Headphone recommendations

Cans are great but if editing 5.1 surround they don't really cut it. For that, you really need a correctly calibrated good 5.1 speaker system set up in an acoustically suitable space. Have to learn Resolve's way of doing that now as for years I've finished TV surround audio in Vegas Pro.

Chris Young
 
It's great to be told how to do things when you're learning but once you feel you know what you're doing, maybe it's best to do what works for you. I started off by doing what I was taught, doing audio post on a set of good studio monitors but these days I find phones work best for me with a final check on computer speakers and also on on a decent set of monitors. To each their own.

Also agree with Chris, 5.1 sound is not ideal on phones!
 
stewhem said:
It's great to be told how to do things when you're learning but once you feel you know what you're doing, maybe it's best to do what works for you. I started off by doing what I was taught, doing audio post on a set of good studio monitors but these days I find phones work best for me with a final check on computer speakers and also on on a decent set of monitors. To each their own.
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I agree. I use cans but I'm not doing mission critical work. Besides people watch videos on all sorts of non optimal devices such as phones, tables, tv without a proper speakers.

The main reason I use cans is because they isolate the sound from all the distractions around me, whether that's the furnace, air conditioner, computer fan, or the million noises from outside.

I've noticed people like to get worked up by things like this.
 
Peter C. said:
I agree. I use cans but I'm not doing mission critical work. Besides people watch videos on all sorts of non optimal devices such as phones, tables, tv without a proper speakers.

The main reason I use cans is because they isolate the sound from all the distractions around me, whether that's the furnace, air conditioner, computer fan, or the million noises from outside.

I've noticed people like to get worked up by things like this.
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I agree completely with you and stewhem. I'm not mixing an album or doing complicated sound editing for the next comic book movie. 5.1 mixing? I don't even know what that is, nor do I care. I'm just doing simple dialog editing with some nat sound, and maybe some music and occassional SFX. The important thing is that I just need to make sure make sure every little audio edit is clean and there are no unwanted sounds. such as extra breaths, lip noise, etc. Headphones allow me to hear little things that I could never hear on speakers. And with the right pair of headphones, such as the Grado 80s I mentioned earlier, there is no fatigue to worry about. It ain't rocket science.
 
Peter C. said:
I agree. I use cans but I'm not doing mission critical work. Besides people watch videos on all sorts of non optimal devices such as phones, tables, tv without a proper speakers.
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That’s an argument for BETTER monitoring gear, not worse. You color correct on a calibrated monitor because that way all the lousy displays at least get a good baseline image to then destroy with their crappiness.

Same deal with sound. A mix that was mixed and sounds good on quality speakers or cans is going to sound better on a phone or tablet speaker than one you edit with garbage equipment.
 
jbregar said:
Same deal with sound. A mix that was mixed and sounds good on quality speakers or cans is going to sound better on a phone or tablet speaker than one you edit with garbage equipment.
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Yamaha NS10s fly in the face of that argument. But that’s a different topic.
 
Oh NS10s... they're super unflattering and I don't know anyone who'd use them as a main set of mixing monitors... but they are good at cross-checking to see what your mix sounds like on lousy speakers. Kind of like Avantone MixCubes. Avantone even makes a modern remake of the NS10M.

Since I do stuff for TV, I use a crappy soundbar for the role I'd use Avantones for. It sounds remarkably like the built-in speakers on most TVs.

To bring this back to the subject at hand. I just got a pair of the Røde NTH-100 cans. I haven't spent much time listening to them, but they're insanely comfortable (for me anyway) and seem to sound pretty decent. I'm looking forward to being able to swap in a 4' cord for camera work. I wish they folded in some way though.
 
Depending on what you do and for how long I would recommend different headphones.

If you really edit much and for long long periods, then focus on some that feels good to "you". Headphones that aren't heavy, squeezes your head, and ear fatigue should be more important than audio fidelity. If you on the other hand just edit for a short time (less than an hour), then focus more on headphones that have good audio quality. Sometimes you are lucky and the audio quality and ergonomics are both good for you.

Personally I would say Audio Technica ATH-M50X is a good bang for the buck, around $100-120. To me they are OK only for sub 1-hour sessions. One reason also why they are good is that the availability means you can always pick a set up somewhere. It is really bad when you have a setup and you know it by heart and something breaks that can't be easily replaced, and all of a sudden the "benchmark" of comparison is ruined. This is why it is somewhat bad to buy "new stuff" even if it is "better" in this case.

I would also recommend the various Beyerdynamics DT PRO 770 / 990, they go for around $110-130, for me they are better in ergonomics and sound.

