I tend to use phones a lot for practice - but generally do final mix on speakers.
For some time I have felt the need to decide if I should change my earphones.
Some years ago I took advice and purchased a pair of Bayer Dt100's. After some time I realised these are almost useless due to the lack of bass.
Ok apparently for vocals when the vocalist wants to hear their voice more clearly over accompaniment.
I purchased a pair of Sony MDR-XB450's and later the Wireless Phones Sennheiser HDR 120's. So now I don't use the DT100's - but alternate between the Sony and HDR's.
I find I am constantly having to alter the left - right balance when swapping - and then again if I use the speakers. So this evening I set up 4 frequency tones to check this out.
I do have a slightly lower level of hearing in the left ear - so the balance was set for the DT100 at 800. Values are "-100 centre +100" left or right and are estimates really.
Frequ 200 800 1.5K 3K
Dt100 0 0 0 +5
HDR -5 -10 -15 +20
Sony -2 +8 0 +18
Spkr 0 0 0 0
So it seems to show that the Sony phones do move the sound around.
Looking for new phones now. Thinking of open back ones.
By the way the speakers are Pr-Sonus E5 Studio Monitors - I think correctly set up.
I have reviewed the headphone posts on this site. Attack of the wallet probably coming.