The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ryder
Date: 2008-05-18 00:07
What are your favorite headphones for classical, orchestral music? I'm looking for new phones in the $90-140 range. So far Shure in-ear headphones are looking like the best for me. I dont like the Bose in-ear. They have WAY to much bass for me. i had to adjust the EQ on my player when I borrowed a pair in order to hear the music. I do like the Bose on-ear style like the QC2 & 3.
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Author: giuliano
Date: 2008-05-18 06:07
My favorite are the AKG K 501, which should sell between $150/200, but they may have been discontinued now (there is a buy it now on eBay for $175 at this moment)... I also have the Sennheiser HD 650, which are also very good; they cost more, though and have more bass (not too much, just a little more than the AKGs) and are more suitable for jazz, in my opinion.
Hope this helps...
Giuliano Forghieri
Nubilaria Clarinet Ensemble, arranger, clarinet, Eb clarinet
Accademia Musica Insieme, founder, arranger, clarinet
www.musicengraving.it
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-05-18 07:55
I bought the AKG K240S which I preferred over other including more expensive models from the same company and other similar price or a little more expensive models from other companies that I've tried (of course I haven't tried everything). I tested headphones (and same when I bought speakers) by making a CD of very different tunes from many styles and sounds to check everything.
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Author: DougR
Date: 2008-05-18 14:12
I have a pair of Grado SR-60s that are really superb, and cost around $60. They're on-the-ear headphones, full-size, with a comfortable foam cushion, and I'm really happy with the sound. I've done a fair amount of reading around the Net about headphones, and Grados seem to set a sort of unique standard for accuracy and crystalline reproduction. However, they don't isolate sound at all, so I'm still looking for a pair of over-the-ear phones for that. I won't consider paying over $150 for a pair of phones, so that narrows things down a little. I'm considering the Sony MDR7506, the large-diaphragm model (around $100), because I've seen location recording engineers wearing them and have read that studios use them. But, I'm still looking, so I'll be interested to read further recommendations here!
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2008-05-18 19:40
The older Sennheiser HD580 is a relative bargain.
They are VERY close to my (considerably more) expensive HD650s.
It is worth noting that amplification may limit the quality of any headphones.
If you're listening through an MP3 player, more efficient designs are a must.
In ear phones aren't for everyone, but they will have more apparent bass output, due to the way they fit into the ear.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2008-05-20 04:40
Very cost effective, PHENOMINAL headphones are GRADO SR-60 headphones. The sound quality is AMAZING and IMO better than headphones out there more than twice it's price. I bought the SR-60s and after them breaking (not a problem for most people, but when you bring them to Iraq and try to put them in a backpack everyday along with your clarinet and 180 rounds of ammo, things tend to get pushed on), I bought SR-80 headphones. Also phenominal, but they have a little bit more punch in bass. I find the 80s good for 'all around' listening (pop music, tv, movies, and classical) but for something with more even settings throughout the range, I say GRADO SR-60s will leave you VERY VERY happy!
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: kev182
Date: 2008-05-20 16:56
-Sennheiser HD 280 are very nice closed headphones that go for 100USD
The PX 100s are superb for their price but barely block out any sound... If you plan on traveling try the PX 200s.
Shure makes great in ear headphones as well.
DO NOT BUY BOSE
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2008-05-20 17:25
I also have Eymotic er-4P. VERY good in eary headphones. The clarity is excellent as is the sound isolation. But despite the quality, if you're not worried about having to isolate outside sounds (meaning you are in a quiet area and just want good quality) I would still go with the Grado SR-60s. I use the etymotics while I'm around noise (on a plane, subways, buses, etc), and the SR-60s when I'm home and just want to hear the music.
And just as a quick example, I watch a lot of TV. And the day I plugged in the SR-60s for the first time on my favorite show at the time, I heard parts of the intro music that I didn't even know existed due to the regular speakers I was using. And with certain recordings, you can even hear the keys of the clarinet being pressed down and the breaths making it feel MORE like you're there in a front row seat. It really is amazing.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Mark Horne
Date: 2008-05-21 19:20
I have found that Beyerdynamic DT 770 are my best overall headphones. I originally got them for on-location recording where I need good sound isolation. They have extended low bass response, and although some might believe they are hyped (too strong) in this range, I have found that the response matches well with the source material. They are equalized for diffuse field meaning that they are intended to sound like you are listening to a set of speakers. This makes it easier to do mixing on the 'phones. Unlike some other closed headphones they don't sound "boxy" and classical music translates quite well.
I own the Sony 7506's and have found that their overall sound is tilted towards the low end. I believe a big part of their popularity among live audio engineers is their portability (they're smallish and fold up), high efficiency (they're loud), and they offer a reasonable amount of sound isolation. They make for a good tool in the field, but I wouldn't do any critical listening with them.
I have found that my Sennheisers (580, 280) provide a natural and open sound that works well with classical sources, but I feel that you lose some of the low end extension.
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2008-05-21 21:41
I'll say it again: ultimate ears super fi pro 5. you have to reverse the headphones left to right, and right to left and suddenly the sound experience is absolutely wonderful.
pros: small in ear headphones that are fashionable and great for pretty much anything. for my situation in college, they aren't clunky and i can wrap them around my ipod. Their customer service is top notch and they will replace your headphones if they crack or break, free of charge.
cons: like any high end in ear headphone, the cost. but it's actually cheaper then the shure e4c and e3c which i considered buying until i tried both and found them marginal to the well rounded UE 5. The UE 5 compares to shure's e5c which i believe are at par in some respects.
overall: great small headphones that don't interfere with your hair or are bulky to carry around.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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