Isolation Headpones

[Inkstar]

Hey guys, sorry I havn't been posting lately. Just kinda had a dull phase.. or something. But anywho.

Just got a quick question - I'm looking to pick up some isolation headphones because at the moment I really have to have my normal headphones cranked up pretty damn loud to hear the music I like to play along to (iPod), and that's really just not good for my hearing, so I need some iso's. Which do you guys think are the best? The only two that seem to be good are these:

Vic Firth: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Vic-Firth-SIH1-Isolation-Headphones?sku=443954

Direct Sound: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Direct-Sound-Extreme-Isolation-Headphones?sku=240170

Both seem to be good, with the DS' being far more expensive though. But both have comments saying the other product is better. Your thoughts and/or experiences?

[fishbulb]

I personally have the VIC Firth ones and love them. Only complaint would be that it seems to allow you to hear more bass in high volume situations (i'm talking 2 guitar half stacks and a bass half stack pretty much cranked) making you "miss" the beat and you can't really hear or feel the music. Only problem i've had with them.

I also have the non headphones ones. Never heard or seen the other ones, so you're on your own for that.

[Zildjian]

I own the VF ones and there awesome. deffiantly worth the price

although they do get kinda uncomfortable after wearing them for a long time (im talking like 4 hrs long)

But other then that there the best ones ive used

[Inkstar]

So they block out enough sound (i.e your drums)? Because that's what I need. Headphones that'll let me hear the musak without damaging my hearing.

[Zildjian]

yea they block out enough to comfortably play. And the headphone jacks work just as good. Dont have to crank the volume on you're iPod to hear the music

[Inkstar]

Awesome. Thanks for the feedback guys.

Also - do Musician's Friend ship to Australia? I emailed them but they've yet to reply.

[static]

Yes.

[oliv_da_skinmasher]

I have the non headphone vic firth ones, ya know the blue ones. they're fantstic with some ear buds under them.

Just as good IMO

[DrumIntoTheNight]

I own the Direct Sound ones, and I find them exceptionally comfortable, and they block out more noise than the Vic Firths. I wouldn't say they're worth the extra dosh though.

[Quinto]

instead of those you should get some isolating earbuds, which you can listen to whenever, wherever, and not look rediculous.

i hear the etymotic ER-6 is very good.

[leftydrummer]

get in ear monitors...better than headphones. Feels better too. Shure E4's especially

[fishbulb]

I doubt he wants to spend $200 +.

[Quinto]

but etymotics block 20-30db's and are only sixty dollars. not bad at all.

i have e4's, and dont doubt they are the greatest thing every created.

[PlatinumPhil]

I use builders ISOs with headphones underneath.

Winner and cheaper :)

[MisurCanavi]

I own the VF ones and there awesome. deffiantly worth the price

although they do get kinda uncomfortable after wearing them for a long time (im talking like 4 hrs long)

But other then that there the best ones ive used

x2.

I highly recommend them. They block out everything to a very nice level. I play my drums along to either a click or to a song playing in the headphones and in my opinion, it blocks out the perfect amount.

Play softer music? Turn down the volume on the headphones and you can hear every little bit of your drums.



A lot of people on here hate any form of a brand name object, so just ignore them :-).

[Matter]

Matter recommends shure e2's, get them at bestbuy/wherever for like 70 bucks, they isolate very well while still being able to hear your drums and you do not have to crank them loud volume to hear them.

[Chippy569]

Chippy569 recommends against in-ears for anything "live" without a dedicated monitor mixer operator.

[TTTSNB]

I'd avoid the Vic Firth ones, had some bad experiences with them. They don't really block out the sound well enough, and mine also fell apart after about six months of casual usage.

[Matter]

I'd avoid the Vic Firth ones, had some bad experiences with them. They don't really block out the sound well enough, and mine also fell apart after about six months of casual usage.

Ditto.

[Pauly]

I've also been displeased with my Vic Firth iso headphones. The wire frame is poorly constructed, and loses its strength over time. It just doesn't seem like its strong enough to be holding the muffs on.

I don't find them too comfortable either.

[dairyairman]

the vic firths are "ok" but i think those direct sound things are more comfortable and do a better job. i normally use the vic firths, but my bass player has the direct sound ones and i like them better.

[Ollie The Drumming Legend]

You could try getting some builder-style ear protector things, as they can fit over iPod headphones but block out a lot of the drum volume, that's what I do and they are very cheap to get hold of, as decent isolators cost a fair bit.

[Drummer300btx]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/home/navigation?q=metrophones

i use the middle kind. however i was able to buy them for 40$

[TTTSNB]

Ditto.
Mine come apart occassionally, and now sound only comes out of one ear. I now use the Direct Sound Extreme Isolations....vast improvement.