Headphones: best choices for DJing, live mixing etc - discussion

[Bingo]

hmm just used me decks for 1st time in ages... phones are buggered!

Anyone in the know recommend me a half decent pair I can get new for under 50 bar?

 

[editor]

I used cheapo Numarks. Cost £12 do the job just fine and I won't cry when they (inevitably) break or get nicked.

 

[Bingo]

ooh might check em out sounds cheep cheep!

 

[jamessedgewick]

these do me well. Have used them on very big sound systems and they did the job
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-HD215-Closed-Back-Headphone/dp/B0007QN180

 

[editor]

Saying that, I do need a decent closed pair for sound mixing. Do those Sennheisers block out the sound well?

 

[jamessedgewick]

For the price, They do a good job I fine, both in the studio and for DJ use. Obviously they are not as good as the HD25s but at a third of the cost (or less) they are very good.

 

[skyscraper101]

I've never really got why DJ's need super expensive headphones - having used many different types ranging from £10-£100, I can honestly say, as long as they are loud enough, durable and comfortable - there's not much between the top end ones and the cheaper ones except for looks.

For me, I need something lightweight and comfortable so the ideal set would be the Sennheiser HD 25 II - but there's no way they're worth £144 pound more than these basic Sony cans for a tenner.

 

[ouchmonkey]

For me, I need something lightweight and comfortable so the ideal set would be the Sennheiser HD 25 II - but there's no way they're worth £144 pound more than these basic Sony cans for a tenner.

I use them cheap sony ones - they're good and they're a fucking bargain, I've never noticed other phones I've borrowed or used be in anyway appreciably better and they're reasonably hard wearing too.

 

[editor]

I've never really got why DJ's need super expensive headphones - having used many different types ranging from £10-£100, I can honestly say, as long as they are loud enough, durable and comfortable - there's not much between the top end ones and the cheaper ones except for looks.

I've learnt that if you're mixing a live band you definitely do need decent headphones. My cheapo ten quid Numarks are fine for DJing, but when you can forget all about it when you're trying to listen to a DI'd bass guitar or tweak a bass drum through the desk!

 

[skyscraper101]

I've learnt that if you're mixing a live band you definitely do need decent headphones. My cheapo ten quid Numarks are fine for DJing, but when you can forget all about it when you're trying to listen to a DI'd bass guitar or tweak a bass drum through the desk!

Yep. Mixing live bands is a completely different kettle of fish. Definitely requires more sound isolation to drown out the noise to let you mix it properly. Pro sound engineer friends of mine who have had custom moulded in-ears swear by them and would never go back to anything else.

 

[editor]

So are those Sennheiser HD215s the best £50ish headphones about?

I've got a magnificent pair of Grado S60s but they're not for live work.

 

[audiotech]

The advice from the experts is that you should never mix through headphones.

 

[editor]

The advice from the experts is that you should never mix through headphones.

I don't mix through headphones, but if you're trying to isolate a channel or find a problem mid-set, you definitely need a pair of cans. That's why you see sound engineers using them everywhere.

 

[audiotech]

I don't mix through headphones, but if you're trying to isolate a channel or find a problem mid-set, you definitely need a pair of cans. That's why you see sound engineers using them everywhere.

They're are not mixing though.

 

[WWWeed]

GO TO RICHERSOUND!

£40, need I say anymore?

http://www.richersounds.com/product/headphones-microphones/denon/ahd301/deno-ahd301-bk

failing that look at http://www.richersounds.com/products/accessories/headphones-microphones for there whole range of headphones.

 

[editor]

You can get 'em cheaper elsewhere and the reviews aren't exactly glowing:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Denon-AH-D301-Closed-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B000XQJJBC

 

[WWWeed]

fair enough, get some others in that case. maybe try http://www.richersounds.com/product/headphones-microphones/sennheiser/hd465/senn-hd465 RS just usually do a good deal! and dont you pay postage on those amazon ones? you can just walk into a shop and buy these

also print out this http://richersoundsvip.com/c/mv?EMID=08902670A0E5JGH0T00V3DQ55&TYPE=HTML

and you'll get a free pair of sennheiser headphones if they are in stock!

By the way I don't work for them, I just spend too much cash there!

 

[jamessedgewick]

I've never really got why DJ's need super expensive headphones - having used many different types ranging from £10-£100, I can honestly say, as long as they are loud enough, durable and comfortable - there's not much between the top end ones and the cheaper ones except for looks.

Imo it makes a big difference. In terms of durability cheap headphones tend to break very quickly and blow half way through a set. not good. The HD25s for example can cope with very loud volumes and each part can be replaced.
I tried using a cheap pair when DJing on a 50k system in a club and could not hear a thing then switched to some HD25s and the difference was very noticeable.

