When working with video, sound is usually an overlooked part of the editing process. But sound is not a supplement to video — it plays a crucial role in setting the pace and tone of a story: when done properly, it flows seamlessly with the footage; when done poorly, it can ruin the entire video.
A big part of sound editing depends on your being able to hear the sound clear and crisp enough to edit it. Here are some of the best headphone options currently on the market.
Sony MDR-7506 ($130)
The Sony MDR-7506 is the industry standard — you’re likely to find them in video and audio studios all around the world. These closed-back headphones have very low impedance, and they’re reasonably priced for being such a staple. They are great at eliminating background noise, which is perfect if you’re looking to focus, but can hurt your overall edit if the sound is not mixed to play well through regular speakers.
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro ($99)
Similar to their more expensive HD6 Mix siblings, the HD 280 Pro headphones are extremely comfortable and can be used for years, if not decades. They are also competitively equipped for their price range with up to 32 dB of ambient noise attenuation and neodymium magnets for high maximum SPL. Their collapsible design and swiveling ear cups are a nice perk too.
Sony MDR-V6 ($98)
Almost identical to the MDR 7506, the Sony MDR V6 headphones are equally reliable and pristine. The differences are subtle — the V6 has more dynamics in the bass range and they’re usually cheaper at most stores. Overall, this pair can adequately substitute for the 7506, but it depends on your personal preference for sound and feel.
Beyerdynamic DT 880 ($280)
With a frequency range between 5 and 35 Hz and 96 dB’s of nominal sound pressure, the DT 880 is a nice step up from the Sennheiser HD 280 and Sony MDR 7506/MDR V6 class. The semi-open around-the-ear design is a great for editing to match room sounds and when cutting for hard letter clicks in interviews. The ear pads are also a step up in terms of softness and comfort.
Sennheiser HD 600 ($400)
While the knock on the HD 600 might be a sacrifice in comfort, they’ll make up for it in quality and precision. The open metal mesh grilles give a sturdiness to the sound that is exceptionally accurate and spatial. The detachable OFC cable allows for more flexibility and movement if your environment calls for it. Finally, the open air design is ideal for mixing to finish, while still being optimized enough for minimum distortion.
The right set of headphones should be a mix of comfort and quality across the dynamic range. It’s up to you to decide what pair will help your audio the most on your next project.
Top image by Nejron Photo