I always got decent mixes out of them. and yes, my mistake SSA, not SD. Swear I'll mix those up till the end of time... Your videos are always a big help for gathering information on gear and mixing, so thanks for that!
i mean, have you seen the other thousands of reviews on the VSX post headband replacement? they are all genuinly and overwhelmingly positive. I was as skeptical, as you at first too. if you're still skeptical, take a look at the small youtubers, who arent getting paid to do any reviews. If that vaguely peaks your interest, grab them, test them for a day or two, depending on what your return policy is in your country, and if you find everyone else has been straight out lying, just send them back and get your money back lol. I got mine and was so blown away, that for the first time in my life buying a product, I reached out to the guy making them and actually thanked him. I know sounds like a massive shill, but they are just that good, there is nothing else that can be said about them.
Hey, friend. Would you consider the clamping force on the VSX to be too tight? I’m thinking of getting one to use for longer sessions and that’s what bothers me the most on my current headphone
I've just ordered them after watching this video. You help me become top tier producent. Thank YOU for everything you do for us. I wish you Health, Love and Abundance!
Been umming and erring about VSX for a while, but when Steven Slate said you reviewed it and loved them… that just about got me sold! Respect you a lot so if you say they’re that good they must be amazing
Thanks! If you haven't got them yet, it's a great time to get them because you get some extra rooms free with the standard version here: stevenslateaudio.com/?ref=Wynne
Comfort is a weird aspect of headphone reviews. I mean, it's obviously very subjective as said here. But I also feel it's probably the single most important aspect of a headphone, especially if it's wrong. I mean, I can get by with a little bit weird sound profile, but I can't get by with an uncomfortable set. I have especially loved reviews that go into detail on the comfort side, as it's also something many manufacturers don't go into detail themselves! For example, ear pad measurements are something that's invaluable to people with big ears. Some manufacturers call 35mm inner diameter pads over-ears, but for me about 55mm is the minimum to actually go around the ear.
Every headphone has imperfections, but using a software component allows that to be improved. I wonder if you would consider comparing all units without software, and comparing all with software, perhaps using something like Sonarworks for the units that do not have dedicated software?
We need MORE VIDS From IN THE MIX! I love how you just get straight to the point of the video. I am gonna check out the VSX Cans! I currently use the BeyerDynamic 990 Pro (the older ones), which I love!
Thanks. Good video (even if it feels a bit much like an ad). Some more info about the implementation of the VSX software would have been good. Apparently it's vst/au/aax only, so no (hustle-free) use outside of the DAW without 3rd party SW!? Also iLok or HW Dongle to use!? These are important factors for some and should definitely be mentioned in a review.
I use them out of the DAW and don’t fond the 3rd party soundsource app to be any trouble. Truthfully I have used sound source for a long time because it allows me to run anything on any output or input. I regularly use EQ when watching videos, movies, RU-vid ect :)
Yeah, I use a similar tool (APO EQ) for Windows, which has some onboard FX and can host VSTs as well (mostly for dealing with my pesky room-modes). Just felt that, with the SW as a central point of your praise, these things would be of insterest for some.
I don't doubt that the Steven Slate VSX are a great pair of headphones, but the video is "The Best Headphones Under $300" and the VSX option that you have sells for £499 (or $615), so double that of the price range in the video. I feel that's VERY important to point out. Also, I'm against DLC in any form, so asking for that premium price for DLC of specific spaces just doesn't sit well with me. Cheers as always for your videos and opinions :)
@@inthemix They're £329 ($418) from the UK dealer, and as I mentioned in my original comment, the version that you showed with all of the mixing environments is £499 ($615), so my comment stands 👍
Wasn’t even thinking about the VSX’s just because I loathe “emulation” typically when I hear it said, but now I’m going to have to try them. I think aside from the focal headphones, I tried them all and totally agree with what you said about them. Good job!
VSX is the best mixing headphones by far. I almost feel pity for my very expensive monitors too sometimes lol (and pity for me to have shelved so much money on them lol)
I prefer my ATCs in my treated room over all the headphones I've used. I have the Sennheiser HD650s, which are very nice, and have even tried the $1,500 820s... But I always prefer speakers in a treated room since I'm lucky enough to have that. I'll probably try the Slates at one point, but would like to point out that some of the most useful tools for me are my $19 speakers I got from Staples, and listening on my phone and/or laptop in an untreated room. I've discovered so many mix mistakes from testing through those real sources.
