Headphones
I've narrowed my search for quality studio headphones to two made by Sennheiser. The specs on the two are very similar except impedance. The one with 64 ohms is about $60 less than the one with 150 ohms. My question is, what difference does this make? If I'm planning to use the headphones for mixing recordings in PTP, and playing through the GNX3000, and listening to music with a Dell DJ (IOW all purpose), do I need to spend the extra $60 for the higher ohms??? I've read plenty of articles about impedance, but can't seem to wrap my tiny little brain around it in a practical sense. :oops: Thanks!!
Comments
Athm40fs by audio technica are a great choice.
http://www.americanmusical.com/item--i-AUD-ATHM40FS.html
For gen purpose all around type:
Sony Mdr7506, or 7509 great choices too
Volume = gain = power. The higher ohm model will offer more resistance...thereby extending the \"life\" of your drivers. Less likely damage could be caused. These headphone drivers are only going to last just so long anyway...before they are breaking down. Higher ohm models will simply last a little longer....before they are crapping out.
If you intend to be using a headphone amp...be looking at the higher ohm models. Or if you will be using these headphones extendsively. You will begin to notice the drop in sound quality with these little drivers...so it pays to get the noise-cancelling models too...so you can operate at lower volumes.
I have the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro which are 64 ohm. I like them and only paid $100 for them. Earbud headphones will blow them away though.
Hey Manitou, what do you mean by \"earbuds will blow them away\"? Do you mean they sound better? Or last longer?
which are very comparable quality...costing $130 @ 26 ohms ....I have to adjust the volume way down.
I think the lower ohms also...means you can have a higher volume capability....like in guitar speakers. But since the earbud design fits into your ear canal...you are getting even a better noise-cancelling capability...and the transmission can be at a lower volume....or should be. I tend to listen to my iPod WAY too loud.
I bought my Sennheiser's to use with my GNX4...and they are great. Not the most comfortable though. Comfort is a big factor...as big as sound quality. I am more comfortable wearing my earbud headphones. I think that was an important point iliace made. ...Comfort.
Some have too much bass...some too much treble. Buy from companies that will allow you to return them hassle free. That is my best advice. What works for my head, and taste may not be what works for you.
I think what guitar3456 was suggesting...is a pair quite neutral sounding?? You may or may not like the sound once you put them on. I have a pair of the Sony he was suggesting...and yes those were nice too...but I have fried the drivers long ago...just can't bare to toss them away.
The 280 Pro's I'm using...they slide back on my head...and I have to keep pushing them back into place. I have another similar pair that fit tighter...and they make my head ache around my ears within a short while. I hate that. I just counted 8 pair...I own. I really only use 4 pair regularly. hehehe...get my drift?
But let me say...my best suggestion is since you mentioned Sennheiser 64 ohm...I will assume you are refering to the 280 Pro and I really enjoy mine. I think I am just going to fasten them to a baseball cap to help keep them in place.
Thanks again for the input fella's 8) 8)
Even Sweetwater and Musicians buy recomm AThm40Fs for the mixing on VS series recorders for Roland, and others. being flat, your mixes/edits will be better when you play your burned CD's on other units. The reason you want Flat field hp's is you can mix much longer with less ear fatigue.. With other phones, you'll have uneven mixes when you compare them the day after. Especially since the phones are right on your ears.. EF will set in fast. Next morning you'll hear a lot of things you didn't want! been there.. done that. You can mix with Hp's, but it's better to do so with monitors aimed at you just around ear level.
General Rule- NEVER have you Hp's above normal voice levels in a room. IOW.. if you can't hear someone talking while your phones are on, or you have to scream at them.. it's too loud. Turn it down and wait till the room is quiet enough to do mix sessions. You don't want Tinnitus and many recorders, soundcards, and mfx units are far capable of delivering that unwanted gift!! If you hear the slightest ringg.. stop. Wait a few hours, and go back to it at a lower vol level.
Don't ever mix after using power equipment, lawn mowers, being near a fan or air conditioner, mixer/blender, dust buster, or vacuum of any kind, after listening to Surr Sound TV (many don't know that) .. or after an argument! Most Eng's sit in a control room for 20-30 min with nothing turned on prior to a session. Choose a quiet area, and relax the brain cells a while. Midrange guitar freq's/trebles are the worst and first that your ear will attenuate if too loud. Your mixes next morning will be muddd.
You can buy some $500 beyer's too, but if you want something FF, for less than $80, Athm40fs ($69) is a very very good choice. Flip out earcups also are nice when recording Vocals.
For final masters, you want FR.. not flat. Then you can compare your mixes. Unfortunately they don't have HP's that do both.
Earbud headphones are one of my hates.
Fact: For every hour you wear earbuds, the bacteria in your ear canal multiply (due to the abscence of ventilation) by a factor of 100.
Result: Increased risk of ear infection, leading to possible loss of hearing/hearing quality.
I like my earbuds for my iPod...especially while I am out jogging. But indoors I will switch over to other headphones. I use my Senns on my GNX4...and my Sonys on my computer. I like to listen to iTunes while I post stuff like....ppppPPPPbbbbffft*spittle. :?
ohh yeah...my hearing is checked 2 times each year. I have never suffered any losses. If there was any claim to your statement...I'm sure OSHA might like to hear it.
being around jets, carriers, has impaired his hearing. Even with the protections they use, long term exposure, pressure changes.. bad. Extreme example here but even guys that use the best prot gear can suffer.
He's a great musician, but cranks everything these days.. of course, riding a Softail harley, playing a Mode 4 don't help either!
increased risk of infection.
Where i live the humidty is very high, and regularly gets to 90% and 38oC in summer. The conditions in your ear in that environment are a pure haven for bacteria.
No doubt that wearing ear plugs to get enough sleep/protect your hearing is worth it, but if you have the choice, go for ear muffs (that dont go into your canal) and non-bud style headphones. In my opinion
Impacted ear wax is a bigger risk and don't reuse ear plugs or IEM's unless disinfected. One blogger even had Diesel and Levi lint in the wax ball weaving the bacteria bomb tight in both ears. http://www.mikegarrigan.com/Blog/2006/06/ear-plugs-elephant-gun.html
I picked up a pair of these at the GC Labor Day Sale for $79 less the $10 card they gave me for being there early. They are great, and the price was right!
I do all my mixes with Koss $19.95 titanium mini headphones. Maybe it shows...... But I'm about deaf from my former years of loud pickin on a bandstand. I'm just happy to hear anything at all.
If I could hear you, I would agree completely!!