Let's talk about headphones

[Jeff White]

I have a pair of AKG K240M phones that are pleasant to listen to but too quiet and do not provide enough isolation when I am in the same room as the band. I also have a pair of Sony 7506 phones that are a bit harsh but loud enough (as in louder than the AKGs) and isolate a little better. Oh, and the 7506s fold up into a bag. Sweet.

I think that I am going to sell the AKGs and keep the Sonys.

What I want: A pair of headphones that isolate well (don't have to be extreme isolation) and are close to flat and not as harsh as the Sonys. I would like two pairs for under $200, but if something in the $150 price range is stellar, then two of those. Oh, and if they fold up for portability and are fully shielded (they'll end up in a bag with my Powerbook and hard drives from time to time), yay!

These will not be for the folks who are tracking (I plan on getting 4 pairs of additional cheap phones for them), but for location recording, working on film editing, etc until I buy a house and have a proper mixing environment in the next year. Working with headphones shouldn't be such a pita, and right now, it is.

Recommendations?

Thanks!

Jeff

[Phiz]

Sennheiser HD280pro?

[Jeff White]

Sennheiser HD280pro?

How are they? How do they compare to the Sonys or AKG K240s? Are they loud enough when one is in the same room as the drums??

Jeff

[helmuth]

Regarding loud enough, the studio version of 240 takes care of that, 55ohms instead of the monitors 600ohm. They are wide open though, just as you say.

I just had and returned a pair of akg 271-studio that are pretty close to the 240, isolates pretty good. Didn't seem 100% right to me but you really should check them out. I went on to a pair of beyerdynamic dt100 that felt really weird soundwise and really uncomfortable over time. Back to 240 for me next.

[Jeff White]

Regarding loud enough, the studio version of 240 takes care of that, 55ohms instead of the monitors 600ohm. They are wide open though, just as you say.

Yeah, I was thinking about that, too. However, I need them to be ultra portable (fold) and again, isolate. I am thinking that my 7506 may be staring me in the face as the simplest solution, though they are harsh to my ears. Maybe I'm just used to the K240M phones?

I am going to check out the K240S phones anyway.

Jeff

[Phiz]

Sennheiser HD280pro?

How are they? How do they compare to the Sonys or AKG K240s? Are they loud enough when one is in the same room as the drums??

They are 64 ohms, so they can get loud. I haven't had on a pair of AKG 240s in a long time, so I can't comment on relative sound quality. However, these are more comfortable than I recall 240s being. Not super comfortable, but better. Good isolation.

I think my Sennheiser's are flatter than Sony 7506s. I can wear them for a long time without getting ear fatigue.

They also fold up, but you gotta find your own bag.....

[cgarges]

Ditto on the 280s. Flatter and mich more pleasant to listen to than the Sonys and a little nicer-sounding than the AKGs to my ears. Much more predictable sound, as well. They're fairly well-isolated and comfortable-enough to wear for long periods of time. They're my current favorites. If I could get certain bands to stop destroying headphones, I would equip an entire studio with them.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

[thunderboy]

I'll second the Sennheiser HD280 - not as harsh as the 7506, great isolation and they fold away nicely. Also 64 ohms.

jt

[godwinaudio]

Yeah, HD-280 pro. I like them a lot. We bought 6 or 7 pair around here, and we're happy all the time. And, I LOVE HEADPHONES, so, I've listened to a bunch.



Christopher Godwin
Godwin Audio

[rfbutter]

Here is a related question. I'm thinking about consolidating my headphones as I currently use AKG 240s for recording at home and Sony MDR-700's for DJ gigs. Would the HD-280s be suitable for a loud club environment? Is there a better choice for my needs? Thanks.

[dtrider]

Here is a related question. I'm thinking about consolidating my headphones as I currently use AKG 240s for recording at home and Sony MDR-700's for DJ gigs. Would the HD-280s be suitable for a loud club environment? Is there a better choice for my needs? Thanks.

i think the 700's sound better than 280's but they break like crazy! anybody try the audio technica ATHM50 ??

[cjogo]

We use the ATH-M40s and the KOSS UR-30 for clients-- If the client destroys them, they are under $30 to replace:lol:

I personally use the wireless X Dream, while at the board.

[Jeff White]

I feel like an ass, but I didn't have time this week to try a bunch of phones out and needed something fast for location stuff. I bought a second pair of 7506s and a pair of the AKG K240 Studios, which are awesome.


I'm getting a second pair of the AKG K240 Studios when I get paid next week. That'll bring me up to:

(1) AKG K240M
(2) AKG K240 Studios
(2) Sony 7506 (portable)

I'm going to check out the HD-280 Pros at some point as well, but I feel like I'm good to go now and I really like the K240 Studios for myself. I can deal with the 7506s when I need some compact phones, and since I have pairs / will have pairs of each, I can work with others.

Thanks for the input!!!

Jeff

[thunderboy]

i think the 700's sound better than 280's...

Really? I find them to have too much scooped out of the midrange to be of any use in a critical situation - unless there are a few different versions of the 700.

jt