a headphones recommendation thread

a bit of a technical question - if I plug a portable amp into the line out dock of an iPhone, would I lose the ability to answer calls? and would the mic and remote control of my headphones still work?

So I guess I'm moving overseas, but not (as of yet) long enough to bother shipping/rebuying speakers, so I might get something more home-listening friendly than my MDR v700s, which I pretty much just use for DJing (which I sadly won't be able to do there ;_;).

I'm looking for something lightweight and comfortable, lets in as little outside sound as possible, and, importantly, is easy on the ears (mine are sensitive and need something not exhausting, also meaning in ear stuff is no thanks), and is under $300, preferably under $200.

I saw that Bose around the ear headphones, for about $120 CAD (which is not bad), and these seem to fit my criteria pretty well. But I have no idea how they sound. I also thought this might be a time to finally get Grado's? (I see SR125s for $180, and SR80s for $130)

Thanks.

grados fail massively in at least two of your criteria

actually three

Those first two, I'm guessing, are sound insulation (I'm aware of their notorious lack of) and comfort? They definitely do seem clunky, and from what I've experienced, awkward to wear.

http://www.amazon.com/Bose-41215-On%252dEar-Headphones/dp/B000HWRBG2/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1242001493&sr=8-7

Bose on-ear. Paid like $189--link is cheaper--at Best Buy 2 1/2 years ago. Best I've ever had.

― Matos W.K., Sunday, May 10, 2009 7:26 PM (2 years ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

See this is intriguing. Anyone know how the On the Ears are different from the Around the Ears, other than the obvious part, that the former is more expensive, and also lets you to change wires (which is definitely a plus)?

they are also very fatiguing to listen to (very bright)

sensitive ears, is that in the physical sense?

I meant it in the aural sense, but I guess physical concerns are there too (having headphones that pin your ears back, making it painful to use them for more than a few hours isn't fun).

I've never had comfort issues with Grados that have the donut pads.

i wanted some headphones to tide me over until my third goddam set of portapros arrives & bought some sennheiser earbuds (CX300s, HMV is i. still stocking them and ii. for kind of cheap). they're fuckin' loud. i mean, they may actually make me stop listening to stuff at maximum volume. i have never owned anything with 16 ohms impedance before. did they start doing this after apple applied volume limiting to ipods or what

first world problems, etc.

I've come to the conclusion that the best headphone strategy is

10 buy two pairs of portapros
20 put one of them in the back of a drawer
30 listen to the other pair and feel awesome
40 when that pair breaks, send them to koss for a free refund
50 try to remember which drawer your backup pair is in
60 goto 30

wait wait you can do the free refund bit in the uk??

http://www.hama.co.uk/service/contact/index.hsp

01256 374700

well, i know what i'm doing when the next pair break. ty

actually not a refund, they send you back a fixed (or new) pair

That was my strategy with Koss for years and years, worked really well. I wish they'd come out with something better but why mess with success?

it is really weird. i guess upping the gauge of wire that feeds into the jack would cost major dollars or something. who knows.

So, does anyone else have experience with either the Bose On-Ear or Around-the-Ear headphones? If so, how are they (or do they compare) for sound/extended wear/outside noise, etc.

The former seemed noticeably better at the store, but I suspect they jimmied with the audio settings to make the expensive pair sound better. I also can't help but be suspicious of Bose as a kid of layman's audiophile headphone, but they did sound pretty good/feel comfortable.

Thanks again.

no highs, no lows? must be bose

Yah just stay clear of Bose unless they are given to you as a gift. Even then, sell em and get something better for half the price.

Got it, thanks.

Anything in particular someone would recommend in their place, then?

ehhh Bose have a pretty bad rep among audiophiles for 1. being 'overpriced and 2. coloring their sound. they gussy up the midrange to tap int your reptile brain. but all major headphone companies have a 'signature' sound (aka colored sound) so it's really just a matter of what you prefer. if bose makes you happy, go for it.

and uh with how much quality headphones cost nowadays I'm not sure if bose can still be considered overpriced

i got these a few months ago & no complaints, love them

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/477843-REG/Audio_Technica_ATH_M50_ATH_M50_Professional_Closed_Back_Studio.html

I recommend the ATH-M50s to everyone, even though I haven't tested them. There's too many good reviews to pass them up

they are incredible

Have you tried the B&W P5?

