Do I really need expensive headphones?

George Ellis · January 22nd, 2006, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimi Colteryahn

I've been looking to purchase new headphones and I'm interested in how the Sony 7506's stack up against the Sennheiser HD-280?
I wish I knew of someplace where I could try them out, but unfortunately I have to rely on second-hand info. I'd really appreciate honest opinions!
Thanks!
Jimi

I cannot compare, but I have been happy with my HD280s. For large over-the-ear style, they fold three ways, so whatever fits your case (I use a backpack, so room is tight.) I replaced some earbuds after I found that working with a rockband, the Sony earbuds had some cancellation in the midranges in a loud environment (I was stressing because I thought I had a mic/pre-amp problem that was dropping the lead singer!)

Stu Holmes · January 22nd, 2006, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimi Colteryahn

I've been looking to purchase new headphones and I'm interested in how the Sony 7506's stack up against the Sennheiser HD-280?

I don't know about HD-280's.
But i have a pair of Sony 7506 and they're just brilliant. They're sensitive, very comfortable, lightweight, well-made.

Very glad i got them - highly recommended.

Steve Wolla · January 22nd, 2006, 07:47 PM

In the field I have been using Sennheiser HD202's. Very comfy, good sound, reasonable weight. Sure beats my old earbuds and lower line headphones!

Barry Werger · January 22nd, 2006, 10:48 PM

I'd say often isolation is the most important factor by far. I've never tried the "in-ear" isolation headphones, but I can highly recommend at two price levels:

DirectSound Extreme Isolation headphones (Bassy, ~$100)

HN-7506 (Sony 7506 electronics in helicopter-pilot isolation headset) (Great, ~$250)

Can anyone who's tried both an HN-7506 AND the in-ear isolators make a comparison?

Also, don't be fooled by "noise cancelling headphones". These try to cancel sound actively and electronically, and tend to only affect certain parts of the frequency spectrum.

Mark Utley · January 23rd, 2006, 12:21 AM

My friend has the Sennheiser HD280 headphones and uses them to build a board mix for his laptop when we're recording bands. He loves them.

Douglas Spotted Eagle · January 23rd, 2006, 12:34 AM

The 280 is a good can, no doubt. There is a benefit to the 7506 that no one else can claim tho, regardless of sound quality or opinion.
The 7506 is the standard of the industry. Everyone who has been in the biz for any length of time ends up with them. They're very sensitive, very clear, and while they may not be the most accurate, everyone knows what they sound like, and they're like a reference monitor. Although it's good to test your audio on various reference monitors, the bottom line is that every house, and many places in the industry, have the same reference monitors or very similar monitors, because it helps tremendously to have a reference point. Sound quality aside (I love the 7506, but I also love old AT's, too) they are something that two engineers can cogently discuss because they both know the sound of that particular can.

Graham Bernard · January 23rd, 2006, 01:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Douglas Spotted Eagle

Everyone who has been in the biz for any length of time ends up with them. . . . everyone knows what they sound like, and they're like a reference monitor.

I use the Senni HD280s and I only have myself to please. I have often thought that what I am hearing might NOT be that which others will are hearing. Interesting.

I wonder if - bet there is - there is an industry standard "table" to view and to then compare "where" amongst all this my Sennie appear? It would be reassuring to know just how close the HD280 are and how far apart they are from the HN-7506.

One "ergonomic" thing I experienced last week, while shooting, was that I couldn't use the 280s with a hard hat! The actual, substantial can supports get in the way of the hard hat. What I did was to slip the "head" part back around the back of my neck. It worked.

The 280 acted as "muffler" for the the noisy jack-hammers. I don't know how truly medically efficient they are, but it was better than nothing.

Grazie

Bill Schoaf · January 27th, 2006, 11:53 PM

Funny how this thread popped up the day after I ordered the Sony 7506 from B/H. Have used them many times before and loved them - especially liked how lightweight they were, sensitive, and most important, comfortable.

I'm sure there is better out there, but for my money, I'll take the 7506's anyday of the week. You won't be sorry, especially for the price.

Seth Bloombaum · January 28th, 2006, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham Bernard

I use the Senni HD280s and I only have myself to please. I have often thought that what I am hearing might NOT be that which others will are hearing. Interesting.

I wonder if - bet there is - there is an industry standard "table" to view and to then compare "where" amongst all this my Sennie appear?...

Grazie, I've not seen such a table - the field is open for you. I'll visit your web site!

My understanding is that many location and studio engineers for musical performance consider the Senn 280 their standard set of phones, the way we in audio for video consider the Sony 7506 a standard.

In olden times, (where's my rocking chair and lap-blanket?), before the home music studio business turned audio on its head, there were a few speakers considered "reference standard" for studios. Every good engineer knew what they sounded like, and could mix to them. Now there are a zillion choices, and the people at home have much better playback too (mostly). Reference standards are out the window, but not so much when it comes to headphones.

