#172

The AKG 240 remains my favorite forveverything but field recording and studio situations where leakage is an issue. I forget I’m wearing them. Nothing else feels as transparent to me.
Unfortunately they don’t last. I think I’m on my fifth pair.

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#173

Speaking of field recording and leakage…

For those doing a lot of recording outside and around the town / country / planet with portable setups (think: small bag or big jacket pocket) - which headphones do you use for monitoring, and do you like them?

Aside the classic DJ crowd, the good old HD25 seems to be the default choice among field recording people, and I seem to remember they feel decent in my head (no glasses). But are there other options for the combination of portable / foldable / small, and decent amount of isolation? Would a pair of decent in-ears work here, or do all/most of them have insufficient isolation?

#174

Been working with the Senneheiser HD25 for years and when the every annoying loose connection appeared I switched to the DT-770 and never looked back! Hands down - the best headphone I’ve ever had. Be sure to buy the 80Ohm Version for travelling if you don’t bring a headphone amp - the 250Ohm Version is slightly to low volume for listening on iPhones for example…

#175

I’ve also stick with Sennheiser HD-25. As I’ve said to a previous post, they are very light and easy to travel, very comfortable and their quality/portability factor is very high.

I’ve also used the Sony MDR-7506. I also like their sound and I prefer their isolation. However, they are a bit heavier/bigger but mostly is their coiled cable which adds weight (both on carrying but also to the head) and tends to mess with other cables. Its mostly their portability / comfortability / handling aspect that led me towards the HD25s than their sound. However, many people still prefer them for location recording

#176

Thanks for the insight! The portability & comfort factor are of prime importance here - I used to have a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50(x) that were superb for general monitoring duties, but I’m not sure if I’d want to carry them in a small purse / sound bag. And my current “studio” headphones are neither very portable nor comfortable (and above all, not very durable based on user reports).

I could settle for something that had “good enough” sound reproduction, and was portable & comfortable. Sounds like I need to test a pair of HD25s once again - I don’t think I’ve ever owned a pair even though I’ve borrowed many.

#177

I just picked up some sennhesier ie 40 pro’s to use when field recoding, I have the dt 770 pro’s for my studio but found they were just way to big to take out field recording the majority of the time. Im pretty impressed with the sennhesiers, I havent worn them for a long period of time but they feel super comfy and the sound quality is great plus they have great isolation. These are the first in ears I have used so was abit aprehensive at first but in the end the portability sold it to me, and i would definatly reccomend, its so nice being able to have all my recording stuff fit in a small package for traveling.

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#178

I was looking for “etymotic”, since I’m a user of ER2XRs. May i ask you which tips you use? I’ve been on the classic triple flanges and have had issues with them (popping sounds after insertion, and seal breaks, plus also cable noise in contact with shirt and wind), but am now experimenting with M and L size double flanges. The size is personal, but if you have opinions on triple vs double flanges, i would appreciate it. Cheers.

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#179

Cool! I just use the triple ones they came with and really haven’t explored further. The foam ones are good also. Neither are particularly comfortable, sure! I can sometimes hear my pulse, micro sounds as they move / I move my jaw, I think this is maybe unavoidable with IEMs … every sound transducer design has tradeoffs

Did you compare the SR and XR, or the 2 Vs the 4?

I compared the 4XR and 4SR, and was surprised i actually preferred " less bass"! I listen to mostly electronic stuff, techno/ experimental, etc. From reading online I got the impression the SR were somehow “bass light” - comparing them I felt they aren’t at all, just very even though the spectrum (to my ear).

#180

I think you’re right about the microsounds. I found the shirt clip helps but the wind issues are real when the lock isn’t super, being a cyclist. There is also the style of flipping the cable over the ear, which supposedly helps and I should try it.

I didn’t have a chance to try out SR vs XR or 2 vs 4, but just did online “research” about different models the best I could. My choice was pretty clearly the ER2XR because they are so much cheaper, super value for money according to reviews, and I am in a bit of habit of grinding through (trash) headphones but now working myself out of that habit.

Do you replace the tips every once in a while? I’ve recently learned they should be replaced every few months or something.

That’s the impression I too have about SR, I mean that’s what they themselves say, that SR is neutral and XR has a bit more umph. Being neutral doesn’t mean that there is no bass, but I figure it means there is all be base that was put there in the mixing and mastering :slight_smile: I’d be interesting in trying 4XR, 4SR as well as 2SR at some point, out of curiosity.

#181

I’ve had a pair of ER-4Ps that’ve owned for 16 years now (!), I don’t use them a huge amount at the moment but I can recommend Comply foam tips. I think I just use the T-100 ones. IIRC they’re not as isolating as the triple flange ones, but they are a lot more comfy and are excellent for doing the vacuum cleaning with! They are terrible if you need to keep taking the earphones on and off as they take a while for the foam to re-expand when you insert them.

