Headphone/Monitor REVIEW Thread

Zissou

Zissou

Well-known member
I have searched far and wide, and bought several sets of headphones for monitoring, and listening, with mixed results. Despite the fact i have limited experience and knowledge with professional audio equipment, my ears are rather perceptive and sensitive to different headphones. Basically, i would like to create a thread dedicated to user reviews of headphones/studio monitors, and correlate that to price/performance and utility.

There are headphones, monitors, and DJ headphones. I do not mean in-ear or noise-cancelling units; just straight over-ear or on-ear units. I have not used in-ear or cheap on-the-ear headphones in years. I used various sets to monitor my old XH-A1 and T2i's as well as listen to music, lectures, etc.

In fairness, i used the same receiver (Sony STR-DE897 with 3/8 to 1/4 adapter at same neutral stereo settings), phone (Motorola Atrix 4G neutral stereo settings), and camera (Canon T2i with ML 11.12.22 recording and monitoring the same washing machine sounds with a Rode NTG-2 mic, then reviewing versus what it sounds like in reality). Not exactly a scientific standard, but at least a baseline for a decent pragmatic acoustic review.

I own a set of WESC Bongo on-the-ear headphones (Cassius version; a gift because I adore Cassius), (3 Sets of) Panasonic HTX-7 headphones, one pair of Pioneer HDJ-1000 DJ headphones, one pair of HDJ-2000 Studio/DJ headphones, a set of Adidas Sennheiser HD 25-II (also a gift from a friend) monitors, and have access to a set of BEATS Studio Pro headphones (GF's in Red).

I do wear and use all of them, for different reasons (although the Pioneer HDJ-1000's i have given to a DJ friend since, but i owned and used them for over a year, after i had the HDJ-2000's for six months). I use headphones a LOT. I believe the Sennheisers deliver the truest sound overall, next are the Panasonic's.The WESC Bongo's seem to favor the mids and muddle the highs. The Pioneer HDJ-1000 and HDJ-2000 have excellent sound, but really do favor the bass (or maybe its just me); the mono/stereo switch is nice, as is the included adapter. I have a big head and on-the-ear headphones, such as the WESC Bongo's & Pioneer HDJ-1000's tend to get uncomfortable in an hour, and give me a headache in about two hours. The Sennheisers annoy me because i can't use them on one ear alone or switch to Mono/stereo, same with the BEATS. Frankly, i think the BEATS are overpriced and overhyped; now again this is my opinion, but the Panasonics deliver almost the same SQ without overcranked bass; the Pioneer HDJ-1000/HDJ-2000 sound better (again my opinion) given a mix of different audio material. Overall, i believe the Sennheisers are best for monitoring, and the HDJ-1000/HDJ-2000 for listening.

In my opinion, the Panasonic HTX-7's are best overall, mostly because sound reproduction is closest to the Sennheisers (no overbass like Pioneers and BEATS, no muddled highs like the WESC's), and they are over-the-ear (ergonomics), steel/plastic and 40mm drivers (durability), and very cheap (price). I have 3 pairs of them; to me they are basically disposable at $35. They are the headphones I use the most; for overall utility, because they are so cheap and physically flexible, but my favorites are the Pioneer HDJ-2000's. If the Sennheisers had the same features as the 2000's i would prefer those. I have drug the same pair of Panasonic HTX-7's over 5 continents, dropped them, sat on them, bashed them, got them wet, had them thrown them against a brick wall (political 'discussion' with an irate Frenchman), lent them, left them outside in the elements for days, and they still sound great and held up, all for $35 (not that i recommend it) other than chafed and torn earcups, but for a backup set of monitors, they really do take a beating and work fine.

I would like to see everyone rate their units for the following attributes...
Please list what you paid, what you use them for, and give a brief discourse on how they reproduce sound in terms of reality and what you expected, pro's and con's, and be honest. 1 is lowest rating, 10 is highest.

