Quick headphone q. at DVinfo.net

Ayesha Khan · March 26th, 2009, 11:22 AM

I have read many threads on recommended headphones and have blown most of my budget on the Camera. I will mainly be making short docs and some art stuff...

My question is simply, is it acceptable to use DJ headphones? My friend has an oldish pair he's looking to get rid of and selling them very cheap! They are over the ear and surely must be relatively good quality for DJ sets etc? They are Sony too.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

Tom Hardwick · March 26th, 2009, 11:48 AM

Simple - try them for size and try them for sound. On your hi-fi as well as your XH. Make sure they go loud enough on the XH

Ayesha Khan · March 26th, 2009, 12:05 PM

You rock tom! :D

Thing is I don't have my camera yet... and they'll probably be gone by then... But i'm not really one for an impulse buy so I'll wait....

Also - Shotgun Mics: If I'm getting a discounted NTG 3 is it better (as the name suggests) than the NTG 1 and 2? One of which I was going to get anyway....

Jordan Block · March 26th, 2009, 12:08 PM

Sony MDR-7506's can be had for $100 and they're an industry standard, but if you're getting a way better price on the DJ phones, it probably can't hurt to give them a shot.

Tom Hardwick · March 26th, 2009, 12:19 PM

Best to google the NTGs, but I'm guessing the various versions are phantom powered only, phantom +AA cell, and AA cell + mini jack, something like that.

Jeffery Magat · March 26th, 2009, 12:19 PM

I would be cautious when using DJ headphones. These types of headphones tend to have a boosted high and/or low end. Might be a good idea to check tech specs and compare.

Jordan Block · March 26th, 2009, 12:38 PM

The NTG-1 and NTG-2 are basically the same mic. The NTG-1 is phantom only, while the NTG-2 is phantom/battery (AA) powered, and weighs about 50g (1-3/4 oz) more as a result of the added length. The NTG-3 is generally comparable to a Sennheiser 416 and is a great value.

YouTube - Sennheiser MKH 416 vs. RODE NTG-3

RØDE Microphones - NTG-1 Around $250 USD
RØDE Microphones - NTG-2 Around $270 USD
RØDE Microphones - NTG-3 Around $700 USD
Sennheiser USA - MKH416 Around $1100 USD

Steve House · March 26th, 2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ayesha Khan

I have read many threads on recommended headphones and have blown most of my budget on the Camera. I will mainly be making short docs and some art stuff...

My question is simply, is it acceptable to use DJ headphones? My friend has an oldish pair he's looking to get rid of and selling them very cheap! They are over the ear and surely must be relatively good quality for DJ sets etc? They are Sony too.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

It really depends on what you're using them for. If you're plugging in to the camera during a shoot to monitor for noise pickup, drops outs, etc (as you should) then any decent quality cans that exclude most of the environmental noises will do. But if you're monitoring for sound quality or plan to use them in post, then the choice needs to get more serious. As mentioned before, the industry standard Sony MDR7506 is quite reasonable in cost at about $100 and offer very good performance for the money. I'd stay away from DJ phones because they are going to be highly coloured in their sound, not flat and accurate, and accuracy is the name of the game, not "great sound", when it comes to monitoring and evaluating.

Ayesha Khan · March 27th, 2009, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve House

It really depends on what you're using them for. If you're plugging in to the camera during a shoot to monitor for noise pickup, drops outs, etc (as you should) then any decent quality cans that exclude most of the environmental noises will do. But if you're monitoring for sound quality or plan to use them in post, then the choice needs to get more serious. As mentioned before, the industry standard Sony MDR7506 is quite reasonable in cost at about $100 and offer very good performance for the money. I'd stay away from DJ phones because they are going to be highly coloured in their sound, not flat and accurate, and accuracy is the name of the game, not "great sound", when it comes to monitoring and evaluating.

Thanks Everyone! And Steve, this post above sounds really simple and obvious but really helped be "get" why any headphones won't do. Cheers! :)

Ty Ford · March 27th, 2009, 05:51 AM

I was giving a Pro Tools LE one-on-one last week and, as typical, I brought my headphones.

When we got to that part of the work, I listened with his and thought, "Hmm, something must be wrong." I swapped his out for my 7506.

HELLO!

