I'm all about that over-the-ear, closed back headphone life. I too get sore ears with on-ear headphones, but I do wear AT-M50X headphones for long long duration. The reason I can is that I bought leather, memory-foam over-the-ear pads that are super cushioned, so my ears don't actually touch the pads much. I love the ability to swap pads in and out, and also being able to replace the headphone cable is a must, since I ended up losing a pair of Sennheiser headphones to a kitten not too long ago.
Wow, it never occurred to me that headphones would be picked up by the mic - now that you explain it that makes perfect sense! I'm a profound amateur, but I'm getting so much fantastic guidance through your videos. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving! Please keep sharing and I'll keep watching!
And don't underestimate the comfort factor for people wearing glasses! The cups can fit perfectly over your ear but put pressure on the arms of the frames behind the outer ear over time.
@@yanos626 I am using over the ear style headphones. When I'm recording I just take off my glasses. I use a tablet on a music stand that's close enough to me to read. And when I'm editing I either take little breaks, or I adjust my glasses so they're not sitting on my ears, but rather on top of the ear cups of the headphones
Same thing for me, but on ear headphones do the same thing to me, either style pinches them against my head, but the over ear give me some more time before the headaches start.
@@thedarkesteros I've tried putting them above my ears too, but the angle on the lenses seems strange to my eyes (I have astigmatisms too, so I'm sure that futzes with that, I'm obviously not an optometrist)
Mike I am a sculptor and a video creator. Having learned that good audio is at least %70 of the total video package. I found your channel while researching microphones for noisy environments. Even though I am not a voice over actor and I don't own a booth, I do consider myself a Booth Junkie. You have taught me so much with regards to capturing quality sound and editing that you will never know how much. Just wanted to say thank you and to let you know that your videos reach and help all types of folks. Keep it up🙋♂️
Mike-after watching this video a number of times, I looked for these Sennheiser HD380 Pro headphones. Then, kinda out of the blue, a friend of mine gave me hers. Barely used. Practically brand new! I’ve been a Sony MDR-V6 fan for years. But the 380s are excellent. Comfortable and great sounding. Thanks for all you do.
I have MDR-V6 that is a few years old. I almost blew out my eardrums from feedback, trying to track with them in front of a LD condenser mic! They picked up the click track. Do you really find these isolating?
@@mrtechie6810 I'm in radio and found the MDR-V6 to give me a good feel for the mix of my voice and music. A lot (maybe most?) radio stations use dynamic mics. I've used the EV RE20 or RE27 for the last 40 years. Long answer to your question. No, not as isolating as one might like, but there wasn't as much need in a radio studio.
20:30 One comment about that I wanted to add - whatever headphones you decide to use, try and use those same pair for everything (recording, mixing, listening, etc.). Overtime, you will subconsciously build audible references that will help you in every aspect of the process. You'll be able to cross-reference between your cans and other sound systems (car, home theater, etc.) and recognize particular frequencies that either are or are not accentuated.
I got my first earphones upgrade from a regular pair of earpods and got the Shure 215 and I'm very happy with them and I really love the isolation they give.
Omg. this was so freaking helpful! Thank you! Im an actor trying to get more into voice over and so trying to understand what kind of equipment I should go with and why has been so confusing. This really helped explain a lot. Thank you so much!
Hi, good luck. Mike's review of the Synco mic D2 prompted me to get one. Best mic I've used in the home booth. If you're setting up it's worth considering. I got one on eBay for £130.
Started with Sennheiser HD 280 Pro (after watching a number of your earlier videos). Just picked up the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 ohm. Use them for recording and when editing only voice. Use monitoring speakers for full VO mixing/mastering.
I’m totally with you on this headphone eval. - haven’t tried shure in ears but have used all the others you reviewed - no one considers the fact that everyone’s ears themselves have their own frequency response characteristics that add to the complexity of headphone monitoring. But all that said - circumaural in the booth is a must. You are right, comfort during prolonged sessions is the number one prerequisite.
Good to see another Headphone Junkie. I agree Absolutely with everything you said. The three things I’d add though, are A) headphone amplifier matching the cans, specifically the impedances. B) if you’re recording yourself, then C) for you, listening to only your own voice doing VO, sound quality May not matter in the booth. BUT, for another VO artist, or every singer, the sound quality and specific Headphone Mix can dramatically change the performance. I suspect it will effect you as well. For example: first you find the Right Mic for the performer, then the right cans, then the right level, then the right mix of say other voice parts, or other performers ( she may want more piano and less guitar so she can harmonize, more click track or less snare). But what really separates the men from the boys is when an artist is a little flat or sharp, and you adjust the EQ of their own voice being fed into their brains and watch as they compensate. I call it tuning the vocal cords! Also, when their too laid back, I can lower their own vocal, and they adjust by getting louder, changing their performance. Or the opposite, when their pushing their voice past what it can do, push the level in the cans, an they cool off. None of these tricks work all the time, but there is absolutely an art and a science to Headphones and Headphone Mixes. Another great video my friend!
I am very glad I checked this review. My Parrot Ziks, which I have used to create training vidoes and online conferencing for the last 5 years, we're about to fall apart. When @booth junkie says something like "I used to say just get these, except they have been discontinued" to me that is great news, I can just buy them used! I bought a pair of used Sennheiser HD 380 Pros in excellent shape and couldn't be happier. My only concern is if I should buy a few other pairs to put in the vault for when these eventually die, or take my chances. Thank you again Booth Junkie!!
I got a pair of hd380s a while back. They really are excellent for monitoring. You hear everything without being harsh, easy to drive, good isolation and very comfy without being heavy. If I were getting something now I'd get some cheap iems and an extension cable.
Booth Junkie, excellent video. This video is very helpful for those people that don't know anything about headphones. Please keep making more videos like this one.
Now that we're all under quarantine in the DMV, any chance you'll consider making those extra headphone videos (how headphones change the sound) mentioned in this video? Super helpful by the way, as all your videos are. Keep it up!
I own three pairs: I first bought a pair of AKG K271 mkII, and I found them Extremely Comfortable! But sadly they sound too dull. Then I got the AT M50X which are very nice, but they do boost the bass a lot. So finally I purchased the Sennheiser HD 300 Pro (I didn’t want to spend the extra money on the ”-tect”), and they're certainly more “true”, but I don’t think I'd like to wear them for hours. I'm older than you, Mike, so they do touch my ears, you see. My ears aren’t big, and I'm not old (only 60), but cans somehow seem to shrink these days...
I've had a pair of DT 880 Pros for years and I have failed to ever have any headphone bleed into the mic from them unless I had them absolutely cranked. I think they are a good compromise between a totally isolating headphone which can affect you as a singer versus an open headphone which introduces a lot of bleed. They're also the most comfortable pair of cans I've ever owned and have worn them for hours at a time and even all day without any fatigue.
Mike, Thank You Very Much for all of your videos! I have learned SO MUCH from them and you have helped me greatly! I have selected my mic and headphones because of the awesome information that you have provided. Your experience and advice are invaluable! Keep up the great work! Thank You again Ken
Another excellent video for beginners. You're the best, Mike! I have always been a huge Sennheiser fan, but I had to find a pair of headphones that I could use for recording and for mixing demos and music for around $100, so it came down to the Sony MDR 7056, Sennheiser HD 280, or Audio Technica ATH-M40x. The M50x were out of the running because they are not as accurate as the M40x (too much bass and have a way higher impedance, so they need a headphone amp to sound right). Almost every reviewer I found preferred the M40x to the M50x. Even though the Sennheisers were more comfortable, the mid range separation and overall sound quality of the Audio Technicas was far superior, so I got those and have been able to use them to do many NDA jobs for some pretty well known demo producers and mixers who have the best of the best of everything. Twice now their clients preferred my mixes to theirs, so I ended up having to pour my secret sauce on the rest of the parts of the project that they did, so never let anyone tell you you can't mix with inexpensive, closed back headphones! BTW, that modded RØDE NT1 a sounds really good! I'll never understand why you like that CAD e100s so much. It brings out a part of your voice that makes it sound like you've got overused, swollen vocal folds, while you sound smooth as silk on the RØDE NT1 and all of the mics you used in that Harlan Hogan mic shootout (except that first CAD). The best mics I've heard for your voice so far are the TLM 103, the original CAD e100, the Lewitt 440, and the RØDE NT1 in that order. I know you love that MKH 416, but that thing just strips the nuance and depth out of a voice. Corey Burton's article on it pretty much sums it up. I couldn't hear what he was talking about until recently, but now that I've got more ear training under my belt, I totally hear it. Great in a pinch in a poorly treated space, but it's the mic for lazy audio engineers, not voice talent. The CAD e100 is almost as tight and doesn't require a pop filter as there is a metal one built in behind the outer brass mesh. I love that mic. I bought two and named them Mike and Misha after you since you turned me onto them, for which I'm eternally grateful. They are amazing for almost any musical recording application, too. Not so great as drum overhead mics, but man oh man do they do a great job of capturing transients due to the power boost the batteries supply. Next to the Townsend Labs Sphere L22, they are my favorite secret weapons!
