Recommend a pair of headphones for me

PX100's were also fantastic but mine were stolen within a month. I was v v sad.

Moka I haven't tried many other headphones but when I did hardcore research before I bought them, all signs pointed to them being THE quintessential sub-$100 headphone, hands down.

anybody try the "iGrado" model?

I didn't go with sr60s cuz they looked so clunky for everyday use. If I wanted a pair of headphones for computer/movies/home that's what I would have gone with.

Did you make a decision then, Moka?

I've been using a pair of Sony earbuds -- I have the model number written down somewhere, but I've no idea where -- for a couple of years, which are reasonable-ish *but* need an adaptor to fit my first-gen iPhone. So far I've been through two adaptors (a Griffin thing, which lasted about six months, and the HEAP OF SHIT that is the Monster iCable, which lasted less than a month: seriously, kids, fuck a Monster) and I'm getting kind of pissed off with that.

I was in the Apple Store today and tried a pair of Bose On-Ear headphones. Fuck me, they were lovely. But they were also substantially more than £100 worth of loveliness, which strikes me as a total waste of time because a) like gbx says, if I'm using them out and about then there's the chance of them getting knackered or lost; b) more importantly, I'm loath to spend that many £££ to listen to MP3/AAC/otherwise compressed sound.

The Sennheiser PX100s are awesomely cheap, and I liked the pair I tried. Not nearly as much as the Boses, but ... yeh, let's forget about that. MASSIVE PLUS POINT: they fold. That's going to be damn useful.

The Koss PortaPros look like they'd be worth checking out if I wasn't 99% sure they'd also need an adaptor to work with the stupid fucking recessed iPhone socket (or I'd have to trim the plastic round the jack, which I really don't like doing). If that's the case: I'm ruling them straight out.

The iGrados, again, look like they've got one major flaw: they don't fold. So how the hell I'm meant to stop them from getting bent/buckled/broken in my bag, I've no idea.

Hmm. This is really just thinking out loud, isn't it?

Koss Koss Koss

There's 3mm between the base of the actual plug and where the chunky bit begins - could be enough?

I highly recommend the Sennheiser PX100's. I did away with the ipod buds about a year ago b/c they irritated my ears, and I've been happy as clam with them ever since. The folding is handy. Biggest plus is that the sound is lovely and rich...even though they're over ear and there's some leak, it's SO easy to lose yourself in the music with these headphones. Other people are always surprised by the quality when they try them out. The low price is definitely a selling point, but honestly I'd have happily paid more for them given how great the sound quality is.

But wait! There's more! If you order now, you get 2 extra sets of foam covers and this ginsu knife normally valued at $50!

porta pros work with ipods fine

I can't recommend the PX100's enough. I've moved on from the pair I bought a few years ago, but every now and then I dig them out and am very surprised at how satisfying they sound. Sure, you can do better, but at the price they're hard to beat, and incredibly well-built considering how flimsy they look.

porta pros work with ipods fine

It's not an iPod. It's a first-gen iPhone with a recessed headphone sockets. So a lot of standard-issue headphone sockets won't fit.

There's 3mm between the base of the actual plug and where the chunky bit begins - could be enough?

Gah, that sounds like it'll be just not enough. It's got an L-shaped connector, hasn't it? Those are usually a no-no.

Basically, I just need to get my hands on a pair and try 'em ;)

It's a first-gen iPhone with a recessed headphone sockets. So a lot of standard-issue headphone sockets won't fit

OK, Simon, try not to write ILX posts while doing something else at the same time. Recessed headphone socket (singular); a lot of standard-issue headphone jacks won't fit. Sorry.

I have a pair of the i-Grados and they sound absolutely great, unfortunately they are as leaky as all hell, on the tube outside noise pretty much drowns out the sound, even with the sound on full. Of course that leakiness works both ways and so they're not exactly fellow commuter friendly.