I plugged his back in, handed him the phones and said, "Listen to this."

He smiled and said, "I think I'm about to learn something."

I swapped out the phones and his jaw hit the floor.

Cheaping out on headphones when you can buy the MDR 7506 for $99 is a ridiculous and costly idea. You could spend the whole day shooting with crap audio and not know it.

Unless you REALLY know what a pair of headphones is doing, (and I DO mean really), don't chance it.

Regards,

Ty Ford

David W. Jones · March 27th, 2009, 06:03 AM

Just a little reading...

Headphones Basics - How to choose the right pair

Impedance Defined in the on Headphones Audiophile Glossary

Ayesha Khan · March 28th, 2009, 02:32 PM

Thanks all.

I have ordered my standard sony 7506s and got a bargain on a second hand yet brand new NTG 3 although I haven't tried it yet as I don't have an XLR cable yet and I could have been totally ripped off.

Ho hum...

Can't wait to play with all my shiny new toys when they all get here!

Chris Rackauckas · March 28th, 2009, 06:33 PM

senn 280's and Audio Technica do well. My favorite are beyer dt770s.

Mike Demmers · March 28th, 2009, 08:50 PM

The links above that David W. Jones posted are important to read.

I have had a number of friends over the last few years bring me semi-pro or consumer gear wth blown headhone outputs.

The reason for this was, in each case, that they were using headphones of a lower impedance than the driver could handle.

The headphone drivers in fully pro gear usually can handle anything down to 8 ohms.

Normal line outputs in fully pro gear can usually handle 600 ohm loads and above.

With consumer and semi-pro gear, it is something of a crap shoot. Some even require 2000 and above loads.

Be especially wary of any outputs labeled 'Line Out/Headphone'. These are typically something like a 5532 op amp which is speced to handle 600 ohm loads. They MAY have a build out resistor which will protect them from lower impedance loads...or they may not.

Some of these units specify high impedance headphones must be used, you must check the manual.

The problem wth specifying high impedence headphones today is that they seem to be almost impossible to buy anymore. My venerable Koss Pro4A headphones are 250 ohms - I used to consider that fairly low, or 'mid' impedance. High impedance was typically 2000+, or 600+ on pro gear.

The Sony MDR-7506's are about 60 ohms. Certainly fine for any fully pro gear - maybe not for some consumer or semi-pro gear. Check the manuals...

Many 'ear buds' are around 15 ohms - very low.

The seductively deceptive thing is that too low impedence headphones may seem to work fine for months or years - then one day, just a bit louder signal and poof.

This can be especially annoying if that happens to be a Line Out/Headphone jack on an expensive camera. You will have lost both functions.

There are little headphone amps you can buy to handle the hard cases.

-Mike

Resham Singh · April 2nd, 2009, 02:31 PM

How about sound isolating earphones???
Shure SE210 Sound Isolating Earphones - Products

March 26th, 2009, 11:22 AM	#1
Ayesha Khan Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: london, england Posts: 50	Quick headphone q. I have read many threads on recommended headphones and have blown most of my budget on the Camera. I will mainly be making short docs and some art stuff... My question is simply, is it acceptable to use DJ headphones? My friend has an oldish pair he's looking to get rid of and selling them very cheap! They are over the ear and surely must be relatively good quality for DJ sets etc? They are Sony too. Thanks in advance for all your help!

March 27th, 2009, 05:51 AM	#10
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	I was giving a Pro Tools LE one-on-one last week and, as typical, I brought my headphones. When we got to that part of the work, I listened with his and thought, "Hmm, something must be wrong." I swapped his out for my 7506. HELLO! I plugged his back in, handed him the phones and said, "Listen to this." He smiled and said, "I think I'm about to learn something." I swapped out the phones and his jaw hit the floor. Cheaping out on headphones when you can buy the MDR 7506 for $99 is a ridiculous and costly idea. You could spend the whole day shooting with crap audio and not know it. Unless you REALLY know what a pair of headphones is doing, (and I DO mean really), don't chance it. Regards, Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

