Best Headphones for Transcription


Kongo here. I provide film transcription services and enjoy sharing great and easy to implement tips on popular software, web technologies and transcription. Please note that if you choose to buy the products I recommend as a result of my research and testing, I’ll get paid some money through an affiliate commission from the retailer when you make a purchase. You can find out more here.

A few months ago, my trusted set of transcription headphones disintegrated.  After 5 years of faithful service, the plastic headband that held them together broke. I tried to get another pair, but the manufacturer had discontinued the model. So I set out to find another pair of transcription headsets to work with.

Best Headphones for Medical Transcription

After trying out several models from different manufactures, I’ve finally found a winner that is perfect for transcription work. The Senal SMH-1000 are the best headphones for transcription work that I’ve ever used. Period. Mind you, I’ve been transcribing for over 10 years and I’ve tried and used over 20 different models.

Here are my top 3 recommendations for headphones for transcription work.

1. Behringer HPM1000

I was attracted to these Behringer HPM1000 because they were really cheap. I am a cheapskate.  And the build quality shows why they are so cheap.

The earcups are a little too large for me. They didn’t fit perfectly – the headband is wide and flat and so they fit awkwardly. The earpads are also a little hard, but I’m sure they get softer with use. 

However, they do look durable. The headband is made from a plastic mold. And the cord is not detachable. If you take good care of them, I’m sure they’d last at least a couple of years.

For the price, I was surprised how good they sounded. But compared to the Senal SMH-1000, they sound like crap. They are very bass heavy and lack mid and high ranges. Out of five, I’d rate them a 2 for comfort, 3 for durability and 2 for dialogue intelligibility.  Good if you are on a very tight budget – but you get what you pay for. Check price on Amazon.

2. Senal SMH-1000

Best Hesadset for Medical Transcription

To reiterate, the Senal SMH-1000 is the best headphone for transcription that I’ve ever used. The earcups were small enough to snugly fit over my ears. If you have large ears you can get the Senal SMH-1000 with extra deep ear cushions.

The rounded headband, soft cushions, and the swivel mechanism makes for a very comfortable, snug fit.

Very durable build and look, with stainless steel hinges and metal earpiece backs. But what sets them apart is the detachable cord, what a godsend! They come with 2 cords, a 10 feet coiled cord and 3 feet straight cord.

My only wish was the straight cord was longer. And I got feedback from other users that they are uncomfortable with glasses on. However, the sound is simply superb. Simply perfect for transcription. Check price on Amazon.

3. Sony MDR7506

The Sony MDR7506 are as good as the Senal SMH-1000. Very comfortable. Durable, but they cord is not detachable!

I fear this is the Achilles Heel of this pair of headphones. I foresee the cord breaking in the future, when I stand up too quickly, and I won’t be able to replace it.  Which is sad, because these are a really good pair of headphones.

Compared to the Senals, I’d say they are better for listening to music. The Senals have lower bass and a higher dialogue intelligibility – the audio sounds cleaner, I prefer the Senals for transcription. Check price on Amazon.

Summary: Here’re the best headphones for transcription:

Understanding Headphones

USB vs 3.5mm jack headphones

Headphones jacks are used to connect to your desktop computer or laptop. You have 2 choices, a USB or 3.5mm (1/8 inch) jack.

3.5mm Headphones
3.5mm Headphone Jack
USB Heaphones Sound Card
USB Headphone Jack and Sound Card

All USB headphones come with a sound card, and the quality of the sound card greatly determines the quality of the sound. If you plan to buy a USB transcription headphone make sure you get a high end one (and be prepared to pay quite a bit for them). And the sound card is usually attached, which mean that it can easily break or become detached.  Personally, I prefer 3.5mm jack headphones. They are more durable, less breaking points, and though USB jack tend to get you better sound, 3.5mm jacks are pretty good.

Earbuds vs over ear vs on-ear headphonesEarbud Headphones

This is the most important component of a good set of transcription headsets. Comfort and noise rejection are two critical factors when making the choice of what works for you. With earbuds, earphones or in the ear headphones, the “drivers” (the part of the headphones that converts electric signal to sound, think speakers) are inserted into the ear canal. This will give you very good noise rejection, but can be very uncomfortable – especially if you are using them for a long time. I tried a pair and my ears were aching after 3-4 hours of use. Wouldn’t recommend getting earbuds for transcription.

