Headphones for recording

MartinBush

Hi all

I am looking to get some new headphones for recording purposes. I currently have some Audio Technica ones (actually Sennheiser HD 206 now I look)  I found on the market for £12... they work and I could use them forever I suppose.

But, I fancy a new set. I've taken advice on here about budget mics and that was very helpful. I've ended up with a Superlux one, which I am pleased with. 

Having already said "£12" and "Budget" you will gather that I am not looking at the top end, or maybe not even the mid-range. I think about £50/ £60 is my aim. I know that there is a similar thread, which I have been through. But I wanted to ask a few questions of my own.

What would I actually be looking for in a set of recording headphones? What is different about them as opposed to just ordinary ones?
Open or closed back - why are there different types?
Are Superlux any good? I like their mics
I plug my headphones into the headphone out of my recording interface -  is that standard? (ie there's not a better way to hear the mix is there?

The rest of my gear is, bar the leads/ guitars/ interface, second hand. I use what I can get my hands on - there's nothing fancy.

I think the only other thing I am keen on is a removeable/ replaceable lead so I can get a longer one or repair it easily.

Martin

jasonbone75

Closed back one big (the main?) reason for is recording vocals - the enclosed cuffs make sure the monitor mix in the singers' ears does not spill into the microphone.

Open back a lot of people prefer them for general listening and mixing. You are not blocked off from the outside sounds and the balance can be less fatigueing.

For recording guitar or other instruments either direct or miced in another room the headphone choice is personal preference.

Plugging into the recording interface is exactly what it is there for Unless you need to split multiple headphones or mixes job done.

As far as recommendations go I need to defer to the community because I have had mine for so long I don't know what is good any more!

Musicwolf

As with almost every purchase

• You get what you pay for

• The law of diminishing returns applies

Open backed will, in general, give you the most neutral sound (which is what you need for mixing) but they will 'leak' sound.  This can be an issue when tracking something with a mic (spill) or if you want to listen without disturbing others.

Closed back are essentially the opposite.  Reduced spill but at the cost of neutrality.

I have both kinds and I spend a lot more on the open versions than I do the closed.

MartinBush

I suppose with my existing cheap ones, I could use those for vocals and open backed for the rest.

I'd not thought of sound leak so I've already learnt something...

spark240

Sony MDR 7506

MartinBush

Those look the business @spark240 do you know if the lead is detachable?

I guess it's not a dealbreaker.

bobacco

MartinBush said:

Those look the business @spark240 do you know if the lead is detachable?

I guess it's not a dealbreaker.

Not removable, unfortunately. 

jasonbone75

Detachable anything is a repeated strain potential mechanical failure and a place for dust and crap to accumulate. You don't want that with your tonez

bobacco

jasonbone75 said:

Detachable anything is a repeated strain potential mechanical failure and a place for dust and crap to accumulate. You don't want that with your tonez

A cautionary tale I learned from the Butthole Surfers. 

spark240

MartinBush said:

Those look the business @spark240 do you know if the lead is detachable?

I guess it's not a dealbreaker.

It is long and curly ?

MartinBush

Also, is impedance an important factor?  

octatonic

jasonbone75 said:

Detachable anything is a repeated strain potential mechanical failure and a place for dust and crap to accumulate. You don't want that with your tonez

There are pros and cons.

There is a reason the DT100 is a broadcast standard- it sounds ok and every part of it can be repaired/replaced.
I massively prefer these for anyone else who isn't me in the studio, because people treat them like crap and I can repair them easily.

I use DT770's because they sound better and although the cable isn't removable I don't abuse them and they last forever.

Headphones are frankly crap to mix on.
I do the absolute minimum on them, only usually very detailed editing work and then a headphone check when I'm in the latter stage of the mix.

I hate to sound like a broken record but spending more on acoustic treatment is something almost no one does but will have a much greater effect on a mix than a fancy new pair of expensive headphones.

MartinBush said:

I suppose with my existing cheap ones, I could use those for vocals and open backed for the rest.

I'd not thought of sound leak so I've already learnt something...

I personally wouldn't (and don't).
Closed back for recording, open back for mixing (or better you a good pair of monitors in a nice sounding room, but I get that this isn't always possible).

jasonbone75

Yes but you should be on the good side of things - decent studio headphones have higher impedance than earbuds etc. so phones and music players can struggle to drive them. As long as your interface is half decent it will drive the phones OK.

Stratavarious

AKG K240 Studios are my go to open backs.. very comfortable, screw in, replaceable lead. Great response for mixing.   Among best value out there.

https://uk.akg.com/professional-headphones/K240-Studio.html?dwvar_K240-Studio_color=Black-GLOBAL-Current&cgid=professional-headphones#start=1

MartinBush

The AKGs sound like my sort of thing. I appreciate that many on here use speakers - I just don't have the space or money at the moment. If or when I do I will probably do another thread along similar lines to this one.

As for the headphones, I could carry on with the ones I have and will probably still use them alongside any others I get. I'm just trying to move things up a notch here and there. 

When it comes time to get a new laptop it will be scary I'm currently using one bought from a FB member which runs Windows 7. It works just fine for me for now.

Yorkie

I was in a similar situation for a very long time. I relied on DT770 (closed back) for recording and DT990 (open back) for mixing. Now that I have space for monitors, I don't use the 990 as much as I used to. I find the stereo perception and general feel of the music change a lot through headphones.

danishbacon

Hd569 from sennheiser refurb shop