This video is a couple of years old in late 2021, but I found it very informative. Loved your editing as well and not cutting out the audio until I heard your booth door latch click. ha ha.
Wow! Fabulous, well presented, targeted content. I will watch every one of your videos (I am only on number three now). PLUS: If I am unable to sleep, I might just queue up a couple of your episodes to lull me to neverland with your golden, melodic voice. Well done and thank you so much for all the hard work you put into preparing and delivering your content.
My long time pair of headphones is Sennheiser 380 Pro and Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (250 Ohm). Also Koss Porta Pro for mobile-travel situation in warm-hot weather..
I just bought a slightly used Sennheiser HD 380 Pro and, boy, they feels A-MA-ZING. I think I found a perfect headphones for VO and all thanks to you, Mike! OMG, I can't wait to use it with my MKH-416, it should be a perfect combo. Good luck to you from Russia! Cheers.
I have been trying to find a good headphone for my voice acting, i am thinking used headphones would be good but i don't know which site is trustworthy. Can u maybe help me with a few websites
This is exactly what I was looking for...ISOLATION in my VO booth. I had never thought about the in-ear cans like the Shure 215. I'm going to order some right now. Thanks!
IEMs have had a split. IEMs are split by full armature vs Hybrid. Hybrids are armature and dynamic IEMs they have a combination of armatures to the 1 or 2 dynamic drivers each IEM has. Shure is a standard in the market and they only offer full armature IEMs. My recommendation is the KZ as10 IEMs or for more punchier bass the KZ ZS10/ZS10pro. I would even recommend Mike to try them.
What's funny about this is that the M50x (and M40x) and 7506 are still marketed as over-ear headphones, but they really aren't, as you pointed out. Hit the nail on the head about those. That's exactly why I chose the 380 for shooting my own headphone reviews instead, comfort, and the fact that the treble doesn't rip my ears apart, like the DT770 tends to do.
Thanks for this video!😊 I have the Sony 7506 and Audio Technica M40x. I specifically got the M40x for doing EQ. I heard about them watching several videos where headphones were compared against source material, and the M40x were among the most "flat" and thus among the best when it came to faithfully reproduce the source. When I was using the 7506 my EQ always turned out too bass heavy. As I've now learned the 7506 have a high frequency boost, which is great for the recording phase as any self noise or other hiss will be amplified, and thus be easier to detect and correct. However during EQ I always ended up compensating for this HF boost making my recording sound too bass heavy when played back on more "flat" equipment. So I'm much happier with my EQ now that I'm using the M40x. I still love the 7506, just not for EQ. I'm looking forward to your next videos on headphones, and I hope you'll be able to include the M40x in your tests. All the best😊
Totally agree with you about the M40x, HJD. I've been able to keep up with the big boys using them to mix. Very honest headphones, especially with Sonarworks Reference correction. The Sonys still don't work as well, even with correction, because they don't deliver the same kind of separation and clarity in the mids. The drivers aren't built as well. There's only so much you can fix with EQ. Reference can't add qualities that aren't there. The M40x are on par with cans that are 3 to 6 times their price. If you're gonna step up from them, you might as well go with custom in-ear monitors.
Thanks Mike, your Booth Junkie videos are always fun and educational. I noted your mic and I perked up right away when I heard you mention it was from Michael Joly, the OktavaMod NT1a. I also own that mic and I know others who do as well. It sounds like you're enjoying the mic and I believe you said that you would do a review, I'm very much looking forward to your thoughts and opinion.
My own personal choice is the Sony MDL 7506. I think that they're light feeling, really good at screening out noise and generally a good overall quality phone set. I buy them used and repair them to like new. Saves a ton of money. Most parts are available on Ebay.
I have to disagree with what was said at 15:15 about the open back headphones not belonging behind a hot mic. I use my open back headphones (DT 990 Pro) when recording and I have never had any problem with them being picked up by the mic, and I use a very sensitive condenser mic. Now I will admit I do not record in a fully sound isolated booth, just an adequately treated room, so it is possible that I simply remove it along with "room noise", but honestly if its that quite then I really don't think its even worth considering as an issue. If your someone who has poor hearing and turns your headphones up way too loud then open back is not appropriate, but if your hearing is still in good shape and you don't blast the headphones I think you'll probably be okay with an open-back model. Just something to consider
I love the Sony MDR-7506's! Have had them for 15 years! So comfortable for long sessions or editing at home at night. I'm sorry that you find them uncomfortable :(. But they do require pad replacement after a few years. And yes, they do have a high-end boost, which is a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that you can identify hiss, clicks & pops that need to be corrected, and it makes listening mediocre material sound great ;). BUT the curse is having to compensate for that boost when mixing your own stuff. But I agree - I'll take comfort and inspiration all day, and then compensate for a bit of EQ right at the end of a project.
34 year broadcaster, major market and national radio. Sony MDR-7506 are the phones more pros use. This is our Job. When you do 3-4 hours on the air you know what works and which headphones are comfortable. The only alterations I’ve made on my pair of Sonys is upgrading the ear pads. I’ve owned the first since 1998, the second since 2010. Wouldn’t trade them for anything. I can speak for many big league broadcasters and voiceover talent that choose the Sony phones as well.
Love this video. I have some $40 cans that really seem to add a lot of bottom end to my recordings, so I am really looking forward to your future videos about which headphones are the flattest sounding. I also mostly record in the sleeper berth of my Peterbilt, which is an audio production nightmare. Lol. I use a myriad of blankets and whatnot to help things, but it is still a challenge to get a clean recording. Idling trucks nearby are always an issue. Anyway, thanks so much for all you're doing to help guys like me navigate this crazy world of audio recording.
The biggest problem I find with the typical closed back headphones you find in studios is base buildup. Simply put, they make your voice sound boxy, that's why you see people lifting the cans off there head slightly while singing or voicing which causes a ton of issues with sound bleeding into the mic. I often wanted if earbuds would work better?
Great video. I believe the ATH-M50x is intended to be an over-ear headphone although bigger ear folks probably have the sides of their ears touch the inner part of the pad at times since they’re not particularly large cups.
Love your comment about "having a headphone problem". Haha. Same here. I'm not a vo guy, I'm a singer and producer, and I use very different headphones between performance and mixing. During takes, it's about comfort and they should sound "good", while during mixing I need linear headphones. As for fit and comfort (during mixing, not recording) try the K712 ;)
TL;DR : Mike was right about the Sony MDR-7506, at least for me. I'm still an audio/equipment/VO noob, but after using these consistently since June or July, I have to agree that they sometimes induce some pretty bad headaches for me. I'll probably be looking for a larger over-ear pair soon. I watched this months ago, but still ended up going with the Sony MDR-7506 even though Mike mentioned the tightness on the ears over time. Three audio engineers vouched for them, though, and they were relatively affordable, so I figured they'd at least be fine to start out. After wearing them to do everything for months now, I occasionally get those crazy headaches from them pushing on the edges of my ears. Not all the time, but I'm writing this today because it got bad enough that I just had to tell a friend I needed to go offline just to get the headphones off. We hadn't been online that long, but I couldn't wait to get them off. To be fair: this doesn't happen every time, and I suspect it is worse when I wear glasses with the MDR's. Or could just be my big ol' head. Besides that though, my newbie perspective has no other issues with the Sony's in terms of how they sound. Just... keep that warning in mind, I guess. Excessively long essay over. /
Depends on the application. When I'm recording I usually wear over-ear closed-back headphones. My go to is the Alpha Dogs. For mixing or editing work I mostly wear over-ear open-backed cans. My go to is the HifiMan He4xx. PSA for those looking at the M50x - Buy the cheaper M40x and spend money on aftermarket pads. I actually prefer the drivers in the cheaper model. I really am not a fan of the M50x.
