Decent Headphones for my Head

[Johnny Crab]

Originally Posted by DonaldR

Used to practice with accurate studio headphones (Sony MDR-7506): good for mixing but no fun for bass.

Got some of these when my antique Koss open-foams gave up.
I find them quite useful but I'm used to full range speakers(ACME's) parked a couple of feet from me when folks aren't asleep.

[RickenBoogie]

For $100, Sennheiser HD280 Pro is a good set.

[MostlyBass]

Originally Posted by RickenBoogie

For $100, Sennheiser HD280 Pro is a good set.

280 or 208?

[Toptube]

If you are using these mainly for playing bass, I would look at the Sony MDR-XB500 I've seen them priced from about $35 to $60. there average price seems to be in the $50 range. In my opinion, they have nearly unparalleled bass response. Its what they were designed for. With this particular model, the highs are rolled off and not so accurate. The mids could be sweeter. But that's not going to matter so much when listening to a single bass guitar from a line out.

[SRCRS]

I'll check 'em out Toptube!

[beans-on-toast]

My best advice would be to audition as many models as you can. Check out all the price ranges, not just those for under $100. Then decide what you like. Bring your bass, plug into a mixer that has line level in, listen. A good set of cans will show you how good things can sound and how comfortable they are. Then consider price/performance tradeoffs. You might find a less expensive pair that compares well to an expensive pair in terms of what you are looking for.

You mentioned studio phones. They tend to be honest and revealing. Some people prefer headphones that color the sound.

For nice quality studio phones, I like the Beyerdynamic DT-250 at about $200.

[INTP]

For practice headphones, accuracy and comfort would be high on my list. I use an older pair (~12 years) of AKG K240DF's, and they are both comfortable and I can really hear the details of my playing. I have other headphones that sound fine (e.g. Sony MDR7506, which are detailed enough for monitoring), but they press on the cartilage of my ear and get uncomfortable pretty quickly. The AKG's sit lightly around my ear and never cause discomfort.

If these died, I'd get another pair of 240's. I'm also considering a pair of K271's, which are closed.

I've also tried (but don't own) the Sennheiser HD-280's and they seemed less accurate, but have more accentuated bass than the AKG's. You could do a lot worse, I think.

[scottfeldstein]

I went through this six months ago. I ended up with a set of Sony MDR-V6. They're almost identical to their 7506 models, but are cheaper.

I wanted something that had a wide frequency response and that was as uncolored as possible. The main idea was that I'd be using it for silent practice, my bass and other music in the headphones. I also started taking them with me to the home studio my band records in. I think they're better than the Senheisers they have laying around.

So in the end, I needed something that wasn't just bass-friendly. I needed something that was accurate across the full spectrum, so I could hear how my bass part was melding with the other tracks--and so I could hear those other tracks correctly. Then I get asked for my take on mixing these recordings down! So I definitely need more than just 'bass headphones.' And you probably do, too.

I think I paid $65.

Also: my workplace has TV and radio studios as well as digital video editing workstations. The Sony MD-7506 are the headset of choice. The MDR-V6 is nearly identical. I think the only difference is the warranty and the gold connectors. They even use the same replacement parts.

[Turock]

Sony MDR-V6 or Sony MDR7506. Same headphones; V6 is a little less money. Industry standard.

[Jim Carr]

My standard is AKG K240. However, I just got a pair of Sony MDR-V150 cans for $28 at Walgreens. These are really remarkably good sounding, efficient, durable, and cheap.

I got them to replace an old pair I thought lost. When I found the old ones—which cost over $60 about 15 years ago—I was pleased to discovered both pairs sound the same.

[SRCRS]

i'll have to look into these sony's

[INTP]

If you do get the sony MDR7506/v6, the Beyerdynamic velour padded cushions work with them and are more comfortable than the 'pleather' ones that come with the sony. I got these as a replacement when the sony pads started disintegrating.

[INTP]

Originally Posted by Jim Carr

...However, I just got a pair of Sony MDR-V150 cans for $28 at Walgreens. These are really remarkably good sounding, efficient, durable, and cheap.

I got them to replace an old pair I thought lost. When I found the old ones—which cost over $60 about 15 years ago—I was pleased to discovered both pairs sound the same.

These sound fine, but they clamp down on my head, and not in a good way. I had to give them to my son (smaller head, doesn't seem to bother him).

[scottfeldstein]

Heh. I just turned on a Herbie Hancock show on Netflix and he and Christina Aguilera are both using the Sony MDR-7506 while recording.

[Jim Carr]

Originally Posted by INTP

These sound fine, but they clamp down on my head, and not in a good way. I had to give them to my son (smaller head, doesn't seem to bother him).

Perhaps my "pointy-headed" side has finally come in handy?

[Munjibunga]

I like the Sony MDR 7506s. I also have Shure SRH840s, which have larger drivers and a little better bass response. They may tend to cause you to put too little bass in a mixdown if you're mixing a recording, though.

[was3funk]

For $74.95 Shipped, hard to go wrong with the Sony 7506's. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...Headphone.html

Edit: Price back up to $100., oh well....

[DonaldR]

Originally Posted by INTP

If you do get the sony MDR7506/v6, the Beyerdynamic velour padded cushions work with them and are more comfortable than the 'pleather' ones that come with the sony. I got these as a replacement when the sony pads started disintegrating.

Where can you get replacement parts?

[MostlyBass]

I don't have the Sony's but they are the industry standard. My school district's sound consultant has recommended them.

[SRCRS]

Man lots-o-love on here for the 7506's