Tracking headphones poll

  • Thread starter Thread starter MidoBan
  • Start date Start date

Which tracking headphones?

  • Sony MDR7506

    Votes: 2 15.4%
  • Audio Technica ATH-M50

    Votes: 2 15.4%
  • Sennheiser HD280

    Votes: 9 69.2%

  • Total voters
    13
M

MidoBan

New member
Hi, i'm getting a new headphones for studio tracking, and trying to decide between these three sets. It looks like these sets are quite popular and liked. These are all closed back headphones, as i understand it's better for tracking because it has less leakage to the mic.

I'm going to be using those mainly for acoustic music.

You can also suggest other sets if you like.

Thank you!
 
I don't know those exact pairs but I've always been a fan of Sennheiser's over Sony's and AT's. After a lot of testing I chose Sennheisers for my as they just seemed to sounded good for the price. All the musicians said they sounded great and felt good for recording.

Another suggestion for the pot though depending on what you're using them for. I've recently been getting musicians to use their own earbud headphones. This means they are used to the sound, act as noise cancelling to some degree and they have minimal spill... almost 0.
 
The Sennheiser HD 215 are good tracking headphones and are cheaper than the ones listed.

Though if you are looking at the HD 280, I would also look at the newer HD 380 Pro which is a similar price.
 
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I've got a Sony MDR V800 (was under $20 on Ebay). had to reglue the covers on the earpad foam. Cheap plastic, but contain the sound so there is no bleed to the mic.
 
They clamp down a bit tighter and keep the bleed down a bit more and their extended range is great for the instruments with lots of low and low-mids. And they're accurate. Also very comfy and I've yet to experience any fatigue from them. All the ones you have listed are very good, I simply like these a bit better for tracking. For listening I like the AKG K270's. They're a little light on the bass and they bleed too much, but are great after getting everything right in the Genelecs for listening for details. I wouldnt track with em though. Of the other three the AT's are your best bet for tracking.
 
The 280's clamp pretty good, to the point I don't find them much fun after a bit. 7506's are easier on the head, hold up ok, more hyped (instant 'Alligator Records tone ;)
My faves in general are the akg240 but not for the isolation. But then a little leakage isn't always a factor at all.
 
But then a little leakage isn't always a factor at all.
How come it isn't always a factor while tracking? i have no experience so i'm really asking. a lot of people say that they cant record with leakage (click tracks problems are mentioned a lot).

So until now i've been looking at closed back sets only.
 
If you are capturing tracks that may be required to trigger something later or even something to be reamps, then less bleed is better. I did go out into my room and dig out the Senn 280's and yeah, thats what I didnt like about them.....long periods of time meant my head was going to get sore. They're not all that comfy. They sure sound good though. I still like the Shures better. If I had my way and a bunch of money I'd have Grados.
 
I don't kno what senn you guys are wearing, but i use mine for everything. Even day to day listening, really good to have a set of cans you know to help you mix with. But thats off topic, i find them awesome to track with, but yeah they do get a bit of click track bleed once in a while if your close miking something and have a click running.
 
How come it isn't always a factor while tracking? i have no experience so i'm really asking. a lot of people say that they cant record with leakage (click tracks problems are mentioned a lot).

So until now i've been looking at closed back sets only.
Something that really sticks out and would spoil a track is one thing. But bleed can be pretty much the same as what happens naturally playing music.
A click that was loud enough for when the song's going full tilt can be a PITA in quiet spots, or the worst, after a good take on the final decay.
Sometimes you just have to ride that click volume :cool::p
 
The Sennheiser HD 215 are good tracking headphones and are cheaper than the ones listed.

Though if you are looking at the HD 280, I would also look at the newer HD 380 Pro which is a similar price.
Hmm. They're still listed on their site but looks like the 215's arn't available.
 
Grado's suck for tracking. You'd just as well use speakers for the amount of bleed. Of course, that's how they're designed and I love them for just listening, but I see no use in the studio short of checking out a final mix.
 
I have a nice set of Klipsch headphones that work really well. Great sound reproduction.
 
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