I've been shopping for headphones to use for tracking in the $200-300 price range. I seem to find something negative about the usual suspects in this range that has kept me from pulling the trigger on a purchase. Comfort and durability are important to me. Any recommendations?
Headphones for tracking
- Thread starter Bob L
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links like Ebay, Amazon, and others.
I like the Sony MDR-V6 or the newer version Sony MDR 7506 - you really waste your money on expensive headphones if you're tracking.
WireLine
Friend of Leo's
I use the Audio Technica ATH M40X for all tracking things. They are accurate enough (for what I need) for tracking, and closed back with enough isolation as to keep click tracks and snare drum hits out of mics.
No where NEAR the best not most expensive, but certainly get the job done
No where NEAR the best not most expensive, but certainly get the job done
ctmullins
Tele-Afflicted
This is what I use.
Don't overthink it - for tracking you just need closed-back phones with minimal leakage. They don't even have to sound good. Just clear and loud enough.
+1 Sony MDR 7506
That is what i was thinking. You just need to ear the kick drum, or metronom. Well maybe if you are tracking with an orchestra play back, maybe higher quality headphones are needed. I am a cheapskate.
Blrfl
Friend of Leo's
You can't go wrong with the MDR 7506es. They're cheap enough and they're good cans.
I'm a bit of a Sennheiser snob, mostly because their stuff sounds good, is comfortable to wear for long periods and replacement cords (no soldering required) and ear pads are available at reasonable prices. The HD-599s I'm wearing now are closing in on five years of heavy daily use and have held up just fine with the exception of the rubbery covering on the headband. The covering started disintegrating a few months ago, so I removed it and found good fabric underneath. If you don't like the color, there's an all-black SE version sold exclusively by Amazon that's also $10 cheaper ($229).
My previous set, HD-520IIs, lasted 25+ years with one cord replacement and a couple of sets of ear pads.
I'm a bit of a Sennheiser snob, mostly because their stuff sounds good, is comfortable to wear for long periods and replacement cords (no soldering required) and ear pads are available at reasonable prices. The HD-599s I'm wearing now are closing in on five years of heavy daily use and have held up just fine with the exception of the rubbery covering on the headband. The covering started disintegrating a few months ago, so I removed it and found good fabric underneath. If you don't like the color, there's an all-black SE version sold exclusively by Amazon that's also $10 cheaper ($229).
My previous set, HD-520IIs, lasted 25+ years with one cord replacement and a couple of sets of ear pads.
Ben Harmless
Poster Extraordinaire
ATH M50X here, so slightly pricier, but not by a lot, and probably not genuinely better for tracking purposes. I also bought them for music listening, and I really like them for that.
I concur with the "don't overthink it." I have a couple of pairs of Monoprice headphones that I use for guests and when I'm tracking others in various locations. As long as they're closed-back and not total garbage, you'll do fine. The advantage of nicer cans is that you can check your mixes on them, but for actual mixing, you'd want open-back, which would bleed too much for tracking.
Totally agree with all the don't-overspend advice. I bought a pair of AKG K-72's and didn't find them any more effective *in tracking* than the Radio Shack $30 closed-back cans I picked up as a rookie ... in fact, my late wife, who was a FAR better singer than me, always preferred the el cheapo's for her vocal tracking. Save your bucks for a good pair of mixing 'phones — I'm happy with the Sennheiser HD-650's, but to each his own.
* EDIT TO ADD: I didn't mean to infer that I mix exclusively through 'phones — speakers first, then crosscheck thru 'phones and adjust speaker mix in light of what the 'phones tell you. (Helps to listen to mix in mono too, as other threads have discussed.)
* EDIT TO ADD: I didn't mean to infer that I mix exclusively through 'phones — speakers first, then crosscheck thru 'phones and adjust speaker mix in light of what the 'phones tell you. (Helps to listen to mix in mono too, as other threads have discussed.)
Last edited:
toanhunter
Tele-Meister
I like my Sennheiser HD280 pro just for tracking, for mixing I only use speakers, Neumann KH120a or auratones, or NS10 speakers.
For headphones in the $200-$300 range for tracking, consider options like the Sennheiser HD 560S, Beyerdynamic DT 700 PRO X, or Beyerdynamic DT 900 PRO X.
Another vote for the Senn 280s.
I’ve had the same pair of Sennheiser HD 280's for a long time. When they finally die, I'll buy another pair.
For tracking you do not need expensive headphones. You just want decent sound, comfort, and isolation.
For critical listening, especially “mixing” - then you can start getting into the pricier stuff like open back, Planar, and electrostatic models.
FWIW, I used Senn HD-280s for about 15 years until the hard plastic parts of the head band broke on me due to repeated stress. Out of necessity (late night, family) I did most of my mixing on them and could wear them comfortably for hours. I believe they’re a wee bit darker/bassier than flat, but I learned to compensate for that by checking my mixes on other speakers in the mornings.
When the Senns broke I switched to Sony 7506s. They sound fine and are less bulky than the Senns. But… they fold up (by design) and have floppy ear cans making them more fiddly to put on or off. Annoyingly so, for me. YMMV.
When the Senns broke I switched to Sony 7506s. They sound fine and are less bulky than the Senns. But… they fold up (by design) and have floppy ear cans making them more fiddly to put on or off. Annoyingly so, for me. YMMV.
I have been using the Sony MDR-ZX110NC noise-cancelling headphones for years now.
Great sound, lightweight, and durable.
Currently $48 on Amazon.
Great sound, lightweight, and durable.
Currently $48 on Amazon.
sadfield
Tele-Afflicted
To piggyback on this thread. What are people's thoughts on something like the Hifiman Sundara Closed backs as dual purpose set. Closed back for tracking, and Planar Magnetic as second set of mixing phones specifically for low end monitoring?
Being amateur and a cheapskate, I typicall use K702s for everything, mixing, tracking, general late night guitar playing and recreational listening.
Hifiman stuff is great but unless you’re using a relatively high quality DAC amp with them, you won’t really reap much benefit or even notice the difference.
What recording interface are you using?
What recording interface are you using?
loudboy
Friend of Leo's
7506 - loud, super-hyped in the lows and highs, durable, closed-backed.
Don't use them to mix on, or reference anything, tho. They're the "Boom Cars" of headphones.
Don't use them to mix on, or reference anything, tho. They're the "Boom Cars" of headphones.
