Headphones, what to buy? at DVinfo.net

Josh Bass · March 21st, 2003, 02:33 PM

I have a cheap pair of $20 headphones, and want to get better ones. My friend said you can spend around $40 and get a good pair. I want to know what the pros think. I've heard the best brands are Aiwa and Sony. What do I want? What do I look for?

K. Forman · March 21st, 2003, 02:48 PM

Definately get headphones that have the cup which covers the entire ear. They should be adjustable, and set comfortably, yet snug.

Jeff Donald · March 21st, 2003, 02:55 PM

Josh, do a search on this one. A lot has been said about headphones. Sony and Sennheiser are the two popular brands.

Nori Wentworth · March 21st, 2003, 03:57 PM

I have to disagree with Keith.

Josh, Sony has a pair of headphones called fontopia. They are ear-buds that I would guess would be about $50US. They sound amazing. I used to use very expensive "studio" quality headphones that had a massive cup, but i stopped wearing them because they were so cumbersome. I used to avoid earbuds like a plague, but after hearing the Fontopias....
SO Sweet!
Plus you can easily pop one side out if you like.

I do wish that Canon would of made the headphone output on the XL1 slightly louder than it is.

K. Forman · March 21st, 2003, 04:46 PM

Ear buds huh? I haven't had any of those since I gave up my walkman. How are they with the ambient sound around you? The reason I liked the full ear cups, is because they keep out most of what is around you. That can be a bother though...

Nori Wentworth · March 21st, 2003, 07:07 PM

Most Earbuds really suck, they never fit in your ear properly, and usually break quite easy. Fontopia is the way.
-Nori

Josh Bass · March 22nd, 2003, 01:03 AM

I will look into your suggestions. Thanks.

Ken Tanaka · March 22nd, 2003, 01:38 AM

Keith and Nori ar both right.

The Sony MDR-7506's are the general standard for pro headphones. Very good sound, foldable, closed cups. The 7505's are nearly identical except a bit more compact.

The Fotopia's that Nori mentioned are also very good. If they are the ones I'm thinking of (and have), they are not the usual Walkman-style earbuds that lodge over your ear canal. These headphones fit into your ear canal using tiny flexible rubber cups. They do a pretty good job of isolating you from ambient sound and they really do sound good. If you're traveling light and don't want to schlep much more than your camera (and mic), these are perfect. They fit into your pocket like Walkman-style earbuds and can be deployed easily and inconspicuously. They're not easy to find but worth the search.

Here they are on the Sony site.

Don Palomaki · March 22nd, 2003, 05:51 AM

In the consumer line, the Sony MDR-V600 sound good and are comfortable. I find they work well with the XL1, especially if tripod mounted. They are a bit bulky (and the cord is long) for normal handheld shooting.

Christopher Hughes · March 22nd, 2003, 04:01 PM

I too hate earplugs, every time I get them with minidisc walkmans I give them away! They hurt your ears and are too big to fit good. But I have seem the fotopia's and had my eye on them. They are so small, what I wanted years ago. I'm very very tempted to buy some soon as I get some cash.

I currently use Senneheiser closed-back which I love! The germans know a thing or two when it comes to music. I use them for my mini-discman especially on the Metro or trains, as well as for cameras. Yeah Im the geek type so see with big headphones on the trains and streets. Quality no appreance for me! The ones I have I got cheap from a music place here called Richer Sounds...so would be around 65 dollars. Its a lot of money...but are they worth it....yes!!! The cable disconnects so you can repalce it with any legnth to suit your needs or better quality cable. I have used lots of headphones over the years and would honestly never go back to cheaper headphones....like it all you get what you pay for. I previously used a pair of amazing AKGs, which I found in a bargin bin at a hi-fi store for £10 ($15) WOW! I felt like a criminal robbing the shop, so cheap for what were really expensive headphones, I hope some young shop assistant didnt loose his job over them. The eventually gave up the ghost, and I wish I had bought them all from the bargin bin. So you never know what smaller backstreet stores can unfold.

