JPF Home Page Forums Musician Gear and Techniques Recording Studio and Gear Forum Headphone preferences for recording?

I have a ProTools LE Digi-001 setup and need to get some new headphones. I'm wondering which brands/models of headphones people are using?

-Shawn

I found that the beyerdynamic DT770 is probably one the better closed cup headphones for under $200. Closed cups are a must if you are recording with microphones (who isn't). There are probably better headphones out there if you are willing to spend more money.

I love the Sony MDR-7506 Dynamic Stereo
headphones. However, they don't have a flat curve and tend to boost the lows and highs more than the mids. But us old folks tend to need help in those ranges as we age, so they're cool by me.

The Sony 7506s are one of the most popular headphones going for use in studios. I agree they aren't necessarily flat in their response. They are good for picking out details and hearing low end problems, though. I have a couple of these myself and use them for tracking all the time. They are a closed-back design and therefore minimize headphone bleed when tracking.

The AKG D240F Studio versions are much more "natural" sounding. They are also very popular. I have the older ones with the higher impedance, so they aren't as loud as the Sony's for a given volume setting, but the newer "Studio" versions have a lower impedance (similar to the Sony's) and are therefore very efficient while keeping their flat frequency response. They are a "semi-closed" design and will therefore not totally isolate you from the environment. They will have a little headphone bleed into the mic. I use them more for mixdown because of that. They do sound much more like speakers than the Sonys.

They're both just under $100.

I've also heard very good things about the Fostex T40 and T50 headphones.


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Larry
www.audibleresponse.com

I've got a 7506 and I love it. A lot of the studios here are using the Fostex, it's real comfortable and the wire to it can be removed and replaced. The Fostex sounds just a little bassier than the Sony.

The eq on headphones helps me when I'm doing a session. I hear the cymbals and the bass more clearly.

Mike

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Mike Dunbar Music

Sennheisers all the way baby! I used "closed" models so they don't leak into the mics.

Jody

WooHooo!! Three lords in a row respond. The other thing to point out - but of course is very obvious and probably doesn't need to be said - when you have closed headphones that don't bleed, it means that ALL of the sound is being forced into your ears. So keep your volume at a comfortable level!
No easier way to ruin your music career that being deaf. Well, being dead would count as a way too, but that's another story.

Actually, being dead can be a great career move.

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Mike Dunbar Music

Thanks for all of the suggestions. And please, keep 'em coming! I'll do some research into all of the headphones in this thread and try to figure out what'll suit me best. For the most part, I'll only be using headphones when recording vocals and I'll also need a good pair to try and isolate some of those odd pops and noises. I've been using a pair of generic discman headphones for years. I figured now was the time to look for something better.

-Shawn

Like Larry, I also use both the Sony MDR-7506 as well as the AKG-240s. Depending on what your budget will allow, it's nice to hear the subtle variety.

I emphasized the Sony's because I like them best.

I use Fostex T20-RP's. Not totally closed, but good response in my opinion.

Slap me silly, but I like listening to the AKG K55 closed back. They're plenty beefy with clear top and mids seem distinct as well. 40mm, 32ohm, $30.

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www.mp3.com/40LOVE www.soundclick.com/EdX

Nobody mentioned the Sony MDR-7509. This is a little insane, but I wanted to be able to monitor the drums in my headphones while they were being played in the same room, and these suckers are loud and have great bottom end. (The salesperson tried to talk me out of it.) I always liked my AKG K240DF, but now only use them occasionally. I should buy the MDR-7506 as well, because I need another set of quality closed-back headphones for vocalists. (The consumer-quality JVCs I own suck, but I don't want to share my 7509s!)