I currently have five pair of cans, all closed back for monitoring purposes. My go to's are UltraSones because to me they sound the best and are comfortable. Also have some Japanese Sony's which are studio monitor version of the mdr 7506 for musicians being recorded, some AT40x which are very flat and were relatively inexpensive at $80; and a recent version of Koss Pro4AA for nostalgia sake, but I must say, they are not like the originals my ears were weaned on 50 years ago. My Ultrasone's Pro 750's keep me rather contented, and I use them a lot at night (off ear) just for listening purpose but not to disturb anyone else. If I decide for a new set, I would probably get the Neumann headphones as they are rated exceptionally flat, but a bit pricey at $499.
I’d suggest buying any headphones that you can’t try in advance from seller with a return policy based purely on satisfaction. The Sennheiser HD280s I tried were so radically skewed toward bass they went back to B&H the same day. I remain stuck with my 20-year-old Sony MDR-7506s even though they are uncomfortable because their response seems better balanced for voice.
I have a pair of Denon AH-D7000 headphones as my main headphones. They are incredibly comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and have stunning audio fidelity. The isolation is pretty good too. They were an indulgant buy, though, way back when. I do also have a pair of Grado 60e, however I find those quite uncomfortable to wear for longer periods of time. I am planning on buying a good pair of open back over ear head phones at some point. I actually do prefer open backed headphones for my main usecase when recording, as I trust my ears more than the headphones, but I have an untreated room and a only a Scarlet 2i2 Gen2 interface. Obviously I'm not a professional. For general listening and editing, the denons or my monitors do the job.
Thanks for the excellent overview of headphones! It will help inform people's decisions on what types of headphones they need for their respective projects.
I would recommend for on-ear or over-ears to order custom ear pads from either Dakoni or Wicked Cushions. They have real leather with memory foam. I honestly haven't had sore ears lobes since the change.
100% agreed that comfort is top priority, for hours-on-end use. Haven't found an over-the-ear pair yet for under $100, that have the other features/benefits mentioned. Perhaps I expect too much for that price point. Have a blessed day. =)
Hey, Mike. I know this video is several years old and, hopefully, you continue to improve as a voice actor. I am a total noob at voiceovers; however, you have triggered one of my pet peeves as an editor for four decades…you use “There IS” or “There’s” almost exclusively when you talk. The phrase REQUIRES a singular object, such as “There is A TREE.” If your object is plural, then you should say, “There ARE trees.” I’m getting up in years and I’m amazed how the plural subject/verb pair “There are” has almost completely disappeared.
Your channel is fantastic - I’m learning so much, thank you. I want to share my experience with two different headphones I’ve tried. I have some Shure older-than-the-215 in ears that I’ve had for around 15 years, and a pair of Bose QC-15s, as well as the classic Sonys. I’ve found that the Shure and Sony headphones sound a little muddy during performance as the bass of my own voice mixes with the monitor. However the QC-15s somehow limit the bass I’m hearing from my own voice and sound much “cleaner” during performance, which is strange because I think of the Bose as being bassier and muddier than the other two which are best described as “monitors” as they have a flat sound when listening and not performing. It must be something to do with the noise canceling. Anyway, I thought it was worth mentioning as consumer noise canceling headphones may be something your watchers have at home already - they’re also very comfortable so could be good for longer sessions. Thanks again for the channel and sharing all of your experience and knowledge!
Mikeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know I'm late to the party, but I'm new to the stage in VO... I can't hear myself in the headphones, so when people say they need to hear themselves, it confuses me. is it just that like, hearing yourself more clearly in your head because you have isolated outside noise?
Great video. Thanks! I love my HD 380 Pros. I switch between them and my 300 Ω HD 540 Ref, depending on whether I need/want open or closed backs. They are my most used cans in the studio. That being said, my MDR 7506s have been my go-to live mixing cans for almost 30 years. I thought I had big ears. The 7506s are absolutely circumaural (over-the-ear). If they sit on your ears, I'm afraid to say, you have unusually large ears. My ears definitely abut the grill cloth. The cans are designed that way. Put on a pair of SONY ZX series or most of the Bose and Beats models. My first pair of 7506s were used HARD for almost 25 years before I lost a channel and had to replace them. The 7506s are essentially the industry standard for many different applications. In fact, I have guests in the studio request the 7506s over everything else because they're most familiar with their sound signature. Just didn't want your followers to be misled by the 7506s not fitting over your ears. They fit over a far majority of users' ears, as designed. ~Peace
Thanks. Amazing video. Cable length is also important to me. I do live mixing and like to move around. My preferences will be comfort, closed back, any impedance and long cable length. Sennheiser HD202 on-ears is my current one for live mixing cause I take them on and off frequently. At home I use Samson SR850's over-ear cause they're cheap and open back so I don't lose contact with my environment. I will look into some of the one's you have shown.
Excellent video! A nice explanation on different styles. I also have had the SE215's for a few years now and very happy with them, you can also get custom-fitted earplugs that fit them! On impedance, basic, but that's what people are gonna notice most! Though to my surprise, my iPhone X has no problem powering my 250 ohms DT990 Pro to a comfortable listening level!
Nice and precise review about the different type of cans Mike! Thanks for the valuable info over these years...and please, make a review on the modified Rode. Luckily, I got one before Michael Joly closed his Oktavamod modifications. I'd love to see a comparison with a 87 or some other mics. Regards.
Great video! I actually just bought two sets of headphones recently - Sennheiser 280 pros for recording and Samson SR850s for editing. The Samsons are surprisingly uncolored as far as I can tell (especially for their price). They might be worth checking out if you're looking for a really neutral or uncolored set of headphones.
Apparently, I've got skinny ears; the Sony MDR-7506's fit over the ear for me. They do touch the outsides of my ears, but I don't get the pressure that's an issue for you. I've used Bose on-ear and over-the-ear headphones in the past and those do fit as-described -- on-ear or over-the-ear. So, with the Sonys, YMMV. And, for me, at least, the Sonys are fairly comfortable. Kinda like a well-designed cheap chair. They don't feel elegant, but they were recommended by 2 different VO studios for their flatness/accuracy of response and that seems to work for me so far. Do you find the Sennheisers more accurate than the Sonys?
Just tried my Beyerdynamic headphones tonight for the first time. Very comfortable. Not use to the "vacuum" I'm in when wearing them. I'm assuming it's something you get use to when wearing them a little.
A Big Conundrum: what about the difference with what we hear "in the cans" when recording or in playback vs youtube's compression? Or a podcasting-sites compression? A good pal of mine - a millenial indie musician and fan of audio narrative-fiction - pointed out the difference [for the audience] in listening to the final product with "real cans" vs earbuds, and told me that most people under 30 yrs old listen with earbuds. Apparently, the difference is astounding. Very much so in the sibilance area (Bedtime Stories has recently been chided on this issue and have been advised to use a de-esser plug-in due to how their clips sound on earbuds versus speakers or monitors or "cans"). This would apply to podcasts as well, I imagine. How do we compensate for this, when a track that sounds spiffy on "real cans" apparently sounds too-sharp on earbuds?
I don't use headphones unless in a directed session and then it's just one side. LOVE the Sony 7506s. I've used for more than 25 years. And most studios I've been to have them, along with AKGs. I'd like to try the Beyerdynamic 770.
I used to use the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, and I still use them in the field. I love my ATH-M50x (and the ATH-M50XBT for my commute). I would love to find headphones of at least this quality but be big enough to fit around my ears.
Mike, good to see you in the booth again making videos for us. I am looking for a new set of cans for my live studio. Currently I am using Corwin E7 Bluetooth headphones but using the patch cable so there is no delay. They are battery powered because of active noise cancelation as well as being wireless (if desired) and I sometimes forget to charge them. So here are some of the criteria I am using, first they must be wired but the wire needs to be replaceable. Second they must sound good as I do live stream. Third they should be light weight and comfortable. Fourth they can't break the bank, around $100 or less So basicly I am looking at a hybrid of the two that you describe. Currently at the top of my list are the Audio Technia M40x headphones. Are there any others I should be considering?
