Topic: Good Headphones for what we do?

[DigiGal]

..with Focusrite VRM Box to check virtual mix compatibility..

Can you tell me more about this device?
How well it works, how you use it, what you do and don't like about it, etc.

More here >> http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=144941.msg1865867#msg1865867

Basically I only use it to check mixes "virtually" thru modeling of different types of playback systems and rooms.  I wouldn't recommend it to replace traditional reference standard DAC's and powered near field monitors.

[Gutbucket]

Ha, forgot about that thread, thanks.

[earmonger]

A few people have mentioned earbuds but seriously, why not IEMs? Sound isolation, small size and clarity if you get good ones.  Just make sure you try all the eartips to get the right fit.

Shure made some of the first IEMs and while the field is crowded now I have never been disappointed in the Shures. (Unlike Etymotics which to me are sterile.)

I am partial to the Shure SE line--I have the SE 535 for home listening, which are fantastic,  and SE 315 for portable, which make planes and trains a lot more fun.  I'd guess the SE215 are good enough to tell you what you need while you're recording.

But other IEMs are also probably good in the field, and lots of companies make them now. Decide on your budget and Google around to places like head-fi.org.

http://www.head-fi.org/f/103/portable-headphones-earphones-and-in-ear-monitors

[voltronic]

I have bought from here before - really great resource just to do research:
http://www.headphone.com/

+1 on the IEM recommendation.  The dealer I linked has a lot to choose from in that category.  I have a relatively inexpensive set of Etymotics, and the isolation is outstanding.  Been using them with live recording for years.  I used them for the first time on a long plane ride a couple weeks back, and I'll never fly without them again.  I don't agree that they're "sterile", but they do have un-hyped bass so that may take some getting used to.
http://www.headphone.com/collections/in-ear/products/etymotic-mc5

[Gutbucket]

I like and trust my old but gold Etymotic ER4S IEMs.  I do make my own foam plugs for them by leather-punching a hole through my preferred high-isolation foam earplugs, which makes all the difference with them for me- better fit, more solid bass response, maximal isolation.

[Javier Cinakowski]

The sonys have been and still are the field recording industry standard. They are also ridiculously popular in the studio. They are relatively flat, cheap, easy to drive and very revealing...  They don't isolate like an iem, but they do the job.  The AT's are more fun to listen to, but that's not the purpose of this discussion...  If you are not going to use a headpohne amp, you'll have a hard time driving any of these headphones at a loud concert with just the headphone output of your digital recorder...  These are more expensive than the aforementioned Sony's but they were designed specifically for the ohm of phones and mp3 players.  Your digital recorder will drive these loud!   Plus I think they sound as good as many of the audiophile headphones like the Beyer dt880 or the sennheisers....http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/cr/B00NBMHYGM/s=sd/ref=cm_cr_dp_aw_see_rcnt

[opsopcopolis]

Agreed with IEM rec (I think I posted about them earlier in the thread).  There really is no  reason not to use in ears IMO, especially when comparing to on or over ear headphones in a rock show environment. Waaaaay better isolation apwhich alows for lower listening levels and better, more accurate reproduction. I use Shures too and they're great

[robeti]

I use AKG K271 MK II

Very neutral sound.

[Gutbucket]

One potential deal-breaker is speed/ease of use.  Closed-back over-ear phones are easiest to quickly don or toss-off as necessary.   Putting in IEM's is less quick and easy.

For maximum isolation, nothing will exceed the isolation a pair of IEMs using expanding foam plugs plus a set of "noise muff" style hearing protectors over them (like the kind used by airport workers or at a shooting range).  Although it looks kind of funny.