headphone recommendations... at DVinfo.net

Joshua Wachs · December 21st, 2002, 08:33 PM

any suggestions on a decent pair of headphones to monitor sound while shooting w/ my GL2? I've been using a pair of Aiwa's that I bought for $30 from a local CD shop but I'm concerned I may be missing highs or lows with a cheapo pair.

John Locke · December 21st, 2002, 09:17 PM

I use two types of headphones depending on the situation. If there isn't a lot of noise in the area, I use some Sony earbuds. They're comfortable and have a good dynamic range.

If there's quite a bit of noise, though, I wear my Sony MDR-7506 headphones since they help cancel out noise pollution. They're dynamic range is excellent.

Jeff Donald · December 21st, 2002, 09:33 PM

I use the same, Sony MDR 7506. You would have to double the price to get a better pair of headphones.

Jeff

Ken Tanaka · December 21st, 2002, 11:38 PM

Well it looks like it's unanimous: I also use Sony MDR-7506's, but mostly for in-studio work. I use their smaller cousin, the MDR-7505's for field shooting. They have basically the same closed-ear cups but they're smaller and fold compactly for easy packing.

For really compact field work try to find a pair of these:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...Y8lSwe&Dept=pa

Unlike normal "earbuds" these fit into the outside of your ear canal and provide a remarkable degree of insulation from moderate noise while providing decent fidelity.

Graham Bernard · December 22nd, 2002, 03:45 AM

I too have been looking at the various head phone set-up. What I want to do is to have an "L" shaped plug that doesn't stick out to far - yes?

I've had a go at the Senni pair - not THAT expensive, but they insist on having the large audio jack, that then needs a smaller convertor adn THAT makes the actual sticking out portion even bigger.

Any thoughts?

Grazie

Bill Hardy · December 22nd, 2002, 04:51 AM

When I first tried the MDR 7506 headphones plugged into my Powerbook I thought I heard someone approaching my cubical at work; it was the sound of the movie I was watching on the laptop. Very realistic. The MDR headset amplifies the sound more when plugged into the cam; cheap headphones could not cut it. I agree that they are worth the money. You can buy an "L" shaped dongle at Radio Shack but I do not think it is necessary.

Graham Bernard · December 22nd, 2002, 05:43 AM

Cheers Buddy - In the UK we have don't have a Radio Shack. Our equiv. is Maplins - lot's of boys toys - yes? Sure I understand it would not be totaly necessary for an L shape if it wasn't the combined length of the Seeni larger jack and its mini adaptor.

Grazie

Don Palomaki · December 22nd, 2002, 06:08 AM

Anyone used the noise-cancelling earphones as a way to help overcome ambinet nosie when monitoring the sound?

Ed Frazier · December 22nd, 2002, 08:04 AM

I haven't tried the active noise canceling type, but just purchased a pair of HN-7506M headsets from http://www.remoteaudio.com/hn7506.htm. These utilize Sony 7506 components fitted inside aviation style shells. I don't think you can find a passive noise canceling headset that is any quieter than this. We use them when recording auto races where ambient sound levels are extremely high.

Joshua Wachs · December 22nd, 2002, 10:03 AM

I've been looking around places that may sell these on a Sunday in Boston without a lot of luck. I did find these:

http://www.tweeter.com/product/index...entPage=family

Anyone have any experience?

-- Joshua

Jeff Donald · December 22nd, 2002, 10:07 AM

I bought my Sony's at a music store. Surprisingly, they had the best price. The pair you link to look similar, but I don't have any direct experience.

Jeff

Mark Austin · December 22nd, 2002, 08:32 PM

SONY! Oh excuse me did I mention I love the SONY! I have used hundreds and owned a bunch of head phones over the years but the ones that I like the best and keep coming back to are the Sony's. They are more pleasant and comfortable to listen to for extended periods, sound awesome, and just seem to translate better than just about anything else. If it sounds right in the Sony's it is right, and you can bank on it. When I mix music, I always at least check it on my Sony's, and I have mixed complete songs on them with great sucess. Any of the MDR 7506/5/4 are a great value. Mine look like the dog ate them they're so beat up, they are about six years (that's road years) old but I can't bear to part with them because still function very well. You may not get a set for $30, but they will outperform 10 pairs of $30 cans.
my 2 cents
Mark

John Locke · December 22nd, 2002, 08:45 PM

I can second Ken's recommendation of the smaller headphones, too. What I was calling "earbuds" turns out to be the same model he mentioned. In fact, I think I bought them on his recommendation.

