I need a new pair of cans for studio work. I am a drummer and need a pair that can be loud and sound good! I do a great deal of session work on a daily basis, and I am tired of the Sony (I don't recall the model) headphones that are provided. Any recommendations?

I would suggest Sony MDR-7506's, which are the 'pro' version of my MDR-V6....essentially the same, and probably the same ones that you have been using....


They are LOUD, and have great isolation...

Clyde, are these the Sony you are using?

http://www.zzounds.com/item--SNYMDR7506

If not, they have a good rep. Do you need them for for click or full monitoring?

I own a pair of Sony MDR-7506s, and have had to replace the pads twice. For some reason, they have a tendency to tear from the inside. Happened the same way both times. They sound good, but the build of the pads leaves a lot to be desired. If they just didn't stitch them so tightly; there's no play in the material, and it tears. I also own a pair of Sony MDR V-900s... louder, more comfortable, and no tears after 5 years of ownership. I'm getting set to buy a set of Sony MDR 7509HDs, just because I've always wanted a set. :thmbsp:

Clyde, are these the Sony you are using?

http://www.zzounds.com/item--SNYMDR7506

If not, they have a good rep. Do you need them for for click or full monitoring?

They look similar, but I'm not sure if it is the same model. I need them for full monitoring...

The Sony's that I am using are uncomfortable (I wear them for 5-6 hours at a time) and they tend to break up in the low end at higher volumes. I play fairly loud and need volume in the cans to hear the other instruments, as well as monitoring myself. The vocals really suck in the Sony's that I am using. Several years ago I worked in a studio that provided Sennheiser cans that were incredible sounding, but unfortunately, I cannot remember the model. I have also worked with some AKG cans that I like too...
The Sennheiser's handled more volume than I could stand as I recall....

I remember from my studio intern/second engineer days alot of the "talent" liking AKG and Sennheiser cans. I don't stand a chance of remembering the model numbers. The studio just bought some cheapy Fostex cans, "talent" tended to bring their own.

FWIW the Sony cans have been okay, for Jazz sessions as the volume doesn't need to be nearly as loud, but they are very uncomfortable! I have to wear glasses during sessions to be able to read the sheet music, which has a bearing on the comfort of the cans...

I wear glasses and sometimes wear the Sonys for hours at a time with no problems....

I have used Sony 7506 for years, but have recently switched to Audio Technica ATHM50. They are more comfortable and a better headphone in my opinion.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ATHM50

The Sony MDR7506 is good and easy to travel with, since they fold (witch is also there weakness).

Also the good old AKG K 240 (out of production, the new model is the MKII), this is a studio clasic.

Sennheiser HD280 Pro is also nice, but a bit too boomy for me but might work really well with drums.

But do also look into the earplugs, some of them have reallly nice sound (see Shure plugs, they are the leader in this part of the pro market and also have a special model designed for drummers. We use those a lot in live envirements).

This page has great info on the cans and plugs: http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-manufacturer/

The Senn 280's are a good set of cans, I don't find them boomy at all. Very tight bass, though they aren't comfortable over a long period of time (2+ hours). They're pretty efficent, IMO. I can have the iPod on very low volume, almost at 0, and they are at a comfortable volume, even when listening on a plane.

That's another positive thing about Sony cans: high efficiency. High input ratings are also a welcomed feature.

Also the good old AKG K 240 (out of production, the new model is the MKII), this is a studio clasic.
...And probably one of the ones sauuuuuce was thinking about. But they're not fully closed, and their top SPL is only 91 dB.

Audio-Technica may have a good fit for you. If you need loud first with comfortable a close second, start with the ATH-T44s. (http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/headphones/b8cbc96f5a242e96/index.html)

BayreDynamic DT-100's, built like a tank, very comfortable (I ware them for 9 hours strait at work 4 or 5 days a week) and they sound great too boot. They run about $200 new, not sure what they go for used. They were the standard in studios in the 80's and 90's.

Mine were free since I found them in a box on the side of the road.

I had MDR-7506 but now have HD-280s, which is what I would suggest... very low bass frequency response. Sealed design with good noise isolation. Not too expensive.

I have a set of Beyerdynamic DT 231s I use daily, not top of the line but a very comfortable closed system and isolate and sound great, $70.00 most places.

If you can get a pair of Sony MDR-V900's I highly suggest that you do. I have had my pair going on 10 years and they have served a very hard life in regular duties as my beat matching buddies in a nightclub 3 nights a week when I was DJing. They haven't ever missed a beat and they always are ready for duty and come back to play again every time they are asked to. They sound great, can handle stupid amounts of power and can stand up to an abusive relationship and beg for more.

They get my vote.

Beyerdynamic makes earpad replacements for the Sony 7506's. The pleather coating on my 7506's have long worn off and I plan to get these. The reviews on the link are all positive.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/313962-REG/Beyerdynamic_942704_Padded_Earcushions_for_DT250_D T280.html

Check out the Ultrasone headphones...they have one set that I really liked called the Trackmaster, but their entore line is designed for Pro Audio use...

Ok.. I'm gonna duck after I suggest this, and ask...

I stopped in at a bose store I stumbled on only so I could check out their noise canceling head phones.. I was VERY surprised by their sound. But then again, I haven't owned good headphones in years... ???

Would those not be good for studio, especially since they get rid of the external noise?

The Beyerdynamics are excellent in these situations, but I find after several hours my ears tend to get a little tired and sweaty (depending on temperature and humidity, as they are not quite entirely circumaural; the cans still press my external ears a little. But they will handle the sonics well; they are designed for it. That's why they are the favorite of sportscasters and other on-site broadcasters.

If you go for the Sony MDR-V900, make sure you get REAL ones. There is a second line that is counterfeit, which looks almost the same, but has a cheaper driver that is not as dynamic. I think they replace the "amorphous diamond" driver with a more conventional driver. The authentic ones are quite decent, and should deliver well what you need to hear, but the fakes leave a bit to be desired.

Hope this helps.

I would recommend the Sennheiser HD 280 PRO for studio headphones. I've owned several different brands and types over the years and these are some of the best for the money. I use these when I don't want to disturb others around me or when I want to isolate myself from outside sounds. I also own the Grado SR-125. A great choice for slightly more critical listening, but the open design lets out what you are listening to, and lets in other sounds around you.

I've been dragging around my Koss pro4AAA's to studios for years and would'nt trade them for anything made today, yes they are a little on the heavy side but, the fidelity and isolation are worth it. If you can find a pair (good luck), I highly recomend them.

I also attest to the quality of sound to the Sennheiser HD 280 Pros. Over the ear and comfortable.

I've used Beyer DT250-80 for years now. Closed phone so there is some isolation, and comfortable to me. Sound is similar to my Sennheiser open phones HD545 and HD580. I also wear glasses and they are not so bad. I am constantly pulling them off and on, however, because I do live sound with them and also check the recording mix. I have been able to learn what I hear using them to make pretty decent "live to 2-track" recordings during live events. Other Beyers I had tried 770 or 880 I think, had round earcups and did not fit my head well - no seal and unfomfortable too. I think the 250s may fit more like the Sony but I don't recall that well. - I thought the Beyer sounded better than the Senn 280 so it was worth almost twice the price.... The Senns are available at Guitar Centers so you can look at them there most anywhere in the country and see if they fit your head and you like the sound.