Pro quality headphones - Live performance.

groov'ster · #1 05-11-2006, 03:39 PM

I am looking for input from anybody who uses high-quality headphones ($150 - 200 range) during live performances. I would like to know what other bassists might use and what would be a good brand/model to buy.
I am a church player and trying to help the soundguys a lil more because of the horrible acoustics and platform volume.
My current set-up is DI to the house with a wedge monitor at my feet. My volume could be lowered some IF I could hear my self better over every other element. I think that this might be a good option for me. At this point in-ear monitors are not feasible but will be in the future.

Brad Maestas · #2 05-11-2006, 05:20 PM

Depending on your needs, you could go with a sealed headphone, an open headphone or an in-ear monitor/canalphone. The Sennheiser 280pro is a popular sealed phone. It's more of a tracking phone due to it's tweaked response curve and the amount of isolation it offers. They will block out much of the sound around you and isolate your headphone mix from the room sound. A good choice if you have a high stage volume.

I know you said that in-ears weren't feasible right now but check these out. These Ultimate Ears super.fi 5Pro's sound amazing and they're much less conspicuous than a supra-aural type like the other Senn's. The UE's offer very good isolation. Some people only wear one of them so that they can still hear plenty of their stage sound. Other popular choices are the Etymotic ER-4S and the luxurious UE-10 Pro.

The third option is to use an open phone. They offer no isolation so they're more suited to low to moderate stage volumes. You can effectively blend in your head mix along with the room sound. The Senn 555 is a good one. For about $30 more, you can get the Senn 580's which have been my main pair for quite some time.

It all depends on how loud you guys get.

*Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Sennheiser or Headphone.com. I just love my Senn's and the folks at headphone.com have always treated me like family.

barthanatos · #3 05-11-2006, 05:25 PM

+1 Etymotic.

The ER-4S is a bit above your price range, though.

Brad Maestas · #4 05-11-2006, 05:31 PM

True. I guess I was thinking, "And then there are these ones, too!"

groov'ster · #5 05-11-2006, 09:20 PM

Thanks...you gave me some good options. The local music studio also mentioned the Senns but said they were in the $2-300 range. But we will see.

Thanks again.

Just looked at what you had listed. Really not some bad prices on some of the models. I think that the 'closed' phones would do much better b/c of the platform volume. I might be making some purchases from Headphones.com

Brad Maestas · #6 05-11-2006, 11:21 PM

Cool! I'm glad I could help out.
+1 on the 280's. I am listening to them right now and they're so sensitive. They don't need much juice to get nice and loud. I use them with my Cafe Walter headphone amp all the time. The low end is massive!!
Good luck in your quest!

barthanatos · #7 05-12-2006, 07:13 AM

Yep, headphones.com is awesome. Even if you don't buy from them, they have a bunch of great resources. I got my Etymotics from them and my Sennheiser HD600s (open, supra-aural) from an E-bay seller (new).

groov'ster · #8 05-13-2006, 11:22 PM

Well I went to the local music store / studio today and was able to A/B several brands in the studio. They had AKG's, Sony's, and Senns. They use the AKG and Senns in the studio.

The Senns and AKG's had a flat response and the Sonys had more low end (ProDj7000 model) Haven't decided yet what I will get.

In the studio I understand the need for flat response but for my application wouldn"t I need a lil more lows? I ask this based on your experience.

I'm a loyal customer tothe store so I would get a really good price on any of the three, all under $200.

Whats your advice?

morf · #9 05-14-2006, 03:57 AM

Senns HD 25-1 for good sound isolation (not IEMs).

Shure e4c for IEM. Ultimate Ears is too expensive.

Brad Maestas · #10 05-15-2006, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groov'ster

Well I went to the local music store / studio today and was able to A/B several brands in the studio. They had AKG's, Sony's, and Senns. They use the AKG and Senns in the studio.
The Senns and AKG's had a flat response and the Sonys had more low end (ProDj7000 model) Haven't decided yet what I will get.
In the studio I understand the need for flat response but for my application wouldn"t I need a lil more lows? I ask this based on your experience.
I'm a loyal customer tothe store so I would get a really good price on any of the three, all under $200.
Whats your advice?