Very good review, made me consider the VSX again even though I have LCD-X! One minor detail, though: you said this is 'not spatial audio' - If you mean Apple's term for their spatial rendering technology, I see, but if not, then I'm a little confused. Assuming VSX utilizes HRTF binauralisation, then that pretty much _is_ spatial audio, or are they doing something else entirely? Thanks and keep it up! Really enjoy your videos.
Forgive me, it is spatial audio. What I mean is that it is not random 3D audio around the head. As far as I know, the VSX does utilise HRTF along with some other proprietary technologies. I didn’t mean to cause any confusion but I hope that clears it up?
Thanks for this! My cat destroyed my MX20s a few weeks ago so I ended up buying some MX40s secondhand and couldn't be happier. Was thinking of bumping those to gym headphones and getting the MX70s but after this review I might go with some 50s in the future. Or maybe springing for the VSX for my studio headphones.
@@ChrisBessy I tried the dt770 once long time ago, but don't remember the details. I just know that the dt700 are better, in my opinion I enjoy using them and have zero complaints about them. But I had to stretch out the headband, so it doesn't push so much in on the head. Now it's perfect. Do at own risk! ;)
Thanks for the review mate. Really nice. Never heard of the VSX system before, clearly been living under a rock. How do they compare to something a bit more expensive like the Neumann NDH 20/30?
Hmmm. The VSX software looks pretty good, but it doesn't look like it has any head tracking capabilities to keep the "monitors" in the same relative position as you turn your head. This feature is present in the NX Studio software and is compatible with any webcam or with their own relatively cheap Bluetooth accelerometer accessory for it. I think all the small movements of your head being tracked and placed accurately in the room to hear the speakers slightly differently really sells the effect of sound coming from outside of the headphones. It seems a real bummer to me that the VSX software doesn't include this functionality.
Have you tried the NX stuff with the head tracker? Admittedly I didn’t feel that it added to the immersion for me. It made me feel as though I had to stay in one exact position to make adjustments. I quite like that regular headphones and VSX sound the same no matter the rotation of the head.
@@inthemix Yeah, I own the CLA NX version (which comes with the regular version as well, but anyway...). I personally don't use it as it's simply another thing to open and pay attention to when setting up a new project. I don't feel like the benefit of the room simulation of the NX studio plugin was worth the effort to do that, even with the headtracking turned on, but I haven't actually MADE that effort more than just a few times so I hesitate to actually say monitoring studio simulation won't be a useful thing for my workflow yet. On another note about room simulation, I was feeling like my brain was actually adapting to it and folding the room simulation "back into my head" when using NX's plugin and the fact that I typically move my head slightly during normal sitting and critical listening, the headtracking was able to tell my ears that, "yeah, actually the sound is not in my head but is coming from speakers that are over there," and helped to break that strange adaptation. This might be because I've actually never use external studio monitoring speakers for any sort of mixing or even casual listening, as in my life I've almost always had earbuds, IEMs, or headphones to wear when listening to music or watching movies/shows on the go. So maybe that regular isolated stereo experience you get with those is just what my brain subconsciously looks for and tries to adapt things into when I'm trying to listen and judge things critically. Anyway, that was a weird thing to try to explain, but I feel like without the headtracking functionality VSX would suffer from the same inward folding illusion and I'd have no way to combat it. Illusion is a funny word for it, because the room simulation is the actual illusion and what my brain is adapting it into is actually closer in it's origin to what the physical sound waves are actually doing from the headphones, but I hope you get what I mean. Also, I think it might be just a better way to simulate a studio environment, since that's closer to how it works in reality. Anyway, please let me know what you think about these thoughts if you don't mind taking the time. I feel like you always create great content here on RU-vid and I value your opinion a lot!
Thank you thank you thank you. You and Benn Jordan are the two main people I check in with for learning/buyers guides. Neither of you have let me down yet and seem to agree a decent amount of the time, at least where it counts.
reaper is really tuff to learn had it for 3 yrs erased it got studio one 6 never looked back just sayin and i went to full saill for audio engineering classes!
