Monitor headphones. The best headphones

Monitor headphones are used by professional musicians. Sometimes they are used at home, but the main purpose of this type of models is to control the sound, listen to the recordings and mix the tracks in the recording studios. Typically, these headphones have a high degree of noise insulation and carefully selected electro-acoustic characteristics (sometimes designed for specific, highly specialized purposes).

Acoustic design

By type of acoustic design, monitor headphones are divided into closed, open and half-open.

Closed headphones have the maximum possible sound insulation. This option is ideal for recording vocals in the studio. There is a small minus: with a loose fit of the ear pads, models of this type reduce the quality of low-frequency reproduction. Therefore, the pressure of the bow on the head of these headphones is much higher than that of the open ones.

Open headphones do not create pressure on the inner ear, so more comfortable to operate. The sound in such models is more natural and transparent, but it can be heard by surrounding people, and in the conditions of a professional studio - to catch sound recording equipment.

Half-open type of headphones provides good sound insulation, while maintaining the positive properties of open-type models. However, there is an opinion that this compromise version of registration is just a marketing move aimed at increasing the number of buyers. The fact is that all open type headphones are half-open. Only the degree of acoustic loading plays a role.

Amplitude-frequency response (AFC)

Frequency response is one of the most important parameters when choosing monitor headphones. The human ear is capable of capturing sounds from 20 to 20,000 Hz. If the package with the goods indicates the frequency range between these two digits, then the user will not hear something. At an excessively low rate, the sound in the headphones will acquire a noticeable hiss and a metallic tint at very high or very low frequencies. The best headphones have a wide frequency range and a high linearity index.

The fact is that no device in the world can reproduce sounds of different frequencies with the same loudness. The difference can be up to 20 dB or higher. However, monitor headphones should have the lowest possible linearity of the frequency response, 1 dB or less. In addition, for models intended for professional use in studios, there is the concept of discreteness frequency response. This means that all the instruments recorded in the reproduced musical composition should sound separately from each other in the headphones, mixing as little as possible.

Sensitivity

Do I need to explain that the best monitor headphones should have high sensitivity? The volume of the sound played on the device depends on this parameter. At a sensitivity of less than 100 dB, the model will sound too quiet. This parameter is also affected by the material from which the cores in the products are made. The best monitor headphones are equipped with neodymium magnets. In addition, the sound quality is affected by the size of the membrane in the device, its diameter should be at least 30 mm.

Resistance

This is an indicator characterizing the nominal AC resistance, depending on the equipment to which the person intends to connect his model. Large monitor headphones have a resistance of 300 ohms or more. If you connect them to a simple player, they will not sound. To overcome such a high impedance, more powerful equipment is required. When connecting high-impedance headphones, it is recommended to use a separate amplifier. Good resistance provides a low level of distortion necessary for professional sound processing in music studios.

Type of connection

There are both wired and wireless monitor headphones. The latter will interest those who need to move around the room while listening to music. A modern technology is allowed to avoid deterioration of the sound quality. The wireless headphone transmitter can have up to 27 channels. The user has the opportunity to choose the most comfortable working frequency for him. To use the device outdoors, it is desirable that the frequency of the transmitter be not less than 800-900 MHz.

Modern models provide wireless transmission of a signal in digital form, without annoying distortions. Headphones are often equipped with an auto-tuning mode, which allows the user to select the optimal sound reproduction option. The range of wireless devices is from 5 to 100 meters. Some models of headphones have Bluetooth technology. Wireless "ears" are much heavier than wired ones, since they are equipped with batteries or batteries.

Design and technical solutions

The best headphones are monitor. To such models special requirements are made. They should be as comfortable, comfortable and durable as possible. This type of headphone is equipped with a large headband, completely covering the ears of the ear cushions and large membranes, capable of reproducing evenly the entire frequency range. Monitor headphones often have a rather thick and weighty twisted cord, which, when operated, gently folds into rings and does not get underfoot. Some companies equip devices with a set of light and twisted cord.

Of particular importance is the material with which the ear pads are trimmed. Velours are pleasant to the touch, but quickly get dirty and salted. Solid companies, like Sennheiser, began to trim the ear pads with special high-quality synthetic materials. However, better than the natural leather for finishing models have not come up with anything.

Large headphones monitored, closed by design, can afford hinge and other structural elements. Lightweight high-strength plastic, resistant to abrasions and scratches, is the best solution for making this kind of model. However, without the use of high-quality steel, real professional devices are not yet manageable. And it's not about strength, but in the strength of pressing, on which depends the fixation of headphones on the head. According to modern standards, it should not exceed 5 Newtons.

Scraping the ends of the headband in models is most often achieved due to the elasticity of the product itself. Therefore, the production of fasteners for monitor headphones uses spring steel. The bow made of pure plastic, due to pressing against the head will not provide. Separate elements, carrying out the twisting of the ear cushions in two directions, help to secure the device firmly. This should be taken into account when choosing the type of headphones. Monitor should be equipped with well-defined elements for reliable and comfortable fastening of the product on the head.

Innovative solutions

What does "monitor headphones" mean? This is a constantly improved and very expensive device for sound reproduction. Improving the sound quality in modern models is provided by high-tech methods. Standing waves are minimized - absorbed by a special material of the diaphragm. The system of dampening closed monitor headphones is developed with the help of expensive scientific research, its device is kept in the strictest secrecy. The dimensions and shape of all the structural elements of the device are optimized using computer modeling. Manufacturers are struggling with harmonic and intermodulation distortion of sound in headphones. Also, a ruthless war is taking place to reduce the weight of models.

Best producers

The universally recognized leaders in the manufacture of monitor headphones are the companies Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, AKG, Audio-Technica. The price of the products of these manufacturers is quite high, but it is more than worth the quality of the goods. For example, the models "Beyerdynamic DT880r" and "Sennheiser HD-580" have a very similar sound (up to ~ 10 kHz), suitable for both professional musicians and ordinary users, and are perfectly consistent with any computer graphics cards. Monitor headphones "Technics DJ 1210" suitable for gamers and DJs, they have excellent sound insulation and original design. However, ordinary music lovers will not appreciate them. In any case, the final choice is made by the user, based on their individual preferences.