Over-ear headphones for practice/studio

[jtpaistegeist]

The recent posts concerning hearing loss has inspired me to up my personal monitor game (using shure in-ears buds now, meh on those, want over ears). Just wondering what you over-ear headphone users have. I have used the Vics several times and have two sets that are retired due to overuse. Looking for something different, that has decent sound isolation, but not like shooting ear mufflers. Trying to stay under $500 USD. Any suggestions?

 

[afwdrums]

this question gets asked often, everyone is going to tell you GK Ultraphones...they work extraordinarily well at isolating the outside sound so that you protect your hearing, there is probably nothing better for isolation out there, nothing that I've found at least, including in-ears...and they sound pretty good, not amazing, but pretty good...they are converted shooting ear mufflers though, so you'd have to be cool with that

 

[pedro navahas]

I have a pair of Bowers&Wilkins that I’ve used for a few years now, they have been great as I use them to play along to music as part of my practice routine.
I have recently switched over to my earbuds, love the way my drums sound in the noise canceling mode!

 

[BoomBoom]

I use the Vic Firth ones I got a long time ago. I think they work well.

I applaud you on taking hearing loss seriously. I've been playing drums for 49 years. I have taken it seriously wearing headphones while practicing and ear plugs in drumline. My hearing is fine. So keep up the good work.

I looked at the GK Ultraphones online. Says reducing noise levels by 29 decibels and cost $250. The top of the line Vic Firth's reduce noise levels by 25 decibals cost $100.

I'm not an acoustics expert by any means. I would wonder if 4 decibal difference would be that much.

Sounds like one of my theories that you can get really good quality for a decent size investment. With each increment in quality, you pay a hefty price.

I'm happy with the performance I get from what I have. If I were buying new ones today I'd go with the Vic Firth Bluetooth Isolation Headphones for $100.

 

[bellbrass]

I've used GK Ultraphones exclusively for almost 20 years now. Before going with them, I tried practically all the others, and found them to have inferior sound reduction, poor sound quality for the music I was listening to, or flimsy construction. You get what you pay for.
I think they're the best. Made by a drummer, for drummers.

 

[Edward]

I recently bought a set of GK and agree. They really do the job well.

 

[logogogue]

I won these on a raffle, so didn't pay for them. For fun, I have used them a couple of times. They are very good cans and isolation for the $. MSRP of $130.
The audio quality is quite good and isolation is what you would expect for over-the-earmuff style headphones. I played with them on a couple of loud 2.5-hour rehearsals and had no issues with SPL or comfort.
The only other set I have used is the first version VicFirth iso headphones so can't compare it with any recent model headsets. Once IEMs became a thing, I have never looked back. However, I am happy to endorse this headset as a very good value and I don't think you would be disappointed.

ddrum Studio Class Isolation Headphones - Black | ddrum

ddrum Studio Class Isolation Headphones - Black by ddrum. Official web site of ddrum.com. Check out our triggers, snares, acoustic and electronic drum sets.

www.ddrum.com

 

[FieryLungs]

The ddrums logogogue posted are rebranded DirectSound EX29s. Having used those, metrophones, and Sennheiser HD280, the directsounds are my go to. Bonus points to direct sound for making parts available.

Amazon direct sound | extreme isolation, isolation headphones

www.extremeheadphones.com

 

[logogogue]

The ddrums logogogue posted are rebranded DirectSound EX29s. Having used those, metrophones, and Sennheiser HD280, the directsounds are my go to. Bonus points to direct sound for making parts available.

Amazon direct sound | extreme isolation, isolation headphones

www.extremeheadphones.com

Oh nice. I didn't know that DirectSound is the mfg'er.

 

[Matched Gripper]

I use the Vic Firth ones I got a long time ago. I think they work well.

I applaud you on taking hearing loss seriously. I've been playing drums for 49 years. I have taken it seriously wearing headphones while practicing and ear plugs in drumline. My hearing is fine. So keep up the good work.

I looked at the GK Ultraphones online. Says reducing noise levels by 29 decibels and cost $250. The top of the line Vic Firth's reduce noise levels by 25 decibals cost $100.

I'm not an acoustics expert by any means. I would wonder if 4 decibal difference would be that much.

Sounds like one of my theories that you can get really good quality for a decent size investment. With each increment in quality, you pay a hefty price.

I'm happy with the performance I get from what I have. If I were buying new ones today I'd go with the Vic Firth Bluetooth Isolation Headphones for $100.

IMO, you should take claims of noise reduction with a grain of salt. I have found that there are well-known brands of isolation headphones that claim as much as 35 dB of passive noise reduction, but, after trying them are not even close to the noise reduction of the GK Ultraphones which claim 29 dB passive noise reduction. So, there’s that.

Having said that, the Vic Firths are very good for the money. But, noticeably less effective noise reduction than the Ultraphones. And the Ultraphones have better sound. If protecting your hearing is your priority, then Ultraphones are the gold standard, IMO.

 

[cworrick]

IMO, you should take claims of noise reduction with a grain of salt. I have found that there are well-known brands of isolation headphones that claim as much as 35 dB of passive noise reduction, but, after trying them are not even close to the noise reduction of the GK Ultraphones which claim 29 dB passive noise reduction. So, there’s that.

Having said that, the Vic Firths are very good for the money. But, noticeably less effective noise reduction than the Ultraphones. And the Ultraphones have better sound. If protecting your hearing is your priority, then Ultraphones are the gold standard, IMO.

Where is everyone finding the Ultraphones? I checked Sweetwater and came up with zilch (they're 20 minutes from me so that's my first place to look)

 

[bpaluzzi]

Where is everyone finding the Ultraphones? I checked Sweetwater and came up with zilch (they're 20 minutes from me so that's my first place to look)

Order them direct through Gordy:

UltraPhones - High Isolation Studio Headphones (29db)

UltraPhones are SONY 7506 Studio Monitor headphone components mounted in a comfortable 29 db passive isolation hearing protection muff. They are the highest isolation, best sounding headphones on the market today. Here's what the Pros say about UltraPhones: "I've tried all the rest, UltraPhones...

www.gk-music.com

That's AFAIK the only place to get them.

 

[Matched Gripper]

Where is everyone finding the Ultraphones? I checked Sweetwater and came up with zilch (they're 20 minutes from me so that's my first place to look)

To my knowledge, only from Gordy Knudtson at his website. I posted a link above.

 

[drumtimejohn]

I ordered some recently and they arrived in 3 days.

 

[m_anderson]

Just bought the GK Ultraphones on all of the recommendations. Pretty pricy. Getting back into recording and have some friends sending me tracks to add congas and other stuff. I'm more worried about sound getting out than getting in. I need something that won't bleed into the mics. Hope they aren't too heavy. I get headphone fatigue.

 

[Squirrel Man]

Shooting range headphones I got at Walmart a while ago for $25.

Work great on the range too.