On ear headphones (also known as Supra-aural headphones) rest on top of your earlobe. They offer pretty good noise rejection, are more comfortable than earbuds. If you sweat a lot, these are better than over the ear headphones, but less comfortable. And if they are too tight, they’ll hurt your earlobes.

Over-ear (circumaural)/closed-ear headphones have earcups that go over the ear and surround it with padding which makes them very comfortable. They don’t have very good noise rejection, so if you intend to transcribe in a noisy environment (for example near a loud fan), quite a bit of sound will come through. This can be distracting when transcribing. I transcribe in a relatively quiet room, so I find them to be perfect for transcription.

Corded vs bluetooth wireless headphones

On Ear Wireless Headphones
On Ear Wireless Headphones

Corded headphones transmit the sound via a cord. Simply plug them into a computer and you’re good to go (some USB models will require you install drivers).

Bluetooth or wireless headphones connect to the phone using Bluetooth. If your computer does not have Bluetooth capabilities, and most desktops don’t, make sure that you get a set with a USB dongle that will enable the Bluetooth headphones to communicate with the computer. And they need to be powered with a battery.

Noise cancelling vs openback

Openback headphones are usually over the ear or on the ear headphones with perforated back that allows more “noise” to filter through. So they have very little noise isolation and wouldn’t recommend them for transcription.

Noise cancellation headphones provide active noise cancellation. It sounds like a good idea, but in practice they are terrible. I bought a pair a few years back and the audio quality was horrible. And this was because they distort the sound, primarily because of how they work to cancel noise out.  Wouldn’t recommend noise cancellation headphones for transcription.

Now that you have a good grasp of the key features of transcription headsets, what do I look for when choosing headphones for transcription?

What to Look for in a Transcription Headphone

  1. Comfort

This is a no brainer. Getting a comfortable pair of transcription headphones is very very very important. I have mine on for at least 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Transcription takes a lot of time, so it’s important that your ears don’t hurt after a couple of hours of transcribing. So, you want to get a pair of headset that reduces ear fatigue. I’ve found the most important feature when buying a pair of headphone is that they are what are known as over-ear headphones.

With over the ear headphones, you have to stuff your ear into the earcup (encasing it). That gives you noise isolation, but more importantly they are very comfortable. After a few hours of wearing a pair of good over-ear headphones, you don’t even notice you have them on!

I’ve found the most uncomfortable transcription headsets you can get are in-ear headphones (the ones that come with most mobile devices). On-ear headphones rest on the earlobe, and so are less comfortable that over-ear headphones.

  1. Durability

Unless you want to replace your pair of headsets every 6 months, you want to get a headphones that are rugged and well-constructed.  My last pair were made of a plastic mold for the headband, and that’s what finally broke! I do take very good care of my transcription headphones, I treat them like a baby. But I still had to replace the cord of my old set a few years ago after it “accidentally” tore it off – I quickly stood up while the headphones were still wrapped around my ears! Luckily for me, I got a replacement cord.

Ideally, you want to get a pair of headphones with a detachable cord and replaceable earpads.

  1. Midrange

The most fundamental human voice frequencies lie between 250 Hz and 4000 Hz. That’s known as the midrange of sound. And since transcription requires listening to human voice, it is important that you get a set of headphones have a pronounced yet smooth midrange. Meaning you can clearly hear what people are saying in the recording = high dialogue intelligibility. And this is why headphones that are great for listening to music are not necessarily that great when you are transcribing.

That’s it for this post on headphones for transcription. Hope you like my recommendations. Keep an eye out for new posts on mac transcription software and foot pedals. I’d love to hear from you – any feedback/comments are appreciated. What transcription headsets do you use? What are the main factors that influenced your buying decision? Let me know in the comments below.


63 responses to “Best Headphones for Transcription”

  1. Mary Avatar
    Mary

    Thanks, I’m a medical transcriber and I was looking for a new pair of headphones. This sure helped.

    1. Kongo Avatar
  2. ninja Avatar
    ninja

    Glad i found this page, i’m looking for a good set of headphones as i keep stepping on and cracking the $20 ones.

    1. Kongo Avatar

      Yes, getting a durable set of headphones is very important. And if you get a more expensive pair, you’re more likely to take better care of them – and not to step on them! Which headphones did you end up getting?

