Music Enthusiast, Working Actuary Headset Suggestion

[patrickjp93]

So my Dad who is nearing semi-retirement is looking to go into consulting and making online educational video while also getting back to his college years when he actually played guitar rather well and splurged on good listening equipment. He's been using this sorry headset not worth the $40 he paid for it, and I'm going to fix this since it's Christmas.

 

I need to get him a headset since he's moving to VOIP for the house, and his desk doesn't have much real estate for a stand-up mic due to endless piles of paperwork and books. I need something that is great for real music spanning classical to jazz to rock&roll to several genres of Heavy Metal to Choir to newage symphonies (not abusive bass dubstep and the like). If it buzzes on 12-part harmony, it's not up to the task. We'd also prefer having as clear a microphone as possible since it will be used for business and house calls.

 

For reference, if the headset cannot handle the most intense moments of the following performance it's not good enough. 

<-18-part cluster harmony at the climax.

[twoscoops]

No headset exists. Perhaps grab a microphone arm and a pair of Grado's (fantastic for classical music).

[patrickjp93]

No headset exists. Perhaps grab a microphone arm and a pair of Grado's (fantastic for classical music).

Not even among Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic's offerings? I find that hard to believe.

[twoscoops]

For the price your getting a very sub-par mic, especially to be used in the way that your dad will want to use it and for the music there are plenty of nicer headphones.

 

What's your budget?

[patrickjp93]

For the price your getting a very sub-par mic, especially to be used in the way that your dad will want to use it and for the music there are plenty of nicer headphones.

 

What's your budget?

300-325 USD would be the ceiling

[creatip123]

300-325 USD would be the ceiling

 

Q701 got good mid and high frequency response, but the lows/bass might be a bit muddy or some might even call it lacking. 

 

The headphone that I found works VERY good with accoustical string instruments, i.e. piano, violin, guitar, cello, etc, is the HE400. It's a bit of V-shaped curve though, not as much response in the mid frequency as the Q701.

[Clarkey]

Yes beyer have headsets. But  for example

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyerdynamic-MMX300-Closed-multimedia-Headphone/dp/B001BYMZ5W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418673897&sr=8-1&keywords=beyerdynamic+headset 

£236

Is exactly the same sound quality as this

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyerdynamic-DT770-PRO-Headset-OHM-Noir/dp/B0016MNAAI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1418673897&sr=8-2&keywords=beyerdynamic+headset

 

£110

 

The only difference is this http://www.modmic.com/ which is £40....

 

Go grab a Nice solid pair of headphones. Headfi will have better informed opinions that here most likely. Or just read some reviews. Then Buy a modmic and put it on.

[patrickjp93]

Yes beyer have headsets. But  for example

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyerdynamic-MMX300-Closed-multimedia-Headphone/dp/B001BYMZ5W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418673897&sr=8-1&keywords=beyerdynamic+headset 

£236

Is exactly the same sound quality as this

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyerdynamic-DT770-PRO-Headset-OHM-Noir/dp/B0016MNAAI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1418673897&sr=8-2&keywords=beyerdynamic+headset

 

£110

 

The only difference is this http://www.modmic.com/ which is £40....

 

Go grab a Nice solid pair of headphones. Headfi will have better informed opinions that here most likely. Or just read some reviews. Then Buy a modmic and put it on.

How did I not know modmics existed???!!! If I can get a studio headphone set with a great attachable mic, I'll go for it. There a good combo you'd recommend?

[Clarkey]

How did I not know modmics existed???!!! If I can get a studio headphone set with a great attachable mic, I'll go for it. There a good combo you'd recommend?

I havent had a huge sample set. But i have the beyer 770s and they are fantastic. They are slightly coloured on the bass but are supremely comfortable and the separation is amazing. Mostly listened to metal with them but they are good for classical and rock as well.

[Lauen]

How did I not know modmics existed???!!! If I can get a studio headphone set with a great attachable mic, I'll go for it. There a good combo you'd recommend?

for classical, go for open headphones or flat closed ones. for open, Fidelio X2's or Sennheiser HD558 (or 518), or Audio-Technica AD700X/500X or something. If you wanna go chep with great sound, Pioneer SE-A1000, these are made for absolutely massive heads though. and for closed, flat ones: Shure SRH440 or 840, or 440 with 840 pads which is 99% of an 840, or Sony MDR 7506 or v6. or Sennheiser HD280 or 380, I know mr moose likes his 280's.

 

For the best performance, planars. Audeze LCD's, HIFIMAN HE400i or 560, or the "old" 400 and 500 used, will be amazing for all music with incredible separation and accuracy. I'm currently listening to the video you linked and everything sounds as good as any other youtube video does. Clear with my SRH440's at least.

[Lays]

q

 

 

thx for dat song in ur signature bud

[Lauen]

thx for dat song in ur signature bud

no prob. amazing, isn't it?

[Lays]

no prob. amazing, isn't it?

 

ya its pretty good.   BTW i tested the IEM's, I didn't notice any difference in the bass, only difference between the two was that the Lyr just sounded slightly clearer.  I want to say the soundstage sounded a tiny bit bigger, but that could just be my brain going full retard.

[Lauen]

ya its pretty good.   BTW i tested the IEM's, I didn't notice any difference in the bass, only difference between the two was that the Lyr just sounded slightly clearer.  I want to say the soundstage sounded a tiny bit bigger, but that could just be my brain going full retard.

Sounds promising then

[Lays]

Sounds promising then

 

 

I don't use my onboard anyways so it doesn't really matter either way, the only thing I frequently use it for is my shitty logitech speakers, lol

[ShearMe]

How did I not know modmics existed???!!! If I can get a studio headphone set with a great attachable mic, I'll go for it. There a good combo you'd recommend?

 

For both an older gentleman and Classical, I'd recommend an AKG K702 if you want to push your budget. A K612 would be great as well if you're keen on spending less.

 

He might find that the mic doesn't sound too superb when plugged directly into his computer, and if that is the case, the solution is simple. A Syba DAC should provide the same mic support while also giving him a good physical volume control, which is nicer to have than most people think.