Headphones for recording vocals

[DCrown]

What are good headphones with good isolation for recording vocals?
I am not sure whether Sony MDR-7506 are good enough, they look kinda too thin and quality cheap?!
I would go for Sennheiser HD-280 pro, they were good when they were released, but quality has become bad the last years, the plastic is bad quality.
I just need another (better) option.

[cryophonik]

I used to use HD-280 Pros and still have a couple of pairs that are pretty worn out, but I picked up a pair of BeyerDynamic DT 700 PRO X cans a few years ago and they’ve become my go-to’s for recording vocals. I should mention that I record other singers (mostly female vocals, not myself) and I’m going by what they tell me, but they generally seem to prefer the BDs over the Sennheisers in terms of fit, comfort, weight, and maybe even sound. Hopefully that’s some help.

[DCrown]

I used to use HD-280 Pros and still have a couple of pairs that are pretty worn out, but I picked up a pair of BeyerDynamic DT 700 PRO X cans a few years ago and they’ve become my go-to’s for recording vocals. I should mention that I record other singers (mostly female vocals, not myself) and I’m going by what they tell me, but they generally seem to prefer the BDs over the Sennheisers in terms of fit, comfort, weight, and maybe even sound. Hopefully that’s some help.

Thanks for your reply. I expected someone to recommend Beyerdynamic, I probably don't have a head for Beyerdynamic, don't like wearing them.
Sennheiser are great, but the quality of material is not good any more. My first HD 280 I used for quite a long time, my second ones are not that good any more, though.
Nevertheless I will probably buy them again, they last for about 1.5 years and are not that expensive. Maybe it's the best to buy, what you already know and I also mix with them

[kejkz]

AudioTechnica ATH-M50X

[mixyguy2]

I would opt for the 30x over the 50s as they're a little less "thumpy" in the low end (and cheaper too). But yeah, 280s are the ones I most often hear have good isolation and good all-arounders.

[jamcat]

Direct Sound Extreme Isolation headphones:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/search ... rch-header

[Uncle E]

I am not sure whether Sony MDR-7506 are good enough, they look kinda too thin and quality cheap?!

If you already own 7506's, you can get memory foam ear cups that help with isolation.

[mixyguy2]

7506s are excellent headphones, hardly "cheap quality," but I can't speak to how well they isolate.

[mixyguy2]

Direct Sound Extreme Isolation headphones:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/search ... rch-header

An interesting alternative. From what I hear, they are great at isolation, but the overall sound quality and comfort levels are just OKish. Personally I could live with that as I'm not into long sessions, but might not work for others.

[jamcat]

Direct Sound Extreme Isolation headphones:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/search ... rch-header

An interesting alternative. From what I hear, they are great at isolation, but the overall sound quality and comfort levels are just OKish. Personally I could live with that as I'm not into long sessions, but might not work for others.

I have a pair of the original grey headphones. They sound pretty bad and they squeeze your head like a tick.

BUT… they give you awesome isolation. There is no bleed into the vocal mic at all. And you know how sensitive vocal mics are.

You’re only going to want to use them while tracking vocals or drums. They’re good enough to give you your cues and keep you on pitch and in time.

It helps to use headphone correction with them. I made my own ARC profile. Supposedly, the newer versions sound better.

But they are essentially runway ground crew protective headphones, so that should set your expectations.

[mixyguy2]

I hear newer models are better in the sound and comfort, but can't say either way for sure

[Wahjahbvious]

For tracking with a mic, the only thing that really matters, imo, is that the headphones are closed-back. I don't really care how they sound; I just want to do everything I can to keep the mic from picking up the playback tracks.

[mixyguy2]

Obviously...you've have to be totally clueless to buy open or semi-open back headphones for recording. But some closed-back headphones isolate better (or worse) than others, hence the point of the thread. Just being closed back isn't the only thing that matters.

[DCrown]

The best headphones I ever had were Sennheiser HD 265 linear, but for whatever reason they don't produce them any more for years
Luckily I could get some suitable foam for my old ones, I can do everything with them tracking or mixing, good isolation, good sound.
I am used to them.
I think I will never switch from Sennheiser to another brand...

[Isaacg]

I use Audio Technicas ATH-M50x. They're fairly priced and really good in my opinion. Audio technica have a good range depending on your budget, and I see them used in many of the studios i've visited.