Am using some cheap-assed skullcandy in-ear phones at the moment and they're just right for what I need on my commute - not much tube noise leakage, decent sound and nicely compact.

yep grimly, it's l-shaped on the portapros :(

You can always perform surgery on the minijack with an x-acto knife and whittle away plastic until it fits...

(on the headphones, not the iPhone, of course)

Yeah, as far as cheap and durable portable 'phones go... I think those Skullcandy ones are pretty decent.

I have a pair of the i-Grados and they sound absolutely great, unfortunately they are as leaky as all hell, on the tube outside noise pretty much drowns out the sound, even with the sound on full

OK, that's sucky. Glasgow buses are noisy as all hell.

yep grimly, it's l-shaped on the portapros :(

That's what I thought. Wank. PX100s it pretty much is, then!

You can always perform surgery on the minijack with an x-acto knife and whittle away plastic until it fits...

I'm fine doing this with old gear or cables I've cobbled together myself; fuck doing it on an aesthetically appealing pair of new 'phones ;)

I just got the PX100s on this threads recommendation - £15 from Amazon - and would say they are unbeatable at that price - or even treble that price. Really surprisingly good.

OK, I'm pretty much sold. I was going to ask for a pair for Christmas ... fuck me, Mrs Fiendish is getting a good deal here ;)

I've been loyal to my Grado SR60s for 8 years

I actually pulled my PX100s out today, since an extension cable on my sound-isolating earbuds decided to short out and I hate having one channel cut in and out while I'm walking around town. I forgot how immersive the PX100s are.

Still haven't bought any, my bf is cashing out so I'm waiting for my b-day in 16 days to order. I suppose I'll end up inclining towards the PX100 but I'm becoming heavily attracted to the Sennheiser's HD-555 which cost three times more than the px100 but they're below the $100 mark so it's good by me.

Anybody in here has both Grado and Sennheiser headphones that might enlighten me on which one is better?

Btw: Grado's RS1 valued at $700!? (http://www.amazon.com/Grado-RS1-Reference-Series-Headphones/dp/B00076VEG6/ref=cm_lmf_tit_7_rdssss0) And here I was thinking all those shure and bose headphones were overpriced.

^ Grado's R60s and Sennheiser's px100 or hd-555 that is.

xpost

Ah, I actually have a pair of HD 555s! Very nice, if you want great headphones but aren't willing to shell out big $$$. I'd never wear them outside, though—too bulky. They're extremely comfortable at my desk, and quite light.

I wasn't aware that they'd come down so far in price over the past year.

Unless you're willing to invest in a headphone amp and are really serious about audio quality, I'd even rep for the HD 555s over Sennheiser's far more expensive HD 650.

Grado SR60s I found a little too harsh a trebly overtime, so I got rid of them and got some Alessandro MS1s, which are made by the same people and have a warmer, less bright sound (with better soundstaging too). They're pretty much useless outside though, due to being very, very open.

PX100s are technically open-backed too, but leak a lot less than the Grados / Alessandros; they don't give you any insulation from external noise, though. I had a pair a few years ago and loved thme to bits; I gather the frequency response is a little different these days, less bassy, bit brighter. I may not like that so much. PX200s are closed-back, and thus offer some isolation from external noise; however, I didn't like them at all, and got rid of mine after about a month.

Koss Portapros are very similar to (old) PX100s, but, in my opinion, look a hell of a lot better. They were probably my favourite iPod headphones when I still used the iPod.

I have some Shure E2Cs too, which offer excellent isolation, good clarity, etc etc, but just... left me wanting a bit more. They were great for a noise train commute. Not so much for a quiet riverside walk.

My other headphones are a set of AKG K601s, but they don't leave the house; I have a dedicated Meier Audio headphone amp for them.

PX200s are closed-back, and thus offer some isolation from external noise; however, I didn't like them at all, and got rid of mine after about a month

Why not, if you don't mind me asking? The feel of them, or a qualitative difference in sound?