I would really recommend taking in your camera to the hi-fi store and trying out all the headphones first. Get ones that sound good to you. And dont make the mistake of buying the best quality, only to later find they are uncomfortable. No two pairs of ears are alike, so get comfortable ones, cos you could use them for hours. And uncomfortable ones, make your ears all sweaty and ichy and drive you mad.

I wish I knew someone that has the Fotopias so I could try them....they look smart for portable use. Those that have them? What are the like to use in hot, humid areas? They "breathable" on your ears?

Ken Tanaka · March 22nd, 2003, 07:34 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Christopher Hughes : Those that have them? What are the like to use in hot, humid areas? They "breathable" on your ears? -->>>

Heat is not an issue with these ear buds. They fit into your ear, not on it.

Don Palomaki · March 23rd, 2003, 06:33 AM

Anyone ever try the noise-canceling earbuds from Sony ((MDR-NC11) with a camcorder?

Christopher Hughes · March 23rd, 2003, 01:44 PM

Just some earplugs just hurt your ears and make them really itchy especially when hot, maybe just cos cheap ones never fit properly, and movement makes ur ears sore. So from what it seems they fit really nicely into your ears then, rather than half in / half out??? Nice and tight inside canal entrance.

Nori Wentworth · March 24th, 2003, 11:12 AM

Don,

I have tried the noise cancelling headphones with my XL-1. They sounded the worst out of all of the headphones I have tested. They also didn't sound very good for music. I think the only situation they are actually intended for, is watching dvds on airplanes or in loud vehicles.

-Nori

Andrew Petrie · March 25th, 2003, 09:03 AM

I got a set of Fontopias long ago, with a walkman from Europe. 8-10 years ago, so they aren't new. They have taken their sweet time to get to North America though. Excellent sound for the size, I'll definatley get another set (being buds they broke a while back :)

I also have a set of Sennheiser 570s, but too bulky. I keep those for the editing room. Those are the best headphones I've ever purchased.

March 21st, 2003, 02:33 PM	#1
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Headphones, what to buy? I have a cheap pair of $20 headphones, and want to get better ones. My friend said you can spend around $40 and get a good pair. I want to know what the pros think. I've heard the best brands are Aiwa and Sony. What do I want? What do I look for? __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

March 21st, 2003, 02:55 PM	#3
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Josh, do a search on this one. A lot has been said about headphones. Sony and Sennheiser are the two popular brands. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

March 22nd, 2003, 01:03 AM	#7
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	I will look into your suggestions. Thanks. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

March 22nd, 2003, 01:38 AM	#8
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Keith and Nori ar both right. The Sony MDR-7506's are the general standard for pro headphones. Very good sound, foldable, closed cups. The 7505's are nearly identical except a bit more compact. The Fotopia's that Nori mentioned are also very good. If they are the ones I'm thinking of (and have), they are not the usual Walkman-style earbuds that lodge over your ear canal. These headphones fit into your ear canal using tiny flexible rubber cups. They do a pretty good job of isolating you from ambient sound and they really do sound good. If you're traveling light and don't want to schlep much more than your camera (and mic), these are perfect. They fit into your pocket like Walkman-style earbuds and can be deployed easily and inconspicuously. They're not easy to find but worth the search. Here they are on the Sony site. __________________ 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

March 22nd, 2003, 07:34 PM	#11
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	<<<-- Originally posted by Christopher Hughes : Those that have them? What are the like to use in hot, humid areas? They "breathable" on your ears? -->>> Heat is not an issue with these ear buds. They fit into your ear, not on it. __________________ 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

March 21st, 2003, 02:48 PM	#2
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Definately get headphones that have the cup which covers the entire ear. They should be adjustable, and set comfortably, yet snug.

March 21st, 2003, 03:57 PM	#4
Nori Wentworth Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kelowna, B.C. Canada Posts: 217	I have to disagree with Keith. Josh, Sony has a pair of headphones called fontopia. They are ear-buds that I would guess would be about $50US. They sound amazing. I used to use very expensive "studio" quality headphones that had a massive cup, but i stopped wearing them because they were so cumbersome. I used to avoid earbuds like a plague, but after hearing the Fontopias.... SO Sweet! Plus you can easily pop one side out if you like. I do wish that Canon would of made the headphone output on the XL1 slightly louder than it is.

