Headphones for monitoring sound on camera

E

Exact

Veteran
I'm in the market to replace all the headphones we use for monitoring sound when filming. All ours have picked up some bumps and bangs and, well... it's time to replace them all.

I'm looking for suggestions on relatively good sets. Nothing too cheap, nothing way out there price wise. Maybe in the $100-$200 range would be ideal, for use with Canon XF and DSLRs.

So, what do you use, how do you find them, how much where they and do you have a link ? :D
 
The headphones most commonly mentioned as favorites are the Sony MDR-7506 and the Sennheiser HD-280 (?)
I own half a dozen pair of 7506 (or their identical cousin MDR-V6) I think I have the right Sennheiser model number. But if not, a correction is sure to follow.
 
I liked my Sennheiser HD280's (about $100), left them behind on a shoot somewhere once and lost them, and replaced them with a Sennheiser HD380 (closer to $200), which I like much, much better for location work. I suppose the sound quality is a little better, but the main advantages for me were in the physical/mechanical design of the headphones. The earcups are lower profile and make it easier to wear the phones while also operating a shoulder mount camera. More important, they fold up really small and flat and come with a very compact case that fits easily in my run bag and looks like it will provide a lot of protection against banging them up and stressing the cables. Most of my problems with headphones over the years have come from physically breaking them or developing intermittents in the cables and connectors from stressing and flexing them too much. The HD380's look like they were specifically designed to address some of these issues and genuinely hold up in the field. They're also very comfortable on my head, although I've heard complaints from people with bigger noggins than mine that they are a bit tight -- you might want to test them in person before buying if you have a larger than average hat size.

Either Sennheiser model (280 or 380) is actually a fine choice. I know the Sonys are also very well regarded, and kind of an industry standard, but it just happens that I've never used them so I'm not qualified to comment.

- Greg
 
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I've used the Sony models and prefer the Sennheisers for the reason that Greg didn't like about the 280's. The 280 have deeper ear cups which for me is more comfy. They seal up well around the ear giving better attenuation of outside noise than the Sony models IMHO. For sure if I were using a shoulder mount cam, I might feel differently. A nice fold up for storage like Greg described for the 380 would be a nice thing, the 280 model is fairly genormous to store in a road bag.

Grant
 
Thanks for the replies. Just to muddy the waters I've had a recommendation to look at Audio Technica too. Thoughts?
 
Shure has recently come out with competitive model HPs, as well as KRK. I would stay away from the overpriced (and frequency hyped) designer HPs, which would probably fall apart in a pro environment.
It's a subjective choice. One should try out as many as possible.
FWIW, I use the 7506 with Garfield Softie covers
 
I have a couple of Sony MDR-V6s but I hate the coiled cord for field use. If only Sony would get wise and offer them with a straight cord. They'd double sales. I actually started using the KRK 6400 for the field and really like them. Very comfortable and decent, uncolored sound. They seem to be holding up. If you have a big head like mine, the Senn 280 isn't that comfortable.
 
I fell in love with the Phillips 'The Stretch' headphones, they sound amazing and offer detail that the Sony's or the Senns dont with out hyping the sound and they are light and very comfy, with good isolation.

G
 
Rick R said:
FWIW, I use the 7506 with Garfield Softie covers
Click to expand...

Using that rig right now.

The 7506 was the first decent sounding well built cans with foldable ear cups .. that and the price promoted their acceptance out in the field.
If you run and gun a lot, buy another set as backup.

Cheers.
 
Here is my suggestion: Beyerdynamic DT 48E

Quite expensive, but great for field recording, very accurate, with ambient noise attenuation.
 
Sennheiser HD 25-1 II looks small and cheap, but it has 3 features making it my headphones of choice:

1) built to survive a great deal of field abuse. (In fact, thanks to its small size and rugged design, I don't hesitate to stuff it into an already fully loaded camera bag).
2) great for use in a high noise environment. (So I can keep the audio volume low to protect my hearing during long hours' use.)
3) allows one to hear more sounds than cheaper or non-DJ style headphones do (even in a very quiet environment).