I recently switched to the VSX (after 10+ years with the DT770), and no regret. But still prefer the DT770 for its confort and building quality, if Slate would make their headphone as strong as the DT, it would be the ultimate combo (also with a more solid cable, the one I got was broken right out of the box). Slate got the DT770 in their emulation (and it's pretty close to the original I own), and I notice that the DT770 80 ohm is very different from the 250 ohm version. I only own the 80 ohm version, so if you try both, is it really that different ?
i have both here .... yes not the same. The 250 ohm is more precise in the mids, they sound more flat with a little more trebles. The 80ohm sound with more bass, but less precise for mixing.
You did a good job of explaining the variables here! all these companies should pay you for this work! Especially with everything being ordered online these days, it's hard to compare headphones. Question: Does the VSX spatial audio create any latency - or would that primarily heavily depend on CPU capacity/usage?
The Grado Labs SR80 or SR125 or SR225 and Koss Porta Pro are an excellent choice too in an open-sounding style! Grado is it like a sense of a life like at a real concert
Wow, excellent video, thx. I have to say, though - you are aware that you have the PERFECT model head for wearing and showing headphones, right? Right? 🙂 Cheers from Germany!
I've been meaning to upgrade from my M70x after using it for years. The M70x is fantasic in my opinion for how clean it sounds, especially for orchestral / instrumental music. Do you think if I should get the VSX or something else for mixing & mastering? I don't mind spending over $300 if there's an even better choice. Thanks!
to be fair though, the vsx hit so far above their price range, that they make the other headphones seem overpriced to hell. there is nothing in the price range that even comes close.
@@hi-dq4sh because if you are satisfied with the quality you are getting with those equipments than it's ok, otherwise you have to upgrade the equipment.
@@PRECIOUSTATIC yeah the quality you need is a subjective thing but what he is saying is vsx gives the high quality like a monitor speaker and treated room
I was actually just in the market for some headphones after the jack on my DT-770Pro broke, and I don't have the tools to disassemble and solder a new one, so I ended up getting a relatively inexpensive pair of the AKG K72. Not bad for 50 bucks, you just have to wear them at a specific angle. And I got another pair of Sony MDR-7506s, which is what I used years ago, but they honestly sound and feel different than I remember.
My wife borrowed my Audio Technica atx m50's and she fell in love with them. They're hers now, haha. She uses them for TEAMS and ZOOM meetings, and she says they are the best audio quality for calls, and she really loves them. So, I am searching videos like these now for a replacement pair 😂
I think Ima take a long break from mixing until I get some amazing headphones. I had no idea how important having great headphones when it comes to mixing. Wow. Like my music sounds good but when it gets to the car it’s like wait on my computer it sounds just right lol.
I recently bought the VSX headphones, influenced in great part by your glowing review, but i find myself getting ear fatigued quickly when using them. I think perhaps the bass response on my ears is hurting my ears. Did you experience anything similar and if so how did you solve it?
Thank you for a very comprehensive review!!!! I currently use the ATH-M50X and really like them. I've never heard of the VSX headphones and am very curious about them!
I own a pair of focal utopias (5000 Australian dollars at the time) and even with these incredible headphones designed for mixing you can still make mixes that sound like crap. Don’t believe the hype that if you have a flat frequency response and good imaging then that is all that it takes. It takes way more. You can mix on any crappy system if you’ve referenced good commercial mixes. This is by far the best thing you can do to achieve an amazing mix. It beats the crap out of the sound quality of the playback system. The advice is free and it doesn’t come with any price tag. ‘Reference’ your favorite song all throughout your mixing session and you’ll end up with a mix that sounds amazing everywhere you play it.
i doubt that they are made for mixing, this sounds like the audiophile world, a hearing and buying disorder, which is what you should stay far, far away from as a producer. ofc they dont translate at all.
Well, I picked out the ATH m40x a few years back - Heard it was the most neutral and the 50s actually add bass. Didn't even know there were any 70s yet. Nice to know I didn't waste my time & money with something else. At least I can say that~! 😁
VFX headphones suggestion for the next model: build in DSP in the headband for saving the "Room Settings" so you can use the headphones anywhere without needing the software. An on/off switch for the DSP
I have heard about their modelling technology before and I also believe your word. very interesting stuff but one thing that has been bothering me is the looks. It looks too plasticy and so, it looks cheap even though it. I think a better design, contrasting colours or materials and maybe a better design for the logo would be perfect. I might sound nitpicky but with that they can achieve perfection.