Price 1-10
Durability 1-10
(Sound Quality) Highs 1-10
(Sound Quality) Mids 1-10
(Sound Quality) Lows 1-10
Utility 1-10
Ergonomics 1-10

Sennheiser (Adidas Version, Black/Blue) HD 25-II
Price - 2 (friend paid $250 new)
Durability - 6 (never really dropped/banged them, i assume the plastic would hold up well but for the earcups chafing)
SQ-H - 9 (GREAT crisp high's)
SQ-M - 9 (GREAT full mids)
SQ-L - 8 (wider lows, but great sound. they do bottom out a bit with heavier music)
Utility - 5 (no Stereo/Mono, chintzy thin wires)
Ergonomics -6 (not as adjustable as i would prefer, prone to snagging)
EXCELLENT natural sound reproduction, yes i have flashy blue Adidas ones, but they are great for monitoring. Blue is my favorite color, and Adidas is about the only sneaker/athletic gear i wear; these one of my favorite and most used gifts.

Pioneer HDJ-2000
Price 3 - (I paid $230 new)
Durability 10 - (magnesium body, nice earcups, thick coiled wiring)
(Sound Quality) 10 - (perfectly clean)
(Sound Quality) 10 - (perfectly clean)
(Sound Quality) 8 - (seems a little too heavy on the bass, but they NEVER bottom out, only reason i give them 8 is they seem too 'bassy')
Utility 10 - (turn, twist, one ear or both, mono or stereo, coiled cable, 1/4 or 3/8 connector; its all there)
Ergonomics 10 - (never hurt my head, coiled cable is long and resists snagging, over-the-ear design is great)
Other than the lows being a bit overemphasized IMO, they are my favorite headphones. I like bass, but in terms of a fair reproduction, it may be overkill for monitoring.

Pioneer HDJ-1000
Price - 7 (I paid $127 new)
Durability - 5 (hard plastic body, hard plastic joints; i know they will break eventually, but same thick coiled wiring as HDJ-2000's)
(Sound Quality) Highs - 10 (same as HDJ-2000's)
(Sound Quality) Mids - 10 (same as HDJ-2000's)
(Sound Quality) Lows - 8 (same reasons as HDJ-2000's; always clean, but overemphasized)
Utility - 10 (same as HDJ-2000's)
Ergonomics 8 (just as nice and adaptive as the HDJ-2000's, but on-the-ear cups eventually give me an earache, so only 8 here)
Acoustically, they sound identical to the HDJ-2000's. Since i bought the HDJ-2000's, i gave them away to a friend who would put them to better use. Overall, excellent units, however.

WESC Bongo (Cassius version; black/green/pink/blue)
Price - 5 (friend paid $160 new in Europe at retail store including VAT and shipping to USA; in USA average is about $65)
Durability - 7 - (flexible plastic, rubber, and stainless steel)
(Sound Quality) - 5 - (seems very muted in the high frequency reproduction)
(Sound Quality) - 10 - (this is where these shine the best; very clean and very rich mids)
(Sound Quality) Lows - 7 - (decent bass, they do not bottom out, but they certainly aren't very wide)
Utility - 6 - (only 1/4" jack, no stereo/mono, but they did come with an extension, to total almost 10' cord)
Ergonomics 4 - (on-the-ear again gives me earaches, and the adjustment maxed out barely fits my head. Earcups are very small but you can shift them to use 1 ear to monitor)
Basically, these were a puff-piece gift; i have a lot of Cassius related stuff; a friend saw them and i had no idea they even existed. My GF uses them on occasion, but mostly they sit in the box, next to my other Cassius stuff.

Panasonic RP HTX-7
Price - 10 - (at under $40 shipped, awesome units)
Durability - 9 - (you really can't break them by accident, but the earcups are pretty soft pleather and tear easily)
(Sound Quality) Highs - 9 - (GREAT highs)
(Sound Quality) Mids -10 - (EXCELLENT mids)
(Sound Quality) Lows - 6 - (they do bottom out before the BEATS Studio, HDJ-1000, HDJ-2000 and HD-25 II's)
Utility - 6 - (no stereo/mono, wiring is thicker than Sennheiser HD-25 II's, no 3/8 jack, average length cord)
Ergonomics - 8 - (same caveats as the BEATS Studio Pro's, but you can use 1 ear to monitor because the headband flexes)
I almost always have a set of these around; one in the car, one at work, one at the house, and i have bought these as gifts for friends and family. There are cheaper knockoffs, but i have yet to try those. I have probably bought 10 pairs of them to date; i had originally bought a set in white to match a retro styled home theater system my friend and i built for our apartment; at that time i was dragging the HDJ-1000's everywhere; after giving them a listen, they became my main units just because i didnt worry about them at all, and that same white pair has now traversed 5 continents.