I’m not sure how much you can really do about the microphonics from the cable, I think that’s the price you pay for such a large amount of passive isolation, they are the worst IEM I’ve tried for it. (Ever tried eating with them on…?)

In general I think they’re still one of the ‘purest’ sounding headphones or earphones I own, they’re absolutely lovely with classical music, but in general I only use them when extreme isolation is needed (i.e. vacuuming / on the train), or when I looking to have a focused listening session, they’re just not ideal as casual earphones.

2 Likes
#182

Does anyone have any experience with the AIAIAI TMA-2s?

They seem very DJ/fashion focused… but the modularity has serious appeal, in particular the easy availability of different cable lengths and bluetooth. Plus being able to change earpads to match my current glasses (seriously… headaches from squashed temples or distorted vision).

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#183

I haven’t tried the TMA-2s but I did try out the TMA-1s and just did not like them, bass light and the top end was a bit shrill. Also the clamp force was fairly extreme so if you have problems with headaches from excessive clamp force i would try something else.

Saying that you can soften up clamp force on any headphones by literally bending them out and reducing the clamp force.
In terms of changing earpads, different earpads will drastically change the sound signature of the headphones, just to be aware.
Although maybe someone else has better experience with the TMA-2s, obviously if you can try them first in person that is the best thing!

Headphones i’d suggest would be Sennheiser HD25-1 II ; on ear avoiding glasses, clamp force can be reduced if needed, U-shaped sound, lots of bass and even highs. Not too expensive either.

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#184

Heh, I think I left my pair of HD650s strapped to a stack of CDs to stretch them out, they’re still my favourite pair of full size open headphones, but comfort varies by spectacles (quite good with the current ones). Though given that they’re now 15+ years old I should probably try some new earpads on them…

What is this ‘in person’ you talk of…

That is another one I’d like to try once they shops are open again, and at least with Sennheiser in the UK they’re easily available. I’ve currently got a pair of Beyerdynamic T50p (along with the DT1350, they were Beyerdynamic’s version of the HD25 series), they do have quite a high clamping force, but it’s entirely on-ear.

However I’m not sure how much longer they are for the world and unfortunately they’re far too loud with most of my music making equipment, though I fear that the TMA-2s will also be too loud (for me).

#185

Ah yes, you can also literally bend them with your hands if your comfortable doing it, plastic headbands are trickier, but i know the HD25 would take it.

New pads for your 650’s should bring them back to life alright, although sennheiser tend to charge a premium for it, but it’d make them sound “new” again.

:mask: Yea sorry, it’s an instant reaction when discussing headphones. Thomann/Amazon have great return policies on audio stuff though, I don’t particularly like doing it but when something is just “wrong” you must.

Yea the TMA-2s may be too loud, they are 32ohm and judging from the rest of the specs easy to drive, but Im just assuming.
The HD25s are 70ohm and are a bit harder to drive.

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#186

Just been watching this video on replacing the head band padding (mine is completely flat now).

The user serviceability does make me happy. Sennheiser do have good parts availability (and Beyerdynamic too).

I guess it’s good advice for all headphone purchasing, make sure you can get spares, rather than have to throw things away!

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#187

I guess it’s good advice for all headphone purchasing, make sure you can get spares, rather than have to throw things away!

I agree, and am trying to move towards this. I used to trash ~2 pairs of cheap earbuds per year and that was simply unbearable. It also meant I avoided trashing pairs of quality headphones, and instead used cheapos in the ~40-50€ range. These Etymotic ER2-XR have a replaceable cord too which is especially nice. On the other hand I am just looking at an 60€ order of replacement parts, plus 50€ shipping. Grim.

#188

My old Audo Technica earbuds died recently and I looked at what was available to replace them, ended up with Tin T2 Plus (about $60, there are some good ones for a little bit less too apparently). Looks like most (even cheap-ish) IEMs now have detachable cables, which is nice as this is typically what will fail.

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#189

Not to flip the script, but I dig your avatar “Terminator! Hit the North! Alan Moore knows the score!” :slight_smile:

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#190

I waited far too long to replace the pads on my AKG K240s, but it is kind of incredible how much of a difference new pads make! I had to try two different sizes, but just installed these “Brainwavz” and, at least at first listen, have zero complaints.

I was skeptical of putting some unfamiliar aftermarket pads on, but at least for me, they’re more comfortable than I recall the original AKG pads ever being. Thicker (so my ears aren’t pressing on the inside of the cans) and microsuede (rather than pleather) are both big improvements for me, personally.

also very happy to be able to continue using the first “nice” headphones I ever used. in fact, I think I got them for Christmas 15 years ago tomorrow…hopefully now I can keep using 'em for another 15 years!

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#191

I just wanted to chime in with a recommendation for Audio-Technica ATH-R70x. I don’t see them recommended that often, maybe they’re overlooked. Fantastic headphones. I’ve used them as daily drivers and for studio use for two years now, super light and so comfortable you forget you’re wearing them. Most importantly they have extremely flat frequency response, great bass extension, and amazing detail.