  3. Reina Avatar
    Reina

    This is a great post! Thank you!
    I’m a scopist and I’ve tried so many brands – even other recommended brands from other bloggers; so I’m going to try the Senal SMH-1000 this time. When people are speaking in court and in depositions, the audio quality needs to be excellent. Usually the videographer’s audio file is better than any CAT system audio. I hope these solve the issues! I have surround sound hooked up to my PC (Logitech Z906). I plug directly into the sound control, which allows me to increase the volume more than the PC itself. That helps, but it still doesn’t always allow me to hear the deponents/witnesses as clear as the videographer’s audio (I don’t always do videotaped proceedings, though). I learned something new about noise cancelling. I didn’t realize they weren’t good for transcription! I’ve been doing this sooooooo long, I can’t believe I didn’t even know that, but I’ve never really looked for noise cancelling headphones anyway. 🙂 I’ll try to remember to let you know what I think or I’ll post it in my own blog I’m trying to get going. 🙂

    1. Kongo Avatar

      Reina, it’s my pleasure.
      And yes, I bet the videographer’s audio is better – they probably have multiple microphones and a mixer.
      Can your CAT system get the audio from the videographer?
      To take full advantage of the Logitech Z906 you’ll need to record/get 5.1 audio – which is very rare voice recordings, the volume amplification feature is nice though. You probably need a mixer that you can connect to your PC – that will give you a lot of options.
      Looking forward to your blog…

      1. Reina Crowe Avatar
        Reina Crowe

        Hi Kongo,
        Well, I love the Senal headphones. I bought them based on your post. 🙂 I even bought my daughter a pair. The only thing is they’re too big and I can’t tighten them anymore. lol. And I do have my blog finally, but I haven’t launched it yet. I need to write more pieces for it!

        I’ve bookmarked your page so I’ll stay in touch. 🙂
        Reina

        1. Kongo Avatar

          Hi Reina, glad to hear your blog is coming along.
          For the headphones, have you tried gently bending the headband inwards – that should decrease the width between the pads and make them fit more tightly.
          Here’s a how to post https://sennheiserusa.happyfox.com/kb/article/468-what-do-i-do-if-the-headband-of-my-headphones-is-too-loose

          Alternatively you can get some deeper pads…

          Let me know if that helps.
          Kongo

  4. Debbie Avatar
    Debbie

    Wow thanks Kongo! I am retired from law enforcement clerical and now doing at-home law enforcement transcription. The audio I have now is horrible in comparison to what I used to have at work. I also use my laptop compared to work where I used a desktop that had a much better sound card in it. I have ordered the external Sound Blaster Omni to overcome the crappy laptop one. I justified the cost as I don’t own a stereo system so now I will make my laptop one. 🙂 The company I worked for insisted we have noise-cancelling headphones. I had a Sony version I ended up taking back and now am using Jam I found on clearance at Walmart as I thought I may as well get Bluetooth ones as I’m up and down so much. I’m still not happy so found your post. I’ll wait for my external sound card to get here before I run take these headphones back, but if I still have hearing issues I was glad to find someone finally recommend something. Thank you! I will definitely get the Senal SMH-1000 if I am still having issues hearing every word. I am glad you have investigated what will do that! Thanks again!

    1. Kongo Avatar

      My pleasure.
      I tried using a laptop for transcription and it was a horrible experience. A desktop is the way to go. I love that I can rotate my 16:9 desktop screen and get more space for transcription. Very handy. And yes, the desktop sound card is superior!
      Used to work for a company that insisted we get noise-cancellation headphones – the quality of the transcripts declined because the sound quality was terrible. Mind you, each headphone cost the company $200 and we had to dump them a month later. Most of these policies are made by people who’ve never transcribed a single word.
      Try the Senal SMH-1000, and if you get them from Amazon, you have 30 days to try them out and see if they work for you.
      And if you are constantly getting bad audio, a mixer might work better than an external sound card.
      All the best Debbie, and let us know what worked for you…

      Regards,
      Kongo

  5. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    Agghhh! This info has been very helpful for a newbie.
    Unfortunately these headphones are limited on Amazon right now – all from third party sellers and over $100 except for one used pair from a brand new seller….
    Do you still recommend the Sony as a good second choice? Your description of the Senal SMH-1000 really makes them seem superior for good sound quality and I am seeking that!
    Thanks!

