Headphone Recommendation?, Headphones for Marshall Guitar amp Options

[lantzn]

Hello All,
We recently picked up some Bose Triport ($149) headphones for my son to use with his computer, iPod and Marshall electric guitar amp.
These headphones sound absolutely awesome when used with the computer and iPod but my son says the music really sounds terrible when plugged into his guitar amp. He said the bass is lost and the whole thing sounds tinny. Are there special headphones for strict use with amps or are we missing some sort of "box" between the two? Also if there are special headphones can you all make a recommendation? Thanks

This post has been edited by lantzn: Tue 15 Jun 2004, 19:16

[stratology]

This is normal, as speakers play such a big role in electric guitar sound. Hifi headphones are supposed to reproduce sound as linear as possible, guitar amp speakers are NOT supposed to work linearly, but colour the sound.

[Artist]

What kind of marshall amp is it?

Does it have a dedicateed, LABELED "headphone" socket?

If not and he is plugging his headphones into the speaker out or effects loop, that amp isn't going to last long -read explosion.

You can get a DI box or alike that will go inbetween the amp and the speaker cabinet and has a headphone out.

[sethjacquay]

Joe says : "No Highs, No Lows, must be Bose!"

But I actually one a set of Triports and while they
are nice "listening" headphones, I found I needed something
that didn't drop the highs and a make the base muddy while mixing.

I just recently bought a set of Behringer HPS 3000 Studio Monitor
Headphones for $25. Figuring $25 was worth the risk, considering
my Bose Triports were $150. I have only used them for a week, but
the difference between the Bose and Behringers is amazing. While the sound
is more dry, it does not muddy the bass, and all the frequencies are there with
a very flat sound (which is good for mixing, but not the most fun to listen too.)
So, while these studio monitoring headphones were a good value they probably
aren't good for listening through a guitar amp.

You might try a pair of DJ headphones, but I would agree that the amp on the guitar
gives the guitar a lot of its personality, so listening through headphones might
always give a some what disappointing experience, unless you doctor up
the sound in a DAW.

[lantzn]

I'll pass this link onto my son to review and add some more details. The reason he's using the headphones with his electric is because my wife can't stand hearing all the distortion coming from his Fender start/Marshall amp and there are times I feel the same way as well, but I'm more open to music then she. I recently bought him a Martin J-15 acoustic which she absolutely loves hearing him play so I think some of the issues may be resolved. ; )

Anyhow, thanks for the input.