Don't get Sony MDR-7506, they are great for "field recording" (mostly cause they are cheap and easy to replace), but not "fun" for mixing.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I've ordered the Rodes but won't be able to collect them for a week or so. Soon as I've tried them I'll offer my views FWIW. Thanks again.
 
I’ll follow your advice, Doug and let you know if I agree :) (couldn’t get rid of the stupid face) by the way, I assume you’ve tried the Rodes… : ) (got rid of it!)
 
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stewhem said:
I’ll follow your advice, Doug and let you know if I agree :) (couldn’t get rid of the stupid face) by the way, I assume you’ve tried the Rodes… : ) (got rid of it!)
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Well, I have to admit thatI have not tried the Rodes (unless they were one of the literally 50 - 60 pairs I tried at B&H a few years ago) but I can jump to some conclusions based on the pictures on their website. https://rode.com/en/headphones/over-ear/nth-100

First of all, they aren't open-air headphones so there is no way they will be as comfortable as the Grados after a few hours of editing. There's something about the isolation of regular headphones that makes that type of heaphone more fatiguing. It is good to be able to hear regular ambient sounds, while at the same time, having the NLE audio right in your ear so you can hear every detail. You do not need total isolation in post. Big difference between field audio and editing/mixing. Open air headphones are also cooler because they allow airflow.

Another thing I don't like about over the ear headphones is how they press against your head and upper jaw. Look at the woman with the purple face and notice how much of the cup rides on her jaw. That is incredibly fatiguing after a few hours. On the other hand, the Grados don't really touch anything but your ear. It is like having a dry sponge pressed against your ear. You barely know you are wearing them.

The Rodes weigh 50% more, and I'll bet that weight does not include the weight of the cable since it is removable.

So, I admit I have not tried the Rodes, but I have used those types of over the ear heaphones and RTS headsets for 40 years, and after a few hours I just want to rip them all off my head.

Let us know how it works out.
 
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On a music forum I used to frequent, regulars would chuckle every time a Headphone recommendation thread was created. You get a bunch of people slamming their fists on the table proclaiming the unquestionable "best" headphones are the ones they use.

Most people would agree the Sony MDRs are the industry standard field recording headphone. I have few sets because I want the same headphones for mixing as the ones I used to monitor the recording. Some people don't want to use what the "standard". There is a peculiar desire to put addition emphasis on the headphones you choose like it's a life altering decision. Hey I wearing them in my avatar so maybe it is super important.
 
I agree completely. There will always be people who are passionate about the gear they use and can appreciate the nuances between different choices available to them. And there are those who don't give a ****.
 
I think the operative thing here is... headphones are a VERY VERY personal choice. Some people like the isolation of closed-back and don't mind the closed-in feel. Some people like over-ears and can't stand on-ears (me) and others love on-ears and aren't comfortable with over-ears (Doug, apparently).

Personally, I find open back far more comfortable for long periods of time... but they're absolutely worthless outside of a quiet editing bay or studio because of the leak (both ways). Grados in particular are REALLY bad at leaking sound OUT so you annoy anyone sitting next to you. That's why my field cans are all closed-back.

I have a pair of DT990 Premiums hanging from the underside of my desk and I use them when I'm editing after everyone else has gone to sleep. They sound good, they're comfy for me for long wear and they're accurate enough for the purpose. I still prefer my monitor setup when making noise is an option though.

When it comes to headphones... much like jeans or underwear you have to try them out yourself with your own situation and anatomy and find the ones that work for YOU. Part of the reason MDR-7506s are so popular is they're the default option because they're "ok" at a lot of things. Which means when it comes time to steal a pair from your school or employer, that's likely what they bought for the students/employees and what's going to be there to steal. :D

Speaking of personal... I've now spent some time with the NTH-100s. I will say, they're still super comfortable and I think they sound great. RØDE did pretty darn well for their first pair of headphones. I think they'll likely end up in my camera bag as my standard field monitoring headphones and I'll demote the HD380s (which are looking a little worse for wear) to "loaner" duty.
 
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Some good points there Doug. The proof of the pudding… so I’ll offer my views in about a week’s time. On location till then.
 
These are good and affordable:

Best Studio Headphones under $100 - Sony MDR-7506/Sennheiser HD 280 PRO for audio & video production
https://youtu.be/iWtsZLMbkeA

Putting on headphones to hear every sound and to clean up audio ins and outs is great. But like many have said, don’t mix with headphones unless that’s how most people will listen to your final video. Use studio monitors. Otherwise you’ll end up mixing your music and sound effects too low.

just my 2 cents.
 
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