    1. Kongo Avatar

      Sorry Michelle! I’m guessing everyone has realized how good they are and grabbed them off the shelves.
      Hopefully they’ll restock soon.
      The Senals have not let me down, and they seem to get better with time – which was expected.
      BH have the Senals in stock (~$75). If you do get them from BH, I’d love to hear your experience (I’ve never used their site).
      The Sony is a good second choice, I’ve not used them that much… but my first impressions was that it was a pretty good handset for transcription.
      So yes, they are a good alternative…but watch out you don’t break the cord!

      All the best.

      1. Stefanie Avatar
        Stefanie

        Would you recommend using BH? I know you’ve never used them before, but are they trusted?

        1. Kongo Avatar

          Stefanie, I loath to recommend a service/product that I’ve not used.
          But if you can’t get them on Amazon, then sure try BH and let us know.
          I just checked on Amazon and saw that they’ll be in stock on the 19th of June, if you can wait till then…

          All the best.

  6. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    Thanks! I am waiting on the very good condition pair from Amzn.

    1. Michelle Avatar
      Michelle

      I got them, they do seem to be really good. I’ll be evaluating over the next couple of weeks.
      Thanks for the informative post.

      1. Kongo Avatar

        My pleasure, keep us updated…

  7. Sandy Avatar
    Sandy

    I’m looking for SoundTech over the head headset with leather like soft ear cushions.

    1. Kongo Avatar

      Sandy I’ve never used the SoundTech headsets. So can’t really give you an opinion on them. But there is a good variety of replacement earpads (leather etc) on amazon. If you are looking for better noise isolation (“noise reduction”), I’d recommend you get these velour earpads for the Senal SMH-1000, and Sony MDR7506.

  8. Tamara Avatar
    Tamara

    I just got the Senal headphones based on your recommendation. They’re great! I had been using my music headphones, which are very nice Shure earbuds. However, as you said in your post they get uncomfortable after a few hours, and also it takes a couple of minutes to get them re-settled in your ears after an interruption, which cuts into work time. The Senal headset is very comfortable, and the sound quality is equal to the Shure earbuds. The Senals let more outside sound through than the Shures do, but I actually like that because I work from home and would prefer to be able to hear any noises (knock on the door, ringing phone, pet noises) that happen around me while I’m working.

    So, although they were a bit expensive, I’m glad I got them. Thank you very much for your recommendation, it was very useful for me!

    1. Kongo Avatar

      Tamara, glad I could help!
      Yes, earbuds can be very uncomfortable.
      Personally, I have a sensitive ear canal, I find earbuds to be very uncomfortable.
      And yes, the Senals are not ideal if you transcribe in a noisy room.
      A fellow transcriber, who has large ears, noted that deeper cushions helped to isolate noise.
      I love my Senals! I’m glad that you do too…

      Happy transcribing.
      Kongo

  9. Mac Blackburn Avatar
    Mac Blackburn

    I am an online transcriber and bought a new pair of the headphones I already had because you can’t replace the ear cushions (I have been using them for years). They are not as good as my originals and I am thinking of going to another brand. I notice that the Senal SMH-1000
    is only 58 ohms and wonder if that will make a difference. And will they fit over my glasses without distortion? Sorry, stupid questions but any help appreciated.

    1. Kongo Avatar

      Mac, yes the Senals have a slightly lower impedance than the Sony MDR7506. That means that they should be louder than the Sony MDR7506, but I just listened to an audio interview using both sets of cans and couldn’t notice a difference in the volume of the audio. Although, as mentioned in my review, the Senals do make the interview sound “clearer.”
      I don’t wear glasses so can’t say for sure, but I am able to easily insert a finger between the pad and my ear.
      Hopefully someone who wears glasses will chime in…

      Regards

      1. Mac Blackburn Avatar
        Mac Blackburn

        Thanks very much. I am going to try these for sure. And getting from Amazon is great because of the returns policy. Watch this space regarding the glasses issue!

        1. Kongo Avatar

          My pleasure. And yes we all love Amazon’s return policy…

      2. Mac Blackburn Avatar
        Mac Blackburn

        Oh and, being a techoidiot, can I plug a volume control on the cord?

        1. Kongo Avatar

          No, you can’t plug a volume control. As I mentioned in the post, I shy away from headphones with a volume control on the cord – experience has taught me that that’s where they tear/break off.

          1. Mac Blackburn Avatar
            Mac Blackburn

            It was just a thought. I’ll let you know how I get on with the headphones but thank you for the advice. It’s lovely to turn to someone who tells it like it is!