They really are comfortable, and so compact.

Zac Stein · December 22nd, 2002, 08:48 PM

Ummm, i actually don't like the Sony headphones to just be different, i have tried them out, find them synthetic sounding.

I use a very old pair of sennheiser HD-25's, which i have had for 6 years from my dj'ing days, i find them fantastic.

Koss also make fantastic headphones as well.

kermie

Michael A. Davis · December 22nd, 2002, 09:11 PM

Ken Tanaka wrote: "For really compact field work try to find a pair of these:
http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...HY8lSwe&Dept=pa

Unlike normal "earbuds" these fit into the outside of your ear canal and provide a remarkable degree of insulation from moderate noise while providing decent fidelity."

I use these, except they are called "nudes" and are a short cord version. They rock. I got mine from a guy in Singapore. Ken meant to say that they are used INSIDE the ear canal.
I wear glasses and own a pair of over the ear headphones that I used to use to watch movies on the tube. After two hours my head would hurt from the impressions.
With these earbuds you forget you're wearing them. I take them out on my bike for half day rides with absolutely zero discomfort. Of course not being able to hear yourself when yelling at a passing car takes a little getting used too.
Dynamic range is outstanding though I have not compared them to the MDR-7506s.
I have not used them extensively with the GL2 but can tell you that at the end of a long shooting day I forsee no comfort problems.
Listening to recorded material for my films with a minidisc, AT822 stereo mic and these headphones have had me looking over my shoulder they sounded so natural.
One other plus is the low end is clearer(louder) than either normal earbuds or my old Sony over ears providing better range in that direction.

Michael

December 21st, 2002, 08:33 PM	#1
Joshua Wachs Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 95	headphone recommendations... any suggestions on a decent pair of headphones to monitor sound while shooting w/ my GL2? I've been using a pair of Aiwa's that I bought for $30 from a local CD shop but I'm concerned I may be missing highs or lows with a cheapo pair. __________________ http://busybrain.com

December 21st, 2002, 09:17 PM	#2
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	I use two types of headphones depending on the situation. If there isn't a lot of noise in the area, I use some Sony earbuds. They're comfortable and have a good dynamic range. If there's quite a bit of noise, though, I wear my Sony MDR-7506 headphones since they help cancel out noise pollution. They're dynamic range is excellent. __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

December 21st, 2002, 11:38 PM	#4
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Well it looks like it's unanimous: I also use Sony MDR-7506's, but mostly for in-studio work. I use their smaller cousin, the MDR-7505's for field shooting. They have basically the same closed-ear cups but they're smaller and fold compactly for easy packing. For really compact field work try to find a pair of these: http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTE...Y8lSwe&Dept=pa Unlike normal "earbuds" these fit into the outside of your ear canal and provide a remarkable degree of insulation from moderate noise while providing decent fidelity. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

December 22nd, 2002, 08:04 AM	#9
Ed Frazier Major Player Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Las Cruces, NM Posts: 343	I haven't tried the active noise canceling type, but just purchased a pair of HN-7506M headsets from http://www.remoteaudio.com/hn7506.htm. These utilize Sony 7506 components fitted inside aviation style shells. I don't think you can find a passive noise canceling headset that is any quieter than this. We use them when recording auto races where ambient sound levels are extremely high. __________________ Ed Frazier

December 22nd, 2002, 10:03 AM	#10
Joshua Wachs Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 95	I've been looking around places that may sell these on a Sunday in Boston without a lot of luck. I did find these: http://www.tweeter.com/product/index...entPage=family Anyone have any experience? -- Joshua __________________ http://busybrain.com

December 21st, 2002, 09:33 PM	#3
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I use the same, Sony MDR 7506. You would have to double the price to get a better pair of headphones. Jeff