Thank you! Truthfully it has been a long time since I used NX. My experience at the time was not positive and I decided not to showcase it on the channel. I think combining a purpose built headphone with the software is what makes it work for me. I wonder if others who have tried it could add to the discussion?
I feel pretty bad and sad ☹ For a long time, I wanted to buy the VSX but was not sure to make the leap. So, after contemplating for a long time, I decided against the VSX and bought something else just last month. Had this video come out 1 month ago, I would've surely gone for the VSX, cos I trust your reviews. I guess buying a VSX will have to wait.
Sorry to hear that man. If it makes you feel better I was gonna spend $300 on the VSX headphones but then I gotta a ticket for window tint and guess how much…$300 lol
Careful with the DT900 Pro X. They have ridiculous clamping force. I had them for 2 weeks and returned them. No amount of bending the frame helped with the clamp force. They gave me headaches.
thats strange, i wear hearing protection all day in the workshop and they have an insane clamping force, no headphone would ever have such a clamping force, still not a problem at all for me.
There are two things that don't get the attention they deserve, in my opinion, concerning headphones (no criticism on the channel or this video): 1) when you wear headphones for several hours your ear canal, your ears and their surroundings can get sweaty, leading to fungal issues. So comfort include 'humidity management'. Leathery cushions feel great but don't breathe. In that respect the Beyerdynamics look promising, the VSX don't. 2) I stopped using headphones for a large part because sometimes, certainly when using plugins you may get exposed to sudden (very) loud sound (peaks). And anyway, generally you tend to turn the volume up. I think it's strange that, as far as I know (I only found some limited output headphones due to BBC Health & Safety regulations) there's no system limiting the volume of headphones (or the output of the computer sound level (I understand that depends on the impedance)) or your DAW (should be possible in the settings). This is even stranger when one sees videos, or read articles about musicians (and youtubers!) suffering from tinnitus. Hearing damage is also a cause for balance issues and vertigo. This issue often only becomes a concern after the fact of getting the (irreversible) symptoms.
I have been preparing a video about hearing damage and hearing health for quite some time and hope to publish it this year. It is an incredibly important topic and you are very right to bring up the concers regarding any headphone system. To keep my own ears healthy I stick to a few rules or principles. - Never letting anyone adjust my system volume or rely on others to set my gain when recording. 100% of the time if headphones are on my head I am the one with the volume control. - Running systemwide audio control (in this case soundsource) so that I can run a limiter on the output if I am concerned about a volume spike - Keeping the volume sensible when using headphones. I rarely turn them up loud (subjective). - I take a listening break after 30 minutes, without exceptions. After 30 minutes, I believe most engineers (not all!) are reaching a point where objectivity is thrown out of the window. This is the phase where one adjusts the snare compression for 15 minutes and the mix ends up worse. Or one is endlessly automating a lead vocal to make it stand out against the BGVs, while not noticing that the kick drum is 6db too loud. I've seen this sort of thing time and time again. Taking a short 5-10 minute break allows the headphone sto cool off and air, gives your ears the chance to "reset", relieves pressure on the scalp and give one the chance to move, relax the eyes and remember to eat/drink. Everyone works differently and some people are most productive working for hours with no breaks. I believe (opinion) that these people are in the minority and that many of us are more productive when taking breaks. I live in a cold climate year-round (Scotland) and don't deal with the sweat build up you describe. If your feedback was given to the team at Steven Slate Audio they might start developing a soft fabric ear cushion too? This is all speculation, I have no connection to the design team or company.
as much as i love the vsx sound wise, this is my only critique too, i dislike the leatherpads and its consequences. hopefully they will release an alternative to this
The VSX are very interesting! Do you think they would be also a good choice for video editing? (post-processing/mixing interviews, sound effects, music..)
I didn’t test them for video editing yet but, funnily enough, I was listening to a podcast today and it made the experience so much more comfortable. Hearing the voices out in front of me felt more natural and easier to follow. I wasn’t expecting that but it did sound good, I think editing on them would require a lot of referencing.