          2. Kongo Avatar

            And not a bad one. If you really need external volume control (which can help with really bad audio), I’d recommend you look at amplifiers. There are some good ones out there for about $25 and they’ll do a decent job of volume control and some EQ. Personally, I don’t have experience with amplifiers, but I know a transcriber that does. She has a 40 channel amp that she rents out, and sometimes she hooks it up to her comp and uses it improve the audio quality: she vows her amp is better than any software – which is what the rest of us mere mortals use to improve audio quality. Would love to hear your feedback on the headphones you got – were they comfortable with your glasses on?

  10. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    I have had two sets of Sennheiser noise cancelling headphones for transcription over the last 10 years. My latest set just died. I was shocked to see they are now $300! I appreciate your great reviews of these headphones and it gives me a good starting place for my research.

    1. Kongo Avatar

      Glad I could help. If you do end up getting one of the headphones I recommended please let us know how they compare to the Sennheisers…

      Thanks

  11. Pauline Avatar
    Pauline

    How would the Senal compare to the Bose QC 35?
    Is it similar in terms of Dialogue Intelligibility? Price would be a huge difference for sure, but with the Bose clarity, I wonder if it would be effective or not for dialogue.

    1. Kongo Avatar

      Pauline, I don’t know (never tried them). When I was looking for new pair of transcription headsets, I gave noise cancelling headphones a wide berth – experience of a previous set that was immensely disappointing. But that was almost 10 years ago and the tech might have improved.
      I’ve heard good things about the Bose QC 25 and 35. And a lot of transcribers are getting in touch enquiring about noise cancelling transcription headphones. So, I’m going to save up (yes they are expensive!), bite the bullet, and try out a few of them.
      In the meantime, could anyone who’s used the Bose and the Senal please chime in…
      KR

  12. Mac Blackburn Avatar
    Mac Blackburn

    So anyway…at last they arrived and I was so excited. The sound quality was all you said and more but so uncomfortable and actually bent the arms on my glasses. Then the right hand side stopped working. Boo hoo. I am returning them as I got them from Amazon (at least I am hoping to but awaiting ‘permission’ from the suppliers). I will either have to revert to the Koss ones or try in-ear ones. So disappointed. Can’t wear contacts either which would solve that problem at least! Thanks for all your help though – know of any in-ear with volume control?!!

    1. Kongo Avatar

      Sad, so the Senals are not suitable for transcribers that wear glasses. I’ll update the post. As for one sided sound – seems you got a lemon. But amazon are great with returns.
      The in-ears that I tried didn’t have voice control and hurt my ear canal. My phone came with a set of in ear headphones with volume control, but the volume control doesn’t work on my PC – though it works on my laptop. I’ll ask around and see if any of my transcriber friends can recommend a good pair. And if you do find a good pair of headsets that work for you please let us know – a lot of transcribers do wear glasses, I’m sure they’d appreciate your recommendation.
      All the best.

      1. Mac Blackburn Avatar
        Mac Blackburn

        Just posted them back to Amazon and the US company is going to refund my postage. Can’t ask fairer than that. It would be great if you could ask around. I am also shopping and will let you know if I find anything for sure. I do like the volume control as my audio files vary from client to client and it’s a fiddle to go into Express Scribe and try to get each one right! The Koss ones have been good for me for quite a few years but the last pair – which I am still using – has reverted to mono. Luckily I have a little plug that converts to stereo again. Cheapo, cheapo so what can I expect? Koss did say they would replace them if I sent them back – yes, and lose work – no!

        1. Kongo Avatar

          Great. Again, Amazon are wonderful with returns – never had an issue.
          I did ask around, got a couple of recommendations. Talked to a transcriber who uses the Behringer HPM1000, she wears glasses. She said they were comfortable – but keep in mind the audio quality is not that great.
          Someone else recommended these ear buds: Symphonized NRG 3.0 Earbuds (amazon link). I’m going to get a pair and try them out…
          I’ve heard good things about the Koss QZ-99 (amazon link). Another set I need to get and try out. As you might imagine, I have about 5 different headphones – really helps if one of them throws a fit, lending out to friends, etc. I’d suggest you get a few pairs of backup headsets – then you’ll never lose work!
          Finally, we all get audio with different volume levels. You have 2 choices that work relatively well. You can use software to equalize the audio, remove background noise etc. Audacity is a great free one, or my personal preference Adobe Audition. You can also use an external sound card/amplifier to achieve the same results. It usually boils down to personal preference.

