Monitoring headphones at DVinfo.net

Kathy Smith · October 21st, 2017, 10:16 AM

Hi,

I'm using Sennheiser 380 Pro and they are fine for editing at at my workstation. I'd like to get headphones that I can take into a field with me to monitor sound when I'm recording an interview. I know I can use the same headphones but I know there are monitoring earbuds. I'm trying to downsize on gear I need to carry with me. Would earbuds be adequate? If so which ones?

Also, what are the best monitoring headphones if I wanted to upgrade my 380 Pros?

Graham Bernard · October 22nd, 2017, 01:03 AM

Kathy, when you find out, do tell me!

I’ve got the 380s and they are spectacular for studio and field work. Can one ever get closed-back earbuds? Or rather some atypical earbuddies that reduce ambient? Often you can see me in a noisy environment crouched down with my hands clasped down over my 380s. Can I rely on earbuddies capable of doing this? Noise cancelling by earbuddies? Seems like a contradiction. But, always willing to learn.

Andrew Smith · October 22nd, 2017, 02:28 AM

Kathy, my first thought is that you will get either feedback or bleed from the speakers back in to your microphones ... which is not a good thing.

Andrew

Graham Bernard · October 22nd, 2017, 03:13 AM

Yes, of course! I should’ve listed that too.

Kathy Smith · October 22nd, 2017, 04:46 AM

I just realized that I wrote "speakers" where I meant "headphones". Sorry about that! I corrected the original post.
I would have never thought of using earbuds for monitoring sound until I saw these: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...2855/KBID/3801
and it got me curious.

Paul R Johnson · October 22nd, 2017, 05:27 AM

Shure Se215s are quite useful sounding and the supplied soft foams isolate pretty well.

Kathy Smith · October 22nd, 2017, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul R Johnson

Shure Se215s are quite useful sounding and the supplied soft foams isolate pretty well.

Thank you!

Andrew Smith · October 22nd, 2017, 07:01 AM

Speakers ... headphones ... whatever .... :-D

LOL

Andrew

Steven Digges · October 22nd, 2017, 10:02 AM

I have Sennheiser 280s and a a pair of Shure buds (not sure of model #) I paid almost $200.00 probably 10 years ago.

I consider the Shure buds very "handy" they have a place. Even with expensive buds I don't think you can get sound quality good enough to make critical decisions on set. Its just not possible to build them that way...IMHO. So I would stay away from those $400.00 ATs. I think high end gear like that is made for kids with too much money to burn and audiophiles. Not field monitoring.

I do use my buds a lot because I am a monitor sound at all times guy. I use the Sen 280s first during set up and testing then switch to the Shures IF it is a gig were the 280s are a pain like when I have to talk and listen to people a lot. I also use them a lot if I am at a control table and on COM. They are much better than cans any time you can use just one ear. I think just about any quality ear bud will work then because your not monitoring for true quality at that point, your listening for trouble.

So I would say stick with your 380s whenever you can and get the Sures Paul recommended. Stay away from spending more. There is no benefit from it.

Kind Regards,

Steve

PS The speaker thing put my brain into a feedback loop ;-)

Ty Ford · October 22nd, 2017, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kathy Smith

Hi,

I'm using Sennheiser 380 Pro and they are fine for editing at at my workstation. I'd like to get headphones that I can take into a field with me to monitor sound when I'm recording an interview. I know I can use the same headphones but I know there are monitoring earbuds. I'm trying to downsize on gear I need to carry with me. Would earbuds be adequate? If so which ones?

Also, what are the best monitoring headphones if I wanted to upgrade my 380 Pros?

Hi Kathy,

Several years ago, at AES 2015 in NYC, Shure showed a line of ear buds from $99 to $999. I haven't had time to wade through them, but I'm guessing one of them might help.
Here's a link. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/I...2855&KBID=3801

For location audio headphones, I've always used. Sony MDR 7506.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...2855&KBID=3801

Regards,

Ty Ford

Tony McGuire · October 23rd, 2017, 03:50 AM

I use these Sony MDR-V150 alot for sound mixing for live and on my Roland video mixer. I also use them when filming out and about. I can say they take some battering as they have been shoved in to any bag that I had out and about with a but of room in.

