Headphone Advice

Ed White · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008, 13:53 (GMT) Post subject: Headphone Advice

I need some help on choosing headphones. There are a lot of times I need to use them because. I have renters in my second floor apartment, I edit a lot at night, I’m sure they’re not thrilled with dry voice being played back over and over through speakers, and spring is around the corner, they’ll be open windows etc.
Here’s my problem, I bought a pair of Sony MDR V600. I think they’re awful. There’s no high end, (the second part of the equation is that I have “Rock & Roll ears.” Meaning, after years of live audio on stage in the 70’s and 80’s,) I don’t have much high end left in my ears, and still have a ringing in them……. I resorted to running the phones through an old mixer, and jacking up the EQ to make it sound OK, but another set of phones in the same mixer is killer bright!
I need to get another pair; does anyone have any suggestions on what phones I should get? I like the fit of Sony, closed ear is a requirement, I’d like to say money is no object, but it is. I like to stay in the 100-125. or so range.
Thanks,
Ed

Erik Sheppard · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008, 14:18 (GMT) Post subject:

I use the Sony MDR-7506 cans as I am sure many here do as well. Nice fit and really true.

I would not recommend EQ-ing your headphone mix as that is not going to give you a true representation of what the sound you are sending out to your client is truly like. A lot of them will be listening through regular computer speakers and higher end clients will be listening through accurate studio monitors.

You want that mix to sound good, not what you have tweaked for just your own playback.

Good cans or monitors should let you know exactly what the file sounds like without coloring it. That is kind of the point.

Ed White · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008, 14:34 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks Erik,

The signal that goes into Adobe Soundbooth is direct from a Yamaha USB board, and is not colored at all. I always listen with speakers before anything goes out, and it's been of good quality. I record with everything at straight up 12:00 on the EQ, and hardly ever stray from that. After having spent a bit of $, it's frustrating to hear myself sounding so muffled most of the time.

Ed

Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008, 15:03 (GMT) Post subject:

Some solid and safe bets:

1) Sennheiser HD25 - I swear to these myself. Pricey...

2) AKG K 240 - studio standard for decades.

3) AKG K 271 - New model, may just be a 240 refurbishment.

3) Beyer Dynamic DT100/DT150 - a classic.

5) Beyer Dynamic DT 770 PRO.

Chris Clementson · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 216

Second the AKG K240.

David Oxford · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008, 16:13 (GMT) Post subject:

Second the Beyer Dynamic DT 770. Nice and flat, just the way you want them.

John Weeks · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008, 16:35 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Ed,
I've been using the MDR-7506's for many years. I've never had a problem with them and have only had to buy this one pair.
Before these, I used AKG's that I liked too (can't remember the model number though).

Emmett Andrews · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008, 19:15 (GMT) Post subject:

I've long hated the MDR-7506...Too much high-end. So for you, they may be a superb choice.

I love the AKG K240's also, but they're not closed, so bleed can be an issue. That's why I rarely use mine anymore. Also, they have now been reissued as the K240mkII and sell for $170.

I use the Beyer DT770's and like them a lot, but they're not real bright. Pretty flat, so they may sound dull to you.

You can also look into the Audio-Technica ATH-M30's. They look, feel and sound very similar to the MDR-7506's...But they're $30-40 cheaper.

Sennheiser HD280's are good too. Sealed VERY well. And they have a bright top end, though not as much as the 7506's.

Emmett

Scott Pollak · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008, 19:29 (GMT) Post subject:

Sony MDR 7506, Baby! Best cans (for the price) on the planet!
My first version of these lasted me about 20+ years.
Just bought my second set about a year ago.

Allen Brown · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008, 19:38 (GMT) Post subject:

I like the Sony's, too. Just replaced the pads on one 20 year old pair and they sound as good as the new ones I bought last month. Headphones, like mics and monitors are a very subjective thing.

Chris Clementson · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 14 Jan 2008 Posts: 216

Ed White · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008, 02:37 (GMT) Post subject: Headphones

Thank you all for your advice, and insights. It feels like the Grammy's....The winner is AKG K 240.
They seem to have the tin that I want (need), and they're lighter too!

Taste Great, and Less Filling Too !

Ed

David Oxford · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008, 13:46 (GMT) Post subject:

Ed White · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008, 14:39 (GMT) Post subject: Headphones

Hi David,

Every option is appreciate, and well taken. I do ultimately use monitors to make sure everything is correct sounding. When I have a few projects at one time to edit clicks , breaths etc , It nice to listen to something thats closer to what's real, than a muffled sound that I'm going to spend the next couple of hours listening to, but the monitors determine the final say.
I wish I knew then what those db's were doing to me, and took some precautions. When I was in my mid thirties, the ear doctor said "No problem, you have perfect hearing,
( for a 60 year old)!"

Ed

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008, 21:04 (GMT) Post subject: headphones

Hearing Problems? No worries, these headphones from JBL, feature 12" woofers and 6" tweeters and will get you that sound you need