Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

The Ultimate

Guide to

Orchestra

Headphones

The Ultimate

Guide to

Orchestra

Headphones

By Composer David Isaac Discover music composition at: www.davidimusic.com/blog

In this guide you will discover:

How to avoid the worst headphones for Classical Music.

18 amazing orchestral/classical headphones for any budget.

How to upgrade your entire music collection with a great headphone.

Why you should buy headphones instead of speakers.

How to find comfortable headphones.

How to protect yourself from hearing loss.

How to interpret frequency response graphs

to help you understand the sound profile of a headphone.

How to navigate the confusing terminology of the headphone world. (Over-the-ear, circumaural, in-ear, closed-back, open-back?!)

How to choose the style of headphone for your listening needs.

The problem with headphones, and how to fix it.

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

1

Upgrade your entire music collection

If you are listening to a great recording of Joshua Bell playing his 4 million dollar Gibson Stradivarius, but you are using 15 buck earbuds, the music is probably not going to sing to you like it should.

You need to upgrade your headphones, my friend.

When you purchase a great set of headphones, you immediately upgrade your entire CD and audio collection. I would say that you—at least—double or triple the value. You will hear things that you didn’t hear before.

Since I am a composer and audiophile, I had a friend once tell me, “I thought you liked music, but you don’t have really great speakers.”

It is true that I don’t have really expensive speakers in my home. I like to use headphones more frequently than speakers or audio monitors.

Why? Because if you use great speakers, the acoustics of the room has to be excellent, which would mean plunking in thousands of dollars just to buy the acoustic foam and reflectors to fix the acoustics of the room. My house is mostly tile with hard walls and ceiling, which creates a ridiculously noisy and live sounding environment.

Besides, great speakers cost dozens of times more than the equivalent headphones.

If you are like me and your rooms don’t have great acoustics, headphones might be a great answer for you.

I enjoy listening to music almost as much as I do

writing it. I was searching online to find something useful, but there was no comprehensive guide that explained what to look for in a headphone for orchestral or classical music. This is why I wrote this guide.

While I am knowledgeable about music composition, arranging, and orchestration and some subtler aspects of music theory, I am not the most knowledgeable on headphones. So I have gotten a bit of help to write this guide.

In an exclusive interview, I talked with Mike Olson, an expert on headphones from headphone.com.

I asked Mike to recommend headphones at several price points: <$59, $60-99, 100-200, 201-300, and $300+. That way you can find the best orchestral headphones for your budget. (Prices are current with the first draft of this guide, September 2016.)

Before we get into Mike’s selections, here is some general information about Mike and about headphones.

2

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

About the expert

For the past 12 years, Mike Olson has been working at Headroom (www.headphone.com), where learned each make and model of headphones through his day-in and day-out experience and through the experiences of his customers. Headphone.com has conducted thousands of headphone reviews over the decades.

Head Room was founded in 1992, and they were one of the first research labs to build headphone amplifiers. Later in this guide, you will learn more about when headphone amplifiers are needed.

Avoid these headphones

There are certain brands of headphones that won’t represent the quality of the orchestra very well, and you should avoid them at all costs. Most of the popular manufacturers for consumers are designed with popular music in mind, not classical or orchestral. These headphones just don’t have a flat response, good stereo field, and articulate sound—the qualities that are needed for great orchestra headphones.

Avoid these brands: *Beats, Soul republic, V-moda, Monster, Bose, Skull Candy, and any brand of

cheaper headphones. *These names are trademarks of their respective owners.

Later in the guide, I will reveal the one brand of headphones that Mr. Olson says “is the best overall for classical music.”

Compare headphone manufacturers by clicking here.

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

3

What type of headphone should you buy?

We scoured the universe for headphones that are very detailed, very accurate, and very articulate.

They should show all frequencies with accuracy, which means that they have a flat frequency response, and don’t overly emphasize a certain frequency, such as the bass. However, you still want bass for the kettle drums. Just not an overwhelming bassy sound like Beats.

the orchestra. The strings are in front, the basses to the left and the timpani is toward the back.

For classical music, when a recording and headphones have a good sound stage, you can almost visualize the instruments in the different parts of

In a quiet room, the best style of headphone is the full-sized, over-the-ear headphone with an openback.

All things being equal, open-back headphones usually have a better sound stage since the sound is not trapped in, but allowed to move away from the ears. In fact, all the headphones in our highest price range are full-sized open back.

Open-Back vs. Closed-Back

Closed-back headphones isolate you from outside noise, and also prevent people nearby from being disturbed by your music. Since they isolate you from the outside world, they can give a more intimate experience when listening to music, and you can better travel out in public with this style of headphone. Closed back are the traditional headphones.

While there are great benefits for having closedback headphones, open-back headphones give the best sound quality. Since an open-back allows

the sound to escape, it gives you a better sense of space and stage. According to Mike an openback headphone is the “supreme experience” and “the way to go” when buying a headphone for orchestral music.

On the flipside, open-back headphones are not good in noisy environments, since the openness allows noise in. Also, open-back headphones sometimes need extra power from a headphone amplifier. Open-backs tend to be more expensive than closed-backs.

4

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

How to find a comfortable headphone

When do you need a headphone amplifier?

