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Posted by: Chris Aug 25 2007, 01:57 AM

Hi! I'm looking to buy a pair of headphones. Nothing over 100 pounds (UK) . I would be using the headphones for quiet practice and maybe a little homerecording. In terms of internet pricing, my budget and my requirements, has anyone got any ideas that can help me? Thanks.

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Aug 25 2007, 02:41 AM

For recording you would need a closed back design to prevent spill - plenty of quality choices in your price range, look at Audio Technica and Sony for starters.

Posted by: tonymiro Aug 25 2007, 06:18 AM

A bit off topic Chris but when I lived in the UK I used to find Digital Village/DV24/7 and Dolphin both helpful and usually willing to price match for studio stuff. I won't name one of their competitors but DV24/7 and Dolphin also gave better service then the competitor...

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: Chris Aug 25 2007, 06:21 AM

oh ok. cool. thanks

Posted by: blindwillie Aug 25 2007, 06:38 AM

I'd recommend Sennheiser wireless. I have enough of wiring around me without being tangled in with the headphones. Don't remember the name of them, check my sig, it's listed there. They where like 60 - 70 pounds. But don't get the auto tuning surround "big brother" of those. The auto tuning is not so good and simulated surround is nothing youll need for your guitar.

Posted by: Chris Aug 25 2007, 07:45 AM

So how does the wireless work? Is there a transmitter at the output? If so does it plug in with a 1/4 " jack or a mini output jack? Will the transmitter go straight into my amp? Or will i need a connector?

Posted by: tonymiro Aug 25 2007, 08:11 AM

According to http://www.headphoneworld.com/p/Sennheiser_RS120_Wireless_Headphones.htm Chris it's a mini but comes with a mini to 1/4'' jack converter.

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: Chris Aug 27 2007, 03:59 AM

Does the sound quality ever faulter when you use converters like this? Also what are "Close headphones" ?
Thanks

Posted by: Andrew Cockburn Aug 27 2007, 04:56 AM

I had a pair of AR wireless headphoines and stopped using them because there was a background of electronic fuzz and the sound quality suffered. Other makes may be better but I wouldn;t bet on it.

Closed back headphones don;t vent to the outsied so the sound stays in your head. Open backed headphones vent to the outside so there is noise spill which can affect recordings if you are using a microphone. Not an issue if you are using something like a pod for recording, or indeed any direc t electric guitar since there is no mic in the signal path. For micing an amp it also probably doesn't matter as you will be far away from the mic. OIIt really matters when recording vocals or acoustic guitar.

Posted by: Smikey2006 Aug 27 2007, 07:01 AM

I think ive added this before in another topic but my number 1 choice for headphones are the Sony Studio Edition Pro. I use them for recording and for listening to music. closed system so they are great for sound blockage and they have amazing sound quality.. google them might be over 100 tho

Posted by: tonymiro Aug 27 2007, 07:56 AM

At the end of the day whilst closed back 'phones are arguably better for sound recording (and this really also depends on the quality of the audio card and the 'phones) ANY headphone is just another form of audio out. To a great extent what you need for listening and achieving good mix is a variety of different audio outs, speakers, headphones and so on. Now because most people now a days listen to music from an IPod or similar then one may put forward an argument that at least one source to mix to should be SIMILAR.

Closed back is great for reducing cross talk and spill but are not necessarily the most comfortable to wear over a pre-longed period nor arguably are they particularly similar to the headphones most of us use on a routine basis. Its te same with studio monitors - my hi-fi speakers are rather different sonically to those in my studio and those on my old but functional ghetto blaster.

What is more important is that you have a monitoring source that you are comfortable with and have an understanding of Chris = sound wise and comfort. If you can try out a variety of different headphones and find ones you like BUT also have an idea of what they produce well and accurately sonically (if that makes sense).

Cheers,
Tony

Posted by: Chris Aug 27 2007, 08:58 AM

yeh. thanks everyone.

Posted by: blindwillie Aug 27 2007, 03:56 PM

I'll just add that the one I recommended add no noise or delay. Of course there are "better" ones. There always is. To me the sound is great in these and I love not being tied to whatever I listen to.

Posted by: Hardtail Aug 28 2007, 01:28 PM

Wow, Chris...

For "quiet practice" and "a little home recording" I wouldn't spend 100 pounds. When I bought my headphones a long time ago I found a pair that had the same specifications as the Sony Studio Pro's that were being made at the time. They cost me $40 US which is like 20 pounds UK. They were Panasonic's and to this day sound impeccable.

It's just my recommendation because I hate to see people spend more money than they need to get the desired effect. Like others said, Closed back is the way to go and the other thing I'd recommend is to compare the frequency ranges and sensitivity. The higher the sensitivity the less they need driven to sound loud and clear, and the wider the frequency the more accurate the reproduction... almost everything else is marketing crap.

Here is some useful info:

Sony MDR-7509D
Frequency range = 5 to 80,000 Hz
Sensitivity = 106 dB/mW
Price = $200 US

Sony MDR-V600
Frequency range = 5 to 30,000 Hz
Sensitivity = 106 dB/mW
Price = $100 US

Human hearing range = 20 to 20,000 Hz
So as you can see even the Sony MDR-V600 at half the price still provides more sound than your ear will ever hear and at 106 dB/mW is well over the desired standard of 100 dB/mW. There are even cheaper ones but this was just for quick comparison.

Hope this helps!

Hardtail