They didn't feel like they had any bottom-end to me, it was all treble - partially this is probably because they were closed-backed, and therefore can't physically move as much air as open-backed cans (which you need for bass), and also, because they cut out external noise more, you don't lose as much treble. As a result I found them both lightweight and claustrophobic, and couldn't deal with them.

Thanks: that's very helpful. PX100s still way out in front.

I'd seriously recommend Portapros over PX100s.

I refer you to my recessed headphone jack, above :(

Ah, yes.

I"ve read reviews that say the PX100s are better then the 200s. I love my 100s. They sound good and fold up and into my pocket.

For djing and at home use I have Sennheiser HD-280 headphones, which isolate super well and are sturdy as can be. They've taken lots of abuse.

Sickly: Well the headphones I'm looking for are intended most of all for indoors use, will investigate on those Alessandro and AKG you mention.

If you are listening outdoors I would seriously consider earbuds.

I totally misread your post and realize that you are listening INDOORS, ahem.

For indoor use, another "aye" for the Alessandros from here; they look like something from The Dambusters and build quality is v. plasticky but they sound *wonderful* and are very good vfm. I've nothing as swish as Sickly's Meier amp (just a little Headphonia portable amp) but they sound terrific through this and they even sound great from my unamped Sony mp3 player. I often find that I'll stick them on late at night when stereo listening would be too loud for neighbours etc and they really provide that "just one more tune" compulsion.

I'd also put a vote in for the Shure range, I had some E2Cs for a long while and the isolation made them great for commuting (as noted). Have Shure SE530s for travel now, and they are very much better than any other in-ear phones I've ever owned, but with price tag to match (just over £200 when I got them, although a bit of online searching can drive this down).

Personally I don't find Porta Pros terribly comfortable (I've also always thought they looked/felt flimsy, but for indoor use this isn't terribly important.)

x-post : bugger - meant, of course, Mr Mouthy's Meier amp...

Hi. Just for future reference wanted to let you guys know I ended buying the AD700 from Audio Technica after posing the question on the head-fi forum and getting many recommendations for them. They still haven't arrived but if any of you are curious about my opinion of them after I've done an 80+ hour listen, dont hesitate asking.

Here's the thread at head-fi:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/one-best-choice-100-mark-headphones-379879/

http://vaiopocket.up.seesaa.net/image/atrio1.jpg

I like my Atrio M5's sound wise but I have to say, build wise, they are not the greatest. I've already had to send one pair back to the US after a rattling sound developed in the left ear piece. Luckily it was still inside the 1 year warranty.

I recntly got some Sennheisser CX500 in-ear phones - not bad considering how small they are - but not a patch on their cheaper over-the-ear phones.

I tried a pair of the Sennheiser CX300 in-ear phones and thought they were kinda terrible... I just wanted a cheapish pair for my daily commute, but I ended up taking them back and bought some RAM on store credit instead.

I'm looking for an over-the-ear model that won't get in the way when I'm working out and which will also serve as all-purpose headphones. (I'd rather avoid earbuds because I don't want to damage my hearing any further.) Just doing some browsing, would Koss KSC24 fit the bill?

http://www.amazon.com/Koss-KSC24-Portable-Behind-the-neck-Stereophones/product-reviews/B000G0LL8E/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_helpful?ie=UTF8&coliid=&showViewpoints=1&colid=&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

I've had a few pairs of Koss. Good quality for the money, to be sure.

I currently have a pair of these Sonys, and they're pretty nice. Comfortable, pretty good bass, and good battery life on the noise cancelling. Decent sound with it turned off, too.

Pondering Denon AHD301s (£40) or Grado SR60i (£90).

Any arguments for or against?

Pondering Denon AHD301s (£40) or Grado SR60i (£90).

Any arguments for or against?

Alessandro MS1s, $100 incl shipping. Better than either. Made by Grado.

Aren't you UK-based?

It's a dilemma $99 dollars (63 quid-ish plus possible taxes) for the MS1s (but presumably can't do anything with them if there's a fault) versus the Grados (£90).

Thanks, by the way.