Good headphones to use for making sound recordings out in the field?

jonnymorris · 13-04-2009, 11:31 PM

Hi,

I'm looking for a good set of headphones to use when out and about recording sounds using a portable MD and microphone, it will be mainly for listening to recordings to check how they sound while out in the field, so some degree of sound proofing (or noise cancellation) would be desirable, whether this is a closed cup design or in electronics (particularly to cut out external wind noise if possible).

At the same time, it's only a hobby so I don't want to spend a lot right away. I looked at the Sennheiser PX100 and PX200 for £18 and £28 respectively, which is probably about my budget for now; anyone got an informed opinion on these or others like them? What can I expect in this price range?

At the moment I have some big chunky Pioneer headphones, while these are good (they cost me around £25 some ten years ago) they are big and bulky, I'm really looking for something that I can pack away in a ruck sack to take with me where ever (hence the attraction of the PX's).

Help or general advice on this would be much appreciated, thanks!

jonnymorris · 13-04-2009, 11:37 PM

I just had this crazy idea of covering the headphones in faux fur to use as a wind noise suppressor! I believe it would work, but I'd look a bit of a nob in them!!

YellowSphere · 14-04-2009, 7:09 AM

PX100 wouldn't be much cop. PX200 would be better isolation wise, but the smaller size of them means that they just sound crap on some people's ears. You're really probably better off with a decent pair of earphones, though it'll set you back a bit more. I have a pair of Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 3 Studio (about £50 I think) which would be perfect for this kind of thing. You may be able to find some entry level Shures cheaper (e2c, SE110, SE102).

The only other relatively compact headphone I can think of other than the PX range which is worth bothering with is the Sennheiser HD25. Which will cost you the best part of £100.

jonnymorris · 14-04-2009, 5:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YellowSphere

PX100 wouldn't be much cop. PX200 would be better isolation wise, but the smaller size of them means that they just sound crap on some people's ears. You're really probably better off with a decent pair of earphones, though it'll set you back a bit more. I have a pair of Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 3 Studio (about £50 I think) which would be perfect for this kind of thing. You may be able to find some entry level Shures cheaper (e2c, SE110, SE102).

The only other relatively compact headphone I can think of other than the PX range which is worth bothering with is the Sennheiser HD25. Which will cost you the best part of £100.

Thanks for your reply. I really can't stand those in-ear things if that's what you mean by earphones, so they're out. £100 is far too much for me, but thanks for the info.

John Willett · 15-04-2009, 2:18 PM

For location recording you need good, efficient, low impedance, closed back headphones.

Personally I use the HD 25-1 (mine are 20 years old this year, so they last) - 70-Ohms, 120dB efficient and closed with an excellent block of external noise.

They are excellent at enabling you to listen to detail

But these are pushing the £200 mark.

The HD 25SP is cheaper and the new HD 380-pro (foldable with carrying case) are also worth considering.

But whatever you do - think: closed - low impedance - efficient!

If you enjoy recording, you may find joining the British Sound Recording Association helpful - or the Wildlife Sound Recording Society if you are into wildlife recording.

I hope this helps.

John

HiFi Headphones · 15-04-2009, 9:41 PM

That's a very well made point that if you go for a pair of headphones that can be serviced (every part on the Sennheiser HD25 can be replaced) then you can expect to get many years use out of them. Definitely worth considering when looking at cheaper models.

malkit · 16-04-2009, 8:45 AM

You should definitely check out the HD25 SP,you can pick these up for around £65 but they are well worth the money.
I can't see you finding anything better for your requirements anywhere near the price and they will last you many years.

jonnymorris · 17-04-2009, 11:13 PM

Thanks for all of your advice. I think for now I am going to try a cheaper pair and see how I get on, if I feel that I need something better then I'll consider raising my budget.

Remember one of the key features is portability, a folding design preferably.

Anyway, currently I am looking at these: Sony MDR-V300 Headphones with Neodymium Magnet - Folding Design, £25. Anybody owned a pair? The specs look alright to me (but I wish they were black!)

EDIT: scratch that, just re-read some reviews on Amazon, seems the Sony V300 are a very tight fit and I don't like that. I checked out the Sennheiser HD25-SP II, they look very nice indeed, the HD 380 look good too (though collapsible as opposed to folding). But I'm left wondering whether I might just be as well sticking with my current headphones as the *good* Sennheisers do not seem to be the fold-away type, and would be just as bulky by the looks of things.