Every ear is different.

Classical goes from extremely soft, to very loud and robust. A headphone amp gives a finer adjustment than a phone. For example on the phone, one level up is too much one down is too much.

Like clothing, the secret to finding comfortable headphones is…to try them on. If you don’t have a good headphone shop near you, HeadRoom (headphones.com) does offer a 30-day “no-questions asked” return policy. According to Mike this means that you can try on the headphones and if they are not comfortable, then you can return them.

Every headphone on this list can be improved with a headphone amplifier, but for some headphones with a high OHM rating, the amplifier is required.

In addition to trying on the headphone, here is some information about the different types of headphone fittings.

Full sized, over-the-ear headphones are usually the most comfortable. Technically called circumaural, they sit around your ear and can be cushioned to seal against the head. On the down side, they can sometimes be heavy.

On-the-ear are usually considered to be the next most comfortable. Technically called supra-aural headphones, the ear pads rest on top of your ear lobe. The closed-back, on-the-ear headphones do isolate from some outside noise, but usually don’t do this quite as well as the over-the-ear, closedback.

Finally in-the-ear are considered the least comfortable since they fit into and seal the ear canal, similar to earplugs. Some styles fit deep into the ear canal and can give you the best isolation from ambient noise, and most in-the-ear headphones have different types of eartips to better fit your ear.

Earbuds and Clip-ons are headphone styles that are are not covered in this guide.

How long do headphones last?

Good quality headphones should last for 8 years or more if they are treated well. Some companies, such as Sennheiser and Audio Technica have two year warranties.

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

5

Frequency response in headphones

I have included frequency response graphs to compare each price point of headphones. Here is some information from headphone.com, so you understand the what the graph means and how to interpret it.

“What it means: Frequency response is the measure of a headphones ability to reproduce all frequencies equally. Theoretically, this graph should be a flat line at 0dB. The left hand side of the line is the bass, the right side is the treble. If the line is high on the left and low on the right, the headphones would be considered bass heavy. If the line is low on the left and high on the right, the headphones would likely be “bright” sounding with an emphasis on the highs and lean bass response.

“How we test frequency response: To perform this test we drive the headphones with a series of 200 tones at the same voltage and of ever increasing frequency. We then measure the output at each frequency through the ears of the highly-specialized (and pricey!) Head Acoustics microphone.

After that we apply an audio correction curve that removes the head-related transfer function and accurately produces the data for display.

“How to interpret the line: A “natural sounding” headphone should be slightly higher in the bass (about 3 or 4 dB) between 40Hz and 500Hz. This compensates for the fact that headphones don’t give you the physical punch or ‘impact’ that the sound waves from a room speaker have; so a slight compensation for increased bass response is needed for natural sound.

Headphones also need to be rolled-off in the highs to compensate for the drivers being so close to the

ear; a gently sloping flat line from 1kHz to about 8-10dB down at 20kHz is about right. You’ll notice all headphone measurements have a lot of jagged ups & downs (peaks & valleys) in the high frequencies; this is normal and mostly due to reflection cancellations in the folds and ridges in the outer part of the ear. Ideally however, the ups and downs of the frequency response should be fairly small and average out to a flat line. Large peaks or valleys over 3kHz in width usually indicate poor headphone response, and should be viewed as a coloring of the sound. Some small dips in the highs may actually be desirable and should exist in the 2kHz to 8kHz region.”

6

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

Protect yourself from hearing loss

Since I do a lot of music transcription work, I have suffered minor hearing loss. I cannot hear anything much above 15k. You can test your frequency range on this website: http://www.audiocheck.net/audiotests_frequencycheckhigh.php to see where your hearing stops. Make sure to turn the speakers way down because these tones are really annoying and can be damaging to the ears!!

I have also suffered tinnitus, a ringing in the ears.

In my case, my ENT doctor diagnosed the cause as continual jaw clenching, not over-exposure to music.

The largest burden of noise-induced hearing loss is through occupational exposures, and since this can be the case for me, sometimes listening to music 8+ hours a day for transcription, I am more at risk.

“Music-induced hearing loss is still a controversial topic for hearing researchers. While some populational studies have shown that the risk for hearing loss increases as music exposure increases, other studies found little to no correlation between the two. Experts at the 2006 “Noise-Induced Hearing Loss in Children at Work and Play” Conference agreed that further research into this field was still required before making a broad generalization about music-induced hearing loss.” [Wikipedia: Noise-induced hearing loss.]

Recent research suggests that despite concerns about the proliferation of personal music players, in fact discos, concerts and live music events may be more hazardous to youth’s hearing.

I don’t know if this is true, but in the movie theaters that I attend, the music loudness seems to keep

going up. They seem to keep making it louder and louder. During one trip to the movies I measured the sound to go up to 115 decibels. However, I was using an app on my iPhone, so I can’t be sure how accurate those readings are.

Use this guide to help determine your exposure and protect your hearing when listening to your music on headphones. You will also need an Sound Pressure Level (SPL) meter to help determine the decibels that you are listening.

Click here & use the chart in this informational brochure to determine the levels of exposure you can withstand.

According to this, if you listen to the music at high volumes, you may reach full exposure after only 1560 minutes, depending upon how loud the music is.