March 21st, 2003, 04:46 PM	#5
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Ear buds huh? I haven't had any of those since I gave up my walkman. How are they with the ambient sound around you? The reason I liked the full ear cups, is because they keep out most of what is around you. That can be a bother though...

March 21st, 2003, 07:07 PM	#6
Nori Wentworth Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kelowna, B.C. Canada Posts: 217	Most Earbuds really suck, they never fit in your ear properly, and usually break quite easy. Fontopia is the way. -Nori

March 22nd, 2003, 05:51 AM	#9
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	In the consumer line, the Sony MDR-V600 sound good and are comfortable. I find they work well with the XL1, especially if tripod mounted. They are a bit bulky (and the cord is long) for normal handheld shooting.

March 22nd, 2003, 04:01 PM	#10
Christopher Hughes Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sunderland, England (y Merida, Mexico) Posts: 269	I too hate earplugs, every time I get them with minidisc walkmans I give them away! They hurt your ears and are too big to fit good. But I have seem the fotopia's and had my eye on them. They are so small, what I wanted years ago. I'm very very tempted to buy some soon as I get some cash. I currently use Senneheiser closed-back which I love! The germans know a thing or two when it comes to music. I use them for my mini-discman especially on the Metro or trains, as well as for cameras. Yeah Im the geek type so see with big headphones on the trains and streets. Quality no appreance for me! The ones I have I got cheap from a music place here called Richer Sounds...so would be around 65 dollars. Its a lot of money...but are they worth it....yes!!! The cable disconnects so you can repalce it with any legnth to suit your needs or better quality cable. I have used lots of headphones over the years and would honestly never go back to cheaper headphones....like it all you get what you pay for. I previously used a pair of amazing AKGs, which I found in a bargin bin at a hi-fi store for £10 ($15) WOW! I felt like a criminal robbing the shop, so cheap for what were really expensive headphones, I hope some young shop assistant didnt loose his job over them. The eventually gave up the ghost, and I wish I had bought them all from the bargin bin. So you never know what smaller backstreet stores can unfold. I would really recommend taking in your camera to the hi-fi store and trying out all the headphones first. Get ones that sound good to you. And dont make the mistake of buying the best quality, only to later find they are uncomfortable. No two pairs of ears are alike, so get comfortable ones, cos you could use them for hours. And uncomfortable ones, make your ears all sweaty and ichy and drive you mad. I wish I knew someone that has the Fotopias so I could try them....they look smart for portable use. Those that have them? What are the like to use in hot, humid areas? They "breathable" on your ears?

March 23rd, 2003, 06:33 AM	#12
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	Anyone ever try the noise-canceling earbuds from Sony ((MDR-NC11) with a camcorder?

March 23rd, 2003, 01:44 PM	#13
Christopher Hughes Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Sunderland, England (y Merida, Mexico) Posts: 269	Just some earplugs just hurt your ears and make them really itchy especially when hot, maybe just cos cheap ones never fit properly, and movement makes ur ears sore. So from what it seems they fit really nicely into your ears then, rather than half in / half out??? Nice and tight inside canal entrance.

March 24th, 2003, 11:12 AM	#14
Nori Wentworth Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Kelowna, B.C. Canada Posts: 217	Don, I have tried the noise cancelling headphones with my XL-1. They sounded the worst out of all of the headphones I have tested. They also didn't sound very good for music. I think the only situation they are actually intended for, is watching dvds on airplanes or in loud vehicles. -Nori

March 25th, 2003, 09:03 AM	#15
Andrew Petrie Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 484	I got a set of Fontopias long ago, with a walkman from Europe. 8-10 years ago, so they aren't new. They have taken their sweet time to get to North America though. Excellent sound for the size, I'll definatley get another set (being buds they broke a while back :) I also have a set of Sennheiser 570s, but too bulky. I keep those for the editing room. Those are the best headphones I've ever purchased. __________________ Andrew \| Canon XL1s, ME66, Vinten Vision 3, GlideCam V16 (for sale!)