BEATS Studio Pro
Price - 2 - (I paid $399)
Durability - 6 - (they seem like they should hold up better than the HDJ-1000's, and feel pretty solid)
(Sound Quality) Highs - 9 - GREAT highs)
(Sound Quality) Mids - 10 - (EXCELLENT mids)
(Sound Quality) Lows - 7 - (way overkill, and they bottom out where the HDJ-2000's do not.)
Utility - 6 - (i dislike the cable disconnects, no 3/8 jack, no way to monitor mono or listen with one ear)
Ergonomics - 8 - (Surprisingly comfortable until you try to use just one earcup or tilt the headband back)
I've heard a LOT about BEATS; mostly from people criticizing me for not having them, or people who believe they are wildly overhyped and overpriced. They do sound great (just too bassy and they do bottom out a tad), and yes they are crazy expensive and a status symbol. From a utility standpoint, and ergonomic standpoint (i like to wear one earcup or wear the headband at the back of my neck sometimes) i dislike them, but they are neither the best headphones i've ever used (for monitoring OR listening to music of any sort), nor the worst. My GF uses them because they match her lipstick, Miata, and she likes punchy bass and expensive things, and probably because i bought them for her for no particular reason. They sound great, but i would never buy a set for myself, for previously stated reasons.
 
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You list some DJ headphones, which are different than monitors.

I suggest Sony MDR 7506's. very very good. Durable, great price/performance, and pretty flat frequency response. I use them for mixing down productions (I'm mainly a music producer)

The BEATS and other are not going to give you an accurate representation of sound. But if you're just monitoring and not mixing, I suppose those would be good as well. But the 7506's are my top choice for everything(for under a hundred bucks... unbeatable imo). Get a 10 for everything except maybe durbility... the foam seems to want to come off sometimes :/
 
Thanks, I will check them out. The BEATS and WESC Bongo's I rarely use; my GF uses them more than I, but due to their hype/popularity and the fact that i have them in my household i decided to include them. I do not mix or DJ myself, but i have a few friends i help in terms of studio work (mostly electronica, EDM, and rap; all bass-heavy). I do have to say i am VERY critical in my reviews; frankly the HDJ-2000's are the best headphones ive had or used, and for monitoring i would use them exclusively but i do not care to have them mistreated, stolen, lost, or damaged, hence i tend to use the Panny's most. I have had gear stolen before.

I am looking mostly for a nice monitoring set, to use exclusively in the studio, so your recommendation is spot-on-target. I would use the Sennheisers, but they tend to disappear when my GF is wearing blue, and i am not entirely comfortable using that set, which was a gift from a good friend, in an environment where they will likely be mistreated and 'borrowed' outside the studio (a recurring problem when i am not present), same with the HDJ-2000's. The BEATS are not mine and i only asked to test them against my other gear and my GF is home for once. I actually ran into a random guy with MY headphones on and I complimented him on them; i had lent them (the HDJ-1000's) to a friend, who lent them to the random guy (his friend i didn't know) i ran into at a mall, and after he told me they were 'a friend of a friends', which after two questions turned out to be my 'friend', and an awkward, infuriating phone call, i repossessed my headphones and decided against ever again lending out my better gear. they were scratched and worn; still pisses me off. Similar thing had happened with a DSLR i lent out; after those incidents i would gladly rent gear out, with a sizeable deposit.
 
You should really put durability as 10 on the Sennheiser HD 25.

I have seen the pair that was recovered from a fire when the disco burned down - they still worked!

Despite being covered in ash and water from the firemen.
 
First of all, the priorities for headphones used for monitoring during recording, editing, or mixing and listening for pleasure are very different.

