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Wife asking- Headphone Recommendation?

wifebass

wifebass

Nov 27, 2023
4
20
#1
Hey Talkbass!

I don't play an instrument but my husband does. I want to get him a pair of headphones for Christmas but there are so many on the market it's making my head spin. He's got a Pbass and Music Man.
I would love a recommendation on what to get him that has good sound quality and will last with regular use.

Thanks thanks from a clueless wife!
 
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#3
Does he already have an amp with a headphone jack (or a different practice setup) that he can plug headphones into? If so, my favorite headphones for practice are the DT990 Pro (250 Ohm) by Beyerdynamic. They are "open back" so he can still hear what's going on in the room if necessary, very comfortable, and the pads can be washed/replaced when they start to get funky (hey, it happens). They make less-expensive headphones as well. ("Closed-back" headphones are designed to seal off the sound much more completely than open-back.)

AKG, Audio-Technica, Sony, and Sennheiser are also good brands for headphones. [edit, I also own the aforementioned AKG headphones; I prefer the Beyer DT990 for bass.]

Welcome, and feel free to ask more questions if this isn't helpful. :thumbsup:
 
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#4
I got an inexpensive pair of Samson SR850 to use for practicing with a headphone amp. I have been extremely pleased. They have lasted for about three years and still going strong. I have beat them fairly hard as I spent about 10 months traveling and in hotels this year (sad I know) and I use them every day.
They sound "good enough". I play 5 strings thru them with no problem.
Hope this helps.
 
#9
wifebass said:
Hey Talkbass!

I don't play an instrument but my husband does. I want to get him a pair of headphones for Christmas but there are so many on the market it's making my head spin. He's got a Pbass and Music Man.
I would love a recommendation on what to get him that has good sound quality and will last with regular use.

Thanks thanks from a clueless wife!
Click to expand...
Set a price range. Good cans can cost hundreds and more. I have a pair of the above mentioned Sennheiser HD650s. Can’t do better. Only different.
 
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#14
wifebass said:
Hey Talkbass!

I don't play an instrument but my husband does. I want to get him a pair of headphones for Christmas but there are so many on the market it's making my head spin. He's got a Pbass and Music Man.
I would love a recommendation on what to get him that has good sound quality and will last with regular use.

Thanks thanks from a clueless wife!
Click to expand...

I have been using my in-ear monitors for playing and just for listening to music, they sound outstanding and weren’t expensive. KZ ZS10 pro’s, like $50 on Amazon. I got them as an entry level point into in-ear monitors and they’re so good that I can’t justify getting “real” ones.
 
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#15
InhumanResource said:
I have been using my in-ear monitors for playing and just for listening to music, they sound outstanding and weren’t expensive. KZ ZS10 pro’s, like $50 on Amazon. I got them as an entry level point into in-ear monitors and they’re so good that I can’t justify getting “real” ones.
Click to expand...
That’s a good idea! I should try that home (maybe today!). I’ll second Beyer-Dynamic 770’s. Very flat sounding headphones that will easily take, and reproduce bass.
 
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#17
You didn't say whether you wanted wired or wireless (Bluetooth). For wired only the Audio-Technica ATH-M50 are great. Audio-Technica also make a Bluetooth version of these which can also be used with a cable. The black ones are on sale now. ATH-M50xBT2

For consumer-grade wireless I like Sony, which can also be used wired as they include a cable. These have noise cancellation which means nothing to a musician using headphones for practice and listening. But it's useful on a plane trip.

I'd probably get the ATH-M50xBT2.
 
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#18
michael_t said:
Audio-Technica ATH-M50. That's what I've been using as part of my "quiet home practice" setup. The senior sound tech at my church regards them very highly as well.
Click to expand...
I've had my eye on these too, if and when I need to replace my Senn HD280s.
Stay away from Bluetooth wireless. The latency is too noticeable still for a play along set of cans. If you are considering wireless, Sennheiser makes some nice RF sets.
 
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#20
The AKG K240s represent tremendous value for money — very comfortable and great sound quality for well under $100, and they'd be a welcome tool for any musician.

EvilJ said:
Sennheiser HD 650. Sounds amazing!
Click to expand...

marchone said:
Set a price range. Good cans can cost hundreds and more. I have a pair of the above mentioned Sennheiser HD650s. Can’t do better. Only different.
Click to expand...

For more like $300, as noted, the Sennheiser HD650s offer really outstanding sound quality — they're widely used by audio engineering professionals for monitoring and sometimes even mixing, and deliver a very accurate sonic image. If the recipient is into making recordings they'd be a real enabler for quality improvement.

VERY nice of you to be getting such a thoughtful present!
 
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