Headphones

EC · Jan 21, 2005, 03:20 PM

I've been listening to things on headphones for the last week. I can't believe I never really have before (except for the GIGANTIC ones my parents had when I was a kid and you looked like a big fly when you wore them, and all the black foam used to come off onto your face.)

Anyhow, I'm using them now because I'm at work and I'm on the computer, and I was bored so I started playing the mp3s from this site, and OTHER people can't concentrate when I'm playing music.

Anyhow, that reminded me that I've wanted to get some good headphones for a while. Does anyone have a favourite kind? The ones that fit in your ear hurt my ears, and I was hoping to have something that kind of covered the ear more (for those times when I'm cold. just kidding).

Any recommendations? I can't break the bank on these, although, it would be awesome to use them when I'm doing homestyle recordings...

Jellyfish · Jan 21, 2005, 04:08 PM

Quoteexcept for the GIGANTIC ones my parents had when I was a kid and you looked like a big fly when you wore them, and all the black foam used to come off onto your face.)

Funny,;D,I can relate to that...I never use headphones anymore.I like everyone else to hear the Jacket. ;)

corey · Jan 21, 2005, 04:40 PM

I got a pair of Koss Headphones at Wal-mart several years ago and they are holding up well. They're not the super-huge kind, but they fit snugly over my ears. I think I only paid 20 bucks or something like that.

sweatboard · Jan 21, 2005, 05:31 PM

I've been looking into it and I think I'm going to get some Grado's. I've aked some people and they agree they're the best bang for the buck. I'll probably go for the sr125 or sr225. I think I may shell out for the 225's because I've heard the bass is much better than the 125's.

http://www.gradolabs.com/

Complainer · Jan 22, 2005, 07:51 PM

I tried 4 or 5 pairs of headphones before I found some that I liked. I'd suggest going to a music store and asking to try on a bunch of 'em. I wouldn't take a salesperson's advice on this kind of thing - I even brought in a CD that I was really familiar with, so I would know if the drums were too muddy or the cymbals were too sharp, etc. It took a while, but the pair I decided on was model #MDR-Q22LP by Sony. They're the ones that sort of hang over your ear as opposed to being attached to a bar that rests on your head (which will ruin a perfectly good hair day). I'm really happy with them. Good range of sound, quite comfortable, and I think they were less than 40$ Canadian at evil Walmart, so that's...what, $5 US? ;)

EC · Jan 22, 2005, 09:21 PM

heh. More like $2. (But I'm Canadian, so I'll go with your first figure.)

Wow everybody, thanks for the advice. I'm going to write down what everyone said, and then test a bunch out. I will NOT be going to an evil Wal Mart, though. Partly because they're evil, but mostly because I can't stand to be in a Wal Mart. The one near me is so disgustingly busy ALL the time, and what with it being winter and having to wear coats. Frankly, it scares me.

Complainer, I think I know the headphones you're talking about - in fact, I believe I was wearing those headphones when I typed the first post. I was borrowing them from a gal at work.

I shall report back once the deed is done. Maybe tomorrow!

corey · Jan 22, 2005, 09:40 PM

How about Target? You can probably get something decent from there as well. Me likes Target.

EC · Jan 22, 2005, 10:22 PM

I don't think we have Target in Canada... Do we? I don't think I've ever seen one. I know I've heard people talk about them before, but I believe those were American people... (like you!) :)

Complainer · Jan 23, 2005, 12:22 AM

I'd love to be able to shell out a bunch of money for a really good pair of headphones, although I do wonder just how much better the sound could be. I assume the better the stereo you plug into the better the sound, so I may be out of luck, what with my CD Walkman being the only working sound system I have at the moment. I think my solution would be to move out of this apartment and into into a house in the boonies, so I can blast my music as loud as I want without neighbours wondering why Jim thinks he's going to hell.

