Headphones

S

scottfs

Well-known member
Since I've been drafted into doing sound for a number of movies (four shorts so far this summer, one in the offing in fall), I'm thinking about replacing my old, cheapie headphones (Sennheiser). The Sennheiser sounds fine, but they don't isolate external sound very well, making it somewhat difficult to judge sound on the set.

Going through the list here it seems there are at least two popular headphones. Many folks like the Sony MDR-7506. A few have mentioned the Sennheiser HD 1-II or the HD 25 SP II by the same manufacturer. The price for the Sony is about $85, the HD 25 SP II is $130, and the HD 1-II is $200. (Prices for imported goods is increasing as the dollar heads to the cellar.)

So, who likes what? And why? Any other choices I should think about? The price range under discussion is OK, but don't want to go much higher unless it gets me closer to nirvana.
 
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I'm trying to make the samedecision(HD25 vs MDR1506. For me, the question is which is the mostappropriate for monitoring voice in film. From what I have read, theSens definitely sound better for music - particularly in the highsand lows. However, I'm more interested the voice range and in pickingup errant noise(if it is there) to assure that that I am capturingclean audio.

Sony's seem to have better portability and soundisolation. Comfort is a personal thing - some report that the Sen'shurt after a while and Sony can make you sweat around the ears if youwear them in a hot environment or for a long time. The non-coiledcord of the Sen's is a plus for me. It may be worth pointing out thatSony is the industry standard. This could be a plus if a directorwants to hear some audio on the set. But then again a set Sens cansmay sound like music to his/her ears.

From a practical standpoint, I don'tthink it really matters, but lusting for the Sens is anotherissue(grins).
 
I'm happy with my 7506's. If you go this route, I strongly advise swapping out the leatherette earpads for these Beyer Dynamic velour pads:

http://www.pro-sound.com/Merchant2/..._Code=PSS&Product_Code=SBEYEP4&Category_Code=

The coiled cable is a pain in the butt. It's probably worth contacting a place like Pro Sound or Gotham in NYC to see how much it would cost to have a straight cable mod done.

I was one of those people who lusted after the Senny HD 25-1 II's... until I bought a pair. I loved the sound but they squeezed my head way too tightly. I was forced to return them.
 
Cheap Sony headphones

Cheap Sony headphones

In researching this topic, I went to a small website called, I think, e-bay. Ever heard of it? Anyway, there are whole bunch of what is advertised as brand new Sony MDR-7506 headphones for about 1/2 the price that B&H charges.

Are these legit, does anyone know? A recommended pair of headphones for about forty bucks IS enticing.
 
Headphones are probably the single most used item in your audio kit, and already one of the least expensive parts. Bargain hunting on your phones and ending up with junk is not worth the risk.

Don't fall for the low price ebay deals. There are a TON of fake 7506s out there. Genuine 7506s will never cost you less than $80, and buy only from a reputable store / site.

If you're after isolation, I'd lean towards the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro instead of the 7506.
 
It's *not* HD 1-II it's HD 25-1 II which is the industry standard for location recording in Europe (incl. the UK).

They isolate extremely well, even with the optional velour earpads (included in the kit).

The HD 25-1 is a lot more efficient than the Sony (120dB as opposed to 106dB - making the HD 25-1 14dB more efficient).

My own HD 25-1 are over 20 years old (22 I think) and are still going strong - alll I have had to do is replace earpads about four times and the headband pads once, after 20 years use).
 
I have found that you'll find varying opinions from people on headphones. I have my personal preference (there are two that I love), but I was able to narrow down the field by using all the main brands. For some people, a pair of headphones may feel too tight on their head, for others, they may feel just fine. For me, some headphones that some people think isolate very well don't work at all for me. Aside for the audio quality of the headphones, another large factor is the shape of your head and the size of your ears. I personally don't like headphones that rest on my ears. That really really bothers me, but that's just me. For some people, it's a non-issue. When I used to sell headphones, I can say that the Sennheiser HD-280 Pro headphones and the Sony MDR-7506 headphones were the most popular. Then Ultrasone came out, and their stuff is pretty stellar, but some of their models are on the pricey side.
 
