the Challenge: which Cans for Spoken Voice, not Music?

[Boston]

My nubie virgin post!

Hopefully the esoteric nature of this question will get a response from you folks who, it appears, almost always listen to MUSIC and not to my application, spoken voice or, voiceover. I do not plan to use these cans with music. (Well, sometimes musical background, but for the most part they will be used for the spoken word.)

My voice is not as deep as Don "in a world..." Lafontaine, nor is it Pee-wee Hermanish. I am somewhere in the middle, albeit closer to Don Lafontaine. My application is mostly documentaries, corporate videos, promos and the like. I need closed circumaural headphones that excel in the midrange; are fairly light and very comfortable for long production stints; have durable build quality; have a cable that has low microphonics; and have very good isolation, as I will use these during recording and feedback is an issue. Price under $900 street.

I have read a number of your excellent posts and have concluded that the Denon AH-D500 might be a good choice. I've also considered the AKG K-701. Right now I am using the Sony MDR-7506, but find it a bit too hyped in the bass. I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks in advance!

 

[Namrac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boston /img/forum/go_quote.gif My nubie virgin post! Hopefully the esoteric nature of this question will get a response from you folks who, it appears, almost always listen to MUSIC and not to my application, spoken voice or, voiceover. I do not plan to use these cans with music. (Well, sometimes musical background, but for the most part they will be used for the spoken word.) My voice is not as deep as Don "in a world..." Lafontaine, nor is it Pee-wee Hermanish. I am somewhere in the middle, albeit closer to Don Lafontaine. My application is mostly documentaries, corporate videos, promos and the like. I need closed circumaural headphones that excel in the midrange; are fairly light and very comfortable for long production stints; have durable build quality; have a cable that has low microphonics; and have very good isolation, as I will use these during recording and feedback is an issue. Price under $900 street. I have read a number of your excellent posts and have concluded that the Denon AH-D500 might be a good choice. I've also considered the AKG K-701. Right now I am using the Sony MDR-7506, but find it a bit too hyped in the bass. I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks in advance!

Well the K701 is open, and the D5000s do not isolate particularly well, nor are they meant to.

I'd take a look at the AKG K240, maybe the "Monitor" version in particular, which, as you can imagine, was designed for a similar purpose as what you're after.

 

[Duggeh]

I see orthodynamics in your future. Although everyone on head-fi is about to jump in and tell you how great what they have is for spoken voice. So you'll end up rolling a dice to decide anyway.

Don't go for the K701 even if you have a powerful amp (which they need) they'll still sound wonky.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Try the Beyerdynamic DT48. Unlike most of the audiophile cans, they're designed for this kind of work. They're built like a tank, have been in production since the 1950s, are closed, offer good isolation, have replaceable parts, and are comfortable for a long listen. I use them for dialog-heavy movies and acoustic music. They do a jazz combo like few headphones and small orchestral work is awesome.

You can find them at B&H, and the price they e-mail you is $305.

 

[Boston]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duggeh /img/forum/go_quote.gif I see orthodynamics in your future. Although everyone on head-fi is about to jump in and tell you how great what they have is for spoken voice. So you'll end up rolling a dice to decide anyway. Don't go for the K701 even if you have a powerful amp (which they need) they'll still sound wonky.

Scotland. Ah, what a beautiful country! At least, the photos look great to me...

Many thanks for your quick response. Are you thinking of the HP-1 or another Orthodynamic?

with best regards,

D.

 

[iGig]

Allow me jump in and tell you that what I have could work for you. I read your post and I thought you should consider the HD-25.

I listen to a lot of audio books and this headphone is very good for that purpose. It also meets your other requirements of being closed, light, durable, with low microphonics and good isolation.
They are not circumaural unless you have tiny ears, but they are very comfortable to me and only you could decide if they would be comfortable to you.

I also have the Sony V6, which is like your 7506 and I agree, it's too bassy for spoken word.

I don't think these are specifically meant for your purpose, but they have the added bonus of sounding great in case you'd want to listen to MUSIC.

 

[tomb]

Agree with the choice of an HD-25 in this case. They are very good mid-range cans with excellent isolation and durable enough to earn a "professional" classification.

Likewise, the Sony MDRV6/7506 emphasizes everything but mid-range.

 

[Boston]

many thanks!

how do the 271's compare to the 240's for this application? Does Mk I or Mk II make any difference? thanks, again!