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

7

The problem with headphones and how to fix it

THE PROBLEM Sometimes when you are listening to headphones, it feels as if there is a blob of sound on the right, and a blob of sound on the left. This can create fatigue in listening because the sound is not getting mixed between the two sides of the headphone.

“These headphone psycho-acoustic problems are very real and can be explained technically. Imagine that you are listening to a pair of big room speakers.

If you turn off the left speaker, both ears continue to hear the right speaker, but the left ear will hear the right speaker sound wave after a very short time delay (ITD) and with an equalization difference (IAD) as the sound wave travels across the face/head.

In tandem, these psycho-acoustic effects are also known to audio eggheads as Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF). Now think about listening to a pair of headphones. If you somehow turn off the left channel, only the right ear can hear the sound. Of course, to the brain, this is highly unnatural since in a “normal” [speaker-based] listening environment both ears hear both speakers and in everyday life, sounds are generally heard by both ears. Your mind doesn’t really know what to do with sound that it only hears in one ear so, for most people, the sound ends up being over-localized. Hence, premature listening fatigue sets in.”

When an engineer mixes an album he puts it on two speakers, which means that most every recording out there is designed for speakers.

THE SOLUTION First, there are a couple binaural classical albums designed for classical listening. Click on the title to open up the Amazon page: Stravinsky: Le Sacre du Printemps / Rachmaninoff:

Symphonic Dances Strauss: Also Sprach Zarathustra / Saint-Saens: Symphony 3 Since there are not many binaural recordings available, in order to get the best sound and avoid headphone fatigue, you can use electronics, or use computers to correct this.

Click here to learn more about fixing headphones using electronics.

Click here to learn more about fixing headphones using computers.

8

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

The Recommended Headphone list <$60 Price Range

These are the least expensive headphones in our guide. Mike was hard-pressed to find headphones below $50 that work well for orchestra music. You get what you pay for.

Arriving at both second place and last place at the <$60 price point is:

9

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

The expert opinion

These are in-the-ear headphones with great isolation. They are also very detailed and accurate.

Great for portable use, they block 98% of ambient noise, so they are great for traveling and listening while on the go.

Cons: Eartips need to have a tight seal for accurate bass. Some people may find the triple flange tips uncomfortable.

2

Etymotic MC5 $59

From the Etymotic website

Most low-cost earphones are made with dynamic (moving coil) drivers that have undesirable frequency response peaks and weak highs. Etymotic created a dynamic driver that mimics high-end drivers by inserting a proprietary acoustic side-branch to redistribute energy, smooth the peaks and compensate for weak highs.

Sound Accuracy • 85%+ accuracy score • Tight, accurate bass with crystal clear high-frequency detail at all listening levels Noise Isolation • 35-42 dB of noise isolation

• Documented highest noise isolation of any earphones or headphones on the market today.

Style and Fit • High-gloss, polished anodized aluminum finish • Assortment of noise-isolationing eartips to ensure proper seal and comfortv Durability and Warranty • 2-year replacement warranty • Kevlar®-reinforced cable for durability • ACCU•Filter™ user-replaceable filters to protect the moving coil drivers from earwax and debris

10

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

The expert opinion

Don’t get turned off by the porta-potty like name of this headphone. Few headphones under $50 have this great of sound quality that translate well. It is an on-the-ear open-back headphone. Compared to the Etymotic MC-5, it has a better cost-per-price, as well as a better sound stage, and a bit more openness.

Cons: It doesn’t isolate sound well. Some people have reported that hair can get caught on the bands, and the end of the cable is not the most durable. Also, the design is a bit quirky.

1

Koss Porta Pro $45

From the Koss website

Known for its high-level of comfort, the Porta Pro has adjustable temporal pads to relieve pressure on the ears.

Its lightweight, open-air cushions for hear-through sound keep listeners aware of their surroundings while delivering exceptional sound. The oxygen free copper voice coils and dynamic elements allow the Porta Pro to deliver rich bass and a remarkably wide frequency response.

Whether you’re listening at home or on the go, the Koss Porta Pro delivers all the excitement of a live performance.

Features • The ultra portable on-ear headphones • Comfort Zone setting on temporal pad for comfortable secure fit • The ultimate active headphones with a collapsible headband design for protective storage • Dynamic element for extended frequency response • Oxygen-free copper voice coils deliver deep bass and signal clarity • Includes a convenient carrying case for protective storage • Covered under the Koss Stereophones Limited Lifetime Warranty

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

The Recommended Headphone list $61-99 Price Range

These headphones show a modest improvement over the <$60 headphones, and include the more traditional over-the-ear and closed back headphone.

11

12

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

The expert opinion

These headphones are fantastic sounding for the price. They are accurate, clean, and dynamic. They are on the ear, and open back.

They have a interesting retro-design.

Cons: The cushion is made out of foam, and these are not the most comfortable. In Mike’s experience, women especially find these to be less comfortable. Some people consider the sound to be too bright—too much treble. Also, there is not much sound isolation to speak of.

3

Grado SR60e $79

From the Grado website

Everyone loves a thumping bass and kick-drum, but not at the expense of everything else. The Grado SR60e is your entry to the world of full spectrum audio. You’ll actually hear notes you never knew were there. Perhaps your audiophile friends have fueled a desire for the legendary Grado sound but you thought it was out of reach.

