The $179.99 Roland VMH-D1 closed-back studio headphones are the primary we’ve reviewed which might be made particularly for monitoring drums. In testing, they delivered appropriate audio for drum sounds, although their clarity-focused response, comfy match, good isolation, and out-of-the-way cables make them simply as acceptable for every other kind of studio musician as nicely. That stated, they’re priced on the excessive facet contemplating Sennheiser’s wonderful HD 280 Professional headphones are equally adept studio displays for simply $99.95.
Constructed for Musicians
These acquainted with V-Moda, the headphone firm that Roland purchased in 2019, ought to acknowledge the styling of the VMH-D1. The largely black headphones are straight out of V-Moda’s design catalog due to their rounded, hexagonal, and circumaural earcups that sport white metallic panels. You may personalize the outer panels if you want through V-Moda’s defend customization service, however doing so provides to the price. Pricing varies dramatically relying on the design you select.
The reminiscence foam earpads and headband characteristic a leather-like materials lining. The Roland brand seems on prime of the scarf, whereas the V-Drums brand graces the outer earcup panels. The headphones really feel comfy and safe over lengthy listening classes, and the scarf is straightforward to regulate.
Every earcup homes a 50mm dynamic driver that delivers a frequency vary of 5Hz to 40kHz at an impedance of 32 ohms. As talked about, Roland markets these headphones particularly to drummers who use its electrical V-Drums, a set of pads for training or recording within the studio. However the design of the headphones can serve not simply drummers, however musicians of different devices as nicely due to their commendable isolation and useful cable administration tips. Their agency match and thick reminiscence foam earpads helped get rid of a major swath of ambient sound in testing, although I didn’t discover an amazing distinction between them and every other over-ear pairs with a safe match. Even when they aren’t distinctive on this regard, any musician recording close to others ought to profit from their isolation.
Roland’s resolution to run the cabling behind the earcup and down the wearer’s again is a firmer level of their favor. That trait is simply as helpful for drummers as guitarists, saxophonists, pianists, and most different musicians. Extra broadly, anybody who must preserve their arms free and their workspace uncluttered ought to admire this side. To run the cables behind your ear, Roland supplies a cable restraint that makes use of a mix of skinny (however robust) woven thread and silicone items that simply snap onto the again of the body the place the scarf connects to the earcups. After all, you do not have to make use of the cable restraint should you really feel just like the wire is tickling the again of your neck or brushing towards you uncomfortably.
Within the field, you additionally get a hanger for the headphones; it is basically a clip that may deal with their weight. Snap the urethane grip onto any drum, cymbal, or mic stand and you’ve got someplace to position the headphones throughout breaks. Moreover, you get two cables: a 5-foot wire with a woven material sleeve and a 10-foot wire with a silicone exterior. Each terminate in a 3.5mm connector, however an included quarter-inch adapter helps you to plug them into different units and devices. All of those equipment match into the bundled drawstring pouch—it is black, options the Roland brand, and has a rubber-like exterior.
Some customers may need an inline mic/distant on one of many cables to hook up with fashionable smartphones. That is not according to the VMH-D1’s goal, however it actually would have added worth. I additionally assume Roland may have thrown in some cable clips to assist fasten the wires to a shirt and preserve the whole lot a bit tidier.
Clear and Percussive Sound
I linked the headphones to a number of sound sources for testing, together with a 2019 iMac and a McIntosh stereo receiver with the EQ set to impartial.
To begin, I checked out Nirvana’s In Uterowhich options Dave Grohl’s intense percussive efficiency. The headphones reproduce Grohl’s drums clearly, particularly all through “Radio Pleasant Unit Shifter,” the place I hear the highest finish of the snare and kick cleanly by way of the thick noise and snarls of the guitar work. That stated, I anticipated barely extra bass depth right here. I additionally tried listening to “Scentless Apprentice” as a result of the kick drum (and sometimes the toms) possesses some really full lows. The headphones delivered the drums clearly, however once more, the main target is on readability all through the mids and highs. This balanced presentation is commendable for studio headphones, particularly since drum kits nonetheless sound large.
Shifting on to tracks with intense sub-bass content material, like The Knife’s “Silent Shout,” the headphones ship the sub-bass digital drum hits with appreciable depth and readability. They do not closely dial up the lows like bass-forward fashions and as a substitute goal for a extra practical presentation.
The headphones don’t have any points reproducing the sub-bass on the 34-second mark of Kendrick Lamar’s “Loyalty.” The descending bass line goes decrease than many headphones can absolutely reproduce, however Roland’s drivers ship every sub-bass notice with a way of rumble. In the meantime, the drum loop packs just a little extra low-end thump and high-end assault than traditional. The vocals on the observe come throughout clearly and by no means cede area to the bass.
Invoice Callahan’s “Drover,” a observe with far much less deep bass, higher demonstrates the sound signature. Though the drums can sound thunderous on bass-forward headphones, they’re by no means unnaturally heavy right here. Callahan’s baritone vocals obtain a wholesome dose of low-mid richness, however the crisp high-mids and detailed highs present stability.
The assorted percussive components on Miles Davis’ “Pharaoh’s Dance” sound clear and full. Once more, I notice a powerful emphasis on the midrange and better frequencies.
Studio Sound for a Premium Value
The Roland VMH-D1 headphones current audio clearly with out an excessive amount of sculpting and preserve their cables out of the way in which if you carry out. We additionally like their comfy match and customizable outer plates. That stated, the basic Sennheiser HD 280 Professional monitoring headphones are simply as able to producing detailed audio all through the frequency vary for practically half the worth. For $299, in the meantime, Beyerdynamic’s DT 700 Professional X headphones are a contact extra correct for mixing and in addition include removable cables.