Some further thoughts - I agree with Mike about the comfort thing, but I recently picked up a set of Senny HD380 pros and I just cant stand them. They're more comfortable for long term wear than my DT 770s for sure but they are so aggressive in the mids it's distracting. Almost no bottom end and they honestly sound closer to open backs.I feel I can hear the room still. I even thought they might be duds because I picked them up on ebay but after a quick search online I see lots of people complaining about the poor bass. I may give them another chance with replacement ear pads -see if I can get a better seal and stop the leakage but man..... Anybody else have this experience?
Andrew Dickson yup. I bought a pair of these due to Mikes recommendation and they sound tinny and have no low end. I Find the sound very harsh and they are stiff and uncomfortable. I’m using my old pioneer HDJ-2000’s which sound sooo much better and are very comfortable, but they’re “DJ” headphones.
Awesome, got here early! Mike, always great to see a video from you! I'd be super interested in videos about voice-over technique if you ever have the opportunity! :)
Mike, you made this video at the perfect time! My home voice-over recording setup was almost complete. I've bought microphones (Audio Technica AT875R and Sennheiser ME66/K6), audio interface (iRig Pre HD microphone interface) and Fethead Phantom. But my sticking point was the headphones. I first got the Audio Technica ATH M40X and had the same problem you did. The earcups were too small and with the clamping force it was crushing my ears. Like you said, the discomfort made me want to take them off and not record my voice. I looked at the Sony MDR 7506 but they didn't look comfortable either. So I was stuck. Until I watched your video a few days ago. While watching, I was actually getting worried you were going to stay "neutral" and not recommend a specific model of headphones. So I was relieved when you mentioned you were testing out the Sennheiser HD 300 PROtect. I used your Amazon affiliate link and went straight to Amazon. Saw that currently the Sennheiser HD 300 version (without the Activegard feature) was on sale for $99.95, discounted from $199.95. Bought it immediately. My max budget was $150, so the price made it easy to pull the trigger. The headphones just arrived today. As soon as I put them on, I felt like I was "home." The earcups fit easily over my ears and they're so comfortable I quickly forgot I was wearing them. The clamping force is just right, tight enough so I don't feel they'll fall off easily but not so tight it's crushing my ears or skull. For what it's worth, I also wear glasses and the headphones still feel fine. I did a quick test recording of my voice in Audacity. Sounded good. I've also been testing them out by watching some of my favorite music videos, movie trailers and action scenes. Feel like I'm swimming in a clear, detailed pool of sounds and songs. Fully immersed. Hearing sounds from different directions in movies and separation of instruments in music (is that "soundstage" is?). Just want to keep throwing more audio at these headphones to see how great they handle it. Can't wait to start recording audios and videos and doing editing, which is what I bought these headphones for. You said that's how you should feel when you put on the right headphones. The Sennheiser HD 300 are it for me. I may be enthusiastic because I just got them. More I'm relieved that my long headphone search is over. Although I've also had my eye on the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (80 ohm or 32 ohm version?). You earned that affiliate commission, Mike. Thank you for all you do.
I don’t really take my mic recording that serious, so for sound I want it to be accurate and flat. Are the Sennhieser 280pros good for editing? I care more about post processing than recording. Plus I hear they have great sound isolation and are good for travel.
I've got a question. I live in a very hot country and my VO studio is even hotter. So are the SHURE SE215 a good option to buy? I really like the fact that it won't fatigue my ear , it won't feel as hot as a leather or fabric type headphone and also I feel more comfortable with in-ear headphones.
I wish this video had come out two-three months ago when I was shopping for headphones. I ended up with the Audio Technica ATH-M40X and they were the single most expensive piece of gear I bought for my recording setup.
I just rebuilt my studio from scratch. I bought a pair of headphones that clamped so hard they would give me a headache after literally 30 seconds so sent them back. I just bought a pair of ath m50x & at 1st I thought I was going to have the same problem but I was able to adjust them to make them be less tighter
For the last few years I've been using JVC Stero Headphones HA-RX300 to do Voice Overs, and just recently they stopped working whenever I would plug them into my computer's headphone jack, or my microphone I use for recording, I just don't hear any sound from the headphones, I try using other headphones and they work just fine... which makes me wonder, can headphones stop working over time? Regardless I'm definitely in the market to get a new pair of headphones for that said reason, and I found this video very helpful and informative in selecting my new headphones, thanks Mike!
Question for you sir with the same principles for voiceover apply to someone who is doing a podcast? After watching your Sony review I realized how thin the 7506 is were and I'm just curious if the same rules would apply
Another terrific video, Mike. I was all set to get a pair of 7506s or V6s, but between this video and the latest one highlighting the “disco curve,” now I’m not too sure. I’ve got a pair of KEF M500s, but they are on ear and uncomfortable for long podcast sessions. The Shure in ears you mention look interesting. Would you recommend as potential solutions for podcast recording and podcast mixing or are they better suited for one more than the other? Thanks!
Hey Mike. I'am glad that you uploaded because I always wanted to tell you that even tho I'am a mic noob that I really enjoy your content. Not just because I learn cool stuff but also because it is just enjoyable watching it without any reasons. What I also wanted to say is: you look like Mark hamill, you should do a impression video and the podcast RUclips channel did a review on the cad e100 and did a impression of you. Ps thanks for the great content and never shave that beard. Pss: could I ask you to review some tonor mics for me. They are only 30 $ in a kid. Psss: I think it's weird that no one out of 2000 people is liking your videos like back in 2017. Have a great one.
My first concern is plug compatibility. Then the part abt impedance and power made me wonder if the ZOOM H5 on batteries was good for 32 or 64 Ohms, and whether it is worth it to buy the AC converter for added wattage.
Hello Mike, have you try the Koss UR-40 headphones? (They are very good sound, but unfortunatelly they are not seem to be durable, mine have been last longer, due to I’m cautious when used them).
My bundle came with headphones that only work in the left ear:/ What is your suggestion for using an Zoom H5 digital recorder? (learned everything about it from your channel!) Thanks!!
Sony MDR7506 for editing. SHP9500 for editing but if I need open backed headphones. Bosshifi B8 for recordings because they're cheap and comfy. All of the pads replaced with an aftermarket one to give my ears more room and wouldn't get sore.
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What's your preferred headphone style?
I'm all about that over-the-ear, closed back headphone life. I too get sore ears with on-ear headphones, but I do wear AT-M50X headphones for long long duration. The reason I can is that I bought leather, memory-foam over-the-ear pads that are super cushioned, so my ears don't actually touch the pads much. I love the ability to swap pads in and out, and also being able to replace the headphone cable is a must, since I ended up losing a pair of Sennheiser headphones to a kitten not too long ago.
Over the ear or IEMs
Closed back over the ears and nothing else.
Can't wear in-ear or on-ear at all anymore; my ears have felt enough pain over the years.
Beyer Dynamic DT770 Pro, 250 Ohm. Great for long term sessions for recording or editing and preventing the dreaded sweaty ear with the velour cup.
Open back, over the hear, AKG K7** series for editing (videos, mostly), and IEM with memory foam buds for recording :)
Wow, it never occurred to me that headphones would be picked up by the mic - now that you explain it that makes perfect sense! I'm a profound amateur, but I'm getting so much fantastic guidance through your videos. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving! Please keep sharing and I'll keep watching!
And don't underestimate the comfort factor for people wearing glasses! The cups can fit perfectly over your ear but put pressure on the arms of the frames behind the outer ear over time.
Yes. This. I'm near sighted, so I can take my glasses off while recording, thankfully. Editing, though, can get so tiring.
@@thedarkesteros what headphones do you guys prefer for people wearing eyeglasses tho? I'm nearsighted as well
@@yanos626 I am using over the ear style headphones. When I'm recording I just take off my glasses. I use a tablet on a music stand that's close enough to me to read. And when I'm editing I either take little breaks, or I adjust my glasses so they're not sitting on my ears, but rather on top of the ear cups of the headphones
Same thing for me, but on ear headphones do the same thing to me, either style pinches them against my head, but the over ear give me some more time before the headaches start.