@@inthemix Thank you very much! 🙌🏻 Are there any headphones you would recommend for video editing? Or possibly it can be any of the ones you mentioned in video? I would like to learn more about sound processing and also invest into more "accurate sounding" sound equipment than the one I use now.. (15€ yenkee speakers) 😅
This is super interesting, because from what I remembered you prefer open back headphones, and in general I've heard open backs give you better stereo field and are better for mixing and mastering. But now you're saying that the VSX headphones are this good, that they can beat even speakers, which are the most open back you can get audio to sound like, how can a closed back headphones can even be compared to speakers? I'm really curious if high end open back headphones like the DT 1990, or even high end closed back headphones can be compared to that (and ofcourse let's assume you're in a quiet environment with a proper audio interface that can drive both) Because I was so sure these would be my dream headphones and now I'm starting to question myself and perhaps the VSX are just better. Also just for context, I want to upgrade my DT 770 pro, and I have proper speakers
great video as always! you talked about the importance of setting the vsxs up right or calibrating them. How would you go about that and what do you mean. greetings from Germany
To be honest, I think it’s good that they have this cheaper option with less spaces so that we don’t all have to pay $499 to access everything in the Platinum version.
@@inthemix nah, the spaces should be include it in the same $299 package or improve the look and feel of the headphones because it looks fragile plasticish cheap. Thanks again...:)
I should have specified that the set up is a one time process that takes around 2 minutes. Its a set up guide produced by SSA which explains the controls on the plugin.
Perfect review and I am a new subscriber! If you could only have one set of headphones to mix with what would you choose-Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro or VSX?
@@shotguntimmy The 560s have an even frequency response, but the 1990 have a crooked response, the sound from the speaker is similar to gaming headphones, so they should not be used with music
Hi there, thanks for the review. I love your channel. I've never really been good with eq and love listening to electro dance music but these headphones you've reviewed here are really peaking my interest. Do you think it would be worth for me to invest in a pair given these factors. I've currently got a Volt 1 and Apollo Twin and the DT 770 and DT 990. The VSX's seem to be a real step up.
no, those are not headphones to enjoy music with. for that there are better headphones. these are critical listening headphones and a room emulation system to further enhance that CRITICAL listening. not for listening enjoyment.
@@gravity00x For listening enjoyment i'm thinking of refining my headphone search with either Audio Technica M50x, Sennheiser HD 25 or Beyerdynamic Pro X 700 for listening to edm music. Any thoughts on those 2 for this purpose? Thanks
A great review as always! Perhaps my HD650 and DT 770 Pro, which I currently use when composing my orchestral music, will get a new colleague soon! ;) Thank you!
Did you ever buy the VSX? Want to upgrade my cans for orchestrating, sound design and film composing at the indie level. Curious how dry sample libs, wet sample libs, arranging and mixing to room emulations is valuable.
What happens if you try some of the other headphones with the modeling software that comes with the VSX? Is the magic in the headphones or the software? Would any of the the other better headphones out of the bunch you have there sound just as good? Thanks.
This is a great question. For modelling/binaural perception software to work it is essential to have a calibrated reference pair of headphones that the software was built around/calibrated to. I was so skeptical of VSX before I tried it because the other room modelling softwares I had tried just didn't sound right. They were not designed for one specific headphone so didn't work well even with high end headphones. That was my experience although I think it aligns which many users.
Around a couple of years ago I got the Avantone Planars which are open back and I love their sound, but they are heavy and the headband broke (the entire weight held up by a flimsy plastic brace, so dumb). I've since sort of fixed them myself with some scuffed sewing and extra padding. I got them for like $200. The weight is now giving me headaches, but I don't want to go back to closed back headphones. I am skeptical that the VSX can truly convince you there's nothing on your head while being closed back. Without any software, I have frequently been playing games and heard something that I thought came from elsewhere in the house with my current pair.
Without software the headphones are good, in my opinion. I think the best option is to use the linear 2 model in the software if you want the headphones to sound their best. The raw headphone sound is not designed to be optimal on its own and is more of a blank canvas for modelling, as far as I am aware.
Wait, arent the VSX closed back headphones? ive heard that no matter what people tell you, its allways better to have open back headphones while mixing, which would make the VSX not as worth it, but, if for some reason, they were genuenly better than most headphones INCLUDING most open back headphones, then what is that reason? what would be the explanation for why they would they be better?
They are closed backed with proprietary Acoustic Ported Subtonics. I was definitely one of the people saying that open back headphones are superior for mixing and I still stand by this statement when comparing regular headphones. However, with the software modelling, the VSX sound far more open than most open backed headphones I’ve used and have the benefit of some cross talk between the right and left. There are a few technologies being used and one of them is the HRTF which is worth a quick read. They really changed my opinion on closed back headphones.
