View Full Version : Monitoring headphones


Kathy Smith
October 21st, 2017, 10:16 AM
Hi,

I'm using Sennheiser 380 Pro and they are fine for editing at at my workstation. I'd like to get headphones that I can take into a field with me to monitor sound when I'm recording an interview. I know I can use the same headphones but I know there are monitoring earbuds. I'm trying to downsize on gear I need to carry with me. Would earbuds be adequate? If so which ones?

Also, what are the best monitoring headphones if I wanted to upgrade my 380 Pros?

Graham Bernard
October 22nd, 2017, 01:03 AM
Kathy, when you find out, do tell me!

I’ve got the 380s and they are spectacular for studio and field work. Can one ever get closed-back earbuds? Or rather some atypical earbuddies that reduce ambient? Often you can see me in a noisy environment crouched down with my hands clasped down over my 380s. Can I rely on earbuddies capable of doing this? Noise cancelling by earbuddies? Seems like a contradiction. But, always willing to learn.

Andrew Smith
October 22nd, 2017, 02:28 AM
Kathy, my first thought is that you will get either feedback or bleed from the speakers back in to your microphones ... which is not a good thing.

Andrew

Graham Bernard
October 22nd, 2017, 03:13 AM
Yes, of course! I should’ve listed that too.

Kathy Smith
October 22nd, 2017, 04:46 AM
I just realized that I wrote "speakers" where I meant "headphones". Sorry about that! I corrected the original post.
I would have never thought of using earbuds for monitoring sound until I saw these: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1216775-REG/audio_technica_ath_e70_e_series_professional_in_ear.html/BI/2855/KBID/3801
and it got me curious.

Paul R Johnson
October 22nd, 2017, 05:27 AM
Shure Se215s are quite useful sounding and the supplied soft foams isolate pretty well.

Kathy Smith
October 22nd, 2017, 06:38 AM
Shure Se215s are quite useful sounding and the supplied soft foams isolate pretty well.
Thank you!

Andrew Smith
October 22nd, 2017, 07:01 AM
Speakers ... headphones ... whatever .... :-D

LOL

Andrew

Steven Digges
October 22nd, 2017, 10:02 AM
I have Sennheiser 280s and a a pair of Shure buds (not sure of model #) I paid almost $200.00 probably 10 years ago.

I consider the Shure buds very "handy" they have a place. Even with expensive buds I don't think you can get sound quality good enough to make critical decisions on set. Its just not possible to build them that way...IMHO. So I would stay away from those $400.00 ATs. I think high end gear like that is made for kids with too much money to burn and audiophiles. Not field monitoring.

I do use my buds a lot because I am a monitor sound at all times guy. I use the Sen 280s first during set up and testing then switch to the Shures IF it is a gig were the 280s are a pain like when I have to talk and listen to people a lot. I also use them a lot if I am at a control table and on COM. They are much better than cans any time you can use just one ear. I think just about any quality ear bud will work then because your not monitoring for true quality at that point, your listening for trouble.

So I would say stick with your 380s whenever you can and get the Sures Paul recommended. Stay away from spending more. There is no benefit from it.

Kind Regards,

Steve

PS The speaker thing put my brain into a feedback loop ;-)

Ty Ford
October 22nd, 2017, 11:11 AM
Hi,

I'm using Sennheiser 380 Pro and they are fine for editing at at my workstation. I'd like to get headphones that I can take into a field with me to monitor sound when I'm recording an interview. I know I can use the same headphones but I know there are monitoring earbuds. I'm trying to downsize on gear I need to carry with me. Would earbuds be adequate? If so which ones?

Also, what are the best monitoring headphones if I wanted to upgrade my 380 Pros?

Hi Kathy,

Several years ago, at AES 2015 in NYC, Shure showed a line of ear buds from $99 to $999. I haven't had time to wade through them, but I'm guessing one of them might help.
Here's a link. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/buy/In-Ear-Earphones/ci/12880/N/3678552084/BI=2855&KBID=3801

For location audio headphones, I've always used. Sony MDR 7506.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/49510-REG/Sony_MDR_7506_MDR_7506_Headphone.html/BI=2855&KBID=3801

Regards,

Ty Ford

Tony McGuire
October 23rd, 2017, 03:50 AM
I use these Sony MDR-V150 alot for sound mixing for live and on my Roland video mixer. I also use them when filming out and about. I can say they take some battering as they have been shoved in to any bag that I had out and about with a but of room in.

The overall size I like and I have a pair of sennheiser headphones and I was not happy with them for the price of them compaired to the Sony ones I use.