@@thedarkesteros I've tried putting them above my ears too, but the angle on the lenses seems strange to my eyes (I have astigmatisms too, so I'm sure that futzes with that, I'm obviously not an optometrist)
Mike I am a sculptor and a video creator. Having learned that good audio is at least %70 of the total video package. I found your channel while researching microphones for noisy environments. Even though I am not a voice over actor and I don't own a booth, I do consider myself a Booth Junkie. You have taught me so much with regards to capturing quality sound and editing that you will never know how much. Just wanted to say thank you and to let you know that your videos reach and help all types of folks. Keep it up🙋♂️
Mike-after watching this video a number of times, I looked for these Sennheiser HD380 Pro headphones. Then, kinda out of the blue, a friend of mine gave me hers. Barely used. Practically brand new! I’ve been a Sony MDR-V6 fan for years. But the 380s are excellent. Comfortable and great sounding. Thanks for all you do.
What a fortunate find/gift. I've been looking everywhere online for a set (or 2) HD380. 👍🏽
I have MDR-V6 that is a few years old. I almost blew out my eardrums from feedback, trying to track with them in front of a LD condenser mic! They picked up the click track. Do you really find these isolating?
@@mrtechie6810 I'm in radio and found the MDR-V6 to give me a good feel for the mix of my voice and music. A lot (maybe most?) radio stations use dynamic mics. I've used the EV RE20 or RE27 for the last 40 years. Long answer to your question. No, not as isolating as one might like, but there wasn't as much need in a radio studio.
20:30 One comment about that I wanted to add - whatever headphones you decide to use, try and use those same pair for everything (recording, mixing, listening, etc.). Overtime, you will subconsciously build audible references that will help you in every aspect of the process. You'll be able to cross-reference between your cans and other sound systems (car, home theater, etc.) and recognize particular frequencies that either are or are not accentuated.
I got my first earphones upgrade from a regular pair of earpods and got the Shure 215 and I'm very happy with them and I really love the isolation they give.
Omg. this was so freaking helpful! Thank you!
Im an actor trying to get more into voice over and so trying to understand what kind of equipment I should go with and why has been so confusing. This really helped explain a lot. Thank you so much!
Haha I'm an actor as well trying to get into voice over. So interesting yet so confusing. Can I ask what did you eventually buy?
Hi, good luck.
Mike's review of the Synco mic D2 prompted me to get one. Best mic I've used in the home booth. If you're setting up it's worth considering. I got one on eBay for £130.
Picked up a set of new cans and am amazed at the sound isolation and clarity. Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
Started with Sennheiser HD 280 Pro (after watching a number of your earlier videos). Just picked up the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 ohm. Use them for recording and when editing only voice. Use monitoring speakers for full VO mixing/mastering.
Nice choices!
I'm thinking about getting either the HD 280 or the DT770 pro 80.
Which are a flatter par (closer to studio monitors) for mixing?
Thanks.
I’m totally with you on this headphone eval. - haven’t tried shure in ears but have used all the others you reviewed - no one considers the fact that everyone’s ears themselves have their own frequency response characteristics that add to the complexity of headphone monitoring. But all that said - circumaural in the booth is a must. You are right, comfort during prolonged sessions is the number one prerequisite.
Good to see another Headphone Junkie.
I agree Absolutely with everything you said.
The three things I’d add though, are
A) headphone amplifier matching the cans, specifically the impedances.
B) if you’re recording yourself, then
C) for you, listening to only your own voice doing VO, sound quality May not matter in the booth.
BUT, for another VO artist, or every singer, the sound quality and specific Headphone Mix can dramatically change the performance.
I suspect it will effect you as well.
For example: first you find the Right Mic for the performer, then the right cans, then the right level, then the right mix of say other voice parts, or other performers ( she may want more piano and less guitar so she can harmonize, more click track or less snare).
But what really separates the men from the boys is when an artist is a little flat or sharp, and you adjust the EQ of their own voice being fed into their brains and watch as they compensate. I call it tuning the vocal cords!
Also, when their too laid back, I can lower their own vocal, and they adjust by getting louder, changing their performance.
Or the opposite, when their pushing their voice past what it can do, push the level in the cans, an they cool off.
None of these tricks work all the time, but there is absolutely an art and a science to Headphones and Headphone Mixes.
Another great video my friend!
I am very glad I checked this review. My Parrot Ziks, which I have used to create training vidoes and online conferencing for the last 5 years, we're about to fall apart. When @booth junkie says something like "I used to say just get these, except they have been discontinued" to me that is great news, I can just buy them used!
I bought a pair of used Sennheiser HD 380 Pros in excellent shape and couldn't be happier. My only concern is if I should buy a few other pairs to put in the vault for when these eventually die, or take my chances. Thank you again Booth Junkie!!
I got a pair of hd380s a while back. They really are excellent for monitoring. You hear everything without being harsh, easy to drive, good isolation and very comfy without being heavy.
If I were getting something now I'd get some cheap iems and an extension cable.
Booth Junkie, excellent video. This video is very helpful for those people that don't know anything about headphones. Please keep making more videos like this one.
Now that we're all under quarantine in the DMV, any chance you'll consider making those extra headphone videos (how headphones change the sound) mentioned in this video? Super helpful by the way, as all your videos are. Keep it up!
I own three pairs: I first bought a pair of AKG K271 mkII, and I found them Extremely Comfortable! But sadly they sound too dull. Then I got the AT M50X which are very nice, but they do boost the bass a lot. So finally I purchased the Sennheiser HD 300 Pro (I didn’t want to spend the extra money on the ”-tect”), and they're certainly more “true”, but I don’t think I'd like to wear them for hours. I'm older than you, Mike, so they do touch my ears, you see. My ears aren’t big, and I'm not old (only 60), but cans somehow seem to shrink these days...
I've had a pair of DT 880 Pros for years and I have failed to ever have any headphone bleed into the mic from them unless I had them absolutely cranked. I think they are a good compromise between a totally isolating headphone which can affect you as a singer versus an open headphone which introduces a lot of bleed. They're also the most comfortable pair of cans I've ever owned and have worn them for hours at a time and even all day without any fatigue.
I have the closed back BeyerDynamic DT-770 Pro (80 ohm) they are absolutely brilliant.
The only headphones I use are the "Audio-Technica ATH-M30x " They can be used for music, recoding and editing. I love them!
Mike,
Thank You Very Much for all of your videos! I have learned SO MUCH from them and you have helped me greatly!
I have selected my mic and headphones because of the awesome information that you have provided.
Your experience and advice are invaluable!
Keep up the great work!
Thank You again
Ken
Another excellent video for beginners. You're the best, Mike! I have always been a huge Sennheiser fan, but I had to find a pair of headphones that I could use for recording and for mixing demos and music for around $100, so it came down to the Sony MDR 7056, Sennheiser HD 280, or Audio Technica ATH-M40x. The M50x were out of the running because they are not as accurate as the M40x (too much bass and have a way higher impedance, so they need a headphone amp to sound right). Almost every reviewer I found preferred the M40x to the M50x. Even though the Sennheisers were more comfortable, the mid range separation and overall sound quality of the Audio Technicas was far superior, so I got those and have been able to use them to do many NDA jobs for some pretty well known demo producers and mixers who have the best of the best of everything. Twice now their clients preferred my mixes to theirs, so I ended up having to pour my secret sauce on the rest of the parts of the project that they did, so never let anyone tell you you can't mix with inexpensive, closed back headphones!
BTW, that modded RØDE NT1 a sounds really good! I'll never understand why you like that CAD e100s so much. It brings out a part of your voice that makes it sound like you've got overused, swollen vocal folds, while you sound smooth as silk on the RØDE NT1 and all of the mics you used in that Harlan Hogan mic shootout (except that first CAD). The best mics I've heard for your voice so far are the TLM 103, the original CAD e100, the Lewitt 440, and the RØDE NT1 in that order. I know you love that MKH 416, but that thing just strips the nuance and depth out of a voice. Corey Burton's article on it pretty much sums it up. I couldn't hear what he was talking about until recently, but now that I've got more ear training under my belt, I totally hear it. Great in a pinch in a poorly treated space, but it's the mic for lazy audio engineers, not voice talent. The CAD e100 is almost as tight and doesn't require a pop filter as there is a metal one built in behind the outer brass mesh. I love that mic. I bought two and named them Mike and Misha after you since you turned me onto them, for which I'm eternally grateful. They are amazing for almost any musical recording application, too. Not so great as drum overhead mics, but man oh man do they do a great job of capturing transients due to the power boost the batteries supply. Next to the Townsend Labs Sphere L22, they are my favorite secret weapons!
ruclips.net/video/9pMS6UOGYl4/видео.html
There are a lot of opinions about what good sound is
You have unique ears- I am not sure others would have the same problems with their ears. Cool vids- subbed.
