Headphones

[RLG14a]

Basically I am wanting to purchase a pair of headphones for critical listening for on location recording. Main use (anytime soon) will be for judging the quality of mic placement on drums (On location recording a section then listening critically). Also I wouldn't mind using them for reference for mixing. I have looked at Roland RH 2/300 and the KRK's so any first hand reviews of these and others would be great. Budget max is really £150 would prefer to spend less than that on a pair of headphones.

Thanks
Robert

[Smellthevalve]

Have You also tried the Beyerdynamic, Sennheiser and AKG ones as well?

[alexis]

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan10/a ... phones.htm

Some nice discussion there!

[ryan mead]

Main use (anytime soon) will be for judging the quality of mic placement on drums (On location recording a section then listening critically). Also I wouldn't mind using them for reference for mixing.

Open-backed headphones are better for the second use (mixing), but closed-back headphones are essential for the first (location recording and mic placement), so if you can only get one pair of phones, in your position I'd say you should limit yourself to closed-back designs.

[Bob Bickerton]

Highly recommend Sennheiser HD-25 as they provide excellent isolation, essential for location recording an mic positioning and within your budget.

Bob

[The Elf]

Main use (anytime soon) will be for judging the quality of mic placement on drums (On location recording a section then listening critically). Also I wouldn't mind using them for reference for mixing.

Open-backed headphones are better for the second use (mixing), but closed-back headphones are essential for the first (location recording and mic placement), so if you can only get one pair of phones, in your position I'd say you should limit yourself to closed-back designs.

+1

I use Sony MDR-7509HD for setting mic's against drums/amps, etc, but there's no way I could mix on them. For mixing I turn to my trusty AKG K701. The 701's open-back design makes them useless for isolation, but perfect for mixing.

Different jobs, different tools.

[Mike Stranks]

I agree with everything that's already been said... with the location recording then acoustic isolation and attenuation will be paramount - otherwise the room bleed-in will cloud your judgment.

I agree with Bob on the Sennheiser 25s, but for good attenuation of external sounds you might also consider these:

Sennheiser HD280

32dB of attenuation outperforms even the purpose-built attenuation 'phones.

I've not used them m'self, but am seriously considering getting some for live location tracking situations where I have to be in the same room as the music.

[TheReson8or]

I have the Sennheiser HD595s which are still available from Amazon for £120 I think. They are discontinued which is why the price has been lowered. They are great! Dave

[RLG14a]

Thanks for all the replies. Will the closed back headphones suggested sound good/accurate enough for me to judge the quality of mic placement?

[John Willett]

For location monitoring I use the Sennheiser HD 25-1, they are great for listening to detail. I use the optional velour earpads (they come in the box with the headphones on the Mk.II version).

I also have the HD 800 open headphones for mixing and mastering (replacing my HD 650 and HD 600 cans).

[Bob Bickerton]

I'm only familiar with the Sony 7509 and Sennheiser HD-25. Both would be up to the job, the HD-25 giving a little more attenuation to ambient sounds. Mike's suggestion of the Hd280s looks interesting too.

Bob

[John Willett]

Mike's suggestion of the Hd280s looks interesting too.

At the lower cost, I think I would go for the newer HD 380 Pro over the HD 280 Pro. The 380 is only about £10 more and folds flat and comes with a zipped case for transport and protection.

[RLG14a]

Thanks again for the replies.
I have narrowed my search to the Sennheiser hd 280 PRO or the Sennheiser hd 380 PRO.

Between these two which would people suggest for my main requirement of Judging Mic Placement.

Thanks again.

[John Willett]

Thanks again for the replies.
I have narrowed my search to the Sennheiser hd 280 PRO or the Sennheiser hd 380 PRO.

Between these two which would people suggest for my main requirement of Judging Mic Placement.

Thanks again.

Personally I would go for the 380 over the 280 (but the HD 25-1 is better).

[TheReson8or]

I have the Sennheiser HD595s which are still available from Amazon for £120 I think. They are discontinued which is why the price has been lowered. They are great! Dave

sorry! great headphones but inappropriate here!

[John Willett]

I have the Sennheiser HD595s which are still available from Amazon for £120 I think. They are discontinued which is why the price has been lowered. They are great! Dave

sorry! great headphones but inappropriate here!

Agreed - the 595s are the poor man's HD 580 / 600.

They are very open headphones - great for mixing and editing but with zero attenuation of external sound.

[TheReson8or]

I have the Sennheiser HD595s which are still available from Amazon for £120 I think. They are discontinued which is why the price has been lowered. They are great! Dave

sorry! great headphones but inappropriate here!

Agreed - the 595s are the poor man's HD 580 / 600.

They are very open headphones - great for mixing and editing but with zero attenuation of external sound.

I had a very long PA day on Sunday and my Monday was a "brain switch off" day. On these days I should not even read let alone post. Dave

[guitarist06]

hey, I know they're not the best in the world, but I figured I should throw out a shout for the ATH M50's. I recently got some for about $110 and they are well worth it. after about 30 hours of burn in they really flattened out nicely!
worth checking out if you're on a budget!