It's designed to "clamp" on the ears, causing discomfort when I first used it. But human heads/ears can adapt to such "unusual" feelings, so after a couple "tries" it'll be comfortable enough to wear for hours. In fact, it's not unusual to totally forget it "clamping" my head, due to its lightweight and soft skin touch. Of course, my ears may feel warm, which keeps reminding me of its clamping on my ears.

In a controlled environment, because equipment abuse or high noise are much less likely, there are many other similarly great headphones to pick. But for field use, HD 25-1 II is probably the best that $200 can get. Certainly, for that to be true, it has to be great for studio use in the first place and no doubt it is.
 
recordingwhiz said:
I fell in love with the Phillips 'The Stretch' headphones, they sound amazing and offer detail that the Sony's or the Senns dont with out hyping the sound and they are light and very comfy, with good isolation.

G
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+1. For live sound recording, comfort is the most important thing to me and these Philips cans are about as comfy as you can get. Lightweight and durable too. The sound isn't the best but more than adequate for checking for levels and any distortion. Only got mine for $40 so they are well worth the money.
For editing and mixing, I use my Shure 440s which sound more detailed but are huge and heavy.
 
I use the sennheiser HD-25-2 and the sony 7506 but sometimes for ENG work just a pair of small sony walkman type cans (not in ear)

It is more about knowing your gear and making sure that you are monitoring it rather than taking chances that all will be OK.
 
Sennheiser HD-25.

And more specifically the HD-25 model 13-II.

Some people may argue because this is the 600ohm version and so it would draw more power versus the 70ohm model, but I prefer the sound of the former one and it is less tiring for your ears over extend period of use.

I had the Sony 7506 and I liked it at the time, but the biggest problem of these headphones is that over the time the earpads deteriorates, pretty quickly, and so the pressure on your head is modified, enough to modify it´s sound.

My 2 cents of advice.
 
S.Blanchardon said:
...
I had the Sony 7506 and I liked it at the time, but the biggest problem of these headphones is that over the time the earpads deteriorates, pretty quickly, and so the pressure on your head is modified, enough to modify it´s sound...
Click to expand...
The earpads on the 7506 are easily and cheaply replaced. Needed new ones last year and I think they were like $10.
 
S.Blanchardon said:
Sennheiser HD-25.

Some people may argue because this is the 600ohm version and so it would draw more power versus the 70ohm model, but I prefer the sound of the former one and it is less tiring for your ears over extend period of use.
Click to expand...

The lower-impedance (70 ohm) load will draw more power (current) than the higher-impedance (600-ohm) model. That typically results that the higher-impedance models put out less SPL for a given output voltage.

I had the Sony 7506 and I liked it at the time, but the biggest problem of these headphones is that over the time the earpads deteriorates, pretty quickly, and so the pressure on your head is modified, enough to modify it´s sound.
Click to expand...
There are several 3rd party replacement pads which are easy to replace, more comfortable, AND more durable.
 
Exact said:
I'm in the market to replace all the headphones we use for monitoring sound when filming. All ours have picked up some bumps and bangs and, well... it's time to replace them all.

I'm looking for suggestions on relatively good sets. Nothing too cheap, nothing way out there price wise. Maybe in the $100-$200 range would be ideal, for use with Canon XF and DSLRs.

So, what do you use, how do you find them, how much where they and do you have a link ? :D
Click to expand...

The best are the Sennheiser HD 25-1 II.

These are 120dB efficient (about 13dB better than the Sony), seal well against external noise, are trustworthy and are the industry standard in Europe.

They were, in fac, desihgned originally exactly for what you want to do.
 
I am impressed with the Direct Sound EX29 Extreme Isolation Headphones http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002GZLY2/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00 which can be as low as $99. The headband issue in older reviews has been fixed (they really should have changed the model number). There are a couple videos on youtube about making repairs which is pretty cool because I would have guessed you would throw these away if they break somewhere. Basically the are very user repairable for a reasonable price.I've used them on a few shoots and the three sound guys were all impressed. I find them very comfortable and can wear for many hours without discomfort. The sound quality is good, but not excellent (pretty much on par with its price point). Sound is also flat as advertised.
 
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