Headphones for live mixing

[rschultz]

Hi,

I'm looking for a pair of headphones for live mixing, so something that cancels out external noise well. I'd like to stay under $50, although I see a lot of nice ones in the $100 range.

Also, along the same lines as the previous thread, I too am looking for a pair of headphones for the bass and/or drummer in the $50 range. We currently use IEM's, I think the drummer is happy, but get the feeling that the bassist needs more even though he doesn't say it.

Obviously noise cancelation on stage isn't as critical for the bass/drummer as it is for the guy mixing in the back. The pair I am using now for mixing is decent, but really doesn't cancel out the live noise very well so it makes it difficult to PFL individual channels.

The swivel feature on some of them look nice for grabbing a quick listen in just 1 ear... not critical compared to other features, but nice.

Thanks.
Ryan

[pdc]

Save up your money and buy something that sounds good. Don't go any lower end than the AudioTechnica ATH-ANC7s for noise canceling units. AT makes some bang for the buck, easy to service, headphones for drummers that sound ok. They have a little boost on the bottom though.

[prochlea]

I'm a big fan of the Sennheiser HD280's... They run a little closer to the $100 mark, but worth it. if you google them, some of the no-name sites have them for about $80...

[cmchamp]

I have a pair of ATHM30's and ATHM50's. When I'm mixing others live, I prefer the ATHM30's over the ATHM50's. For studio work, I prefer the 50's.
C.

[pdc]

Originally Posted by prochlea

I'm a big fan of the Sennheiser HD280's... They run a little closer to the $100 mark, but worth it. if you google them, some of the no-name sites have them for about $80...

Those are good options too. I sell those as well. the good thing about them is that when they are yanked off your head, and they will be at some point, you do not have to fear resoldering damaged cables. The contacts screw in. They are easy to service just like the ATs, which plug in. Good call.

[cmchamp]

And, just like studio monitors, they are just reference, so once you get used to them and understand the translation between the room and the cans, you're golden with pretty much any flat and wide response closed back cans.
C.

[waynehoskins]

All good so far. I've got a pair of Beyer something -- DT110 is the number that comes to mind, but I may well have just made that up -- that are pretty good. Of course all cans, or many of them, color the sound a bit differently, so it took a little while getting used to them compared with the Sonys I had been using (but had walked away). The only thing I don't like about the Beyer set is it doesn't have a coiled cord. One of the first things I did with them was trip over the long cable and rip apart the plug and adapter. That was a quick fix with the iron and a new connector, and since then I've been more careful.

They're not super noise-cancelling, but they offer decent isolation. And since they were a Christmas gift from the guys at work, I didn't have much choice in which ones they were.

Chances are you want a pair of cans with a coiled cord so it gets out of your feet's way. Aside from that, no complaints.

[Arlin]

I really like our Sennheiser HD280. I use it at FOH for solo monitor and recording monitor.
Very good isolation.

[rschultz]

That's 2 votes for the Sennheiser 280HD's. There are 2 models, the standard (~$80) and the Pro ($99). I can't figure out the difference, technically they appear identical.

ewiz.com has them for $70 (free shipping)... and it sure looks like the PRO version to me. I think I'd probably order a pair if I wasn't moving Friday... might have to ship to a friends house.

[prochlea]

There are 2 models, the standard (~$80) and the Pro ($99)

I think those are just mis-labeled... Sennheiser only lists "pro" and I've got 4 pairs and never seen anything different than the 280 Pro.

Just a quick note to add regarding isolation... I have a pair at my video station at church that i use for cueing up music and videos, that often get used as a substitute for ear plugs. I rarely remember to have ear plugs with me at church, and when I need to adjust a drum microphone during practice, the 280's give me enough isolation to stand behind the drum shield right next to the drums...

[bpalermini]

I've used the 280's but find them way too tight to be comfortable. Kind of like having your head in a vice. But maybe my head is big.

[Gracetech]

Fostex T40's

crt