What drum headphones / earbuds are you using?

[ruanddu]

Hello,

I need to purchase a new set of drum headphones or earbuds for practice and live playing. I am looking for something with real noise isolation to protect my hearing as well as good audio quality playback. In the past I have used Extreme EX-29's, as I found them the best fit and best sound quality in their price range. That was about 10 years ago so thought I would see what everyone is using now since these headphones have a loose connection inside headphone and they cut in and out.

If you could list the brand and model and your experiences with them that would be appreciated!

Thank you.

 

[Jhouse86]

I don't play live, but I use Samsung galaxy buds for practice at home. They isolate very well, have a great sound, and Bluetooth.

 

[afwdrums]

there are soooooooooo many threads already covering this...here's 2 from just the last couple weeks

Over-ear headphones for practice/studio

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...

www.drumforum.org

Isolating headphones need opinions

I just committed to a few gigs with a working cover band with a sequencer . Looking for a real good set of isolating headphones. I’ve done this before on E drums but I will be using acoustic drums for this gig . Recommendations ?

www.drumforum.org

 

[Matched Gripper]

Hello,

I need to purchase a new set of drum headphones or earbuds for practice and live playing. I am looking for something with real noise isolation to protect my hearing as well as good audio quality playback. In the past I have used Extreme EX-29's, as I found them the best fit and best sound quality in their price range. That was about 10 years ago so thought I would see what everyone is using now since these headphones have a loose connection inside headphone and they cut in and out.

If you could list the brand and model and your experiences with them that would be appreciated!

Thank you.

Do a forum search for GK Ultraphones. I think the consensus is that they are the best isolation/hearing protection headphones available. This topic comes up often. They are literally Peltor gun range ear muffs with Sony sound components built in. They completely surround your ear and are deep enough that nothing touches your ear, so you can wear them for hours without ear pain and more importantly the sound source is away from your eardrum to prevent hearing damage from the sound source. They’re a bit pricy, but, more than worth the price, IMO. I have 2 pair myself.

Here is the website:

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

 

[mpungercar]

Lol at the all the comments regarding good headphones being pricey. Have you priced a set of hearing aids lately? Just pony up the $$, and consider it an investment in your hearing.

 

[drumtimejohn]

Can’t recommend the GKs enough. Cord is the left side btw.

 

[Drumworm]

I have used Dream Earz Drummer & Bassist DB Series IEMs for several years. Great product!

Drummer & Bassist DB Series

The DB Series are driver configured and tuned specifically to provide the broadest spectrum of frequencies and deliver that ass kicking low-end punch drummers and bassists demand. Choose your driver setup:

dreamearz.com

 

[Squirrel Man]

WHAT???

 

[gbow]

Sweetwater still has the Westone UM Pro 50s for $250 off! Nice IEMs with lots of bass and great isolation. I would recommend putting the comply tips on them.

Westone Audio UM Pro 50 Monitor Earphones - Clear

5-driver In-Ear Monitors with 3-way Crossover, True-Fit Tips and Replaceable 50" Cable

www.sweetwater.com

 

[Matched Gripper]

Can’t recommend the GKs enough. Cord is the left side btw.

Cord is the left side?

 

[drumtimejohn]

Cord is the left side?

Correct. It’s not listed in the instructions or website so I sourced the info by examining Sony 7506 headphones sets and using a mixer to confirm.

 

[drumtimejohn]

Pigs, Dogs, & Sheep helped me too!

 

[TheMattJones88]

The Vic Firth isolation headphones always did me right. I got a used set for around $50, looks like they're about $90 new. If you don't need total audiophile quality audio they do the job great.

 

[Ray Dee Oh King]

Im a fan of KZ buds. Theyre really fair priced, 4/5/6 drivers, take your choice, and I upgraded to memory foam tips. Under 100 bucks. Thats what I use live. For rehearsal and tracking im good with my Shure SRH840 cans.

 

[No.15]

I use the GK Ultraphones or my Sony noise cancelling headphones if I am just practicing in my den on the snare.

 

[Pibroch]

Have only used the Vic Firth headphones and for me they don't do justice to bass guitars. For example the crucial overtones of Fender P Basses seem to be missing!

So I'm searching for a replacement too.

Has anyone tried the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X ?

 

[bpaluzzi]

Have only used the Vic Firth headphones and for me they don't do justice to bass guitars. For example the crucial overtones of Fender P Basses seem to be missing!

So I'm searching for a replacement too.

Has anyone tried the Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X ?

They're great headphones, but you won't get much isolation from them. I've tried a ton of headphones through the years, both mine and sets in studios. Once I finally bit the bullet and got a set of GK Ultraphones, I stopped my search. Much better isolation than anything else on the market (even other "isolating" headphones) and much better sound than other isolating phones (the sound isn't as good as "standard" headphones, but that's a tradeoff I'm willing to make to save my ears)

 

[Pibroch]

They're great headphones, but you won't get much isolation from them. I've tried a ton of headphones through the years, both mine and sets in studios. Once I finally bit the bullet and got a set of GK Ultraphones, I stopped my search. Much better isolation than anything else on the market (even other "isolating" headphones) and much better sound than other isolating phones (the sound isn't as good as "standard" headphones, but that's a tradeoff I'm willing to make to save my ears)

Thanks Brandon - just bought a pair. You'll have to start charging me consultancy fees!

 

[Cauldronics]

Do a forum search for GK Ultraphones. I think the consensus is that they are the best isolation/hearing protection headphones available. This topic comes up often. They are literally Peltor gun range ear muffs with Sony sound components built in. They completely surround your ear and are deep enough that nothing touches your ear, so you can wear them for hours without ear pain and more importantly the sound source is away from your eardrum to prevent hearing damage from the sound source. They’re a bit pricy, but, more than worth the price, IMO. I have 2 pair myself.

Here is the website:

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

They're the best but I wouldn't wear them for a live performance. Everything else, surely.

 

[logogogue]

Check out Mee Audio. I got mine custom molded. Reasonably priced. If you join the mailing list and wait for the sales, you can get even better deals. Around every major federal holiday, they tend to release good sales. https://pro.meeaudio.com/
I can’t wear ear muff style cans. I get too sweaty playing, around the ear muffs. IEM‘s are the only way to go for me.

There are a lot of great IEM companies out there.