Great cans for location setups?

[Bob Olhsson]

I really like the combination of in-ear phones and airport-style hearing protectors. Each drops the ambient level around 15-20 dB.

Without that kind of isolation you have to choose between not being able to hear what you are doing or hearing damage.

[zemlin]

I've used that combo so I can hear my scanner at F1 races - but that was just with crappy ear-buds. What in-ears do you like?

[Walling1]

I really love my Etymotic ER-4. They sound great, and have a ton of isolation. And if I need even more isolation, like for placing guitar amp mics or sticking my head in a piano, then I do what Bob mentioned and add some over ear muff style hearing protection.

www.etymotic.com

They make great earplugs too!

[Bob Olhsson]

I have Etymotic ER-4s but I'm told Shures are also really good.

[7rojo7]

Audio Technica
ATH-M40fs
80 bucks a pair
I have 10
before that it was AKG 270 or Beyers
field replaceable parts (AKGs no)

[fifthcircle]

I've been pretty happy for the most part with the Sony MDR-V700DJ headphones. The botom is a bit big, but the sound isn't as fatiguing as with some of their earlier versions of their cans.

The big problem is the build quality of one of the joints in it is really bad. I have six pairs of them and 4 have broken over a couple years. I'm stuck because I like the sound, but to replace that broken part costs $90. The cans new cost about $100.

dfegad SONY for that...

--Ben

[pan60]

i also have the sony MDR-700's and don't care for the bottom but.
i have been looking at the Ultrasones, but not sure i need to spend that much for no more then i use them.

[fifthcircle]

Some people really like the Ultrasones, but I must say I'm not convinced. They seem awfully harsh on the top end (I notice it especially when I listen to strings in them). For that kind of money, they should be a heck of a lot better sounding.


-Ben

[De chromium cob]

I like my pair of ultraphones....http://www.gk-music.com/ultraphones.htm

But here's another great set of cans.....

[zemlin]

uh - so where do my ears go?

[fifthcircle]

Glad to see that we're the mature types here.... I was waiting to see how long it was going to take for the obligatory "cans" shot...


--Ben

[littledoodler]

Originally Posted by De chromium cob

I like my pair of ultraphones....http://www.gk-music.com/ultraphones.htm

But here's another great set of cans.....

Ahh, yeah, but they are fake.

[Coolstuff]

Originally Posted by fifthcircle

Some people really like the Ultrasones, but I must say I'm not convinced. They seem awfully harsh on the top end (I notice it especially when I listen to strings in them). For that kind of money, they should be a heck of a lot better sounding.


-Ben

Which model are you listening to? The HFI 650's or higher should not be harsh in any way.

I find them very detailed and smooth throughout the range. While some people find them to be too much of a departure* from what they are used to, most find them a definite improvement.

*The offest drivers give you a very different listening experience. More like listening to speakers than headphones. Some find that hard to get used to, but some find it much more natrural.

[Coolstuff]

For In-Ears, take a look at http://IFBSource.com

[De chromium cob]

Originally Posted by fifthcircle

Glad to see that we're the mature types here.... I was waiting to see how long it was going to take for the obligatory "cans" shot...


--Ben

I hope I never outgrow my fondness for the obligatory cans shot......

[fifthcircle]

Originally Posted by Coolstuff

Which model are you listening to? The HFI 650's or higher should not be harsh in any way.

I find them very detailed and smooth throughout the range. While some people find them to be too much of a departure* from what they are used to, most find them a definite improvement.

*The offest drivers give you a very different listening experience. More like listening to speakers than headphones. Some find that hard to get used to, but some find it much more natrural.

I have actually listened to the entire line. A hyped top end is something that I'm really sensitive to and while these aren't as bad as some, I don't think they are worth what they cost... I was kind of disappointed as I was hoping that they'd be better. I really am getting tired of Sony's BS.

--Ben

[zemlin]

I ended up with Futuresonics EM3 - $99, plus a pair of 31dB muffs. I can't hear a damn thing (except the blood in my head) unless it's coming through the wire. I'm not sure I'd say the EM3s sound great, but they seem to be very good at highlighting defects, which is actually what I want. Initially the bass was WAY too boomy, but I fixed that by not stuffing them as far into my head.

Just finished my first location recording (choral) where I used that combination to setup the mics. I'll see how well I did when I start mixing. I did a REAL quick mix (levels only) and let some of the singers listen through my AKG240s - their eyes popped when they heard it - so I think it will turn out OK.

[Matt Pneumatic]

I own a pair of the Beyer DT770's and have had them since 10th grade in high school (1996). I absolutely love them.