Try a pair of our affordable open-back headphones and experience fuller, more realistic sound. Club-footed imports can’t match the sonic enlightenment from Brooklyn, USA. Grado has taken one of the world’s most legendary headphones and made it even better. The SR60e has a

new driver design, a new polymer to better damp resonant distortion in the plastic housing, and a new cable from plug to driver connection. The way the SR60e’s new driver and plastic housing move air and react to sound vibrations virtually eliminate transient distortions. This allows the signal flow over the new cable to reproduce sound that has tight control of the upper and lower range of the frequency spectrum, while supporting Grado’s world renowned midrange.

13

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

The expert opinion

This is good standard over-the-ear and closed-back headphone. They have good detail and bright upper frequencies.

Cons: Bright upper frequencies could bother people who are younger or more sensitive to higher tones.

(Sometimes women.) Also, some people find that the headphones are too tight and press too hard on the ears.

2

Sony MDRV6 $99

From the Sony website

A headset system designed for audio professionals. 40 mm drivers deliver accurate sound throughout the frequency range. Circumaural design keeps ears comfortable. Reduces noise from the outside world.

Copper-Clad Aluminum Wire (CCAW) Voice Coil enhances movement of PET diaphragm.

• Neodymium magnets and 40mm drivers for powerful, detailed sound • Over-ear design provides comfort and outstanding reduction of external noises • 10-foot oxygen free copper cord ends in 3.5mm plug; 1/4-inch adapter included • Copper-clad aluminum voice coil wire for improved power handling

14

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

The expert opinion

This is a closed, over-the-ear headphone. It is a studio reference headphone. Although it tends not to be as bright and clean as the others at this price point, it is still detailed and smooth. If you are older or have lost some upper frequencies, you might want to consider a different pair of headphones.

Cons: Some people have reported creaking sounds, uncomfortable fit, and some have reported reliability issues with the chord, and with customer service.

1

Shure SRH440 $99

From the Shure website

The SRH440 Professional Studio Headphones from Shure provide exceptional sound reproduction and comfort.

Optimized for home and studio recording, SRH440 headphones reproduce accurate audio across an extended range.

Impedance, power handling and sensitivity are all calibrated for professional audio devices such as DJ mixers, mixing consoles, and headphone amplifier. Includes carrying bag and threaded 1/4” (6.3mm) gold plated adapter.

Features • Enhanced frequency response delivers accurate audio across an extended range • Impedance and power handling optimized for performance with professional audio devices • Adjustable headband and collapsible construction provide comfort and portability • Bayonet clip securely locks detachable cable into ear cup

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

The Recommended Headphone list $100-200 Price Range

The quality of these headphones shows a marked difference compared to the previoius two pricepoints.

15

16

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

The expert opinion

This is an around-the-ear closed headphone. It will give you a nice flat clean sound, with touch of warmth. This headphone is not very bright. For the price, the headphone is very comfortable. It includes a detachable chord with an inline mic and 3 button control for use with your device.

Cons: Overall, this headphone feels a bit cheap in construction. The warmth of the headset might make the audio sound muddy for people with upper register hearing loss.

4

Sennheiser HD 471i $110

From the Sennheiser website

With its striking aesthetics and unsurpassed sound quality Sennheiser’s HD 471 offers pure listening pleasure, whether you’re on the go or in your living room. Highly advanced transducers and innovative, lightweight diaphragms work in conjunction to provide clear, detailed sound reproduction, while the ergonomic circumaural design ensures maximum attenuation of ambient noise and a comfortable fit even after hours of use. And because these headphones are fully compatible with both portable devices as well as home stereo equipment, you’ll be able to enjoy amazing sound quality anywhere.

Sennheiser’s HD 471: If you’re looking

for high-performance audio, you’ve found it.

• Comfortable fit due to the ergonomic design • Improved freedom of movement and convenience thanks to the detachable, single-sided cables with in-line remote • Optimal connectivity to home stereo equipment with gold-plated plugs, an additional 3m cable and a 6.3mm plug adaptor • Added protection and convenience with the storage pouch and extension cable • 2-year warranty

17

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

The expert opinion

HF5: These are in-the-ear headphones for classical people. It does have a similar design to the Etymotic MC5 reviewed earlier.

Cons: No microphone or controls. The cable is not removable, and some people have had issues with the quality of the cable.

HF3: This is essentially the same version as the HF5, but it has both 3-button volume controls and a mic. The sonic signature is almost identical to the HF5.

3

Etymotic HF5 $129

2

From the Etymotic website

&

Etymotic HF3 $149

No compromise, high-performance noise-isolating earphones that deliver best-in-class benefits and superior value, perfectly matched to the latest product innovations from most music players that support a 3.5-mm stereo phone plug.

