Topic: Which headphones would you buy?

[Arglebargle]

I've been reading and planning on getting some headphones to replace my 25 dollar Best Buy Aiwas. I've been to Good Cans and google and here looking at reviews and I cannot decide between the Etymotic ER-6 Isolator Earphones at $130 or the Grado SR80s at 95 dollars. I'd get the etymotics but I've never stuck anything in my ears before so for all I know it might make me freak out, but I assume they sound better than the Grados. Or maybe not. Just looking for a good pair of 100 dollar or so headphones and can't decide between the two! I should also add I have an excessive amount of ear wax (you probably didn't want to know about that) a problem I've had all my life so this concerns me a bit on the etymotics. Yes I do clean my ears regularly dammit! But isolation for me is a good thing. You can probably tell which ones I really want.

Thanks for any advice you can give, and peace!

[Wes]

really depends on your application.  if you plan to be using them in the field you need isolation.  the etymotics can't be beat, however if you can spend a little more dough, i would recommend the 4p's over the er-6's.  if you plan to use your headphones for playback only, isolation is not so important.  i would recommend you use actual headphones and not earphones for this purpose, b/c you will get better lows.  I say sennheiser for home and etymotic for field.

[Chuck]

Sennheiser HD580=The Bomb

[Chris K]

SONY MDR-7605...studio standards...good isolation (not total but adequate for even the loudest hall)...very good frequency response...they fold up to conserve space...parts are replaceable if they go bad (got my 1st of 4 pairs in 97 and never had a problem, and they have been literally thrown around in my home studio)

new $99 at any music instrument retailer,...$60 used on ebay

[Electric Cowgirl]

Those Sony MDR-7650 cans are really loud!  They work pretty good for monitoring in the show.  If you plan on using them outside of the show for listening get the etymotics...and drift into space.

[zhianosatch]

new $99 at any music instrument retailer,...$60 used on ebay

7506es for that much, eh? All I hear is good things - might need to pick up a pair to replace the $25 Aiwas that I wore the hell out of!

[Chuck]

SONY MDR-7605...studio standards...good isolation (not total but adequate for even the loudest hall)...very good frequency response...they fold up to conserve space...parts are replaceable if they go bad (got my 1st of 4 pairs in 97 and never had a problem, and they have been literally thrown around in my home studio)

new $99 at any music instrument retailer,...$60 used on ebay

I've never cared for Sony headphones. They have a sound character I don't care for.

[Brian Skalinder]

I've never cared for Sony headphones. They have a sound character I don't care for.

What characterestic(s) don't you care for?


I agree with Wes - Etymotics for field use.  For home, I'd also check out AKG.

[Chuck]

I've never cared for Sony headphones. They have a sound character I don't care for.

What characterestic(s) don't you care for?


I agree with Wes - Etymotics for field use.  For home, I'd also check out AKG.

All Sony's I've heard, and I've owned a few, have a thin sound with emphasis on the midrange character. "Not warm" would be another way to describe it. I prefer to Sennheiser HD580's. They can be had for around $150 new on eBay.

[Chuck]

Check out this discussion:

http://www.oade.com/cgi-bin/miva?Forum/technology/showmsg.mv+message=15397

[Arglebargle]

Thanks for the heads up on the Sennheisers!

[sideshowbob]

I use the Senn HD250 Linear II's for use when recording. They are a great sounding, closed ear headphone. You do not want an open headphone for field monitoring. The HD580's are a great pair of headphones, but are better suited for home theatre use due to it's open ear design. I run a pair of HD600's, also open headphones, for my theatre and music and couldn't be happier. I really like the comfort and sound from the HD250's. Give them a look too. Thanks.......Jason

[Chuck]

I use the Senn HD250 Linear II's for use when recording. They are a great sounding, closed ear headphone. You do not want an open headphone for field monitoring. The HD580's are a great pair of headphones, but are better suited for home theatre use due to it's open ear design. I run a pair of HD600's, also open headphones, for my theatre and music and couldn't be happier. I really like the comfort and sound from the HD250's. Give them a look too. Thanks.......Jason

Very good point about the HD580's open design. They are not a good choice for field work. They are Eggs-cellent for home listening though. IMHO

[heath]

I've struggled with the ear wax problem myself--I feel your pain.  I actually usually go to a ENT guy once a month to get them flushed out...one of the greatest feelings in the world....

Heath

[heath]

By the way, I use 7506's and I love them!!

Heath