Practice Headphones

[toohip]

I am just a 'play at home for my own entertainemnt' bass player who now needs to use headphones to keep it quiet. I have a PC that I use to play along with my MP3 files. Got a cable run from my PC headphone jack to my Boss ME-50B. The headphones I have are old 'mono' hand-me-downs that sound like their about done for. Can anyone suggest a decent stereo pair for $300 or less that you have experience with that are still available retail? I would like to have them in stereo so at times I can also listen to my MP3's with an adapter straight from my PC. Any suggestions would be appreciated

[meycom]

I use Bose® - AE2 Audio Headphones. About $150. They are not noise cancelling but the bass response is good.

[PSPookie]

Senheiser HD 280 Pro $100 or less, comfortable, sound great.

[toohip]

Thanks for the replies. Funny how you read reviews from all those gear review sites and you almost always find someone with something bad to say about everything. Kinda like cell service - always an unhappy camper everywhere...lol I will check out your suggestions - have a great bass day...lol

[Pilgrim]

I've always liked the Sony MDR-V6, MDR7506 and MDR-V600. All are closed-ear headphones and very comfortable. All are available well under $100. Check Amazon for info.

[Dondoh]

Head-Fi.org - Headphone forums and reviews for audiophiles
Really.
Like talkbaass for headphones.
You can get a pretty nice pair for very little if you are careful and well informed. You can also spend $150 on a laughably inaccurate set. Buyer beware. I don't want to play favorites, but the most advertised pairs are usually the worst.
A little time on the forums at head-fi.org and you will have it all sorted out.

[Keano]

Originally Posted by PSPookie

Senheiser HD 280 Pro $100 or less, comfortable, sound great.

This is what I use. ATH-M50 is another great cans for slightly more.

[Bollenator]

Love my Grado SR-60s - $70 with excellent sound reproduction. Only potential issue is that they are open-back, meaning you'll have some sound bleed in both directions, but if your environment is already fairly quiet, they'll do a great job for you. Highly recommended (with that single caveat).

[m0ntels]

Been loving my ATH-M50 phones and my friend bought a set right after hearing mine. Price matching will get them in your hands for about $120. GC had them marked at $180.

[Pilgrim]

Be aware that hi-fi groups may have different goals and purposes in using headphones than you do in using them for practice.

[f64]

I've got a situation where at times my practice space is invaded by others talking, watching TV, etc... I went with a closed design used by drummers, the Beyer Dynamic DT-770-M Monitor Headphones. These offer up to 35 dBA ambient noise isolation and a frequency response of 5 Hz to 30 KHz and are equalized to the diffuse sound field. Street price is about $250. Great for the stereo also.

[Pilgrim]

Hey f64, that's why I like closed-ear phones like the Sony series I mentioned earlier. When I need headphones, I usually want to exclude noise from the surrounding area - that calls for a closed-ear design. Problem is, some phones sit ON the ear, which gets really uncomfortable, especially if you wear glasses and your ear is being pressed against the glasses' temple piece.

For that reason, I like closed-ear phones which go around the ear, not ON the ear. All the Sony models I mentioned surround the ear and provide good acoustic isolation, but they don't sit on the ear.

[darkstorm]

Beyer Dynamic DT770 pro or Sennheisser HD380 pro. Both available from online stores for $200 each. I own & use both. I slightly favor the Beyer Dynamic.

[walker rosewood]

headphone.com is more objective. They've got reviews and specs on just about every headphone available. Including frequency response, harmonic distortion, and Isolation charts.