Ty Ford · January 28th, 2006, 01:13 PM

Actually, Rane used to publish a sheet on headphone frequeny response, impedance and sensitivity......

TA DAA! AS IF BY MAGIC!!!!

http://www.rane.com/hc4hp.html

Ty Ford

Graham Bernard · January 28th, 2006, 01:53 PM

Excellent!

Ty you are a MONSTA! - Cheers mate.

Aw shucks . .'cept my HD280s aint amongst it! Poo!

Grazie

Ty Ford · January 28th, 2006, 01:57 PM

check their specs on the AKG page with the 240 or 270

Ty

Graham Bernard · January 28th, 2006, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ty Ford

check their specs on the AKG page with the 240 or 270

Ty

Eh? - You should know by now it don't take much to floor me! - Sorry .. what should I do?

G

Ty Ford · January 28th, 2006, 03:01 PM

What part of comparing teh specs between your phones and other AKG phones do you not understand?

Ty Ford

Graham Bernard · January 29th, 2006, 03:32 AM

Thank you Ty,

These were the 3 items that floored me:

" . check their specs . ." who's specs? Senni specs? Rane specs?

" on the AKG page .. " which page? I can only see ONE Rane page - sorry.

" with the 240 or 270 " I have the 280s? Are you saying these are close enough for the purposes of comparisons?

If I can get something arse about face . . . I will! Apologies .. .

TIA,

Grazie

January 23rd, 2006, 12:21 AM	#35
Mark Utley Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 479	My friend has the Sennheiser HD280 headphones and uses them to build a board mix for his laptop when we're recording bands. He loves them. __________________ Mark Utley

January 23rd, 2006, 12:34 AM	#36
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	The 280 is a good can, no doubt. There is a benefit to the 7506 that no one else can claim tho, regardless of sound quality or opinion. The 7506 is the standard of the industry. Everyone who has been in the biz for any length of time ends up with them. They're very sensitive, very clear, and while they may not be the most accurate, everyone knows what they sound like, and they're like a reference monitor. Although it's good to test your audio on various reference monitors, the bottom line is that every house, and many places in the industry, have the same reference monitors or very similar monitors, because it helps tremendously to have a reference point. Sound quality aside (I love the 7506, but I also love old AT's, too) they are something that two engineers can cogently discuss because they both know the sound of that particular can. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

January 28th, 2006, 01:13 PM	#40
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	Actually, Rane used to publish a sheet on headphone frequeny response, impedance and sensitivity...... TA DAA! AS IF BY MAGIC!!!! http://www.rane.com/hc4hp.html Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

January 28th, 2006, 01:57 PM	#42
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	check their specs on the AKG page with the 240 or 270 Ty __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

January 28th, 2006, 03:01 PM	#44
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	What part of comparing teh specs between your phones and other AKG phones do you not understand? Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

January 22nd, 2006, 07:47 PM	#33
Steve Wolla Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 477	In the field I have been using Sennheiser HD202's. Very comfy, good sound, reasonable weight. Sure beats my old earbuds and lower line headphones!

January 22nd, 2006, 10:48 PM	#34
Barry Werger Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 104	I'd say often isolation is the most important factor by far. I've never tried the "in-ear" isolation headphones, but I can highly recommend at two price levels: DirectSound Extreme Isolation headphones (Bassy, ~$100) HN-7506 (Sony 7506 electronics in helicopter-pilot isolation headset) (Great, ~$250) Can anyone who's tried both an HN-7506 AND the in-ear isolators make a comparison? Also, don't be fooled by "noise cancelling headphones". These try to cancel sound actively and electronically, and tend to only affect certain parts of the frequency spectrum.

January 27th, 2006, 11:53 PM	#38
Bill Schoaf Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chicago, Illinois Posts: 49	Funny how this thread popped up the day after I ordered the Sony 7506 from B/H. Have used them many times before and loved them - especially liked how lightweight they were, sensitive, and most important, comfortable. I'm sure there is better out there, but for my money, I'll take the 7506's anyday of the week. You won't be sorry, especially for the price.

January 28th, 2006, 01:53 PM	#41
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Excellent! Ty you are a MONSTA! - Cheers mate. Aw shucks . .'cept my HD280s aint amongst it! Poo! Grazie

January 29th, 2006, 03:32 AM	#45
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Thank you Ty, These were the 3 items that floored me: " . check their specs . ." who's specs? Senni specs? Rane specs? " on the AKG page .. " which page? I can only see ONE Rane page - sorry. " with the 240 or 270 " I have the 280s? Are you saying these are close enough for the purposes of comparisons? If I can get something arse about face . . . I will! Apologies .. . TIA, Grazie