Headphones & Cast Albums

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 8/11/18 at 6:25pm

If you have your cast albums on your phone or use a CD player, MP3 player, streaming, etc. to listen to your music, what type of headphones do you all use? I have only used AirPods and Apple headphones, because with those (to me) I can hear intricacies and nuances in the orchestrations and vocals very clear, regardless of the quality/age of the album and technology when it was recorded. I am looking for other options like over-the-ear or noise-canceling headphones like Bose, Beats, etc. but aren’t bass heavy. Looking for suggestions or recommendations!

[(Insert Clever Name)]

Posted: 8/11/18 at 6:57pm

In general, I love my Bose over the ear headphones! I am not an expert but I can hear everything perfectly and enjoy them very much.

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 8/11/18 at 6:57pm

I use the headphones Amazon makes. I know the generic stuff is usually kinda crappy, but these are really high quality and only 15 bucks. 

[MattRVA]

Posted: 8/11/18 at 7:28pm

In anticipation of upcoming travel, I just purchased a pair of Audio Technica ANC-9s. They are very good - though not as great as the newest Bose headphones - at noise cancellation, but they have wonderful sound. Also, they’re less than half the price of the top-of-the-line Bose headphones. They’re a great value. No complaints after two months. All my favorite cast recordings, including Hamilton, SITPWG, Caroline or Change, etc. sound gorgeous. 

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/11/18 at 8:07pm

I have AirPods and recently noticed a button at the end of “I Hope I Get It” on the anniversary edition Chorus Line OBC that I swear I’ve never noticed before. It always sounded to me like it trailed off and for the first time the other day I heard whatever instrument that is actually finishing the song.

[Wick3]

Posted: 8/11/18 at 8:10pm

I like my Bose headphones too (the sporty ones) whenever I listen to my music on my iphone.

Whenever I see plays on Broadway, I bring them with me and borrow one of those audio devices from the theater and plug the Bose headphones in. The sound is SO MUCH BETTER! I can hear the whispers so much clearer too.

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 8/11/18 at 11:53pm

I use Skullcandy Strum wired earbuds. Sometimes I'll use Skullcandy Uproar wireless. I'm a huge fan of Skullcandy earbuds because they actually stay in my ears and they are fairly cheap. Like $25.

Updated On: 8/11/18 at 11:53 PM

[gypsy101]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 12:24am

i use Bose QuietComfort 35 and they are perfect in my opinion. such good noise cancellation, they basically sound like you’re in the room with the music (though lower quality files sound not very good). They’re pretty expensive (i think $350) but if you’re looking to treat yourself and appreciate the quality I cannot recommend them enough

[thedrybandit]

Posted: 8/12/18 at 12:30am

jacobsnchz14 said: "I am looking for other options like over-the-ear or noise-canceling headphones like Bose, Beats, etc. but aren’t bass heavy. Looking for suggestions or recommendations!"

I work in sound for a living, and I always recommend avoiding Beats. They're very expensive for the relatively low quality that they provide, both in terms of sound and build quality. Bose sounds better for sure. They aren't the best in terms of sound quality, but their noise cancelling is unparalleled, so if that's what's important to you, they should be very high on your list to consider.

For over-ear headphones, Sennheiser makes some fantastic options. I personally have their HD 4.20s over-ear headphones, and they're still super comfortable after a year. While they aren't noise cancelling they do a great job of blocking out sound. I've used them on planes, the subway, and walking around in midtown, and I've never had a complaint about their sound blocking. 

If you're in NYC, head over to B&H. They have almost all the headphones they sell available to try out, and they'll even let you plug in your own phone or audio player so you can use whatever music or audio files you like. If you're not in NYC, see if you have an electronics store near you that has a similar set-up. Sound is incredibly subjective, and what I think sounds amazing, you may hate, or the other way around.

Other recommended brands: Shure, Klipsch, Audio-technica.