Here is the sony one on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-V150-Monitor-Series-Headphones/dp/B00005QBU9/dvinfo09-20

Josh Bass
October 23rd, 2017, 07:27 AM
The standyby for many location sound folks is the Sony 7506. Not as isolate-y as the 380s but thousands of sound pros cant be wrong

Bernie Beaudry
October 23rd, 2017, 08:04 AM
Hi,

I'm using Sennheiser 380 Pro and they are fine for editing at at my workstation. I'd like to get headphones that I can take into a field with me to monitor sound when I'm recording an interview. I know I can use the same headphones but I know there are monitoring earbuds. I'm trying to downsize on gear I need to carry with me. Would earbuds be adequate? If so which ones?

Also, what are the best monitoring headphones if I wanted to upgrade my 380 Pros?
Many location sound people that I know use custom molded in ear monitors. They range from $200 to $2000. The manufacturer supplies you with molding material that you put in your ears. You send that in and they make an ear piece that fits perfectly into your ear. These provide far more isolation than most earphones can.
Here's a link to a list of various brands. There are more than are even listed here.
Custom in-ear monitors reviews list | The Headphone List (http://theheadphonelist.com/custom-in-ear-monitors-reviews-list/)
These are made near Minneapolis (near me) and I know several people that use them and like them a lot. Not sure which model. They do have a good quality to price value. https://alclair.com/monitorshop/tour/

Seth Bloombaum
October 23rd, 2017, 01:17 PM
There are two headphones that I've seen in general use - I have both. Either is about $100 or a bit less on sale.

Sony MDR-7506 - the dialog standard. These have a slight boost in the freqs important for dialog, which makes it easy to hear pops and other mishaps of the voice. You'll still hear low and high freq noise. You can mix two voice mics to one recording channel with some confidence. Moderate isolation.

Sennheiser HD280 - the music standard. These are pretty flat in their response, important in recording music, especially if you have to mix 2 or more mics to one record channel. Very good isolation. These are big phones.

The OP's HD380 is the same drivers as the 280, but more foldable/compact, and, I think a little less isolation.

I grew up on the Sonys, but discovered the Senns for music. Both are great. And, yes, with care, you can use the Senns for dialog and the Sonys for music.

The OP also wrote about using the HD380 at her desk. This is fine for all kinds of editing. Final compression, EQ, and mixing *must* be done on speakers, preferably on reference monitors. Even the best headphone can't represent the listening experience on speakers.

Graham Bernard
October 23rd, 2017, 11:26 PM
Even the best headphone can't represent the listening experience on speakers.Seth, totally agree. I use my HD280s to ensure I’ve correctly captured enough latitude of what I want/need to take forward. I kinda regard that my monitoring of the Audio-in is the same as my Focus and WB and Histograms and ALL levels. Meaning, I need to have the best values I can reasonably expect. That, and getting the Source verbals as near as I can to the mics! Back at base, my Edirols take over. On which I can then listen critically via an old pair of Senni 270s. I just replaced the Ear cushions on these. Nasty business.

David Peterson
October 25th, 2017, 05:33 PM
The standyby for many location sound folks is the Sony 7506. Not as isolate-y as the 380s but thousands of sound pros cant be wrong

Indeed, 7056 is the "industry standard" for location work.

But Sennheiser 380 Pro is a closed back design and more than fine to use. Go for it!

As for earbuds? No.
Only people you'd really see using them are camera hops who are just doing very basic monitoring to get the gist of what is being recorded internally to their cameras.

Richard Crowley
October 30th, 2017, 09:47 AM
There ARE professional-grade earbuds. The most well-known brand is Etymotic Research. They make hearing protectors (ear plugs) as well. For example: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000XPG2QI
Many serious users have custom ear-molds made for them by a local audiologist for comfortable all-day use.

Some people in high-noise situations use a combination of ear-buds and military-grade hearing-protector "ear-muffs" The most prominent brand is David Clark. For example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0049C71KM/dvinfo09-20

Pete Cofrancesco
October 30th, 2017, 12:26 PM
Sony MDR-7506 are the gold standard. I include earbuds as a backup but they don’t isolate as good as over the ear headphones. It sounds like you want to use earbuds, It’s not to say you can’t Richard points out the custom ones but they are expensive and designed for on stage performers who can’t wear headphones.

Ed Roo
October 31st, 2017, 10:19 AM
I use Sony 7506 with my XF-300 and digital audio recorder, but I use the Shure 215s when recording with my iPad Mini. The Shure's do an excellent job of blocking external sound with properly sized and fitting ear seals.

Kathy Smith
October 31st, 2017, 10:34 PM
Just to update this tread, I did get the Shure 215s and they are fine for me to use when I'm recording. For editing I'm sticking with my HD 380 Pros. By the way, I also have HD 280 Pro.