SmoothOprtr · Jan 23, 2005, 06:33 AM

Dude (or Dudette)... why don't you just register and make your user name "Complainer".... while our feelings will still be hurt for your mean spirted comments about Jim's lyrics, you seems to be a regular enough fan and this seem to be a forgiving forum!

EC · Jan 23, 2005, 07:23 AM

QuoteI'd love to be able to shell out a bunch of money for a really good pair of headphones, although I do wonder just how much better the sound could be. I assume the better the stereo you plug into the better the sound, so I may be out of luck, what with my CD Walkman being the only working sound system I have at the moment. I think my solution would be to move out of this apartment and into into a house in the boonies, so I can blast my music as loud as I want without neighbours wondering why Jim thinks he's going to hell.

See I always figure that it's good for the neighbours - if they don't know, they need to know. ;)

However, over Christmas I had a chance to do just that - blast it in the boonies with nobody home and nobody around for a looooooong ways.

Transcendental. Not kidding. (Surround sound)

EC · Jan 23, 2005, 03:56 PM

So I got some today. I got the SONY MDR-G54LP for around $25 Canadian. They're good enough for what I need them to be at this point. (I think that when I get a really, really good set of headphones, they'll be more in the $100 range, and ha ha, I can't justify that on headphones right now.)

So thanks so much for all your help and advice, gang. :)

Complainer · Jan 23, 2005, 05:41 PM

QuoteDude (or Dudette)... why don't you just register and make your user name "Complainer".... while our feelings will still be hurt for your mean spirted comments about Jim's lyrics, you seems to be a regular enough fan and this seem to be a forgiving forum!

I probably should, but I kind of like maintaining the Dude/Dudette mystery. Virginia Woolf said good writing should be genderless, and although a music forum doesn't exactly count as "writing", who I am to argue with a genius?

Ok, I'm slightly exaggerating. The truth is, I'm just a lurker. I only meander through here now and then, but if I do end up registering I promise I'll pick a better name than Complainer. Maybe something like Whingy or Naysayer...

EC · Jan 23, 2005, 06:14 PM

Quote

I probably should, but I kind of like maintaining the Dude/Dudette mystery. Virginia Woolf said good writing should be genderless, and although a music forum doesn't exactly count as "writing", who I am to argue with a genius?

Ok, I'm slightly exaggerating. The truth is, I'm just a lurker. I only meander through here now and then, but if I do end up registering I promise I'll pick a better name than Complainer. Maybe something like Whingy or Naysayer...

Nobody need ever know what sex ye be.

corey · Jan 23, 2005, 06:17 PM

Hey EC, while we're on the gear discussion...
The mic that I've been using to record with came from Radio Shack about 8 years ago. They have generic models that are compared to Shures, or at least they used to have them. I'm pretty sure they still do.
I don't think I paid any more than 50-60 bucks for it.

EC · Jan 23, 2005, 07:34 PM

QuoteHey EC, while we're on the gear discussion...
The mic that I've been using to record with came from Radio Shack about 8 years ago. They have generic models that are compared to Shures, or at least they used to have them. I'm pretty sure they still do.
I don't think I paid any more than 50-60 bucks for it.

Ummm, are you making fun of my special mic that came included with my Dell computer package three years ago? ;) Heh. Thanks. Yeah, a nice mic will be my next purchase, but I'm gonna have to stand on the corner a leeetle bit longer before the EC studios gets an upgrade.

(Are hooker jokes appropriate?)

(I'm listening to "Late for Church" right now. I think I could listen to a banjo and mandolin and steel pedal and guitar for ... ever. Love.)

corey · Jan 23, 2005, 08:12 PM

hehe...not making fun. I thought you mentioned that you needed a new mic 'cause you were using the one that came with the computer. :)
Speaking of "Late for Church", the DBTs did a couple of shows this weekend because New West re-released their 2 early records. They played several of those old songs that they haven't done in several years and some of the old band members joined them on stage. "Late for Church" was one of them. I can't wait to hear that show.