Phone's that make music sound terrific are NOT what you're looking for in pair of cans to be used for monitoring, anything that introduces its own colouration into the sound is not a good thing. Accuracy, comfort, isolation from environmental sounds, and durability are the keys to good monitor cans.

Note that phones should NOT be used at all for mixing, accurate monitor speakers are necessary for that. Mixing while wearing cans usually leads to the frequency balance being out of kilter, especially prone to weak bass, as the phones interact with the wearer's head.and don't give a true picture of what is going on with the mix or what it will sound like in a normal listening environment.
 
Zissou, I appreciate your effort and time you spent to do this thread... My home reference headphones are HD600s. Using your criteria, here's my take on a few of the more popular soundie cans;


Sennheiser HD-25-1-ii
Price - 3 - For $200+ I think you're paying a premium for a visually small set, MUCH smaller than the HD280pro, yet equal or better isolation than the HD280pro, and noticeably more transparent sound.
Durability - 8 - Like the other cans, physically virtually indestructible, with soft pleather ear-cups that can tear, and a thin straight cable, also a durability point deducted because the headband splits, which is good, but the cable that goes over to your left ear is pushed into a track in the band, and could be pulled out as it's not actually inside anything. It's started to come out on rare occasions, and I just push it back in. A plus on this can is the right angle jack. I originally thought the shorter straight cable would be great, but a short coiled cable would be best... as the Sony cable is too long, but the coil is quite convenient when working out of a bag.
Sound Quality, Highs, Mids, and Lows - 9 - EXCELLENT. What I like about these cans is that they do compare favorably with my HD600s... which are open-air phones that you'd never use for any kind of location sound work... i.e. they're HUGE and you hear the music and everything else. I normally listen with those in a quiet room, or on my computer... that has a dedicated sound card and I/O front... and all Noctua fans so that it's dead-silent. The HD-25-1-ii crosses the line between pleasure and work phones better than anything else I've heard, but anybody, even a non-soundie would choose the HD600 as the clear winner for outright detail. Hence "9" and not "10"... and really, all of these cans, including the HD-25-1-ii, could be knocked down another point across the board up against the HD600.
Utility - 6 - These cans don't fold any smaller, what you see is what you get, right angle connector is a +, but short straight cord has turned out to be a -, better long-straight, but straight is turning out to not be my favorite, with a coiled cord you can zip the excess into a bag pocket... and just leave enough coiled cable out that it will stretch comfortably to your head, but stay tidy when you put the cans back.
Ergonomics - 9 - These stay TIGHT on your head, and are adjustable in every possible way, the Sony's aren't as adjustable, and as they got older you have to be conscious of where the headband is or they can fall off, but more on that headband, see this part on the Sony... their headband has an important advantage.
Overall Ranking - 8 - VERY GOOD. If you prioritize absolute sound quality (by a noticeable, but not huge difference), isolation (by a fairly small margin), and style (by a large margin) over practicality and price. Then these are your cans. If you do a lot of post work, then I think you'll find these to be a joy back in front of the PC, but most post guys use monitors and don't mix down with cans. If you DO, you may want these in spite of my other criticisms.


Sennheiser HD280pro
Price - 9 - For $80 (they hit this price periodically) you're getting about 85% of the quality of the HD-25-1-ii, for much less than half the price... and in DIRECT A/B COMPARISON noticeably less detailed sound.
Durability - 8 - Like the other cans, physically virtually indestructible, with soft pleather ear-cups that can tear, but unlike the HD-25-1-ii, a long coiled cable. These cans are basically 100% plastic, but it's pretty obvious that it would take something major to really hurt them.
Sound Quality, Highs, Mids, and Lows - 8 - VERY GOOD. What I like about these cans is that they don't favor any part of the frequency response. Much like the HD-25-1-ii... they are a very balanced sounding headphone. Again, if you do a direct A/B comparison with the HD-25-1-ii, you will be slightly disappointed in the price of these, that is until you open your wallet. The sound is a clear notch "darker" then the HD-25-1-ii. The balanced sound means I don't need to break down highs, mids, lows on these cans either.
Utility - 6 - These cans don't fold any smaller, and they're BIG... in spite of that, on my next gig, I think I'm going to leave the HD-25-1-ii at home and take these. The isolation is nearly as good and in a run 'n gun situation I'd rather not risk my best location sound cans.
Ergonomics - 8 - These stay TIGHT on your head, but they're BIG... think, "Princess Leia". The thick top headband is all bulk... and hard, slick plastic. Again... see this part on the Sony cans.
Overall Ranking - 7 - GOOD. If you prioritize neutral sound quality (albeit at a lower resolution than the HD-25-1-ii... AND a lower MIDS resolution than the Sony), isolation (better isolation than the 7506, and about equal to the HD-25-1-ii), and you can deal with the bulk, these may be your cans. The isolation is significantly better than the Sony, and these 'aint slippin' off your head either... so that's a plus, but the utility functions of the Sony may pull you that direction... read on.