This video is a couple of years old in late 2021, but I found it very informative. Loved your editing as well and not cutting out the audio until I heard your booth door latch click. ha ha.
Wow! Fabulous, well presented, targeted content. I will watch every one of your videos (I am only on number three now). PLUS: If I am unable to sleep, I might just queue up a couple of your episodes to lull me to neverland with your golden, melodic voice. Well done and thank you so much for all the hard work you put into preparing and delivering your content.
My long time pair of headphones is Sennheiser 380 Pro and Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (250 Ohm). Also Koss Porta Pro for mobile-travel situation in warm-hot weather..
I just bought a slightly used Sennheiser HD 380 Pro and, boy, they feels A-MA-ZING. I think I found a perfect headphones for VO and all thanks to you, Mike! OMG, I can't wait to use it with my MKH-416, it should be a perfect combo. Good luck to you from Russia! Cheers.
I have been trying to find a good headphone for my voice acting, i am thinking used headphones would be good but i don't know which site is trustworthy. Can u maybe help me with a few websites
This is exactly what I was looking for...ISOLATION in my VO booth. I had never thought about the in-ear cans like the Shure 215. I'm going to order some right now. Thanks!
IEMs have had a split. IEMs are split by full armature vs Hybrid. Hybrids are armature and dynamic IEMs they have a combination of armatures to the 1 or 2 dynamic drivers each IEM has. Shure is a standard in the market and they only offer full armature IEMs. My recommendation is the KZ as10 IEMs or for more punchier bass the KZ ZS10/ZS10pro. I would even recommend Mike to try them.
"I've got a little bit of a headphone problem." Yup, I'm in the right place XD
What's funny about this is that the M50x (and M40x) and 7506 are still marketed as over-ear headphones, but they really aren't, as you pointed out. Hit the nail on the head about those. That's exactly why I chose the 380 for shooting my own headphone reviews instead, comfort, and the fact that the treble doesn't rip my ears apart, like the DT770 tends to do.
Depends on the size of the ears/head in question, really! For me, the 7506 is fully over ear, and I love them for it. 😄
That mic sounds amazing. probably the best I have heard on any of your videos
Thanks for this video!😊 I have the Sony 7506 and Audio Technica M40x. I specifically got the M40x for doing EQ. I heard about them watching several videos where headphones were compared against source material, and the M40x were among the most "flat" and thus among the best when it came to faithfully reproduce the source. When I was using the 7506 my EQ always turned out too bass heavy. As I've now learned the 7506 have a high frequency boost, which is great for the recording phase as any self noise or other hiss will be amplified, and thus be easier to detect and correct. However during EQ I always ended up compensating for this HF boost making my recording sound too bass heavy when played back on more "flat" equipment. So I'm much happier with my EQ now that I'm using the M40x. I still love the 7506, just not for EQ.
I'm looking forward to your next videos on headphones, and I hope you'll be able to include the M40x in your tests. All the best😊
Totally agree with you about the M40x, HJD. I've been able to keep up with the big boys using them to mix. Very honest headphones, especially with Sonarworks Reference correction. The Sonys still don't work as well, even with correction, because they don't deliver the same kind of separation and clarity in the mids. The drivers aren't built as well. There's only so much you can fix with EQ. Reference can't add qualities that aren't there. The M40x are on par with cans that are 3 to 6 times their price. If you're gonna step up from them, you might as well go with custom in-ear monitors.
You are an awesome teacher, Mike. Thanks!!
Thanks Mike, your Booth Junkie videos are always fun and educational. I noted your mic and I perked up right away when I heard you mention it was from Michael Joly, the OktavaMod NT1a. I also own that mic and I know others who do as well. It sounds like you're enjoying the mic and I believe you said that you would do a review, I'm very much looking forward to your thoughts and opinion.
My own personal choice is the Sony MDL 7506. I think that they're light feeling, really good at screening out noise and generally a good overall quality phone set. I buy them used and repair them to like new. Saves a ton of money. Most parts are available on Ebay.
I have to disagree with what was said at 15:15 about the open back headphones not belonging behind a hot mic. I use my open back headphones (DT 990 Pro) when recording and I have never had any problem with them being picked up by the mic, and I use a very sensitive condenser mic. Now I will admit I do not record in a fully sound isolated booth, just an adequately treated room, so it is possible that I simply remove it along with "room noise", but honestly if its that quite then I really don't think its even worth considering as an issue. If your someone who has poor hearing and turns your headphones up way too loud then open back is not appropriate, but if your hearing is still in good shape and you don't blast the headphones I think you'll probably be okay with an open-back model. Just something to consider
Got the 380's on your recommendation and they hit the spot. Forgot I had them on, so comfortable hour after hour.
Where did you find them?
I love the Sony MDR-7506's! Have had them for 15 years! So comfortable for long sessions or editing at home at night. I'm sorry that you find them uncomfortable :(. But they do require pad replacement after a few years. And yes, they do have a high-end boost, which is a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that you can identify hiss, clicks & pops that need to be corrected, and it makes listening mediocre material sound great ;). BUT the curse is having to compensate for that boost when mixing your own stuff. But I agree - I'll take comfort and inspiration all day, and then compensate for a bit of EQ right at the end of a project.
34 year broadcaster, major market and national radio. Sony MDR-7506 are the phones more pros use. This is our
Job. When you do 3-4 hours on the air you know what works and which headphones are comfortable. The only alterations I’ve made on my pair of Sonys is upgrading the ear pads. I’ve owned the first since 1998, the second since 2010. Wouldn’t trade them for anything. I can speak for many big league broadcasters and voiceover talent that choose the Sony phones as well.
Love this video. I have some $40 cans that really seem to add a lot of bottom end to my recordings, so I am really looking forward to your future videos about which headphones are the flattest sounding. I also mostly record in the sleeper berth of my Peterbilt, which is an audio production nightmare. Lol. I use a myriad of blankets and whatnot to help things, but it is still a challenge to get a clean recording. Idling trucks nearby are always an issue. Anyway, thanks so much for all you're doing to help guys like me navigate this crazy world of audio recording.
The AT-M50x is supposed to be ON-EAR? Do I have tiny mole ears? They sit very comfortably around my ears O.o
The biggest problem I find with the typical closed back headphones you find in studios is base buildup. Simply put, they make your voice sound boxy, that's why you see people lifting the cans off there head slightly while singing or voicing which causes a ton of issues with sound bleeding into the mic. I often wanted if earbuds would work better?
Great video. I believe the ATH-M50x is intended to be an over-ear headphone although bigger ear folks probably have the sides of their ears touch the inner part of the pad at times since they’re not particularly large cups.
Love your comment about "having a headphone problem". Haha. Same here. I'm not a vo guy, I'm a singer and producer, and I use very different headphones between performance and mixing. During takes, it's about comfort and they should sound "good", while during mixing I need linear headphones. As for fit and comfort (during mixing, not recording) try the K712 ;)
TL;DR : Mike was right about the Sony MDR-7506, at least for me. I'm still an audio/equipment/VO noob, but after using these consistently since June or July, I have to agree that they sometimes induce some pretty bad headaches for me. I'll probably be looking for a larger over-ear pair soon.
I watched this months ago, but still ended up going with the Sony MDR-7506 even though Mike mentioned the tightness on the ears over time. Three audio engineers vouched for them, though, and they were relatively affordable, so I figured they'd at least be fine to start out.
After wearing them to do everything for months now, I occasionally get those crazy headaches from them pushing on the edges of my ears. Not all the time, but I'm writing this today because it got bad enough that I just had to tell a friend I needed to go offline just to get the headphones off. We hadn't been online that long, but I couldn't wait to get them off.
To be fair: this doesn't happen every time, and I suspect it is worse when I wear glasses with the MDR's. Or could just be my big ol' head.
Besides that though, my newbie perspective has no other issues with the Sony's in terms of how they sound. Just... keep that warning in mind, I guess.
