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I need to buy a new pair of monitoring headphones and was just wondering what people on here use for live sound monitoring?

Some of the specifications I am looking for are closed back, encapsulating the ear completely, comfortable headband, single lead from one side and neutral response.

Comments

RemyRAD Wed, 01/02/2013 - 18:18

So, Santa wasn't good to me either. And that's a good question. You want to know what I use now? Or do you want to know that I've used over 42+ years? OK, I'll make this simple. I started with Sennheiser HD 414 that were open air. But I also need to does tightly sealed types and got a pair of KOSS PRO 4 AA's. That's what I used 42 years ago. Today, I used the Sennheiser HD 414 still but 30 years ago, I stepped up to the HD 545. Still have and use the KOSS Pro 4 AA's had a pair of Sennheiser HD 280's. I don't personally care for the Sony's, AKG's, Bose, Grado. SHURE are making some that I've got my ear on or, rather both?

I have found through the years that if you want to do your mix, he'll get a more speaker like next if you use open-air headphones. And where you can't use those, that's when you use the sealed ones such as for live recording in a noisy environment are preventing feedback from your close-up microphone during overdubs. Sealed headphones present a very falsified low-frequency impression of what is really going on. And only when you learn that things sound rather thin and tinny, only then will it sound good coming out of speakers. Because of it sounds good on your sealed headphones, I can guarantee you everybody else will be listening to a boatload of overblown low-frequency distortion that really won't help to make any babies. And you don't want that to happen. You want to be the happy proud DJ that helps to inspire all to bring forth more listeners of your mixes. Right? And you won't get that if you don't get the low end right, nice and tight. Because you really don't want a loose fit, when it comes to your mixes, right?

Now ya know what kind of headphones babies like.
Mx. Remy Ann David

anonymous Sat, 01/05/2013 - 20:48

Audio Technica ATH M50. Pretty good isolation, pretty good sound, not too steep in price. Roadworthy build quality, too, nothing breaks or falls off.

The classic beyerdynamic DT100s you'll find in most recording studios are comfy, but not very nice sound quality, particularly poor in the bass department. Studios probably bought them because no musician would steal them to listen to music with.

dvdhawk Sat, 01/05/2013 - 22:12

RemyRAD, post: 398494 wrote: I don't personally care for the Sony's, AKG's, Bose, Grado.

They (the manufacturer and audiophiles) say the Grados have to "burn-in" for a quite while before they sound their best. What I don't understand is why they aren't burning them in before they leave the factory.

Arbaz Ahmed Sat, 06/01/2013 - 00:33

I've been looking for headphones which i can use in live sound for mixing but still confused on which one to buy. The senior sound eng. whome i have worked with always tell me not plug headphones with low impedance like ATH M50's , KRK KNS 8400, HD280 etc. on live console coz it might damage the coil or driver inside the cans so i always use DT 770 PRO (250 Ohms). I'm not much of an expert on the subject but i'd really appreciate if someone can give more information on this.