December 22nd, 2002, 03:45 AM	#5
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	I too have been looking at the various head phone set-up. What I want to do is to have an "L" shaped plug that doesn't stick out to far - yes? I've had a go at the Senni pair - not THAT expensive, but they insist on having the large audio jack, that then needs a smaller convertor adn THAT makes the actual sticking out portion even bigger. Any thoughts? Grazie

December 22nd, 2002, 04:51 AM	#6
Bill Hardy Major Player Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 205	When I first tried the MDR 7506 headphones plugged into my Powerbook I thought I heard someone approaching my cubical at work; it was the sound of the movie I was watching on the laptop. Very realistic. The MDR headset amplifies the sound more when plugged into the cam; cheap headphones could not cut it. I agree that they are worth the money. You can buy an "L" shaped dongle at Radio Shack but I do not think it is necessary.

December 22nd, 2002, 05:43 AM	#7
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Cheers Buddy - In the UK we have don't have a Radio Shack. Our equiv. is Maplins - lot's of boys toys - yes? Sure I understand it would not be totaly necessary for an L shape if it wasn't the combined length of the Seeni larger jack and its mini adaptor. Grazie

December 22nd, 2002, 06:08 AM	#8
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,488	Anyone used the noise-cancelling earphones as a way to help overcome ambinet nosie when monitoring the sound?

December 22nd, 2002, 10:07 AM	#11
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	I bought my Sony's at a music store. Surprisingly, they had the best price. The pair you link to look similar, but I don't have any direct experience. Jeff

December 22nd, 2002, 08:32 PM	#12
Mark Austin Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 188	SONY! SONY! SONY! SONY! Oh excuse me did I mention I love the SONY! I have used hundreds and owned a bunch of head phones over the years but the ones that I like the best and keep coming back to are the Sony's. They are more pleasant and comfortable to listen to for extended periods, sound awesome, and just seem to translate better than just about anything else. If it sounds right in the Sony's it is right, and you can bank on it. When I mix music, I always at least check it on my Sony's, and I have mixed complete songs on them with great sucess. Any of the MDR 7506/5/4 are a great value. Mine look like the dog ate them they're so beat up, they are about six years (that's road years) old but I can't bear to part with them because still function very well. You may not get a set for $30, but they will outperform 10 pairs of $30 cans. my 2 cents Mark __________________ I'm humbled by the greatness that surrounds me.

December 22nd, 2002, 08:45 PM	#13
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	I can second Ken's recommendation of the smaller headphones, too. What I was calling "earbuds" turns out to be the same model he mentioned. In fact, I think I bought them on his recommendation. They really are comfortable, and so compact. __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

December 22nd, 2002, 08:48 PM	#14
Zac Stein Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 730	Ummm, i actually don't like the Sony headphones to just be different, i have tried them out, find them synthetic sounding. I use a very old pair of sennheiser HD-25's, which i have had for 6 years from my dj'ing days, i find them fantastic. Koss also make fantastic headphones as well. kermie

December 22nd, 2002, 09:11 PM	#15
Michael A. Davis New Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 23	Ken Tanaka wrote: "For really compact field work try to find a pair of these: http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INT...HY8lSwe&Dept=pa Unlike normal "earbuds" these fit into the outside of your ear canal and provide a remarkable degree of insulation from moderate noise while providing decent fidelity." I use these, except they are called "nudes" and are a short cord version. They rock. I got mine from a guy in Singapore. Ken meant to say that they are used INSIDE the ear canal. I wear glasses and own a pair of over the ear headphones that I used to use to watch movies on the tube. After two hours my head would hurt from the impressions. With these earbuds you forget you're wearing them. I take them out on my bike for half day rides with absolutely zero discomfort. Of course not being able to hear yourself when yelling at a passing car takes a little getting used too. Dynamic range is outstanding though I have not compared them to the MDR-7506s. I have not used them extensively with the GL2 but can tell you that at the end of a long shooting day I forsee no comfort problems. Listening to recorded material for my films with a minidisc, AT822 stereo mic and these headphones have had me looking over my shoulder they sounded so natural. One other plus is the low end is clearer(louder) than either normal earbuds or my old Sony over ears providing better range in that direction. Michael