See if you can find a used pair of Ultrasone HFI700's. They no longer make them, sadly, but they are by far the best HP's I have EVER used. And I have used Senn's, Sony's, the whole gamut.

As dave said, yes they are pricey, but oh man, for me........soooooooo worth it, for comfort, isolation, and resolution.

Here's a pair on ebay right now: http://cgi.ebay.com/ULTRASONE-HFI-7...62898?pt=DJ_Gear_Lighting&hash=item43a836a752

Notice that those are the only real pair on ebay right now? Because once you use them, you won't want to get rid of them. And those are only 100.00 bucks. I paid over twice that for mine.

Now compare that to the myriad of ads for the sony and senn HP's, both new and used.
 
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Stay away from Sony MDR-7506 deals which are too good to be true, they are all fakes. There have been stories also here about those.

One serious contender is Audio Technica ATH-M50 nobody has mentioned yet. Solid cans with good isolation and good lows. I like them better than the Sonys which are not bad either.
 
Which of these headphones is better?

Which of these headphones is better?

I would like to upgrade my headphones that I use on location, doing sound for short, zero budget films. I have an older pair of Sennheisers, but they don't isolate well enough.

I want over-the-ear construction, as that is more comfortable to me than on-the-ear.

These two are within a dollar of each other: The Sony MDR-7506 or the Sennheiser HD-280 Pro.

In your opinion, which would be better for location/field work. I'm primarily using these for indie work, as I've mentioned, but I also am making a wildlife documentary, and I want to use these headphones for that type of work.

Thanks for any opinion.
 
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Thanks, Doc, but I'm just interested in whether these Sennheiser (which are now on sale at B&H, and cheaper than the Sonys. I am just constitutionally opposed to spending one penny more than I have to. My parents went through the Depression and made me a very conservative spender. Any opinion on the Sennheiser HD-280 pro? The other Sennheisers are more expensive. Sorry if I am annoying folks with my decision-making process.
 
Agree with Doc on this. Also, this gets asked about twice a month, so you might want to try a search for past threads.

FWIW, I have used both headphones and prefer the Sennheisers. Not because I think they are better sounding, but because they have deeper ear cups which IMHO make them attenuate outside sound better.

Grant
 
I'm with Grant -- the Sennheiser HD280Pro's are the most physically comfortable headphones I've owned, and they seem to have held up well to the rigors of life in a gear bag. But I've heard other people complain that they don't fit their heads well -- so this is a very individual matter. I'm sure all the popular phones in that price range sound good enough for field monitoring work, but again, as John Willett likes to point out, the Sennheisers are sensitive and produce a decent and highly isolated volume even with the relatively weak drive from some camera headphone amplifiers.

- Greg
 
scottfs said:
I would like to upgrade my headphones that I use on location, doing sound for short, zero budget films. I have an older pair of Sennheisers, but they don't isolate well enough.

I want over-the-ear construction, as that is more comfortable to me than on-the-ear.

These two are within a dollar of each other: The Sony MDR-7506 or the Sennheiser HD-280 Pro.

In your opinion, which would be better for location/field work. I'm primarily using these for indie work, as I've mentioned, but I also am making a wildlife documentary, and I want to use these headphones for that type of work.

Thanks for any opinion.
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If you can't afford the HD 25-1 II, then I would go for the newer HD 380 Pro over the older 280 Pro.

The HD 380 Pro fold flat and come with a zipped carrying case for protection.

The HD 25-1 are 14dB more efficient than teh Sony and the 380 are 4dB more efficient (ie: giving you louder level for the same volume setting, which means you can reduce the volume and maximise battery life).
 
i've been using the Sennheiser's HD 380 Pro for a couple of months now and they've been great so far, excellent isolation and very comfortable
 
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