Sound Accuracy • 85%+ response accuracy from 20 Hz – 15 kHz • Achieves highest output sensitivity in its class with 105 dB SPL sensitivity at 1 kHz at 0.1 mV • Accu•Driver™ high performance, precision matched, balanced armature drivers

Noise Isolation • 35 dB - 42 dB noise isolation • Documented highest noise isolation of any earphones or headphones on the market today Style and Fit • Soft touch finish in black and cobalt • Assortment of noise-isolating eartips ensure proper seal and comfort Durability and Warranty • 2-year replacement warranty • Kevlar®-reinforced cable for durability • ACCU•Filter™ User-replaceable filters that protect the balanced armature drivers from ear wax

18

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

The expert opinion

This headphone has some of the best sound for the on-ear, open-back headphone genre. Good on-ear headphones are hard to find.

Cons: Some people don’t find these comfortable, and also find the detail at the top end harsh. Also, some people think that the midrange and bass are on the weak side.

1

Grado SR225e $200

From the Grado website

“... What these ‘phones do surpassingly well is present each track in its own volume of air so that the character of the voice or instrument is timbrally distinct in the mix. I can almost picture the engineer pushing the fader up to isolate the part I’m focused on.

I understand that one part of the Grado magic is building a rigid structure around the dynamic driver to damp resonances - Listener Magazine, Lang Phipps This headphone has sizable rear air flow through a metal screen, while utilizing Grado’s larger ear cushion and closely matched drivers. The result is a broad soundstage free from

colorations. The way the SR225e’s new driver, cable and plastic housing move air and react to sound vibrations is virtually unaffected by transient distortions. Bass, midrange and treble are all more wide open and you will enjoy the fine tonal spread and balance. The SR225e will produce a sound that is pure Grado, with warm harmonic colors, rich full bodied vocals, excellent dynamics, and an ultra-smooth top end.

19

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

Bonus

Pendulumic Stance S1+

$199

This one didn’t quite make it into a category, but it is the BEST WIRELESS headphone for classical/ orchestral music.

This is the best orchestra blue tooth headphone that is over-the-ear and closed-back. Other headphones of this type tend to be sort of heavy. These are more audiophile headphones. They have great battery life. People love it. If you want, you can use it with the wire with volume control adjustment.

Cons: Some customer say that it does not do a good job of blocking ambient noise. Only one device can be paired at a time which makes it inconvenient when using, for example, a computer with a phone. The mic is not open, so it makes it difficult to hear your own voice when talking over the phone.

Over-the-ear and closed-back, this headphone is actually lighter than similar headphones and has great battery life. If you want, you can use it corded with volume control adjustment.

From the Pendulumic website STANCE S1+ will surely liberate you from the tyranny of cords. Add to that freedom from the misery of recharges, as well as down time. This is all thanks to lnstantOn—the industry’s only AAA-battery backup and power source. It works with the internal battery for up to 30 hours of wireless playback. And it also lets you power up instantly when out of juice. Or listen to audio for days on end, without going near an AC plug. Just pop in a couple of fresh AAAs, and you’ll be instantly up and running again. And again. That’s really something no other wireless headphone can offer.

That’s what true freedom is.

This isn’t just a high-end, wireless headphone. It’s four headphones in one. There’s Wireless Mode, which puts high-fidelity listening on the move. Amplified Mode, for a sonic experience that’s literally a blast. Wired Mode, for reference-quality mixing, latency-free recording, and battery conservation. And Phone Mode, which hooks you up with sealed listening quality, and a noise-reducing mic. All to made sure STANCE S1+ can adapt to wherever you go, and however you want to listen.

At PENDULUMIC, our design process starts at the end — with the human using our innovations. This is why we tested the ear types and head sizes of over 500 people before designing the natural-feeling ear cups and comfortable frame of STANCE S1+.

It’s also why we chose our analog PENDULUMIC Dial™ – after observing how effortless and intiutive it was, as opposed to the electronic buttons used in other products. It’s designed for simplicity. That’s what makes the user experience of STANCE S1+ as familiar and effortless as it can get.

20

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

The Recommended Headphone list $201-300 Price Range

For many people, it is worth considering a headphone in this price range. After these headphones, the prices jump up to the $500.

21

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

4

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO

250 OHM

$129 + Amp cost

These are comfortable full-sized headphones, with a closed-back that isolates pretty well. Really bright and clean. Considered a reference headphone in the studio, it is one of the best sealed headphones under $300.

These headphones can get a good range of sound.

The bass is punchy, but not overly done. There are two versions: 32-OHM version good for phones.

250-OHM needs the amplifier. It gets a bit of better range with the amplifier, so that is why it is recommended here. There is also a 32 ohm version that is the same price, but does not need the amp.

Cons: Mids can be a bit shallow, and can be overshadowed by the low end on bass heavy tracks.

From the Beyerdynamic website The DT 770 PRO is a closed dynamic headphone which has been designed for critical music and sound monitoring. The single-sided cable makes the handling of the headphone easy.

Characteristics: • Closed diffuse-field studio headphone • “Bass reflex” technology for improved bass response • Comfortable fit due to rugged, adjustable, soft padded headband construction • Robust, easy serviceable construction as all parts are replaceable • Velour, circumaural and replaceable ear pads

• 3.0 m (9.8 ft.) coiled cable (single-sided) • Including drawstring bag History of DT 770 PRO / DT 880 PRO / DT 990 PRO: beyerdynamic’s DT 770 PRO, DT 880 PRO and DT 990 PRO headphone series has it’s roots in the early 1980s.

Since then, millions of audio professionals from all parts of the world have become loyal users of beyerdynamic products.

