Good headphones for home recording?

[Rob Lorenzo]

1) the automatic mute switch is brilliant
2) they are very comfy and I haven't experienced ear fatigue even during marathon sessions
3) they're closed so no bleeding which is important when recording my guitar (its pickups are very sensitive and collect all sorts of unwanted background sounds)
4) the replaceable cord is useful for the day my pair of destructive parrots, who love cables, find them

Thanks Rob O. Almost exactly what I'm looking for although it's a chair user that rolls over cables that I have to watch out for the choice between coiled and straight sell the 271s a little more for me too.

Without 'hands on' (on ears?) it's a tough choice between (rave reviews of) sonic quality vs. function. That said, I fully accept the valuable advice (Mazz et al) that whatever I choose it's a case of learning the characteristics of the tool of choice and how that (sound) translates. In which case I'm very much tipping towards the AKGs with function, a choice between coiled and straight cables (and ear cushions) and a mute switch - very handy for when I A/B something for contrast which I often find myself doing.

The HD-25s are out now as despite having, what I have heard, strong qualities I've read various reports of the comfort being questionable on longer use.

[Cruciform]

and a mute switch - very handy for when I A/B something for contrast which I often find myself doing.

I'm wondering if you have a different understanding of the mute switch then what it actually does? All its for is when you take the phones off your head, it mutes them. It's not like a usable switch that you can click on or off while you're wearing them, if that's what you're thinking.

Cheers.

[Rob Lorenzo]

and a mute switch - very handy for when I A/B something for contrast which I often find myself doing.

I'm wondering if you have a different understanding of the mute switch then what it actually does? All its for is when you take the phones off your head, it mutes them. It's not like a usable switch that you can click on or off while you're wearing them, if that's what you're thinking.

Cheers.

No, no - that's how I understand - perhaps wasn't very clear: Sometimes I like to hear how a particular sound sounds in both the headphones and then on the monitors whilst a track is rolling. This involves short periods of the headphones off the head, to listen to the speakers, then the headphones back on for comparison. In which case the mute would be great. It would also be a handy feature for when the 'phones are sat on the side, idle, saves unplugging and constant adjustment of the headphone pot.

[Cruciform]

Ok, gotcha.

[Rob Lorenzo]

Interesting article on mixing with headphones

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jan07/a ... phones.htm

although I don't plan to do a lot of that until my experience allows me.

Ordered the AKG-K271 - very touch decision yet, on paper (screen?), meets my immediate requirements despite overwhelming good reviews on the sound of the ATH-M50 which I wouldn't hesitate to invest in if I don't get on with the AKGs or if they fail on the quality side of things - sure they will be fine. As my g/friend reminded me last night "once you've been using them in the studio they'll just be your studio headphones" -

All said, I want to thank everybody for contributing their thoughts, preferences and ideas on this particular mini journey - I've learned a lot about headphones and it's great to get the opinion of other TAXI members.

My key lessons:

- Whatever I use, providing of reasonable quality, I'll likely get use to
- No matter how good the quality it's how the sound translates
- Need to be clear about my requirements; makes it easier to choose
- ATH-M50 are very popular in this price bracket for their sound

Just a thought, maybe one day we can pursuade a pro shop to have a stand at TAXI road-rally with different home studio headphones for folk to try (on) and test given that the availability of shops, and stock in shops, with distance and cost in mind is a lot more limited these days.

[mojobone]

Just a thought, maybe one day we can pursuade a pro shop to have a stand at TAXI road-rally with different home studio headphones for folk to try (on) and test given that the availability of shops, and stock in shops, with distance and cost in mind is a lot more limited these days.

Probably wouldn't be all that useful without the treated room you'll no doubt be using them in.

[Rob Lorenzo]

Probably wouldn't be all that useful without the treated room you'll no doubt be using them in.

well, I guess you could test them for comfort, or choose your favourite colour

Can't help but feel my studio room gets the wrong sort of treatment

[ernstinen]

Have I said check out the top-of-the-line Shures? As I've said, I've always been a Sennheiser guy, and have a pair of AKGs, but when I heard the Shures (I know, I know, they just got into the market), they sounded as flat as a billiard table, weren't hyped at all, felt comfy on the ears; BUT you don't know how their support is. At least Sennheiser gave me new cables etc. WAY after they were out of warranty.

You know Shure from their 57 & 58 mics. Bulletproof. So, I'm not sayin' to buy them, just check 'em out. I was very impressed.

Ern

[davekershaw]

Two thumbs up here for the k271's.

[Rob Lorenzo]

Have I said check out the top-of-the-line Shures? As I've said, I've always been a Sennheiser guy, and have a pair of AKGs, but when I heard the Shures (I know, I know, they just got into the market), they sounded as flat as a billiard table, weren't hyped at all, felt comfy on the ears; BUT you don't know how their support is. At least Sennheiser gave me new cables etc. WAY after they were out of warranty.

You know Shure from their 57 & 58 mics. Bulletproof. So, I'm not sayin' to buy them, just check 'em out. I was very impressed.

Ern

Cheers Ern What model Sennheiser's have you got?

I'll be S(h)ure to check out the Shures when I've saved enough pennies to buy some top-end headphones...

I can see how you could easily get obsessed with this stuff (actually I am) - one day I'll buy some top end listening headphones - and you can be s(h)ure I'll be back for more opinions and experience