recommend headphones for live playing

[sonicnuance]

yes you read that right.

I've tried in ears for a while (Shure SCL3 and SCL5) and am just not happy with the sound quality compared to my cheap studio headphones.

I've tried said headphones live, but the isolation is poor

Thus, I'm looking for something in the $100 range with great sound quality (mainly bass) and isolation

Any recommendations?

Thanks,
mozar

 

[TimmyP]

Best isolation, good to very good fidelity: ExtremeHeadphones EX29 big-ass around-the-ear headphones (current version only - I think they have gold lettering on them).

Good isolation, good to very good fidelity: M-Audio IE10 earbuds.

No isolation, best fidelity: Any Grado model, but preferably the 125 or better.

Poor isolation, mediocre fidelity: Sony 7506 (the one all the pros use - for reasons I cannot fathom).

 

[nic salsus]

Poor isolation, mediocre fidelity: Sony 7506 (the one all the pros use - for reasons I cannot fathom).

Because they fold up nice and don't break. Mediocre cans that arrive intact work better than kicka$$ cans that are broken. And besides how ANY set sounds in a lot of ways isn't that important when you're soloing a channel or subgroup....it won't sound like the FOH mix no matter how great they are.

I think the AKG 240 is a good set for the money. Not totally flat response they lean a little toward the bass and the isolation is reasonably good.

 

[sonicnuance]

Best isolation, good to very good fidelity: ExtremeHeadphones EX29 big-ass around-the-ear headphones (current version only - I think they have gold lettering on them).

Good isolation, good to very good fidelity: M-Audio IE10 earbuds.

No isolation, best fidelity: Any Grado model, but preferably the 125 or better.

Poor isolation, mediocre fidelity: Sony 7506 (the one all the pros use - for reasons I cannot fathom).

Thanks for the info. I tried a friend's MDRV6 (which is supposed to be identical to the 7506) and was very impressed with the sound quality. The isolation seemed ok to good. Not sure why several people (you aren't the only one) complain about the sound quality. Must be hearing something I'm not. Perhaps I'm comparing to iem and its not a fair comparison.

I was leaning towards the ExtremeHeadphones but they do look huge to me.

 

[nic salsus]

Thanks for the info. I tried a friend's MDRV6 (which is supposed to be identical to the 7506) and was very impressed with the sound quality. The isolation seemed ok to good. Not sure why several people (you aren't the only one) complain about the sound quality. Must be hearing something I'm not. Perhaps I'm comparing to iem and its not a fair comparison.

The sound "quality" is relative. I was happy enough with my 7506's and believe me if they totally sucked the number of excellent professional audio engineers who use them would not be so high despite the opinions of a few consumers who are used to hearing accentuated bass response. They are NOT a closed can though and the isolation is not as good as with a bigger muff.

 

[Gregidon]

yes you read that right.

I've tried in ears for a while (Shure SCL3 and SCL5) and am just not happy with the sound quality compared to my cheap studio headphones.

I've tried said headphones live, but the isolation is poor

Thus, I'm looking for something in the $100 range with great sound quality (mainly bass) and isolation

Any recommendations?

Thanks,
mozar

In my humble opinion, headphones look really goofy when worn live. What do you find lacking in the sound of the SCL5's? If you haven't tried it yet, get custom molds done. You should be able to get this done at an audiologist for ~$100. The molds should be done to at least the second bend in your ear and will most likely dramatically improve the sound of the ears. Otherwise I've heard really good things about Westone IEM's.

 

[sonicnuance]

In my humble opinion, headphones look really goofy when worn live. What do you find lacking in the sound of the SCL5's? If you haven't tried it yet, get custom molds done. You should be able to get this done at an audiologist for ~$100. The molds should be done to at least the second bend in your ear and will most likely dramatically improve the sound of the ears. Otherwise I've heard really good things about Westone IEM's.

imho, for the SCL5s the bass is still lacking, the highs or possibly high mids are over emphasized and the isolation is not great (mainly due to the fit).

 

[walker rosewood]

http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.co...443954&src=3WFRWXX&ZYXSEM=0&CAWELAID=26031969


Vic Firth Isolation Headphones. Marketed for drummers. I've used them for drumming and was very satisfied with the isolation, and the audio quality was pretty good.