Sony 7506
Price - 9 - For $99 (on sale) You're getting a really good location sound phone, but probably not the cans for mixing back at the PC. A good thing in one place (location) is a bad thing in the other (mids bump) . Headphones for mixing on the PC isn't a good idea anyway, as your mix will most likely only sound good to you, or somebody else using those headphones when they watch your project.
Durability - 7 - In spite of the 7506's metal cups, these cans tend to look worse for wear in every kit I've seen, including my own. I sometimes wonder if the tattered Garfield covers are a symbol of pride... like an old army jacket. The worse they look the better. The Sony pads want to separate in a year or so (certainly less than 2 years if you use them much at all)... and they can also be easily pulled out of place. (You'll see why almost everybody puts on the Garfield pads quickly... it's not just comfort, but it also helps hold the pads in place).
Sound Quality, Highs - 8 - VERY GOOD. Not as transparent of highs as the HD-25-1-ii, but arguably equal to the HD280pro. I think a bit less highest detail, but it's hard to say because of the mids bump.
Sound Quality, Mids - 9 - EXCELLENT. For post mixing, I think this would be a bad thing, but for location sound recording, I welcome the additional presence in the vocal range.
Sound Quality, Lows - 7 - GOOD. Compared to the others, there is definitely a less solid bottom end. If you're coming from a $20 set of cans, you'll still think the bass is great in these.
Utility - 10 - These cans fold to the size of a softball... literally the diameter of a DVD, and therefor tuck into a pocket nicely. They also have a coiled cord so you can zip the excess into a bag pocket... and just leave enough coiled cable out that it will stretch comfortably to your head, but stay tidy when you put the cans down. (In case you wonder why mix bags have three zippers on the pockets, that's the answer, cable management).
Ergonomics - 9 - These do NOT stay tight on your head! Oh sure, when they're brand new they do, but they quickly get sloppy in this regard... HOWEVER, they are definitely comfortable (especially with the Garfield covers)... and more importantly, that headband is extremely useful as a boom fulcrum if you need it! I rarely fly a boom for long takes, but I have had occasion to do so, and the Sony headband will allow you to put the boom across that band and help distribute the weight, plus it gives you additional relief by adding a fulcrum to the boom's leverage which wants to pull the mic down. This is actually a pretty big deal if you spend a whole day knocking out shot after shot and can't set up a boom stand. The other cans don't even come close to allowing this, and in fact you'd ruin the take even trying... because their headbands are hard plastic, while the Sony is leather wrapped, FLAT, and sonically inert... if you put the boom against it you don't hear anything.
Overall Ranking - 8 - VERY GOOD. Here's the issue with the Sony... more or less continuing from the above. When you're on a set, you want the fewest chances for anything to go wrong. I DON'T like the Sony's insecure fit in comparison to the other phones. That's something you really grow to be aware of... not having them straight over your head if you'll be looking down, because they could slide off in the middle of a take! But the fact that you can stuff them into a small pocket on the bag... and use the zippered, cable management system on any bag to your advantage... and most importantly, handle a long boom take, that you may have otherwise struggled through... means that the overall value of these cans is pretty high*.


