Bose NC Headphones?

[Bob Gruen]

Has anyone used Bose (or any other brand) noise canceling headphones for monitoring filming? I currently have a Sony 7506 and I really do not like how little the insulate the user from the environment. Is there any reason the noise canceling technology would be a bad thing?

Thanks,

Bob

 

[D Fuller]

Has anyone used Bose (or any other brand) noise canceling headphones for monitoring filming? I currently have a Sony 7506 and I really do not like how little the insulate the user from the environment. Is there any reason the noise canceling technology would be a bad thing?

Thanks,

Bob

Well, in my view it would be a bad thing precisely because the noise canceling tech would introduce stuff to the signal that would inhibit the accuracy of what you hear. You do want to hear if you are recording noise. I think the only time this would be a good idea is when you are in a completely different environment than the one you are recording and it's noisy enough to need that kind of active control.

 

[Bob Gruen]

Well, in my view it would be a bad thing precisely because the noise canceling tech would introduce stuff to the signal that would inhibit the accuracy of what you hear.

My problem stems from listening through the loopback from the camera which introduces a slight but noticeable delay. This slight delay makes it almost impossible to judge the quality of the recording as the natural sound hits the ear first. The answer is either NC technology or uber-heavy headphones that insulate the ear better.

The way the NC headphones work is that they have mics at each ear piece that are hooked to a relatively simple subtraction / inversion amp circuit that is calibrated to emit the inverse of the sound that gets through the ear piece 'naturally'. I understand and accept the overall concept, I'm more looking for any gotchas in terms of technical issues.

For example:

• I assume the internal headphone amps are isolated from the input circuit, but that is only an assumption. I'm using a SD MixPre tethered to the camera. SD makes top grade circuits, but they are prone to distortion if there is something amiss on the headphone circuit. (Only 2 AAs in there after all.)
• Safety: If the work as well as advertised does it become a safety issue that the crew cannot verbally communicate with you if your headphones are on. "Run! The HERO TIGER is LOOSE".
• Quality: Maybe they are not flat enough for this type of critical use, or maybe they're just gimmick junk (doubtful, Bose is a pretty solid company).

Bob

 

[Stephen Strangways]

I quite like the Sennheiser HD 280. They've got a pretty wide and flat response range, and attenuate 32db of external noise, which is better than most industrial ear defenders/earmuffs. I've worn them at loud concerts even at times when I'm not monitoring audio just to protect my hearing!

http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/home_en.nsf/root/professional_headphones-headsets_headphones_004974?Open&row=1

 

[Marc Wielage]

My problem stems from listening through the loopback from the camera which introduces a slight but noticeable delay.

You'll get no delay if you use a mixing board, then monitor from the board and not the camera. Check the camera every so often so that you know the signal getting recorded is good.

Or even better, hire a pro sound mixer and record the sound double-system, then have them send you a wireless feed of what's being recorded. No delays.

Technically, there is a couple of frames of delay running anything through a digital camera, just because of processing time.

 

[Cail Young]

In-ear buds is what you want, then, if you're concerned about isolation.

I recommend Etymotics, but there are plenty of other mobs around.

 

[Christian Edwards]

Beats By Dre

 

[Tom Visser]

I don't think the noise canceling cans would work for you anyways, they are aimed at eliminating broad band noises, such as aircraft drone, mechanical hums, etc. I don't think they are effective at isolating distinct sounds. Because they are using phase cancellation and EQ to filter out these noises, it is true that what you are hearing is not the same as what is being printed to tape, an important aspect of monitoring.

Etymotics are a good suggestion, or even Shure in-ear monitors. You'll actually not be able to hear people talking to you, so be careful not to leave them in when not rolling or when safety dictates having situational awareness.

If you like the 7506, remote audio modifies a set for high noise environments and has some if the best rejection for over the ear cans.
Http://www.remoteaudio.com/high_noise_headset/

 

[Matt Sibley]

The normal Bose on ear cans do me well!

 

[Gary Stone]

www.inearsystems.com/

Get the 3-driver version of these. They're the best bang for the buck (by far). I use them mainly for music, but they sound great and pretty much shut off the outside world. Plus, if you jack your cable up, you can replace them, not the whole shooting match. No other in-ears (that I know of) have this feature.

 

[Todd T]

Having used noise canceling headphones since 1994 I can say that as long as they have a good dynamic response range they will give you a more accurate representation of what you are recording.

With normal headphones, unless they are heavily insulated, you will hear the ambient background noise through the mic -in-addition-to- the ambient noise making it to your ears through the headphone.

The N/C headsets reduce the the direct ambient noise coming through the heaphone not the signal coming from the mic.

N/C headsets -do--not--block--or--alter- transient sounds like warnings, shouts, or even normal conversation. If you haven't used N/C headsets before you will be surprised at what what you will overhear when background noise is removed ;-)

I feel that they are safer, lighter and more comfortable that the heavily insulated cans.

That said, at times some people do experience some side effects; a feeling of pressure similar to a change in altitude, a sense of mild vertigo or motions sickness.

If you've never used them before be sure spend some time to acclimate yourself, wear them for at least a couple of hours with no music/ipod etc., just going about your normal routine. Just don't drive with them on, the police dont like that and they are not very forgiving.

 

[Roberto Lequeux]

My HD280's grip my abnormally large head a bit to tight, so I have to take them off every so often. Maybe not everyone has that problem though. They can also get too hot for comfort. They do however keep a lot of external noise out, to the point you should be careful not to walk backwards without checking or you might not hear someone screaming at you before you bump into them. I much prefer my 7506's sound though, hands down, night and day.

 

[Michael Panfeld]

The newer, more expensive 7509 headphones do insulate better. You may want to upgrade. However, the 1st few responses are absolutely correct.

You never want to introduce artificial sound (or in this case cancel sound) when monitoring. With the Bose or any NC system, it will take out continuous noise, such as a constant fan on a Coke machine etc... That is exactly the type of noise that will drive an editor crazy and probably not be easily (read cheaply) fixed. And you won't know its there until its too late.

As far as the delay, monitor through the mixer (assuming you are using one), directly off of the boom via an accessory pass-through box witha headphone jack, via a wireless IFB system, or monitor via the separate recorder (if you are doing a double system).

Its the old story: patient to doctor: It hurts when I do that: Doctor: don't do that.

 

[Jon Lillie]

www.inearsystems.com/

Plus, if you jack your cable up, you can replace them, not the whole shooting match. No other in-ears (that I know of) have this feature.

Ultimate Ears are capable of this, ie a replacement cable. For I believe the same price of 30.00. That being said, I'm curious what the curve is on these.