From the headphone.com website: For years the Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro Headphone 250 Ohm has been a

staple for studio engineers and audiophiles alike. With their amazing clarity and accuracy, the DT770 pulls out every last ounce of detail in any music or recording. The bass is very tight, punchy, and detailed to handle just about any genre of music from rock and classical to hip-hop or EDM. The 250 ohm version will struggle to pull decent volume out of a phone or audio device, so we recommend a headphone amp for best performance. The construction is rock solid and should provide many years of reliability. The earpads are super-soft velour that are extremely cool and comfortable for hours of listening enjoyment. The closed design does provide decent

isolation, however the velour pads do not provide the best seal. As an alternative, the beyerdynamic DT 770 32 Ohm is easier to drive with most devices and has a leather pad for better noise isolation. For one of the best sealed headphones under $300, it’s hard to go wrong with the beyerdynamic DT 770 250 Ohm.

22

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

3

Beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO

250 OHM

$199 + Amp cost

Open back, full sized-over ear. Compared to the BeyerDynamics DT 770, the DT 880 has a little better bass response, but very controlled. This headphone also has a better sound stage than the DT 770. It also needs an amplifier. 32-OHM version is good for phones. However, the 250 OHM has a better range with the amplifier, which is why we have it on this list.

Compared to the Grado 225-e, the #1 pick from the $60-199 category, the DT 880 has a similar sound signature although it is much more comfortable.

Cons: There have been some complaints about the company honoring the warranty, so make sure you review Beyerdynamics limited warranty before purchasing.

From the Beyerdynamic website The DT 880 PRO is a reference-class, semi-open studio headphone which combines all strengths of open, transparent headphones with those of more powerful, closed headphones.

Specially designed housings and an improved system equalization turn this “remake” of the studio classic DT 880 into an ideal studio monitoring headphone, with analytical qualities.

Soft ear pads and adjustable, sliding, earpieces together with a single sided connecting cable ensure listening comfort during extended periods of use.

Characteristics: • Semi-open diffuse-field studio headphone • 250 ohms • Analytical Sound • Comfortable fit due to rugged, adjustable, soft padded (leatherette) headband construction • Robust, easy serviceable construction as all parts are replaceable • Velour, circumaural and replaceable ear pads • 3.0 m (9.8 ft.) coiled cable (single sided) • Including drawstring bag

From the headphone.com website: At the far end of the spectrum from folks who like strong bass punch are listeners who want their audio presented with light, detailed buoyancy; enter the Beyerdynamic DT-880.

Capable of rendering the sound of a fingernail stroke on gut, the stiction of rosin on a cello string, and the airy spaciousness of sound bouncing off cathedral walls, these venerable audiophile cans deliver dynamics and depth with extraordinary clarity. The DT-880 may also be re-wired for XLR balanced operation. Choose between high impedance 250 Ohm or the more efficient 32 Ohm version.

23

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

2

Audio Technica ATH-MSR7

$250

Full-sized, around-the-ear, and closed back. These headphones have a great reference sound.

The sound is very clean and accurate and the style is comfortable. These headphones are more compact than the two previous Beyerdynamics headphones. Since they can be powered right from your phone, they don’t need an amplifier and are more practical. However, they are not quite as bright as the next headphone on the list.

Cons: Some people consider this headphone to be pretty heavy and uncomfortable. Also the build quality can make them seem bit cheap.

From the Audio Technica website Springing from Audio-Technica’s rich heritage in professional audio, the ATH-MSR7 Over-Ear High-Resolution Audio Headphones are designed to reproduce Hi-Res Audio, allowing users to hear music the way it was intended.

The over-ear headphones are outfitted with exclusive 45 mm True Motion Drivers, which utilize lightweight voice coils, a custom-mounted printed circuit board and specially designed diaphragm to improve transient response and minimize sound distortion for rich, detailed audio reproduction.

The ATH-MSR7 headphones also feature multi-layered air damping technology for extended mid-to-low

frequency response. The housings, designed to “mirror” the full shape of the ear, are constructed of an aluminum/magnesium mix, layered to provide a lightweight, rigid structure that reduces unwanted resonance.

Three precisely placed vents within these layers work to control air flow and improve dynamics.

The over-ear headphones’ highly flexible swivel design, with soft, memory foam earpads and headband ensure lasting comfort even during the longest listening sessions. And with three detachable cables (standard 1.2 m (3.9’) and 3.0 m (9.8’) cables, plus a 1.2 m (3.9’) cable with in-line con-

trols and microphone for compatible smartphones and other devices) the ATH-MSR7 can provide Hi-Res Audio anywhere you go.”

Features • Newly designed 45 mm True Motion Drivers deliver Hi-Res Audio reproduction • Multi-layer Air Damping Technology comprised of a layered aluminum/ magnesium housing and triple-vent system reduces unwanted vibration and controls air stream for high audio clarity • Ultra-comfortable, soft, memory foam earpads and headband • Three detachable cables: standard

1.2 m (3.9’) and 3.0 m (9.8’) cables, plus 1.2 m (3.9’) smartphone-compatible cable with in-line controls & mic • Stainless steel acoustic mesh resistor provides improved high-frequency response, while bass acoustic resistor delivers accurate low-frequency response • Includes carrying case • Available in black (ATH-MSR7BK) and gun-metal grey (ATH-MSR7GM)Z

24

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

The expert opinion

This is a full sized, very large ear cup. It has an open-back design. Fantastic classical sound. The AKG brand in general suites classical very well.

