Headset Advice

[cambridge]

Hi everyone -

I'm assembling a remote kit for our new live sports program (starting tomorrow), and I need some advice on headset mics for our sportscasters. They'll be live at games, so I'd like to invest in rugged sets that will survive the road, but will also sound great on the air.

Right now, we're looking at these lines:
-Sennheiser HMD280/281
-Sennheiser HMD 25-1
-Sennheiser HMD 410-6
-Beyerdynamic DT-108/109 or DT-190

Have you had any experience with any of these? Any others? I'm especially looking for feedback on long life and/or sound quality.

Eric

 

[Les]

There are several AKG models with cords that have quick-release
connectors at the headset end. Since I switched over to them
the need to repair phones has dropped by about 90%! They're
plenty rugged with good sound and, important for a remote,
good blocking of external sound. I've bought both their
most and least expensive models and the "talent" seems equally
satisfied. I do think the more expensive ones are a little
more physically touch but repairs are almost never needed
with either.

I did try various Sennheiser models after an especially big
series of earlier AKG models being damaged but the "talent"
kept nagging me just to fix up some old ones so they could
get rid of the Sennheisers....and I'm someone who really likes
Sennheiser microphones.

Awwwww....I just went back and re-read your post. No, the
phones I'm talking about don't have integrated microphones.
AKG may make some but, without the pull-away cord feature
I wouldn't touch them. Or any without that feature if there
is any brand with it!

<P ID="signature">______________
Fanatics are picturesque, mankind would rather see gestures than listen to reasons.
--Friedrich Nietzsche</P>

 

[test123]

> Hi everyone -
> Right now, we're looking at these lines:
> -Sennheiser HMD280/281
> -Sennheiser HMD 25-1
> -Sennheiser HMD 410-6
> -Beyerdynamic DT-108/109 or DT-190
>
> Have you had any experience with any of these? Any others?
> I'm especially looking for feedback on long life and/or
> sound quality.

I really like Beyerdynamic for their headsets. Both the headphones and mics sound better IMHO than the Sennheisers. I have been using DT-290s since they came out and love them. Every part is replaceable in the field. Beyer will fax you a parts list and diagram you can order from...

A couple of years ago I added 3 DT-297s to my Football kit. They sound very good. They are Condenser mics so they require Phantom power which may be a problem for ya'.

I keep HMD-25s in my NBA kit. Talent really like these because they are lighter than the over the ear types like the HMD-280s and DT-190/290s. I have never found two that sound the same. It is almost impossible to repair in the field. If a mic goes bad you might as well throw them in the junk pile because a new mic costs almost as much as a new headset.

I have not seen the HMD-410s so I can't speak on those.

My personal headset is a Beyer DT-190. They do have a weakness. The clutch that you tighten to keep the mic arm from moving up and down tends to work it's way loose. Beyer keeps the parts in stock, you can replace them in the field with a greenie...

t123

 

[tpt]

A second on the Beyer DT190's. Just bought a second set. Existing set some 6 or 7 years old and still in good condition.

 

[DFWRadioJock]

I have been using a pair of Beyer DT-290’s for almost three years and I have my likes / dislikes. The headphones sound good! I have occasionally gone on the air with the headset mic in the studio and I don’t like how it sounds (hollow tin canned effect). I know it’s no RE-20, but I've heard other headset mics that sound better.

The 290’s aren’t very comfortable for me for long-term wear. I can wear a pair of AKG 240s for hours on end with no discomfort, but I have to pull off the Beyer 290 after about ten minutes or so.

I’m thinking of trying the DT-190 next. Has anyone else out there compared the 190 against the 290?

 

[test123]

> I have been using a pair of Beyer DT-290’s for almost three
> years and I have my likes / dislikes. The headphones sound
> good! I have occasionally gone on the air with the headset
> mic in the studio and I don’t like how it sounds (hollow tin
> canned effect). I know it’s no RE-20, but I've heard other
> headset mics that sound better.
>
> The 290’s aren’t very comfortable for me for long-term wear.
> I can wear a pair of AKG 240s for hours on end with no
> discomfort, but I have to pull off the Beyer 290 after about
> ten minutes or so.
>
> I’m thinking of trying the DT-190 next. Has anyone else out
> there compared the 190 against the 290?

I don't think any headset mic can compare to a mic with a much larger diaphragm like the RE-20. The mic on the DT-290 may not be the best sounding headset mic but I don't know them to have a hollow tin canned sound. Are you sure the mic hasn't been dropped on a hard surface. You can easily damage these mics although I have found the Beyer elements to be more rugged than the Sennheiser models.

If you find the DT-290s uncomfortable most likely you won't like the DT-190s. I think they are heavier than the 290s. You may find the HMD-25s to be more comfortable than the Beyers. I can't wear them because they hurt my ears. I think it's because of my glasses.

The AKG K240s are my fav-o-rite headphones. I almost always have a pair close by. I think they sound great and are comfortable to wear for long periods.

t123

 

[techie]

> A second on the Beyer DT190's. Just bought a second set.
> Existing set some 6 or 7 years old and still in good
> condition.
>

I like the Beyer DT290's except for the fact that the boom doesn't flip up out of the way like the 190 does.

The only downfall to the 190 is that the knob that cinches the boom in place eventually gets loose and doesn't work right anymore.