* The 7506 is what I've been using lately, after several years with the HD-25-1-ii. The HD-25-1-ii is akin to a "European" (smaller) "big brother" of the HD280pro... with a more transparent sound. Why am I heading back to 7506? Because the convenience of how they fold up really small, and the headband. With the HD-25-1-ii... I have to keep 'em around my neck, or else I try to hang them through the handle-style flap on top of my Petrol bag... or else I'll horseshoe them onto one of the harness straps. Then the straight cable (vs. Sony's coiled cable) inevitably catches something from underneath the bag.
 
MattinSTL said:
Zissou, I appreciate your effort and time you spent to do this thread... My home reference headphones are HD600s. Using your criteria, here's my take on a few of the more popular soundie cans;
Click to expand...

MattinSTL,

Thank you, this is exactly what i am hoping this thread might be about. I plan on testing out a few units, using the same criterion and equipment, through amazon by purchasing/returning them (i know, not ethical, but i have limited access to the selection of units i would like to review where i live, and i am looking for a set of monitors that suits daily use criterion and sounds 'right' to me. Everyone's ears are different, same with everyone's tastes; i am looking for the most natural reproduction, with the most features and reliability, i will certainly check out all headsets mentioned above and below. As a sound moderator, i highly value your reviews and opinion; thank you very much for your interest and opinion. I will give the HD600's a listen as soon as i find a set i can demo.

John Willett,

I had no idea the Sen HD 25 II's were so robust (i assume you meant those units as that is what i discoursed upon even though your reply wasn't specific to the HD 25 II's); (again they were a gift) i have treated them with great care (same with all my gear) and assumed they would hold up decently, but something like a fire/water maelstrom i certainly didn't expect them to endure, or want to test. If you have any suggestions as to better methods of testing or better units to test and review, please let me know. This is not my area of expertise, and though i can discern differences, i have no set of monitors from which to draw a correct baseline from; your input would be most appreciated.

Steve House,

I understand the difference between headphones for DJ's, music, and monitoring; my experience lies deeper with DJ and music headphones; not monitors that reproduce sounds fully and accurately; this was the intention of my thread; any given on-ear or over-the-ear unit reviewed for monitoring purposes. I have no real monitors, obviously. Thank you for the input; any suggestions or reviews are most welcome. Please do review whatever cans you have available.

thehadgi,

I have a friend who swears by Sony's, he has a few pairs and certainly knows quite a bit more than i about audio production work. 7506's may very well be in his arsenal; i will make a point to inquire and test them if he indeed has them (which i have little doubt he doesn't). Thank you for the input; please review them here!

I do have a pair of Behringer Truth B2031A powered monitors in my office (friend insisted i buy them and ditch the crap sony speakers i had; good friend), with a 250w powered JBL subwoofer all set up and tuned by a friend of mine who used to be a producer in the Netherlands who is very particular, and disdains headsets/monitors for his own reasons. I learn best by doing, seeing, listening, and experiencing, and my office sounds very different from any set of headphones or 'monitor headphones' i've used. I do mostly on-location gigs, but i would like to learn and understand why what i am using is incorrect, and what i SHOULD be hearing from units plugged into a given camera unit. I love this forum for its users willingness to share and their experience, and i believe if we all share reviews, against perhaps a common sound file or situation with varying sets of units, we could at least create a baseline for monitors for others, if only by comparison. I understand my methodology is completely unorthodox, but everyones' hearing is also different, perhaps we could divine a better way to test a set of monitors (maybe a simple test tone on a standardized mp3 player with a standardized tone test track?) to at least get a gauge. Again, i am nowhere near a professional or even close; i hear differences in monitors/headphones/dj headphones, and i would prefer to have a robust, reliable, baseline unit to rely upon.

I thank you all for your input; please review what gear you have, even if briefly. I have (spent/wasted) a lot of money on this gear, and obviously still have a lot to learn, and i value your educated opinions and experience, as would many others about to make the plunge. There are many others out there interested in your input, as experienced users; in various searches i found little to nothing of substance in terms of reviews and comparisons of these units with regards to monitoring or studio-type use (and i recognize monitors should be used for studio work).

There are certain tools for certain jobs, be it camera work, lighting work, audio recording, playback, video playback, etc. I have yet to find anything remotely close to a monitor review/comparison thread.
 
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