Cons: Although the headphone has a fairly efficient 62 Ohms impedance, due to the headphones low sensitivity, an amplifier is highly recommended for use with computers, phones, or tablets. Also, many websites recommend replacing the chord, which adds to the cost. Some people feel that the bass is a bit thin.

1

AKG K702 PRO

$299 + Amp cost

From the AKG website

The K702’s are reference, open, overear studio headphones for precision listening, mixing and mastering. They combine an extremely accurate response with agility and spaciousness.

This is achieved by using revolutionary flat-wire voice coils and a patented Varimotion two-layer diaphragm. A totally open design and a high-performance cable complete these reference headphones.

The K702’s comfortable, specially shaped 3D-foam ear pads and a genuine-leather headband ensure a perfect fit. They provide a professional mini XLR connector for quick replacement of the cable. The K702s are individual-

ly tested and serial-numbered.

Features Over-ear design – maximum wearing comfort for long work sessions Sophisticated open technology – for spacious and airy sound without compromise Patented Varimotion two-layer diaphragm – for improved high-frequency range and better performance at low frequencies Unique flat-wire voice coil – for higher sensitivity, better impulse and treble response Specially shaped 3D-foam ear pads – for optimum fit and ease of use

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

The Recommended Headphone list $300+ Price Range

In this price range, you have many of the flagship headsets of the some of the different brands. Each one of these headphones is an over-the-ear (fullsized) open back headphone, which gives them a great sound stage.

Most of the headphones on this list require a breakin period of 100-500 hours to sound their best.

Read below to see the best headphone set on our entire list.

25

26

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

The expert opinion

Originally released in 2003, for many years, this headphone was the flagship headphone, the best headphone, from Sennheiser. You need an amplifier to use this headphone.

Cons: These are heavy headphones and can get tiring over time. In an attempt to match trends in music listening, Sennheiser did add more bass to these headphones. Some people consider the HD 650 to be a bit bass heavy and murky in the lower and mid frequencies.

4

Sennheiser HD650 $500 + Amp cost

From the Sennheiser website

In the HD 650, audiophiles will experience truly unique natural sound. With sound this good, long concerts in the comfort of your home are a certainty, so the HD 650 also sets standards in comfort and convenience. The HD 650 is a genuine masterpiece, which will satisfy even the most demanding listener. HD 650 – the Reference Class.

Features • Top-of-the-range open, dynamic hi-fi stereo headphones • Systems with narrow tolerances (± 1 dB), hand-picked in pairs • High-quality titanium/silver finish • Specially developed acoustic silk for precise, uniform attenuation over

the entire area • Specially modulated connecting cable (detachable) made from highly conductive OFC copper, with very low handling noise, i.e. low structure-borne sound sensitivity • Extremely lightweight aluminium voice coils ensure excellent transient response • Exceptionally comfortable to wear due to elliptical design adapted to the shape of the ears • Can be directly connected to stationary hi-fi components of the highest quality, in particular SACD, DVD-A and CD players • Built-tough with a 2 YEAR warranty

27

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

3

AKG 712 PRO $500 + Amp

Phenomenal. This open-back, over-the-ear headphone has a little more bass than 702. Even still, it maintains clarity throughout the rest of the frequency response. The headphone is still very much a reference. This headphone needs an amplifier.

This headphone is brighter than the Sennheiser HD650, the last headphone on this list. The AKG is arguably less engaging.

Compared to the 702, AKG also removed bumps on the underside of the headband, which prevents wearing fatigue, and memory foam is more comfortable around the ears.

Cons: Since the headphone is more light-weight than the 702, some people think it feels cheap and fragile.

From the AKG website

The K712 PROs are reference, open, over-ear headphones for precise listening, mixing and mastering. The over-ear design guarantees maximum wearing comfort for fatigue-free mixing and mastering, while providing spacious and airy sound without any compromise. Their precise powerful sound results from improved low-end performance by 3dB. These headphones have a genuine soft leather headband for a lightweight and comfortable fit. Their carefully selected transducers provide consistency and accurate localization. The K712 PROs come with a professional mini XLR connector for

quick replacement of the cable. Also included is an additional coiled cable and a premium carrying bag.

Features Over-ear design – maximum wearing comfort for long work sessions Sophisticated open technology – for spacious and airy sound without compromise Improved low-end performance by 3dB – for more powerful sound imaging Revolutionary flat wire voice coil – for incredible impulse and treble response

From headphone.com: When we first checked out our new K712s, we noticed the box said ‘improved bass by 3dB’. We had to wonder, is this marketing jargon, or the real thing? But it only took a moment to realize that AKG was not kidding.

The 712 is reminiscent of the trusty K701’s spacious and airy sound, but instead of a dry uncommanding bass, the 712 actually gets you moving a little bit. The 712 is by no means the next ‘bass-head’ headphone, but it seems everyone can appreciate a dose of inviting, well controlled thump. AKG has done a beautiful job getting the bass to an appropriate level while maintaining clarity throughout the rest of

the frequency response. If you prefer a generally accurate sound, but get bored with the so called ‘analytical’ headphones, try putting a little butter on your toast and liven things up a bit with the K712.

