Headphones for monitoring in the field
- Thread starter Rider
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Richard Crowley
Veteran
What does "moderately priced" mean to YOU?
The de-facto standard in the western hemisphere is probably the Sony MDR-7506. Other brands and models are favored in other portions of the planet.
The de-facto standard in the western hemisphere is probably the Sony MDR-7506. Other brands and models are favored in other portions of the planet.
Sam Mallery
Well-known member
I've heard that the Sony V6 headphones are essentially identical to the MDR-7506, and they're usually $25 to $30 cheaper.
Although not popular with the location sound crowd, I have migrated to in-ear monitors. I'm currently using the M-Audio IE-30s which are dual driver monitors and provide 24db of isolation and much flatter response than the Sonys. These are a ruggedized version of the Ultimate Ears Pro 5s. Granted, they are a little more costly but I can wear them all day without my ears sweating. The isolation is much better than headphones so I can get clean and clear monitoring without having to listen at as high a level.
Most people like the Sonys, they're "standard" similar to Tram/Sanken/Countryman mics are "standard", but I personally like the Sennheiser HD280 Pro's a lot:
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/professional_dj-headphones-HD-280-PRO_004974
They go for about $99, although you can find them for $20 cheaper if you shop around. They are getting more and more popular with sound people; I've heard more than one person say they sound better than the more common Sony models. They also double as excellent general-use headphones for music & movies, as well as being good on airplanes because they cut down on engine noise. My only gripe is that the padded headband wrap can be hard to get on/stay on sometimes (uses a cheap ziploc-style press-seal), so you might want to glue or velcro it on, or replace it entirely.
Richard Crowley
Veteran
I agree. I have several of each and they are practically indistinguishable, at least IME.
JordanBlock
Well-known member
The major difference in the V6 and the 7506 is the warranty.
I used the V6 models for a long time and they were OK. I recently purchased the Senn 280s and really like them at about the same $$ as the Sony models. The actual audio is no better-worse IMO, but they fit over my ears better and thus have better attenuation. Now you know I have big ears, it's why a have a face made for radio.
Grant
Grant
sonidista
Active member
best headphone for the field is Sennheiser HD 25 period. A bit brighter than the 7506 and definitely the loudest headphones I know which is crucial in the field. They're light and they fit tightly.
7506 are good too but the coiled cable becomes a mess and gets stuck too easily with your bag or whetever it can find. You can find a lot of 7506s from China on ebay these days for very cheap (around 50 $) and from what I read in forums they seem to be real ones.
7506 are good too but the coiled cable becomes a mess and gets stuck too easily with your bag or whetever it can find. You can find a lot of 7506s from China on ebay these days for very cheap (around 50 $) and from what I read in forums they seem to be real ones.
ullanta
Veteran
Remote Audio HN-7506 - not cheap, but the best isolation you can find. By far the most important single item in my kit!
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...udio_HN7506_HN_7506_High_Noise_Isolating.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...udio_HN7506_HN_7506_High_Noise_Isolating.html
i use the sennheiser hd25s & beyerdynamic dt250 most of the time.
loudness is superior with the sennheisers, but after half an hour, it feels as if your ears are about to die because the speaker pads put that much pressure on your ear cups. i only use them when i need to, but when i need loud, i get it.
the allround winner for me is the beyer dt250. they give a good mix of wear comfort, loudness (the 80 ohms version) and isolation. they go around your ears instead of squeezing them like the sennheisers do. very balanced spectrum. the ear cushions and cable are easily interchangeable.
hope this helps.
loudness is superior with the sennheisers, but after half an hour, it feels as if your ears are about to die because the speaker pads put that much pressure on your ear cups. i only use them when i need to, but when i need loud, i get it.
the allround winner for me is the beyer dt250. they give a good mix of wear comfort, loudness (the 80 ohms version) and isolation. they go around your ears instead of squeezing them like the sennheisers do. very balanced spectrum. the ear cushions and cable are easily interchangeable.
hope this helps.