  13. Mac Blackburn Avatar
    Mac Blackburn

    Hi Kongo

    Did you get the NRG 3.0 earbuds? Would appreciate feedback if you did.

    Mac

    1. Kongo Avatar

      Not yet. I added them to my ever growing list of headphones to buy and test out. Had a few requests for me to review noise cancelling headphones, so I do plan to buy a bunch of them and test them out. I do wanna buy all of them and compare – it’s going to be a while before I’ve enough funds (I’ll need at least $1000) to do that. I’m guessing end on July… watch this space.

    2. Kongo Avatar

      Update: got the NRG and been testing them out for a few weeks. I’d say they’re okay. Didn’t notice a difference between them and my phone earbuds. They do come with different types of silicon tips and I tried the small sized ones and they were more comfortable. Didn’t realize I’ve been using the wrong size silicon tips! Overall, okay pair. Not the best transcription headphones I’ve ever used. I’ll loan them out to a transcriber who uses earbuds and maybe get a better/in-depth user review…

      1. Mac Blackburn Avatar
        Mac Blackburn

        Thanks Kongo. Not been on the site for a while! I have a new pair of glasses and the Koss headphones are now distorting the frames! Never rains but it pours. Perhaps if you get a response from the other transcriber you could let me know. I am loathe to get a pair of earbuds in case I can’t return them if they don’t work 🙁

        1. Kongo Avatar

          Oh I did, about a couple of months ago. She really like them. She’s had them for about a couple of months and tells me they are very durable (I did tell her to rough them up). Would definitely recommend the NRGs. Been quite busy, not sure I’ll be able to write an in-depth review of them anytime soon. I did get a bunch of more headphones to try out. Provisional notes: the Koss QZ-99 are too heavy, though they have excellent noise isolation. Really like the Koss UR20, really good headphones (you should try them).
          Hopefully I’ll get time within the next few months to write detailed reviews (fingers crossed).
          All the best.
          Isaac

          1. Mac Blackburn Avatar
            Mac Blackburn

            Thanks Kongo. I have put in an order with Amazon for the NRGs as my eyes are now crossing because of the on the ear headphones! I looked at the Koss UR20 because I have had Koss for many years but they are too big. I will let you know what happens. Thanks again.

          2. Kongo Avatar

            Great, yes the UR20s ear pads are huge, but very light. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the NRGs.
            All the best.

          3. Mac Blackburn Avatar
            Mac Blackburn

            Got the NRG and not happy with them so, unfortunately, they are going back. The buds wouldn’t stay in my ears unless I jammed them in (used all three sizes and two types) so they were uncomfortable. I gave them a while in case it was just because I wasn’t used to this type of headphone but to no avail. After finding out that the volume was cranked up to full, I realised the volume control did not work and I had to change it on my Express Scribe software – not satisfactory because as transcribers know speakers can sometimes dip in volume and this slows down work. Then it went from stereo to mono without warning. And the cable was too short for my desk configuration but that is only an add on! I am glad that the other typist found them brilliant but not me 🙁

            My search will continue and I will let you know if I find anything.

            Thanks Kongo

          4. Kongo Avatar

            Okay. Not surprised you that you found The NRG uncomfortable. I did.
            IF you do find a pair that works for you, let us know.
            Thanks,
            Kongo

  14. Mac Blackburn Avatar
    Mac Blackburn

    Thanks, Kongo. I do appreciate it as do all I imagine. Yours is a valuable site!

  15. Suresh Avatar
    Suresh

    Thanks for the valuable information. Do you recommend using the latest budget noise-canceling headphones like MarQ for 70$ or will the sound quality be too bad to transcribe?

    1. Kongo Avatar

      Suresh, I’ve not tried the MarQ: can’t really say. I’m not a fan of active noise cancelling headphones. They’re just not great for transcription, you can get better quality transcription headphones for a fraction of the price of active noise cancelling headphones…just my 2 cents.

  16. Derrick Betancur Avatar
    Derrick Betancur

    How about Bone Conductive Headphones for transcription?

    1. Kongo Avatar

      Hey Derrick. I’ve never tried bone conductive headphone, maybe someone who has can chime in?
      Regards,

  17. Lynn N Avatar
    Lynn N

    I just wanted to say thank you for this excellent article. I was in the market for headphones after mine broke, and this really helped me find what I needed. Due to time constraints (I had work pending and no headphones. Panic!) I ended up buying the Bose wireless and they’ve transformed my work day. I’m transcribing so much faster due to the clarity, and I have to take fewer breaks as I no longer have sore ears!