Will this store let you audition the headphones at your performance space before you buy? If not, you're just gonna have to take advantage of their return policy if the phones don't work out for you. I have no experience with the Sony DJ phones. I do have multiple pairs of phones from each brand you mentioned and I tend to prefer the Senn's because, IMHO, they are the most versatile.

Brad Maestas · #11 05-15-2006, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morf

Senns HD 25-1 for good sound isolation (not IEMs).

Shure e4c for IEM. Ultimate Ears is too expensive.

As I mentioned above, I posted the Ultimate Ear's half-jokingly.

groov'ster · #12 05-25-2006, 11:24 AM

UPDATE: I have still been looking around and have come across the GRADO brand. They seem to be very well thought of and other sites have good reviews but none specifically for the application of which we intend for them to be used. Any thoughts from you guys?

barthanatos · #13 05-25-2006, 12:07 PM

Regarding Grados:

They are an audiophile listening headphone. Great for listening to music. I don't see them being useful for your application. Superb deal for the money (I'm thinking of the ones that go for about $80 USD).

groov'ster · #14 05-25-2006, 12:14 PM

That is one of the things I am wondering about is them being audiophile type. I might sound crazy but aren't even the ones mentioned above audiophile types? That is the way they are all listed on the site.

I just called HEADPHONES.com and asked about their return policy which is simple enough. If you don't like the product return it within 30 days with the original packing/materials for a refund.

I think we will end up ordering 2 or 3 different types and A/B them.

barthanatos · #15 05-25-2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groov'ster

I might sound crazy but aren't even the ones mentioned above audiophile types?

Yes, but they have characteristics that would make them suitable for your application. I.e. good sound isolation, don't fall off your head while on stage. I can't picture anyone wearing Grados from doing anything other than sitting, for some reason, and I think that circumaural headphones look silly on anyone playing live except the drummer.

Audiophiles are looking for high-fidelity. Uncoloured sound reproduction. Not the kind of "high-fidelity" that you see a pair of $30 speakers at Radio Shack labeled with. Fidelity means being true to the original. To reproduce the source material without changing it whatsoever. So if the recording sucks - the hi-fi headphone/speaker should let you hear everything that is wrong with it. Some people don't want that, others do. On a good set of speakers/headphones I have heard orchestra musicians turning the pages of their sheet music. You can hear nuances of detail that aren't available on cheaper sets - the difference in brand of strings, or thickness of pick... the difference in sound between a Kimball upright and a Steinway Model D concert grand.

barthanatos · #16 05-25-2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groov'ster

If you don't like the product return it within 30 days with the original packing/materials for a refund.

I think we will end up ordering 2 or 3 different types and A/B them.

Great idea.

morf · #17 05-25-2006, 12:28 PM

Grados are great (i own the sr325i) but they dont isolate at all, they're open headphones, you want closed headphones if you need isolation.

groov'ster · #18 06-09-2006, 01:27 PM

just an update on this....

I got the headphones in:

1) Grado 225's
2)Senn 280Pro

After the A/B it is the Grado's handsdown. They are non / un-sealed phones (which we decided on). The bass response is clean and clear while hearing the bass. Your ears can almost feel the bass even at low volumes. The mids and highs are just brilliant and a pleasure to listen to.
They do cost $200 a pair but well worth it.

FYI, thanks again for the input.

barthanatos · #19 06-09-2006, 01:32 PM

Sweetness. Glad you found something that works for you!

wideload · #20 06-09-2006, 01:41 PM

I just found this thread, but wanted to say you will not go wrong with Grado 225s. I love mine, and use them plugged into my practice amp, with my home stereo, and in the studio. I, too, prefer Grado to Sennheiser cans.