Excessively long essay over. /
My favorite is for recording is the Audio Technica ATH M40fs and for mixing the ATH R70x. :) The last one has an incredible sound..
Depends on the application. When I'm recording I usually wear over-ear closed-back headphones. My go to is the Alpha Dogs. For mixing or editing work I mostly wear over-ear open-backed cans. My go to is the HifiMan He4xx. PSA for those looking at the M50x - Buy the cheaper M40x and spend money on aftermarket pads. I actually prefer the drivers in the cheaper model. I really am not a fan of the M50x.
I currently have five pair of cans, all closed back for monitoring purposes. My go to's are UltraSones because to me they sound the best and are comfortable. Also have some Japanese Sony's which are studio monitor version of the mdr 7506 for musicians being recorded, some AT40x which are very flat and were relatively inexpensive at $80; and a recent version of Koss Pro4AA for nostalgia sake, but I must say, they are not like the originals my ears were weaned on 50 years ago. My Ultrasone's Pro 750's keep me rather contented, and I use them a lot at night (off ear) just for listening purpose but not to disturb anyone else. If I decide for a new set, I would probably get the Neumann headphones as they are rated exceptionally flat, but a bit pricey at $499.
I’d suggest buying any headphones that you can’t try in advance from seller with a return policy based purely on satisfaction. The Sennheiser HD280s I tried were so radically skewed toward bass they went back to B&H the same day. I remain stuck with my 20-year-old Sony MDR-7506s even though they are uncomfortable because their response seems better balanced for voice.
I have a pair of Denon AH-D7000 headphones as my main headphones. They are incredibly comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and have stunning audio fidelity. The isolation is pretty good too. They were an indulgant buy, though, way back when. I do also have a pair of Grado 60e, however I find those quite uncomfortable to wear for longer periods of time. I am planning on buying a good pair of open back over ear head phones at some point. I actually do prefer open backed headphones for my main usecase when recording, as I trust my ears more than the headphones, but I have an untreated room and a only a Scarlet 2i2 Gen2 interface. Obviously I'm not a professional. For general listening and editing, the denons or my monitors do the job.
Looking forward to hearing your breakdown of preferred headphones for editing/mixing/mastering.
Thanks for the excellent overview of headphones! It will help inform people's decisions on what types of headphones they need for their respective projects.
I would recommend for on-ear or over-ears to order custom ear pads from either Dakoni or Wicked Cushions. They have real leather with memory foam. I honestly haven't had sore ears lobes since the change.
100% agreed that comfort is top priority, for hours-on-end use. Haven't found an over-the-ear pair yet for under $100, that have the other features/benefits mentioned. Perhaps I expect too much for that price point. Have a blessed day. =)
Hey, Mike. I know this video is several years old and, hopefully, you continue to improve as a voice actor. I am a total noob at voiceovers; however, you have triggered one of my pet peeves as an editor for four decades…you use “There IS” or “There’s” almost exclusively when you talk. The phrase REQUIRES a singular object, such as “There is A TREE.” If your object is plural, then you should say, “There ARE trees.” I’m getting up in years and I’m amazed how the plural subject/verb pair “There are” has almost completely disappeared.
Your channel is fantastic - I’m learning so much, thank you.
I want to share my experience with two different headphones I’ve tried.
I have some Shure older-than-the-215 in ears that I’ve had for around 15 years, and a pair of Bose QC-15s, as well as the classic Sonys.
I’ve found that the Shure and Sony headphones sound a little muddy during performance as the bass of my own voice mixes with the monitor. However the QC-15s somehow limit the bass I’m hearing from my own voice and sound much “cleaner” during performance, which is strange because I think of the Bose as being bassier and muddier than the other two which are best described as “monitors” as they have a flat sound when listening and not performing. It must be something to do with the noise canceling.
Anyway, I thought it was worth mentioning as consumer noise canceling headphones may be something your watchers have at home already - they’re also very comfortable so could be good for longer sessions.
Thanks again for the channel and sharing all of your experience and knowledge!
Mikeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know I'm late to the party, but I'm new to the stage in VO... I can't hear myself in the headphones, so when people say they need to hear themselves, it confuses me. is it just that like, hearing yourself more clearly in your head because you have isolated outside noise?
Great video. Thanks!
I love my HD 380 Pros. I switch between them and my 300 Ω HD 540 Ref, depending on whether I need/want open or closed backs. They are my most used cans in the studio. That being said, my MDR 7506s have been my go-to live mixing cans for almost 30 years. I thought I had big ears. The 7506s are absolutely circumaural (over-the-ear). If they sit on your ears, I'm afraid to say, you have unusually large ears. My ears definitely abut the grill cloth. The cans are designed that way. Put on a pair of SONY ZX series or most of the Bose and Beats models. My first pair of 7506s were used HARD for almost 25 years before I lost a channel and had to replace them. The 7506s are essentially the industry standard for many different applications. In fact, I have guests in the studio request the 7506s over everything else because they're most familiar with their sound signature.
Just didn't want your followers to be misled by the 7506s not fitting over your ears. They fit over a far majority of users' ears, as designed.
~Peace
Thanks. Amazing video. Cable length is also important to me. I do live mixing and like to move around. My preferences will be comfort, closed back, any impedance and long cable length. Sennheiser HD202 on-ears is my current one for live mixing cause I take them on and off frequently. At home I use Samson SR850's over-ear cause they're cheap and open back so I don't lose contact with my environment. I will look into some of the one's you have shown.
Man! You are awesome. Thanks so much for teaching us so passionately and so detailed. I learned a lot!
Excellent video! A nice explanation on different styles. I also have had the SE215's for a few years now and very happy with them, you can also get custom-fitted earplugs that fit them! On impedance, basic, but that's what people are gonna notice most! Though to my surprise, my iPhone X has no problem powering my 250 ohms DT990 Pro to a comfortable listening level!
Nice and precise review about the different type of cans Mike! Thanks for the valuable info over these years...and please, make a review on the modified Rode. Luckily, I got one before Michael Joly closed his Oktavamod modifications. I'd love to see a comparison with a 87 or some other mics. Regards.
Great video!
I actually just bought two sets of headphones recently - Sennheiser 280 pros for recording and Samson SR850s for editing. The Samsons are surprisingly uncolored as far as I can tell (especially for their price). They might be worth checking out if you're looking for a really neutral or uncolored set of headphones.
OMG -- Joly is done moding mics as of June 30. Crazy. Maybe an ep. on modding the NT1A?
I have this microphone as well, bummer he's out of biz, it sounds great, I use it and the SM7B for audiobooks!
Apparently, I've got skinny ears; the Sony MDR-7506's fit over the ear for me. They do touch the outsides of my ears, but I don't get the pressure that's an issue for you.
I've used Bose on-ear and over-the-ear headphones in the past and those do fit as-described -- on-ear or over-the-ear. So, with the Sonys, YMMV. And, for me, at least, the Sonys are fairly comfortable. Kinda like a well-designed cheap chair. They don't feel elegant, but they were recommended by 2 different VO studios for their flatness/accuracy of response and that seems to work for me so far.
Do you find the Sennheisers more accurate than the Sonys?
Just tried my Beyerdynamic headphones tonight for the first time. Very comfortable. Not use to the "vacuum" I'm in when wearing them. I'm assuming it's something you get use to when wearing them a little.
I also have the Senn HD6xx and use them all the time, and freaking love them.. but always have to mute them when doing VO. haha
That modified nt 1a sounds great.
A Big Conundrum: what about the difference with what we hear "in the cans" when recording or in playback vs youtube's compression? Or a podcasting-sites compression? A good pal of mine - a millenial indie musician and fan of audio narrative-fiction - pointed out the difference [for the audience] in listening to the final product with "real cans" vs earbuds, and told me that most people under 30 yrs old listen with earbuds. Apparently, the difference is astounding. Very much so in the sibilance area (Bedtime Stories has recently been chided on this issue and have been advised to use a de-esser plug-in due to how their clips sound on earbuds versus speakers or monitors or "cans"). This would apply to podcasts as well, I imagine. How do we compensate for this, when a track that sounds spiffy on "real cans" apparently sounds too-sharp on earbuds?
I don't use headphones unless in a directed session and then it's just one side. LOVE the Sony 7506s. I've used for more than 25 years. And most studios I've been to have them, along with AKGs. I'd like to try the Beyerdynamic 770.