 

[Boycey]

headphone help

i need new cans, my DT100s aren't loud enough* and the connector now crackles. a beyer dynamic cable with connector is £30 so i might as well go all the way. i absolutely adore my mate's sennheiser HD280s, comfy, loud- basically fucking awesome. my DT100s are 400ohm iirc, the HD280s are a cool 64- much louder! anyways, i am definitely a closed cup kind of guy- HD25s are the work of the devil! and they're way too small for my hyowge ears

if anyone has any other suggestions let me know, i'm prepared to spend out on decent gear because it gets used properly.

*i have internally knocked 20db from my mixer output to stop those pesky DJs redlining my rig

edit:unlike the OP i have zero interest in buying cheap, sub £100 would be nice but i have no qualms paying more for a better product, sensitivity, closed cup and sound quality are utterly essential

 

[editor]

I'm going to merge this with the other headphone thread....

 

[Boycey]

 

[Boycey]

you're all useless. i have my cans though and they are awesometastic.

 

[editor]

I might get those Sennheiser HD280s. My cheapo Numarks are fine for DJing but shit for sound engineering.

Here's the feature list for anyone else who might be interested:

The HD 280 Professional is a closed monitoring headphone for true professionals. Their very high level of insulation against ambient noise makes them the ideal headphones for DJs or for loud outdoor transmissions. Fold-up and swivelling earpieces ensure space-saving transport. Black finish.

Features:

* Closed, dynamic stereo headphones
* Accurate, linear sound reproduction for critical monitoring applications
* Optimum impedance ensures universal compatability
* Space saving design features collapsible, rotating earcups
* Up to 32 dB of ambient noise attenuation
* Neodymium magnets for high maximum SPL
* Single-sided, coiled cable with 3.5 mm mini jack with locking 1/4" adapter
* Very comfortable, even if used for long periods of time
* Rugged construction with user-replaceable parts

Technical Data:

* Frequency response: 8 - 25000 Hz
* Weight w/o cable approx: 285g
* Jack plug: 3.5/6.3 mm stereo

Well pricey though at £90.

 

[Boycey]

it's about the going rate for high build quality, high sound quality cans with a properly ergonomic design. i've used lots of cheap cans and they all lack something somewhere, i've used these plenty and can safely say i reckon i'd still buy them if they were 50% more expensive.

 

[editor]

I've been reading rave reviews for the Audio-Technica ATH-M40fs studio headphones and at £65 they seem keenly priced.

 

[sam/phallocrat]

I've just been given these as a leaving present - although they're probably not necessarily the pair I'd buy myself, considering my current DJing phones are bust and they had no idea I wanted/needed a new pair it's a pretty fucking good thing for them to get me

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Skullcandy-GI-SC-RGI-Headphones-Rasta/dp/B000OYLT7A/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1247446918&sr=8-4

(oh and there are some black ear pads with them as well so I can avoid looking too much of a twat when I'm wearing them . . .)

 

[editor]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Skullcandy-...4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1247446918&sr=8-4

(oh and there are some black ear pads with them as well so I can avoid looking too much of a twat when I'm wearing them . . .)

They are a little, err, lively, aren't they?

 

[IMR]

For me, I need something lightweight and comfortable so the ideal set would be the Sennheiser HD 25 II - but there's no way they're worth £144 pound more than these basic Sony cans for a tenner.

I had a pair of cheapo headphones, then got a pair of Grado's a few years ago and thought 'wow that sounds so much better'.

A few months ago I got a pair of Sennheiser HD25s and thought how much better they sounded compared to the Grado's.

They do grip your head like a vice at first though.

 

[newbie]

i need new cans, my DT100s aren't loud enough* and the connector now crackles. a beyer dynamic cable with connector is £30 so i might as well go all the way. i absolutely adore my mate's sennheiser HD280s, comfy, loud- basically fucking awesome. my DT100s are 400ohm iirc,

if you don't want them I'll intercept them on the way to the skip

Canford sell the bits to repair the cable, but it probably just needs one end or other resoldering.

I think you can get new drivers if you want to change the impedance (400R is just right for sniffing line level as well as headphone level)- tbh though, if you really need much more welly I'd get a cans amp rather than some other cans, but you do need to wonder about what you're doing to your hearing.

 

[sam/phallocrat]

They are a little, err, lively, aren't they?

Thankyou, that's the tactful way of putting it - fortunately I have a decent pair on sennheisers for my portable audio so I'll only look like a complete Barley when I'm playing out