    1. Kongo Avatar

      Lynn, I’ve heard great things about the Bose 25 and 35. Had planned to get a pair this year, but didn’t have extra spare change (they are not cheap). Glad you are enjoying them…

  18. Steve Marsj Avatar
    Steve Marsj

    Kongo, has anybody tried the Senal 1200 for transcribing? I wear glasses and I have a big head, so I’m looking for comfortable over ears that have that midrange sound clarity.

    1. Kongo Avatar

      Steve, I’ve not tested the 1200, and I don’t know if anyone else has. They do look very similar to the 1000, though the 1200 have deeper ear pads. The 1000 are very comfortable. I don’t wear glasses, but I tried donning them with my sunglasses (yes, I wear sunglasses indoors lol) and they were a perfect fit. I’d expect a similar experience with the 1200. If you do end up getting the 1200, please let us know how they compare to the 1000.
      Thanks,
      Kongo

  19. Jaime H Reyes Avatar
    Jaime H Reyes

    Greetings,

    I need to purchase noise cancelling headphones for medical transcription. I work in a noisy office and really need some advice as to which type of earphones/headphones to purchase.. Your informative article states that it does not recommend noise cancelling earphones. And unfortunately, the Senal SMH-1000 model isn’t comfortable while wearing glasses. (what transcriptionist doesn’t wear glasses while transcribing?).

    Thank you for your time and attention.
    J. Reyes

    1. Kongo Avatar

      Jaime, short answer: get the Bose 35.
      Long answer: if your wear glasses when transcribing (I don’t), then you are likely to have issues with all headphones that have a headband. Because the headband squeezes the frame. Now, I wore a pair of sunglasses and tried the Senals and I didn’t feel any discomfort. I know a video editor that wears glasses and uses the Senals and she says they are perfect. My point is, there are many factors (shape of head, glasses etc), that’d make any headphones with a headband uncomfortable. My advice is try a few of them and find a model that works for you.
      Now, you are also going to be disappointed with active noise canceling headphones, especially if you expect them to block out your colleagues conversations. I promise to write a detailed post explaining why active noise cancelling headphones are not very good at cancelling human voice, (because of the variability in human voice frequency/wavelenght). Just don’t expect too much – they do have to obey the laws of physics.
      Let us know what you get…
      KR

  20. Paige Avatar
    Paige

    Halp! Did that make everyone cringe? Most likely. I’ve been an at home transcriptionist for about a year and a half. I am starting captioning / court reporter training and need different headphones they tell me. They recommend a $250 gaming pair but I don’t like the ones they recommend. My husband has nuraphones and thinks those would be good for me, but I am unsure. I was looking at beyerdynamic and like those, but I don’t know if either of those is good for this. I currently transcribe with $10 skullcandy earbuds, and they are pretty good. Please help?

    1. Kongo Avatar

      No, you don’t need different headphones for captioning/court reporting, unless they have a special plug. For audibility, use what works for you. I wrote this post to share my experiences looking for a new set of headphones, with the hope that I’d help other transcribers. And it’s 3 years since i wrote it, I probably need to update it.
      I don’t have experience with nuraphones or gaming (how?) headphones, so I can’t say either way.
      If you love your earbuds, use them.

  21. Karen Watson Avatar
    Karen Watson

    I read your review three years ago and purchased the Senal 1000 based on it. Like you, I’ve used several different headphones and find these to be the best. So much so, I’ve just ordered a second set, three years later, and didn’t even get the upgraded version because I figure if it ain’t broke, why fix it. LOL! Anyway, I really appreciated a review from a fellow transcriber. Equipment is a game-changer and it’s nice to hear from others in the same industry that come across the same issues.

    1. Kongo Avatar

      Totally agree. The Senal 1000 are still the best transcription headphones I’ve ever used. The Sony MDRs come close, but the Senal are better. Been using them for about 4 years now. Last year I had to replace the pads, they started peeling off and I’d find specks every where. And I had the same issue with the Sony MDR7506. Got replacement pads and they sound better than new!
      Enjoy your new headphones.

  22. Portiva Avatar
    Portiva

    Thank you Kongo for putting the effort and sharing this helpful information with us.
    Love it.

    1. Kongo Avatar

      My Pleasure.

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