The overall size I like and I have a pair of sennheiser headphones and I was not happy with them for the price of them compaired to the Sony ones I use.

Here is the sony one on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-V150...U9/dvinfo09-20

Josh Bass · October 23rd, 2017, 07:27 AM

The standyby for many location sound folks is the Sony 7506. Not as isolate-y as the 380s but thousands of sound pros cant be wrong

Bernie Beaudry · October 23rd, 2017, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kathy Smith

Hi,

I'm using Sennheiser 380 Pro and they are fine for editing at at my workstation. I'd like to get headphones that I can take into a field with me to monitor sound when I'm recording an interview. I know I can use the same headphones but I know there are monitoring earbuds. I'm trying to downsize on gear I need to carry with me. Would earbuds be adequate? If so which ones?

Also, what are the best monitoring headphones if I wanted to upgrade my 380 Pros?

Many location sound people that I know use custom molded in ear monitors. They range from $200 to $2000. The manufacturer supplies you with molding material that you put in your ears. You send that in and they make an ear piece that fits perfectly into your ear. These provide far more isolation than most earphones can.
Here's a link to a list of various brands. There are more than are even listed here.
Custom in-ear monitors reviews list | The Headphone List
These are made near Minneapolis (near me) and I know several people that use them and like them a lot. Not sure which model. They do have a good quality to price value. https://alclair.com/monitorshop/tour/

Seth Bloombaum · October 23rd, 2017, 01:17 PM

There are two headphones that I've seen in general use - I have both. Either is about $100 or a bit less on sale.

Sony MDR-7506 - the dialog standard. These have a slight boost in the freqs important for dialog, which makes it easy to hear pops and other mishaps of the voice. You'll still hear low and high freq noise. You can mix two voice mics to one recording channel with some confidence. Moderate isolation.

Sennheiser HD280 - the music standard. These are pretty flat in their response, important in recording music, especially if you have to mix 2 or more mics to one record channel. Very good isolation. These are big phones.

The OP's HD380 is the same drivers as the 280, but more foldable/compact, and, I think a little less isolation.

I grew up on the Sonys, but discovered the Senns for music. Both are great. And, yes, with care, you can use the Senns for dialog and the Sonys for music.

The OP also wrote about using the HD380 at her desk. This is fine for all kinds of editing. Final compression, EQ, and mixing *must* be done on speakers, preferably on reference monitors. Even the best headphone can't represent the listening experience on speakers.

Graham Bernard · October 23rd, 2017, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Seth Bloombaum

Even the best headphone can't represent the listening experience on speakers.

Seth, totally agree. I use my HD280s to ensure I’ve correctly captured enough latitude of what I want/need to take forward. I kinda regard that my monitoring of the Audio-in is the same as my Focus and WB and Histograms and ALL levels. Meaning, I need to have the best values I can reasonably expect. That, and getting the Source verbals as near as I can to the mics! Back at base, my Edirols take over. On which I can then listen critically via an old pair of Senni 270s. I just replaced the Ear cushions on these. Nasty business.

October 21st, 2017, 10:16 AM	#1
Kathy Smith Major Player Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NY, NY USA Posts: 519	Monitoring headphones Hi, I'm using Sennheiser 380 Pro and they are fine for editing at at my workstation. I'd like to get headphones that I can take into a field with me to monitor sound when I'm recording an interview. I know I can use the same headphones but I know there are monitoring earbuds. I'm trying to downsize on gear I need to carry with me. Would earbuds be adequate? If so which ones? Also, what are the best monitoring headphones if I wanted to upgrade my 380 Pros? Last edited by Kathy Smith; October 22nd, 2017 at 04:42 AM.

October 22nd, 2017, 01:03 AM	#2
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Re: Monitoring headphones Kathy, when you find out, do tell me! I’ve got the 380s and they are spectacular for studio and field work. Can one ever get closed-back earbuds? Or rather some atypical earbuddies that reduce ambient? Often you can see me in a noisy environment crouched down with my hands clasped down over my 380s. Can I rely on earbuddies capable of doing this? Noise cancelling by earbuddies? Seems like a contradiction. But, always willing to learn.