March 28th, 2009, 08:50 PM	#14
Mike Demmers Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Portland OR Posts: 159	A Cautionary Note The links above that David W. Jones posted are important to read. I have had a number of friends over the last few years bring me semi-pro or consumer gear wth blown headhone outputs. The reason for this was, in each case, that they were using headphones of a lower impedance than the driver could handle. The headphone drivers in fully pro gear usually can handle anything down to 8 ohms. Normal line outputs in fully pro gear can usually handle 600 ohm loads and above. With consumer and semi-pro gear, it is something of a crap shoot. Some even require 2000 and above loads. Be especially wary of any outputs labeled 'Line Out/Headphone'. These are typically something like a 5532 op amp which is speced to handle 600 ohm loads. They MAY have a build out resistor which will protect them from lower impedance loads...or they may not. Some of these units specify high impedance headphones must be used, you must check the manual. The problem wth specifying high impedence headphones today is that they seem to be almost impossible to buy anymore. My venerable Koss Pro4A headphones are 250 ohms - I used to consider that fairly low, or 'mid' impedance. High impedance was typically 2000+, or 600+ on pro gear. The Sony MDR-7506's are about 60 ohms. Certainly fine for any fully pro gear - maybe not for some consumer or semi-pro gear. Check the manuals... Many 'ear buds' are around 15 ohms - very low. The seductively deceptive thing is that too low impedence headphones may seem to work fine for months or years - then one day, just a bit louder signal and poof. This can be especially annoying if that happens to be a Line Out/Headphone jack on an expensive camera. You will have lost both functions. There are little headphone amps you can buy to handle the hard cases. -Mike

March 26th, 2009, 11:48 AM	#2
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Simple - try them for size and try them for sound. On your hi-fi as well as your XH. Make sure they go loud enough on the XH

March 26th, 2009, 12:05 PM	#3
Ayesha Khan Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: london, england Posts: 50	You rock tom! :D Thing is I don't have my camera yet... and they'll probably be gone by then... But i'm not really one for an impulse buy so I'll wait.... Also - Shotgun Mics: If I'm getting a discounted NTG 3 is it better (as the name suggests) than the NTG 1 and 2? One of which I was going to get anyway....

March 26th, 2009, 12:08 PM	#4
Jordan Block Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 67	Sony MDR-7506's can be had for $100 and they're an industry standard, but if you're getting a way better price on the DJ phones, it probably can't hurt to give them a shot.

March 26th, 2009, 12:19 PM	#5
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	Best to google the NTGs, but I'm guessing the various versions are phantom powered only, phantom +AA cell, and AA cell + mini jack, something like that.

March 26th, 2009, 12:19 PM	#6
Jeffery Magat Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 186	I would be cautious when using DJ headphones. These types of headphones tend to have a boosted high and/or low end. Might be a good idea to check tech specs and compare.

March 26th, 2009, 12:38 PM	#7
Jordan Block Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 67	The NTG-1 and NTG-2 are basically the same mic. The NTG-1 is phantom only, while the NTG-2 is phantom/battery (AA) powered, and weighs about 50g (1-3/4 oz) more as a result of the added length. The NTG-3 is generally comparable to a Sennheiser 416 and is a great value. YouTube - Sennheiser MKH 416 vs. RODE NTG-3 RØDE Microphones - NTG-1 Around $250 USD RØDE Microphones - NTG-2 Around $270 USD RØDE Microphones - NTG-3 Around $700 USD Sennheiser USA - MKH416 Around $1100 USD

March 27th, 2009, 06:03 AM	#11
David W. Jones Trustee Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Little Rock Posts: 1,383	Just a little reading... Headphones Basics - How to choose the right pair Impedance Defined in the on Headphones Audiophile Glossary

March 28th, 2009, 02:32 PM	#12
Ayesha Khan Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: london, england Posts: 50	Thanks all. I have ordered my standard sony 7506s and got a bargain on a second hand yet brand new NTG 3 although I haven't tried it yet as I don't have an XLR cable yet and I could have been totally ripped off. Ho hum... Can't wait to play with all my shiny new toys when they all get here!

March 28th, 2009, 06:33 PM	#13
Chris Rackauckas Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: USA Posts: 113	senn 280's and Audio Technica do well. My favorite are beyer dt770s.

April 2nd, 2009, 02:31 PM	#15
Resham Singh Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: England Posts: 27	How about sound isolating earphones??? Shure SE210 Sound Isolating Earphones - Products