Headphones Recommendation

[Ty Ford]

Hi Craig,

The ATH-M50 are a little bigger, more cushy and not hyped on the top and bottom (as the MDR7506 are).

Regards,

Ty Ford

Cow Audio Forum Leader
Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide

[Craig Alan]

[Ty Ford] “not hyped on the top and bottom (as the MDR7506 are).”

If the 7506s are hyping the low and high end, why are they an industry standard for mixing? I had always read they were very accurate compared to consumer models costing way more that clearly sweeten the sound.

How do Sony MDR-7509HD Professional Monitor Headphones compare?

OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Ty Ford]

Because they tell you things you need to know when low frequency noise or hiss creeps in. I have 2 pair. I also have 4 pair of ATH-M50.

Different phones for different jobs.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Cow Audio Forum Leader
Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide

[Craig Alan]

thanks Ty,

so the ATH-M50 is better for mixing, the 7506 better for monitoring during a shoot?

How does Sony MDR-7509HD Professional Monitor Headphones compare?

OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Eric Toline]

You don’t want to use any type of monitor that will give you a false sense of what you’re hearing. We use HP’s on a shoot because we have to, not because they’re the best choice for the job. I’ve found the 7506 to have a lot of sizzle but no steak.

Eric

[Ty Ford]

Craig,

I’m pretty addicted to the 7506 for location audio because I have learned the curve and mentally transform the elevated bottom and top. The 7506 are more compact than the M50. I can collapse them and fit them right on top of my receivers and mixer.

I know a growing number of folks now use M50 for location audio. I use the M50 for clients/musicians in my studio because of their flatter response, closed back (low leakage) and comfort.

The MDR7509 I tried a few years back were very nice. I like them a lot. They are a little bulkier than the MDR7506, more like the M50, but like the M50 they are smoother than the 7506.

When you say “mixing”, I want to make sure, folks don’t get the idea that they should mix music on headphones for music projects. That’s a bad idea. You really need monitors for that. I do use headphones for mic placement and tracking, though.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Cow Audio Forum Leader
Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide

[Craig Alan]

Thanks Ty,

I like the 7506s during a shoot much as you described. Very easy to pack and hang from whatever. My only complaints: i hate coiled cables. They tangle with almost anything. they stretch out in time becoming more of a mess. With a straight cable I can velcro it to prevent it from being pulled out/strained and to create a custom length. My other slight annoyance is I find the pads a tad small and the overall shape a bit tight for my head. No biggie but does get fatiguing after a while.

OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Eric Toline]

Getting rid of the coil section on the 7506 can be done. Cut the cord at the top of the coil section and splice in a section of straight cable of what ever length you want. Add a 3.5 mm TRS plug and you’re done. Not to be attempted by those who don’t know how to solder the Sony Litz wire.

A couple of TA-3 M&F connectors at the cut point makes for a professional looking attachment and more durable connection.

Eric