Another nice update on the 712 is the fit... Included in the box is a carrying bag and two removable cables, one coiled style and one straight style.

These cables use the same 3 pin connector found on the K702, and other AKG models.

28

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

The expert opinion

This is the flagship, the best, headphone of AKG. It has clean, accurate, sound stage, dynamics and separation.

Same class and category as the top headphone on our list. This headphone has a little more bass response than then our next selection, the top headphone on the list. Otherwise, this headphone is somewhat similar in tone.

Cons: Some people think that that the highs and mid-highs overpower the low-mids and bass.

2

AKG 812 $1500 + Amp

From the AKG website

The AKG K812 Superior Reference Headphones carry 53mm transducers – the largest transducers AKG has ever applied. With the 1.5 Tesla Magnet System and an ultra-lightweight two-layer voice coil, these headphones deliver an accurate imaging and pure, natural sound. The K812 was also designed for long mixing or listening sessions: An open mesh headband and 3D-shaped slow retention ear pads ensure maximum comfort that will let you forget that you have the K812 on your head.

Features • Powerful 53mm transducers – enable highest in-class headroom

• Sophisticated open-back technology – reduces reflections for accurate imaging and natural sound • 1.5 Tesla Magnet System, Ultra-lightweight two-layer voice coil – provides the most accurate and powerful experience possible

29

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

1

Sennheiser 800 S $1700 + Amp

Not only is this the flagship headphone for Sennheiser, but it is also the best headphone on the list.

The sound quality is phenomenal. It shows every little difference. You can pick out all the different instruments in the orchestra.

Fortunately, all of the really good things heard in the original HD800 basically remain intact in the HD800S. The HD800s has a fractional bump up in audible bass presence due to new anti-resonator dampers. These minimize the 6,000 kHz peak previously noted in the upper midranges. Sennheiser states the reduction of these upper resonances reduces the ‘masking effect,’ where the human ear struggles to hear certain sound frequencies when louder lower frequencies occur simultaneously.

Super wide sound stage. Very dynamic. Full-Sized, open-back.

From the Sennheiser website The striking industrial design combines form and function seamlessly, the layered metal and plastic headband construction attenuating vibrations to the earcups while the handmade microfiber earpads offer exceptional comfort for even long periods of listening enjoyment.

Crafted for perfection, the HD 800 and the HD 800 S are precision-built in Germany from only the finest materials and components. The transducer is encased by stainless steel, while the headband and headphone mounting utilises the most advanced materials developed in the aerospace industry for high strength with minimal weight.

Cons: Needing a good amplifier, the overall setup can get costly. Some people consider the upper register to be too bright, and the upgrade from the HD 800, to not be worth the price.

The new HD 800 S offers even better high precision connectivity options and is now supplied with two connection leads, a 6.3mm connector and a XLR-4 balanced cable to offer even better quality sound from sources with balanced outputs such as the Sennheiser HDVD 800 headphones amplifier.

Absorber technology of the HD 800 S The enhanced sound reproduction of the HD 800 S is achieved through the addition of the innovative absorber technology that was pioneered in the Sennheiser IE 800 – a breakthrough that preserved the audibility of very high frequency sounds by eliminat-

ing a phenomenon known as the “masking effect”, where the human hear struggles to hear frequencies of sound when lower frequencies of a higher volume occur at the same time.

By absorbing the energy of the resonance, Sennheiser’s patented absorber technology prevents any unwanted peaks and allows all frequency components – even the finest nuances – in the music material to become audible.

This innovation was a key element in making the IE 800 the world’s best sounding in ear headphone, and in the HD 800 S it helps to bring even greater purity and precision.

Such enhancements build on the for-

midable achievements of the classic, with the 56mm sound transducer – the largest ever used in dynamic headphones. The unique ear cup design directs sound waves to the ear at a slight angle to create an impressively natural and spatial listening experience.

While much appears the same, the enhanced performance within is revealed by a distinctive new look, with the silver finish of the 2009 classic HD 800 making way for high-class matt black for the HD 800 S.

30

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

Best Brand for Orchestral Headphones

All of Etymoticâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s products are great for classical music. The company has a lot of different versions of their product with the same type of sound signature. The product line improves steadily as you move up in price-point, which is not the case with all brands of headphones.

These are the in-ears for classical people.

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

Frequency Response Graphs

Brands to avoid.

<$60 Price Range

31

32

$61-99 Price Range

$100-200 Price Range

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

$201-299 Price Range

$300+ Price Range

33

34

Ultimate Guide to Orchestra Headphones

Afterward

I hope that you liked this guide! I hope that it has been a great help in finding your favorite pair(s) of headphones for listening to your classical or orchestral music selections.

I would like to hear from you, and if you are interested in learning more about how music works, or about composing music, sign up for my blog www.davidimusic.com/blog.

Have a great time listening to classical and orchestral music with your new headphones.

Sincerely yours, David Isaac

Visit www.davidimusic.com/blog

Donate

Sign up for the newsletter