I used to use the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro, and I still use them in the field. I love my ATH-M50x (and the ATH-M50XBT for my commute). I would love to find headphones of at least this quality but be big enough to fit around my ears.
Mike, good to see you in the booth again making videos for us. I am looking for a new set of cans for my live studio. Currently I am using Corwin E7 Bluetooth headphones but using the patch cable so there is no delay. They are battery powered because of active noise cancelation as well as being wireless (if desired) and I sometimes forget to charge them. So here are some of the criteria I am using, first they must be wired but the wire needs to be replaceable. Second they must sound good as I do live stream. Third they should be light weight and comfortable. Fourth they can't break the bank, around $100 or less So basicly I am looking at a hybrid of the two that you describe. Currently at the top of my list are the Audio Technia M40x headphones. Are there any others I should be considering?
I'm a Sennheiser guy. I have a pair of HD800S for music, and a pair of HD300 for VO.
Some further thoughts - I agree with Mike about the comfort thing, but I recently picked up a set of Senny HD380 pros and I just cant stand them. They're more comfortable for long term wear than my DT 770s for sure but they are so aggressive in the mids it's distracting. Almost no bottom end and they honestly sound closer to open backs.I feel I can hear the room still. I even thought they might be duds because I picked them up on ebay but after a quick search online I see lots of people complaining about the poor bass. I may give them another chance with replacement ear pads -see if I can get a better seal and stop the leakage but man..... Anybody else have this experience?
Andrew Dickson yup. I bought a pair of these due to Mikes recommendation and they sound tinny and have no low end. I Find the sound very harsh and they are stiff and uncomfortable. I’m using my old pioneer HDJ-2000’s which sound sooo much better and are very comfortable, but they’re “DJ” headphones.
Awesome, got here early! Mike, always great to see a video from you! I'd be super interested in videos about voice-over technique if you ever have the opportunity! :)
Mike, you made this video at the perfect time!
My home voice-over recording setup was almost complete. I've bought microphones (Audio Technica AT875R and Sennheiser ME66/K6), audio interface (iRig Pre HD microphone interface) and Fethead Phantom.
But my sticking point was the headphones. I first got the Audio Technica ATH M40X and had the same problem you did. The earcups were too small and with the clamping force it was crushing my ears. Like you said, the discomfort made me want to take them off and not record my voice. I looked at the Sony MDR 7506 but they didn't look comfortable either. So I was stuck.
Until I watched your video a few days ago. While watching, I was actually getting worried you were going to stay "neutral" and not recommend a specific model of headphones. So I was relieved when you mentioned you were testing out the Sennheiser HD 300 PROtect.
I used your Amazon affiliate link and went straight to Amazon. Saw that currently the Sennheiser HD 300 version (without the Activegard feature) was on sale for $99.95, discounted from $199.95. Bought it immediately. My max budget was $150, so the price made it easy to pull the trigger.
The headphones just arrived today. As soon as I put them on, I felt like I was "home." The earcups fit easily over my ears and they're so comfortable I quickly forgot I was wearing them. The clamping force is just right, tight enough so I don't feel they'll fall off easily but not so tight it's crushing my ears or skull. For what it's worth, I also wear glasses and the headphones still feel fine.
I did a quick test recording of my voice in Audacity. Sounded good. I've also been testing them out by watching some of my favorite music videos, movie trailers and action scenes. Feel like I'm swimming in a clear, detailed pool of sounds and songs. Fully immersed. Hearing sounds from different directions in movies and separation of instruments in music (is that "soundstage" is?). Just want to keep throwing more audio at these headphones to see how great they handle it.
Can't wait to start recording audios and videos and doing editing, which is what I bought these headphones for. You said that's how you should feel when you put on the right headphones. The Sennheiser HD 300 are it for me.
I may be enthusiastic because I just got them. More I'm relieved that my long headphone search is over. Although I've also had my eye on the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro (80 ohm or 32 ohm version?).
You earned that affiliate commission, Mike. Thank you for all you do.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on a home booth system like the IsoVox booth. Seems pricey but convenient!
I don’t really take my mic recording that serious, so for sound I want it to be accurate and flat. Are the Sennhieser 280pros good for editing? I care more about post processing than recording. Plus I hear they have great sound isolation and are good for travel.
Thanks for yet another great video. And I love your headphones holder!
I've got a question. I live in a very hot country and my VO studio is even hotter. So are the SHURE SE215 a good option to buy? I really like the fact that it won't fatigue my ear , it won't feel as hot as a leather or fabric type headphone and also I feel more comfortable with in-ear headphones.
I use the Nubwo N7 gaming headset (just for monitoring, not using the microphone).
I wish this video had come out two-three months ago when I was shopping for headphones. I ended up with the Audio Technica ATH-M40X and they were the single most expensive piece of gear I bought for my recording setup.
I just rebuilt my studio from scratch. I bought a pair of headphones that clamped so hard they would give me a headache after literally 30 seconds so sent them back. I just bought a pair of ath m50x & at 1st I thought I was going to have the same problem but I was able to adjust them to make them be less tighter
Great video. Easy to understand. Thanks for making it.
For the last few years I've been using JVC Stero Headphones HA-RX300 to do Voice Overs, and just recently they stopped working whenever I would plug them into my computer's headphone jack, or my microphone I use for recording, I just don't hear any sound from the headphones, I try using other headphones and they work just fine... which makes me wonder, can headphones stop working over time? Regardless I'm definitely in the market to get a new pair of headphones for that said reason, and I found this video very helpful and informative in selecting my new headphones, thanks Mike!
This was a Great video! Thanks man!
Question for you sir with the same principles for voiceover apply to someone who is doing a podcast? After watching your Sony review I realized how thin the 7506 is were and I'm just curious if the same rules would apply
Another terrific video, Mike. I was all set to get a pair of 7506s or V6s, but between this video and the latest one highlighting the “disco curve,” now I’m not too sure. I’ve got a pair of KEF M500s, but they are on ear and uncomfortable for long podcast sessions. The Shure in ears you mention look interesting. Would you recommend as potential solutions for podcast recording and podcast mixing or are they better suited for one more than the other? Thanks!
Mike, you've lost weight and it looks great!!!!! And it hasn't affected your voice!!!! Congrats!!!!! Like the headphone info, too!!!!
Do you have any headphone suggestions for people who wear glasses and do voice over work?
Hey Mike. I'am glad that you uploaded because I always wanted to tell you that even tho I'am a mic noob that I really enjoy your content. Not just because I learn cool stuff but also because it is just enjoyable watching it without any reasons. What I also wanted to say is: you look like Mark hamill, you should do a impression video and the podcast RUclips channel did a review on the cad e100 and did a impression of you. Ps thanks for the great content and never shave that beard. Pss: could I ask you to review some tonor mics for me. They are only 30 $ in a kid. Psss: I think it's weird that no one out of 2000 people is liking your videos like back in 2017. Have a great one.
Me and Mark Hamill -- beard brothers. Someone did an impression of me?! That's pretty funny - which podcast? I haven't seen / heard it.
@@BoothJunkie Podcastage.
Thank you for your videos! So helpful 👍🏻
My first concern is plug compatibility. Then the part abt impedance and power made me wonder if the ZOOM H5 on batteries was good for 32 or 64 Ohms, and whether it is worth it to buy the AC converter for added wattage.
Love this video, amazing explanation, thank you!
@boothjunkie - What's the difference between the 3 generations of the Shure SE215?
Hello Mike, have you try the Koss UR-40 headphones? (They are very good sound, but unfortunatelly they are not seem to be durable, mine have been last longer, due to I’m cautious when used them).
My bundle came with headphones that only work in the left ear:/ What is your suggestion for using an Zoom H5 digital recorder? (learned everything about it from your channel!) Thanks!!
Sony MDR7506 for editing.
SHP9500 for editing but if I need open backed headphones.
Bosshifi B8 for recordings because they're cheap and comfy.
All of the pads replaced with an aftermarket one to give my ears more room and wouldn't get sore.
On your Shure SE215, do you experience any issues with the microphone on the headphones while recording VO work?
Can you do a review on the Audio-Technica BP40 Large-diaphragm Dynamic? I would love to hear your opinion