Munurmunuh Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 Problem A - I haven't put on a pair of headphones since I discovered a few years ago that my habit of listening to my ipod on the tube had given me some entry-level tinnitus. It comes and goes, sounding like silvery cicadas, and is never annoying. I really don't want to make it worse. Problem B - where I live, I've neighbours above and below and on both sides, and the flimsy building is an acoustic marvel for transmitting sound, and so through each day my playing is a combination of moderate, quiet and unplugged. My Peavey practice amp is constantly chomping at the bit. So I could do with adding headphones to my repertoire, but need to be careful, and am almost entirely ignorant of what's what. (When I was a kid I had a pair of Sennheisers that had a seeming flat foam-covered panel against the ear, and were gently domed on the outside. That sort of design doesnt seem to exist anymore.) Firstly, are noise-cancelling headphones any good for practising with, or do they mess with the tone? I live on a main road, so there is a little bit of traffic noise. Secondly, would open back headphones be better for not annoying my tinnitus? Sound leaking out within my home isn't a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Munurmunuh Posted January 25, 2021 Author Share Posted January 25, 2021 I'm also thinking of getting an Auralex Gramma pad for the amp to sit on, to cut out one of the two routes the noise I make passes through the building. Daft price, but good for my conscience.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 I don't have any issue with headphones; I use 'em all the time. Yes, I've tinnitus, too, permanently, but I just keep the 'phones at a reasonable level. They're no different, as far as the ears are concerned, than listening without. I don't 'get' the 'tone' issue, either; if this is just for practising, it's just bass, isn't it (with maybe a backing track, or metronome...). When I'm practising, I'm not looking for 'tone'; it's so room/circumstance dependant as to not be relevant. Maybe that's just me (I'm a drummer...). I'd recommend 'closed' headphones, at a low level. 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 I have a pair of sennheiser s HD 433 . Had them for years . Obviously the model numbers have changed since then along with probable updates. What I find is that they are strong as well as nice and spongey on the ears . Regarding spongey type headphones ,Ive had about 3 pairs of sennheisers over the years and a pair of Beyer dynamics.. The ones I have now are the best of the bunch . Regarding noise cancelling - great if you're on public transport full of anti social people and bawling babies . However, living alone , I don't want to cut myself off and prefer to hear what's around me to an extent . I too have tinnitus . Random though , as it's a side effect of a pain relaxant prescribed by my doctor over a year ago . 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 I do most of my work using headphones, upwards of 10 hours a day some days. Don't have the volume too high, you only need to hear yourself - closed back headphones are probably best in this respect, they help cut down on ambient noise intrusion. If you do use open-backed phones, then try to practice somewhere quiet. Take regular breaks. Get a comfortable pair. My one pair sound fantastic but they’re very uncomfortable. I get around this by wearing a thick beanie hat that forces the headphones wider and away from my ears - just a touch of space. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bolo Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 Very good advice above! Perhaps with exception to the closed backs. Sound pressure and fatigue are the two main culprits in regards to hearing damage (which can result in tinitus). That's why I would always advice open backed headphones when possible. The Beyerdynamic DT880 for instance, same as the 770 but the pressure has another way out than just through the eardrums. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 Yup, another tinnitus sufferer, and I regularly use headphones for practicing, and agree with the above points. Keep the volume down. Regular breaks. Comfy set of closed ear headphones. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_5 Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 5 minutes ago, Skybone said: Yup, another tinnitus sufferer, and I regularly use headphones for practicing, and agree with the above points. Keep the volume down. Regular breaks. Comfy set of closed ear headphones. This. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 2 hours ago, Bolo said: ... the pressure has another way out than just through the eardrums. That's way too loud, tinnitus or no tinnitus, in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Munurmunuh Posted January 25, 2021 Author Share Posted January 25, 2021 9 hours ago, Ricky Rioli said: I'm also thinking of getting an Auralex Gramma pad for the amp to sit on, to cut out one of the two routes the noise I make passes through the building. Daft price, but good for my conscience.... I'm glad I added this ps, as thanks to it I've now got one headed my way 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 Just to mention that for the ultimate headphone experience, try adding a physical feedback device to your signal, such as a Backbeat or a bass board. You can then feel the bass and hear it perfectly reproduced in your headphones. I don’t think you’ll look back at using an amp again and having the ‘feel’ of the bass allows you to have a lower headphone volume too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Munurmunuh Posted January 25, 2021 Author Share Posted January 25, 2021 I've found a thread from 2016 full of headphone recommendations....most of which look at bit pricey for my lo-fi soul. These look good... Phil Jones Bass H-850 Closed Back Headphones ....I think? £74 delivered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 (edited) - Edited March 11, 2022 by Jus Lukin 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrixn1 Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 14 minutes ago, Ricky Rioli said: I've found a thread from 2016 full of headphone recommendations....most of which look at bit pricey for my lo-fi soul. These look good... Phil Jones Bass H-850 Closed Back Headphones ....I think? £74 delivered. I think they are a rebrand of the (cheaper) Edifier H850. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0083DPIIA £54.99 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Munurmunuh Posted January 25, 2021 Author Share Posted January 25, 2021 (edited) 5 minutes ago, jrixn1 said: I think they are a rebrand of the (cheaper) Edifier H850. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0083DPIIA £54.99 A quick google produces this interesting thread: Phil Jones H-850 headphones and Edifier H850 the same? Thank you! Edited January 25, 2021 by Ricky Rioli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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