I like these Sennheisers:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-PX-200-II-Foldable-Headphone/dp/B002VPDOHS

What's the requesters budget? The Senn HD-25 II's are one of the top portable headphones you can buy, but they run alot more than the PX-200's.

I'm looking for something lightweight and comfortable, lets in as little outside sound as possible, and, importantly, is easy on the ears (mine are sensitive and need something not exhausting, also meaning in ear stuff is no thanks), and is under $300, preferably under $200.

The Denon AH-D1100 perfectly fits that criteria. I keep my D1000 on my nightstand, as they are small enough that I can wear while laying against pillows, but still seal over the ears as to not bother my sleeping wife. They're the most comfortable headphones I've ever had, often doze off with them on. The D1000 is discontinued, but a used pair is available for $99. It was replaced by the D1100, available for http://www.headphone.com/headphones/denon-ah-d1100.php69 (and open box available for $109).

One reason headphones cause audio fatigue is that they can't normally simulate how you normally hear things, so your brain has to adjust to it. There are amps with a crossfeed feature that address that, and seem to help. My Practical Devices XM5 has that feature.

koss portapro

― elan, Sunday, May 10, 2009 7:17 PM (2 years ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

More on crossfeed - http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/crossfeed.htm

The Senn HD-25 II's are one of the top portable headphones you can buy, but they run alot more than the PX-200's.

― Gerald McBoing-Boing, Thursday, May 26, 2011 3:45 AM (4 hours ago) Bookmark

HD-25 II's are also pretty uncomfortable

Yes, I tried on a pair and they sounded really excellent, but, no, not comfortable, and not great w/r/t outside noise.

Think I'm going to try a pair of those Audio Technica M50s to see how they are. Otherwise I might also try out some other Sennhisers?

Thanks for everyone's input.

Looking for some sub-$50 earbuds for commuting/ipod. Had the $25 Skullcandy titans, but they just died.

I talk about the Audio Technica M50s upthread, and they are NOT the most comfortable either. I use them at work and are fine for 30 min to an hour, but then start to feel pretty tight and heavy. So for your criteria I'd still recommend the Denon AH-D1100. The upgrade from my D1000 is slightly larger to improve sq and range, but from what I read are still super comfortable. I never felt the sound is lacking in the D1000, but the M50s have an edge in that regard. The D1100 probably closes that gap.

HeadRoom gives pretty good descriptions: http://www.headphone.com/selection-guide/top-picks/10-best-headphones.php

From what I've read about the D1100, they have considerably beefed-up bass compared to the D1001. Some even say it's a bit overpowering, but that their sound balances out as they wear in.

The D1001s are definitely super-light and comfy though, and if the D1100 continues in that regard, you'll be very happy with them.

under-$50 earbuds: i have some sennheiser cx-200s and they are p reliable & comfortable and sound good to me?

Those models of Denon and Audio Technica all are known for good bass, which is why I like them for rock and reggae. The bass on the D1001/D1000 is incredible considering the small size of the headphones. I also have the AKG K701, which are better suited for movies, acoustic, jazz and classical. I've sampled upper end Sennheisers and thought they were also similar to AKG in that way.

I sent links via PM to open box deal on the M50 for $119 and AH-D1000 for $99.

Got it, thanks.

This is maybe a stupid question, but regarding the Audio Technica M50's, is there any difference between THESE and THESE.

I mean different colour and different price, but they're otherwise identical, right?

yeah - I'd go with the first link though, as that one's fulfilled by amazon and will be much easier to deal with in case of returns/etc

Ahh didn't realize it was different sellers. Thanks.

Klipsch S4 image

portapros just broke twice on me, getting a little peeved. same problem as last time, tambien - one ear just goes dead.

could be the jack end. you can easily chop it and fix a new one on, this happens to me all the time from having iphone in pocket plugged in.

been looking for a 1/8" jack end which fits flush to an ipod/iphone, they must exist

How do Sennheiser HD 25-1 II's feel for extended periods of time? I've decided that soundwise, they can't be beat, but I'm afraid they'll be painful to wear (pinning back my ears), and they'll let in too much ambient sound.

At this point I'm debating those or Audio Technica M50's, so if anyone wants to really sway me either way...