Headphones for Guitar Practice

[Jefrpol]

I am in the market for a headphone for guitar practice as I will be travelling a bit. I haven't quite narrowed down a travel amp (though I'm leaning toward a Positive Grid Spark Go) I can't narrow down a pair of headphones.

As for particulars, I'm in the early stages of learning and I lean toward the heavier end of heavy metal. Recommendations have been all over the place so I wonder if anyone here has any thoughts. I would like to keep the cost around $150 though I can be convinced to spend more (and would be happy to spend less) as they won't just be used for travel.

Bonus points if you have a recommendation for a travel amp that can create the heavy chug such music deserves.

 

[DVDdoug]

It shouldn't be critical as long as they are comfortable for you. Headphones aren't going to sound like a guitar amp anyway and the important thing for you is the "notes & timing" so the "sound" of the headphones shouldn't be that important..

I've got the Koss Porta Pro in my laptop bag. It's small and foldable, it has foam earpads that sit on the ear so they don't block outside sounds, they get good reviews and have been on the market for decades. And they are only about $50.

 

[staticV3]

If you want closed-back headphones with some noise isolation, then the AKG K371 and FiiO FT1 are the best options currently.

 

[GD Fan]

The Fender Mustang Micro Plus is as portable as a headphone amplifier can get for a guitar. It has 70 pre-installed amp and effects combos, with some minor adjustment possible, along with another 30 slots for making your own or downloading others' creations.

Personally, none of the 70 options are a 100% fit for me but the diminutive size and convenience sure are handy.

Edit: Several of the pre-loaded options are pretty chuggy.

 

[Jefrpol]

I've got the Koss Porta Pro

Do you hear any string noise from the guitar in the background as a result of the headphones not being closed?

 

[Westsounds]

Any headphones will do, a guitar is a low fidelity instrument so pretty much any headphone in the world will cover it even naff ones. Buy the cheapest most comfortable.

Comfort prob being the biggest factor, usually lighter equals more comfort.

 

[Jefrpol]

The Fender Mustang Micro Plus

I've looked into these and similar (Katana Go, Vox amPlug, another that escapes my memory) but I think I want something that has the option for a speaker. The Spark GO interested because of its modelling ability and size.

 

[Jefrpol]

FiiO FT1

I've seen these recommended. They have a pro and non-pro version. Which are you recommending?

 

[staticV3]

I've seen these recommended. They have a pro and non-pro version. Which are you recommending?

The Pro is open-backed, so if you want some noise isolation then definitely the regular FT1.

 

[isostasy]

@Jefrpol my first advice would be you don't even need an amp at all if you're just starting. If you do want an amp (it is after all more enjoyable) I would go to a music shop and try out something small with a speaker (a combo amp) that doesn't require a smartphone or plugins or any of that. I seem to recall those little Yamaha desktop amps that look a bit like a 50s mini fridge being pretty good. I think you can get overwhelmed with effects and different tones - you just want a clean and a distortion channel really to start with so you can focus on actually learning the instrument.

Nothing is going to really hit the spot in terms of "chug" etc. at that size or through headphones, so I just wouldn't worry about it. There's plenty of time to practice then you can try out something loud with insane gain with a 12" speaker or bigger when you want.

Headphones really don't matter as others have said - also you queried about string noise being heard from the guitar, I would say starting out it might even be better for you to be able to hear some acoustic string noise. Also, even at loud volumes at home I can hear some acoustic sound/string noise so again not something to worry about.

So something small and light like Koss Porta Pro or Grado SR60. Noise isolation doesn't matter imo unless you need to contend with serious noise wherever you're practicing. If you want something that can double as high-fidelity listening headphones, Sennheiser HD560S or HD6XX if it's in budget.

You can use anything - I've used Etymotic IEMs. Don't worry about it, guitar is fun.

n.b. frequency response of the popular Celestion V30 speaker - any headphone you can buy can reproduce far beyond this frequency range.

 

[staticV3]

Here's how the FT1 and K371 measure on a 5128:


The only notable difference is more bass on the FT1

Since the K371 is already on the warmer side, bass on the FT1 may be a bit overdone.

 

[GD Fan]

I've looked into these and similar (Katana Go, Vox amPlug, another that escapes my memory) but I think I want something that has the option for a speaker. The Spark GO interested because of its modelling ability and size.

Boss IR-2 is the size of a pedal, has both amp and headphone outs, and models 11 different amps. For chug / distortion you'd need another such pedal though.