October 22nd, 2017, 02:28 AM	#3
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,066	Re: Monitoring headphones Kathy, my first thought is that you will get either feedback or bleed from the speakers back in to your microphones ... which is not a good thing. Andrew

October 22nd, 2017, 03:13 AM	#4
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Re: Monitoring headphones Yes, of course! I should’ve listed that too.

October 22nd, 2017, 04:46 AM	#5
Kathy Smith Major Player Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NY, NY USA Posts: 519	Re: Monitoring headphones I just realized that I wrote "speakers" where I meant "headphones". Sorry about that! I corrected the original post. I would have never thought of using earbuds for monitoring sound until I saw these: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...2855/KBID/3801 and it got me curious.

October 22nd, 2017, 05:27 AM	#6
Paul R Johnson Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lowestoft - UK Posts: 4,045	Re: Monitoring headphones Shure Se215s are quite useful sounding and the supplied soft foams isolate pretty well.

October 22nd, 2017, 07:01 AM	#8
Andrew Smith Equal Opportunity Offender Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 3,066	Re: Monitoring headphones Speakers ... headphones ... whatever .... :-D LOL Andrew

October 22nd, 2017, 10:02 AM	#9
Steven Digges Trustee Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,828	Re: Monitoring headphones I have Sennheiser 280s and a a pair of Shure buds (not sure of model #) I paid almost $200.00 probably 10 years ago. I consider the Shure buds very "handy" they have a place. Even with expensive buds I don't think you can get sound quality good enough to make critical decisions on set. Its just not possible to build them that way...IMHO. So I would stay away from those $400.00 ATs. I think high end gear like that is made for kids with too much money to burn and audiophiles. Not field monitoring. I do use my buds a lot because I am a monitor sound at all times guy. I use the Sen 280s first during set up and testing then switch to the Shures IF it is a gig were the 280s are a pain like when I have to talk and listen to people a lot. I also use them a lot if I am at a control table and on COM. They are much better than cans any time you can use just one ear. I think just about any quality ear bud will work then because your not monitoring for true quality at that point, your listening for trouble. So I would say stick with your 380s whenever you can and get the Sures Paul recommended. Stay away from spending more. There is no benefit from it. Kind Regards, Steve PS The speaker thing put my brain into a feedback loop ;-) __________________ www.CorporateShow.com Been at this so long I'm rounding my years of experience down...not up! Last edited by Steven Digges; October 23rd, 2017 at 06:37 AM.

October 23rd, 2017, 03:50 AM	#11
Tony McGuire Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Donegal Ireland Posts: 119	Re: Monitoring headphones I use these Sony MDR-V150 alot for sound mixing for live and on my Roland video mixer. I also use them when filming out and about. I can say they take some battering as they have been shoved in to any bag that I had out and about with a but of room in. The overall size I like and I have a pair of sennheiser headphones and I was not happy with them for the price of them compaired to the Sony ones I use. Here is the sony one on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-V150...U9/dvinfo09-20

October 23rd, 2017, 07:27 AM	#12
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Re: Monitoring headphones The standyby for many location sound folks is the Sony 7506. Not as isolate-y as the 380s but thousands of sound pros cant be wrong __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

October 23rd, 2017, 01:17 PM	#14
Seth Bloombaum Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,420	Re: Monitoring headphones There are two headphones that I've seen in general use - I have both. Either is about $100 or a bit less on sale. Sony MDR-7506 - the dialog standard. These have a slight boost in the freqs important for dialog, which makes it easy to hear pops and other mishaps of the voice. You'll still hear low and high freq noise. You can mix two voice mics to one recording channel with some confidence. Moderate isolation. Sennheiser HD280 - the music standard. These are pretty flat in their response, important in recording music, especially if you have to mix 2 or more mics to one record channel. Very good isolation. These are big phones. The OP's HD380 is the same drivers as the 280, but more foldable/compact, and, I think a little less isolation. I grew up on the Sonys, but discovered the Senns for music. Both are great. And, yes, with care, you can use the Senns for dialog and the Sonys for music. The OP also wrote about using the HD380 at her desk. This is fine for all kinds of editing. Final compression, EQ, and mixing must be done on speakers, preferably on reference monitors. Even the best headphone can't represent the listening experience on speakers. __________________ 30 years of pro media production. Vegas user since 1.0. Webcaster since 1997. Freelancer since 2000. College instructor since 2001.