As far as their characteristics of sound reproduction, they are extremely smooth sounding (as opposed to Sony's which are more towards the harsh and bright side). The high end is extremely accurate (this is coming from someone who listens to CD's on a McIntosh stereo with PMC speakers at home). The imaging is very eye opening in an accurate manor. Someone mentioned above that the low end was too much on these headphones and I would have to dissagree. These headphones just extend MUCH lower then any other headphone out on the marketplace. If I had to say that these headphones sound like a certain speaker, it would have to be a Genelec. My only qualm is that they tend to be a little muddy in the low mid-range, though I think you'll find that this is true with most closed style headphones.

Lastly, the isolation on these guys is fantastic! I use them quite a bit for classical recording as well as rock recording. They stood their ground and isolated themselves even when recording Patti Smith at the Bowery on New Years this year. (That was a loud show)

Thumbs up wheather you're looking for a remote headphone set or even an audiophile set for the home. Nothing beats them in the under $200 range.

[Audy O]

Although the musicians always go for the Sony MDR-V6, I find your ears can get burnt out in the highs if you listen too loud, too long. Also, they don't isolate well.

I have the ATM40fs, darker sounding but fine if you're not looking for bright phones.

Tried the Senn 280 and they weren't comfortable and the sound wasn't remarkable.

Heard good things about the AKG 271 but haven't found a pair to try.

I'm itching to get my hands on the new Audio Technica ATM-Pro5MS.

Anyone try the ATM-Pro5MS or AKG271 and want to give us your take?

Audy O

[achtung baby]

Sony MDR-V700DJ user here.

i also use them when i spin my favorite rock records at whatever club will have me.

[Dan Kennedy]

Beyer 770's are my reference, all others just checks.

I don't like Sony's much, other than their flex and fold-a-bility.

[Celloman]

At fist I thought the Ultrasones were hyped in the treble, but they perform much better when used as the manufacturer prescibes, at low volumes. When I play them much lower than I would ever on other phones, they sound best to me and still have detail. When they say "surround sound" headphones, I equate that with "diffuse field" and I don't try to get 'in your face' results with these phones.

Mike

[Jim vanBergen]

I use the Senn 280s (too much hyped bottom) and Sony 7506's (not great, not bad either) a lot for remote work. The Ultrasones sound good but not great, and they take getting used to...I would not chance a live mix on them, but would track remote with them no question. I have many pairs of AKG's and they sit unused in the studio unless talent wants 'em... they just have no isolation. I really like the Grado headphones with a Grace headphone amp but can't justify the setup time or cost on remote recording.

[hollywood_steve]

another VERY happy owner/user of Beyer 770s here. Anyone know if Beyer changed anything when they recently began offering 770s with different impedance ratings?

[Coolstuff]

The thing about The Ultrasones is that each model sounds different , and the "experience" due the offset drivers is different for everyone. Some people find it difficult to adapt to the difference between the Ultrasones and what what they are used to, at least initially. But once you unlearn what you've come to expect headphones to sound like, they really are nice to listen to.

The Proline's (650, 750) have larger cans than the HFI's, which make them more comfortable, and the offset is greater which accentuates the S-Logic effect. The HFI 700's are the closest in size, feel and sound to other phones (280, 7506).

Since they sound different to everyone, I recommend listening to each one to find the one that best suits each person.

There are a limited number of demo units available.

[sonic_reducer]

Mr Zemlin,

My two cents (probably not worth that much)...

Trew audio, and i think, Coffey Sound sell a set of cans that are basically Sony 7506 drivers tucked into airplane iso cans... A few guys i know really like having them around for just that kind of application (that and for the times you're working on a set with obnoxious producers).

As far as sound quality goes, I've always found that I never like any one set of headphones, and i end up coming back to the ones i know well, not because they have perfect sound, but because I can listen THROUGH them (not TO them) well. I happen to like the 7506 headphones because of the ridiculous top end - If you can make them sound good, then you know your tracks are really damn good.

**So**

perhaps a decent thing to try out is to buy a vintage set of super isolation headphones, and replace the drivers with your favorite ones. I know a few people that have done that, and most of them seem pretty happy. The change in enclosure will alter the sound of the drivers somewhat, but at least you can listen through them, not to them, with a better understanding of what you're hearing vs. what's on tape/hard drive/wire/tin can with string, because you're already familiar with the product.

[boomed]

http://www.trewaudio.com/catalog/items/item9.htm

This is what you want. I used the ER4 for a couple of years but got tired of the abuse of my ear canal. These are 7506 drivers and the enclosure will give you about 30db of isolation. Not cheap but well worth the money.

[De chromium cob]

Originally Posted by boomed

http://www.trewaudio.com/catalog/items/item9.htm

These are 7506 drivers and the enclosure will give you about 30db of isolation. Not cheap but well worth the money.

Same thing, but $65 cheaper. http://www.gk-music.com/ultraphones.htm

[boomed]

Not really the same. Check out the build quality of the headband. The Remote Audios are very comfortable and built to last a long time. But if you want to save $65.00 be my guest. You could use the extra cash for a Syborg with de chromium cobb.