Headphones For My P.C.

[Cass Broadview]

I'm trying to get into a little computer recording. I have the software, and mics and peripherals. But all i have are cheap walmart headphones. I asked forum member George Redmon if i could borrow a set of phones out of his studio. He told me to take what i needed. So i quickly grabbed his AKG k240's. {wow what a set of phones} Trouble is i had very little volume! George said it was an impedance thing. So he brought me over a set of AKG k77's, they did fine, but not the quality of his k240's. Any suggestions on what to purchase, or at least what impedance works best for recording on a PC? Cass

[Georg Sørtun]

Most headphones for PC I have tested are in the around 32 ohm range - like the AKG k77, and are of low to medium quality.

According to the specs: the AKG k240 has about 25% sensitivity compared to the AKG k77. The lower sensitivity of studio quality headphones often means they are much better balanced soundwise - dynamically and linearly - over the entire frequency range, so no surprise that you like it better. Higher impedance and lower sensitivity makes it weak-sounding though.

If you prefer the (often much) higher quality of the AKG k240 and/or similar studio-oriented headphones for monitoring your recording, I would advice you to try a small, linear (no eq and other nonsense), amplifier for it. You need higher output voltage - not effect (Watt), but almost any good <10 Watt stereo amplifier for regular speakers that is easily connected between PC and headphone(s) will do. (Take care of your hearing and don't turn it too high )

[Gary Shepherd]

I like Sony MDR-XD100.

[Jack Stoner]

I have some K240's that I use in my studio. I've used them with my PC and no volume problems. But, my PC speakers have a headphone jack that is also amplified like the speakers so it eliminates any impedence or lower level problems.

I don't use the PC's sound card for recording, I have a separate 8 channel recording interface, a Focusrite Saffire Pro 40, that has headphone outs, along with outs for my studio monitors, etc. The Saffire Pro 40's preamps are "transparent" - what is input is what is recorded. I also have an MAudio Fastrack Ultra 8R and it will tend to "color" the signal and make it slightly on the treble side - not exactly what is input. For a "pristine" pedal steel guitar recording the 8R is not very good - for a distorted guitar it wouldn't be noticeable.

[Whip Lashaway]

If at all possible, you should go somewhere that sells them and do live on your head sound checks. Headphones vary in quality and price and you should know what you're getting by listening to them first. Everybody has a different idea about what sounds good and what is a good price.