 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-08-11 09:48
Hi
As part of setting my home miniature studio I need headphones. I pretty much have to go with AKG. Does anyone know anything about the different models?
Thanks.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-08-11 16:31
The AKG K240 is probably the most widely-used headphone in recording studios, from what I've seen and read --- so it would probably be a safe bet, and it's moderately priced.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2005-08-12 23:20
Sennheiser HD 580 are giant killers - still available new as remainders.
I got my last pair for $100 and they're nearly the equal of their expensive younger brothers - the Senn 650 ($500!)
I purchased both of my sets off eBay and have been satisfied.
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Author: msloss
Date: 2005-08-13 02:49
clarni -- I presume AKG is the brand limitation because you are purchasing in Israel and have limited choice. That said, knowing how you intend to use the headphones would help. Do you intend to play and listen at the same time? Are you working in a quiet or noisy room? What type of music will you be working on?
You can start with the K1000 and work your way down. K501 is also phenomenal, but I'm guessing both are well beyond your price range.
[and 2nd to SB's note. The Senn's are terrific in every respect. I use HD580's and 600's for location recording, and they are stunningly accurate, if a little unforgiving in how true they are to the source.]
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-08-13 04:24
Thank you David, Synonymous and msloss.
Msloss, that is partially why I'm limited to AKG, there is more to it (got to do with the bad business practice of music stores here) but no need to go into detail (unless someone really wants to know).
I couldn't find the K1000 and K501 on any website (like music123 or musiciansfriend). How much do they cost in the USA? We might have those here (the store can order any AKG item if I want) but what was recommended by the (sleasy) salesman is the K240 and K271, which cost $110 and $170, respectively.
I saw there are open, semi-open, and sealed models. I also saw there is something called ohm, and I understand it also is important for my choice. I'm not going to use a headphone amp, the headphones will be connected directly to the headphones output in my mixer. Hoes does the ohm affect my choice?
I will use the headphones for lots of things. Just listening to music (when it's late so I don't make noise), tracking while recording (for example sending to the player recording a metronome or previous track recorded), and also to check mixes (but I won't be doing that much mixing anyway).
The room is very quiet, but not silent. I have a computer working in the room while recording but I managed to make the compuiter very quiet. I will work (at least for now) with dynamic microphones and my AMT microphones, but I'm planning on buying a condenser sometime in the future.
About the music, there will be a lot of different types. I will record woodwind and string duos (like clarinet+cello, bass clarinet+saxophone, etc.) but also make electronic music, mostly with MIDI using VSTs, and also combine the two.
Thanks very much.
Post Edited (2005-08-13 04:35)
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Author: msloss
Date: 2005-08-13 18:40
Couple things to consider -- "open-air" headphones are non-isolating, so you will here a certain amount of what is going on outside the 'phones in the room. This is good if you are playing clarinet because the sound of the clarinet in your head without the sound of the clarinet in the room can be very disconcerting to inexperienced people. But... open-air transducers leak a lot of sound, and will get into the microphone. If you are trying to record clean, discrete tracks, this is could be a problem, as could feedback, both of which might lead you to sealed designs.
The K1000 is probably out of your range -- US$750 here. 501's are less than $200, and both are open-backed as I described above. The 271 (not sure of price) is a sealed design. Check a site like bhphotovideo.com for prices and specs.
"Ohm" is a measure of impedence, and something that is important but in this case not too much for you. If you got a standard pro-sumer mixer of almost any make, it will be able to drive just about any load a pair of standard headphones can throw at it.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-08-14 07:52
OK Thanks very much.
Just last thing, about the ohm, does it make any difference if I want to listen to the headphones with a diskman (I think in the USA you call it portable CD player or CD walkman)?
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Author: msloss
Date: 2005-08-14 14:46
A bit, yes. The low-impedance headphones suck more power to generate the same loudness, which will drain the battery on your discman quicker, and just won't sound as loud as other headphones. My recommendation would be to look for headphones that have a combo 1/8" and 1/4" phone plug on it. Without having to worry about the technical issues, those 'phones are more likely to work well with a discman or they wouldn't have included the 1/8" plug.
Best bet, as with anything clarinet-related, is to try it in the store if possible. Just bring in your discman and ask to listen to the 'phones with it.
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