Looking for good headphones for podcasting

[Dan Ortego]

I'm still new but I have gone through a few different headphones before finding something I actually liked. For webcasting I started out with a $69 Sony and though they served the purpose, they were simply too flimsy. Next I tried the Heil for $99 but they were equally disappointing.

Then I tried the Beyerdynamic DT1350 and I'm happy with them. These are an on-ear design which I didn't think I would like but they seal surprisingly well with soft pads that are very comfortable. Another plus is that they don’t sweat your ears like' the over-the-ear versions do. The cups turn 90 degrees so that you can remove them from your head and lay them on your neck and easily turn your head side-to-side without interference.

The frame, hangers, and pivot joints are constructed of metal and is very durable. The set incorporates a non-removable straight cord. It's a tad short in some instances but that can be solved with an extension cable if one so desires. While I understand removable chords add a bit of flexibility, they also add the probability of noise when they eventually become loose in the socket. They are offered in a coiled version but are considerably more expensive. Likewise, coiled cords invariably twist themselves into knots which I find quite annoying. How did they sound? Well, for me and my damaged ears they sound great and without any pronounced color but again, everyone's ears and taste is different.

Overall, I believe headphones are just as subjective to the individual as choosing a microphone. I'm glad I went through three sets in order to run comparisons but as a rule of thumb I think you get what you pay for.