Product type: Closed-back Headphones
Application: Studio monitoring; tracking, EQing; sub bass monitoring; general listening
Advantages: True 20hz-27,000hz response; comfortable & rugged; gorgeous, revealing sound
I stumbled across these wee beauties in the search for something which would let me hear the ultralow sub bass frequencies I needed for my Dubstep tracks. You'd have to spend hundreds of dollars more to get better quality.
At the time, unable to afford the full-blow loudspeaker monitors + subwoofer setup, I started trolling the head-fi forums (among many others) to find a headphone that would let me listen to my music the way it really was. My first candidates were the Grado SR-60 (put aside because of a too-hyped frequency response for my needs, an orientation to acoustic ('real-world instrument') music and an open-back design, useless for tracking), the Sony MDR-7506/MDR-V6 (again, hyped), the AKG K240 MKII (came damn close to buying this one, seemed to fit most of my needs), and a couple of Sennheiser and Audio Technica (ATH-M50 I believe) models.
Looking back, probably any of these models would have suited my applications, but I am still damn pleased I stumbled across this forum thread at head-fi:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/german-maestro-gmp-8-35-d-monitor-studio-serious-about-audio-indeed-406658/index11.html
I can attest that the opinions expressed there are accurate. Now, I'm not a headphone nut (I despise most of the methodologies of the 'audiophiles'), but the GMP 8.35 D really does sound amazing.
German Maestro are a rebranding of a much older company's line- they have a pedigree in quality headset construction dating back to the 70s-80s. They got caned in the market by either AKG or Audio-Technica (can't remember which)- that's why you don't know who they are and want to buy either of those or maybe a pair of Sennheiser's or something. But read on for the correct option...
First time I put them on I was literally astounded as to what I could hear in tracks I had spun hundreds of times. You can really see into the mix, sonic elements have their own separate space around your head. The highs are crisp and airy, mids are detailed and lush and the bass is low and punchy (these are words that get thrown around a lot, but it really is true- the bass goes down so damn low, you really feel it in your head just like you were standing in front of a huge sub!).
Vocals are incredible, you can here the short intakes of breath before a note. Take something like James Hetfield from Metallicas' low growling vocals from the Black era- the individual rasps become clear and a joy to listen to (this goes for all vocals). Drums sound punchy; cymbals are rich and complex.
In fact, these headphones really shine when given complex, intricately produced music with many elements interplaying at one time. Essentially, for listening to music for pleasure, they are wonderful.
But how about for working? I mainly use these in an electronic music production capacity. The low punchy bass allows me to head sub bass in the 20-60hz area, leading to a clean sine wave base (ha) for my dubstep wobbles. This would also be a key component for hip-hop and reggae (dub) genres. The mids are revealing, with not a hint of mud. The highs allow me to find that perfect lush cymbal sample. They also sound great when plugged into Amplitube (guitar modelling vst), as they excel at tracking and monitoring. As they are closed-back with a very high isolation level they would be perfect for vocal recording.
A couple of downsides, which may or may not matter to you: One; they're kinda fugly. I happen to think they look cool in a professional business-like way, but they definitely aren't the most 'street' of looks. Two; you can't mix on these things alone. The recording gurus weren't kidding, the volume levels and panning will come out all whack if you do a late night mix on these puppies. I have, however, used them alongside my crappy Sony mini-system to produce a mix that was labled 'phat' to an untrained earn - if you A/B alongside a loudspeaker system you may be able to produce demo quality or better recordings. But seriously, if you wanna mix for the dancefloor, radio, stage, A&R dude, whoever: get some near-field monitors. These headphones definitely are a useful tool to have in the meantime though while you save, though!
On their construction- they are very comfortable, I usually have them on my head for 3 hours at a time before having a break, with my ears just getting pleasantly warm. And they are ultra-durable, I doubt you'd be able to find a more solidly constructed headset. There is a video out there at a NAMM with a sales rep twisting and stomping on them, and they remain fine. If you need durability these are just about perfect (in any price bracket?) A note on their use- in New Zealand these are the prefered headset of Radio Networks, a corporation which holds most of the top radio stations in the country. They buy them in bulk for their DJs to use! Also note the fact that these are actually made in Germany itself, amazing considering their low price!
But all that doesn't mean a lot unless the price is right. In NZ I paid $370, which is a bargain for my country. German Maestro is, to no ones surprise, from Germany, so if you are located in the EU you could always get them direct from their website here for €149:
http://www.german-maestro-shop.de/epages/61902279.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/61902279/Products/%22GMP%208.35%20D%20Monitor%22
If you don't have a distributor in your country consider ordering direct from them, it's worth it.
A word on the models- there also exists a 'professional' version, the GMP 8.300 D. I actually own this one, it's the high-resistance 300ohm version. The 8.35 D is the 30ohm version (which wasn't available in my country). Before I purchased I wondered whether the 8.300 could be driven by my iPod - yes it can, although I do notice a tad more volume when plugged into my audio interface, lcd monitor, stereo, etc. The 8.300 also has a longer cord, but they are functionally identical.
Final verdict-
For slightly more than some of the budget Grado, Senn's, AKG's etc, you can own a pair of monitor headphones that punches WAY above their price bracket. As in comparable to Sennheisers costing US$400 or more. The GMP 8.35 D is quite capable of showing your music the way it was recorded, and in a very pleasing way.
Company website http://www.germanmaestro.de/EN/gmp835dmonitor.htm
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