 

[Jefrpol]

@Jefrpol my first advice would be you don't even need an amp at all if you're just starting. If you do want an amp (it is after all more enjoyable) I would go to a music shop and try out something small with a speaker (a combo amp) that doesn't require a smartphone or plugins or any of that. I seem to recall those little Yamaha desktop amps that look a bit like a 50s mini fridge being pretty good. I think you can get overwhelmed with effects and different tones - you just want a clean and a distortion channel really to start with so you can focus on actually learning the instrument.

Nothing is going to really hit the spot in terms of "chug" etc. at that size or through headphones, so I just wouldn't worry about it. There's plenty of time to practice then you can try out something loud with insane gain with a 12" speaker or bigger when you want.

Headphones really don't matter as others have said - also you queried about string noise being heard from the guitar, I would say starting out it might even be better for you to be able to hear some acoustic string noise. Also, even at loud volumes at home I can hear some acoustic sound/string noise so again not something to worry about.

So something small and light like Koss Porta Pro or Grado SR60. Noise isolation doesn't matter imo unless you need to contend with serious noise wherever you're practicing. If you want something that can double as high-fidelity listening headphones, Sennheiser HD560S or HD6XX if it's in budget.

You can use anything - I've used Etymotic IEMs. Don't worry about it, guitar is fun.

n.b. frequency response of the popular Celestion V30 speaker - any headphone you can buy can reproduce far beyond this frequency range.

For the time being at home I'm using an iRig HD2 connected to my computer and playing through Amplitube 5 (free version). It's fine for now and I wouldn't buy anything full size until I see progress. My goal is to find something I can take with me when I'm not home or use away from my computer.

As for headphones, these would be for the sole purpose of guitar practice.

 

[Jefrpol]

Boss IR-2

I do like the look and idea behind it. But if I have to add another pedal I'm not sure that's quite what I want. The attractive thing about the GO, especially when using headphones, is all of its modelling ability using their app.

 

[GD Fan]

I do like the look and idea behind it. But if I have to add another pedal I'm not sure that's quite what I want. The attractive thing about the GO, especially when using headphones, is all of its modelling ability using their app.

I think people probably mostly use the IR2 in front of their computer to eliminate the physical amp. Not my primary use case but got a good sale price and took the plunge.

 

[Westsounds]

Obviously you are looking to spend something here on headphones and that’s your choice, but I can tell you I’ve played guitar for years and spent many many hours in headphones, sometimes all evening or day playing. For me, the lighter, the better. Closed backs if you have to stop others hearing you, but I’ve just put a medium/bigger set of over ears closed back set of headphones on now, for something other than playing guitar this time actually, and within an hour I can’t wait to get them off my head, and my ears and head are getting very warm. If you're serious about guitar and want to practice for hours, which you have to, to get to any decent standard, you want something on your head that you can forget you're wearing, anything big will give you a bigger sound, but comfort is a compromise. All the best.

 

[Multicore]

Boss Waza-Air​

It's the only correct answer, with all respect to the above. I got mine used for about $150. It's wireless and latency is not appreciable. It's amp and cab modeling is entirely satisfying. The effects are good. The reverb is very good. The headphones are powerful and seal well around my ears.

The dynamic spacial effect based on an accelerometer, modifying the transfer function and reverb depending on your head movements, is not for me (distracting) and I turned it off. But it's 100% up to the job of practicing while sounding pretty much like almost any amp/cab. It sounds really good.

BOSS - WAZA-AIR | Wireless Personal Guitar Amplification System

WAZA-AIR: Wireless Personal Guitar Amplification System - A Revolutionary New Tone Experience for Guitar

www.boss.info

I have a Positive Grid Spark, like it and would get another. The Spark Go seems alarmingly small to me.

 

[Jefrpol]

Boss Waza-Air​

That was the other model I looked at. At this point, it's less the price and rather the idea of cost relative to what I know (exceedingly little) about playing guitar. I figure the GO is relatively inexpensive, has options for headphone and speaker and most of the functionality, modelling wise, of their larger products. And I probably have a pair of headphones at home I could use to get started.

 

[Multicore]

That was the other model I looked at. At this point, it's less the price and rather the idea of cost relative to what I know (exceedingly little) about playing guitar. I figure the GO is relatively inexpensive, has options for headphone and speaker and most of the functionality, modelling wise, of their larger products. And I probably have a pair of headphones at home I could use to get started.

The modeling in +Grid is good but I promise you will hate the wires draped around all the time.

 

[Jefrpol]

I won't mind spending the money for something higher quality when I have the ability to play something quality through it, I'm sure.

I have a pair of wireless Sony headphones I never use. I wonder if they can connect to the GO. (Update: it does not.)