I need some headphones

JoeFowler

JoeFowler

Well-known member
I know this is a frustrating question to answer but I'm hoping there is something I don't know I can learn here. I work for a small production company as an editor. I am not in charge of the final sound mix or master, however I need to mix the temp audio as good as possible to show the Executive Producer for approval. I have requested that in order to do this I need a good set of headphones to mix the audio the best. I have a pair of 7506's at home, but I don't want to bring them into work. They have given me a budget of $35. I can't ask for more (not an option at this point) so I wanted to know if anyone can suggest a pair of headphones that will work good enough for a pre-mix and cost around $35?

Joe
 
Here's my opinion. A reference tool is only as useful as one's ability to use it as a reference.
Your ears are familiar with the Sony's (I assume) so I don't think any others would be as useful.

I can't think of any.. I'm sure they're out there.. Have you checked Frys/Best Buy/Circuit City?
 
$35.00 ? your production co sounds like it would fit in side my daughters ant farm. lol anyway you might find some decent phones used on flea bay for that price?.. worth a shot anyway. although i hate flea bay, and would never use it myself.
 
The frustrating thing is that the other editor (son of the owner) just got a new G5 with two apple HD flat screens and I use a 733 mhtz G4 and one 19 inch crt. So it's not like they don't have the money. As far as what my ears are used to, true, they love the sony, but right now, at work they are trying their best with computer speakers, so what do you do.

iamloser- I hate Ebay as well, so I'll try something else.
 
I would try giving Performance Audio a call and seeing what they can do for you. Perhaps they would rent you a decent pair for this project. they are in SLC and you could request rental and purchase prices and just give the quote to the prod company, making it their decision.
http://www.performanceaudio.com/
 
http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Panasonic RP-HT355 Headphone:1990352879

I use these as a cheap pair of surprisingly good sounding consumer headphones. A mixer recommended them to me like 5 years ago, I am surprised they still make them. I might order another pair as these things sound great and who cares if break/lose them (still would not recommend them for critical field use-maybe a pair for your director). The pair I have has lasted several years (2001?) and they get treated with quite a bit of contempt.

Not great but for $30 the best you are going to get.

Good luck
 
That sounds great Wabbit, I'll look into it.

JY_Blue- I get frustrated with Performance Audio, they just don't seem to have passion for their business anymore.

Joe
 
I would jump up and get some sennheiser (sp) 280 series headphones - very nice on the ears and very nice sounding
 
I've got my own little production company based out of my home, where I actually have two pairs of Sony 7506's. I love them, but I don't want to bring them into my full time office. I think for what they want me to do the Panasonic's that Wabbit suggested will be fine, I still need to check them out though.

vjbrennan- It is frustrating, but you make do with what you got. I know it's something we all understand. I feel like being a filmmaker means making compromises, but if we can limit them, we've accomplished something. Thanks for your sympathy.
 
i suggest that you offer to rent yours for this project. maybe if they are around the office and you can explain you personally always use a $100 pair of headphones, they will pick one up for use in the future. I understand not wanting to throw in freebies but think you may already have some creative solutions at your disposal. no sense working with inferior equipment if not necessary.

anyway, how's the weather in Utah today?
 
For basic post-sound monitoring, headphone quality is not critical. You can't do any EQ with headphones so if you are just "making sure the sound is there" a cheapy will not kill you. Still the higher end headphones are more comfortable and you will hear more of what is actually there but if that what they can afford, this is one area I think it's ok to go on the cheap.

Good luck
 
I think the thing to pick up here is this employer will divide by three any recommendations you make. Yah, that kind of stinks, but it's good to know. Sorry to hear about their preference to equip their son with the newest computer in the office. That's life..
 
For sure, but don't think I'm ungrateful for this job, I am. It's hard to find regular work in the industry, especially year-round work. I'm an editor who works 40 hours a week 9-5 and gets salary, so I can't complain. Like I said, I'm not the final mixer, it's just that the Exec. Prod. likes to have updates, and the headphones will work better then the computer speakers I have! As far as renting out my set, they'd just laugh. When I say small, this company does dozens of projects a year for the straight-to-video market, they have (as far as I know) three editors alone, all working full time/salary. So it's not tiny. That's why it can be frustrating when they limit on equipment. But I can still produce better then their expectations, so, maybe when I've been here a bit longer I'll have more pull. Until then, believe me, I'm grateful for the job. My last one was a mall security guard!

JY_Blue- Sunny and warm, finally.
 
wabbit said:
For basic post-sound monitoring, headphone quality is not critical. You can't do any EQ with headphones so if you are just "making sure the sound is there" a cheapy will not kill you. Still the higher end headphones are more comfortable and you will hear more of what is actually there but if that what they can afford, this is one area I think it's ok to go on the cheap.

Good luck
Click to expand...

Wabbit

It's the equivalent to me of saying that we'll shoot it now and not worry too much about how it looks but fix it later. In the professional world we do it right the first time. It offers two things, less potential problems later and even greater ability at making it shine later on because we were able t make sure it was as good as it could be when we captured it. While it might not be for everyone, I think if you are striving to be as professional as you can than its SOP #1. (Standard Operating Procedure) I don''t expect to EQ in the field and don't want to but having a clear idea of what I have is going to allow me to make the correct decisions so that it can be EQed successfully later. I would suggest to everyone that they get the best headphones they can afford. 70% of what you watch is about sound. Or said another way, you can watch a TV without picture but can't watch without the sound.
 
But, Walter..

The original poster said he already owns two sets of Sony 7506's. He's working as a video editor, not a sound designer. He even said that he was not doing the final mix; someone else is. He is looking for something a step above his computer speakers for a rough draft to show the producer.

He was looking for a $35 pair because that's all his company is willing to spend. Why criticize?
He knows cheap headphones aren't a reference tool; that's why he personally owns 7506's.

Did you read the thread, bro?
 
thisiswells said:
But, Walter..

The original poster said he already owns two sets of Sony 7506's. He's working as a video editor, not a sound designer. He even said that he was not doing the final mix; someone else is. He is looking for something a step above his computer speakers for a rough draft to show the producer.

He was looking for a $35 pair because that's all his company is willing to spend. Why criticize?
He knows cheap headphones aren't a reference tool; that's why he personally owns 7506's.

Did you read the thread, bro?
Click to expand...

Didn't see anywhere where I criticized anyone. Perhaps you are reading something I never wrote. My last response was not the original post but the poster who hinted that cheaper was fine. BUt back to the original thread, for thirty five bucks, there really is no better or worse. In fact like speakers, headphones are completely subjective.
 
Walter- not to discredit what you said, you have a great point, but what we're talking about is "temp" audio (voice over, sfx, music) for an animated film. All the audio is recorded in a booth and mixed after the final edit. In this situation, I agree with Wabbit. But for live action and location sound, you are exactly right.
Joe
 
JoeFowler said:
Walter- not to discredit what you said, you have a great point, but what we're talking about is "temp" audio (voice over, sfx, music) for an animated film. All the audio is recorded in a booth and mixed after the final edit. In this situation, I agree with Wabbit. But for live action and location sound, you are exactly right.
Joe
Click to expand...


Sorry, I don't get it. Why we would not want to always hear and see the best is beyond me. It's just not a professional attitude as far as I can see.
 
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