Recommend a pair of headphones for me

what are your thoughts on Klipsch earbuds?

― juicebox, Thursday, February 10, 2011 4:50 AM (2 hours ago) Bookmark

had klipsch earbuds, the plug broke within 3 months

a lot of companies sell earphones and headphones with ipod/iphone volume and play controls.

at this point I sound like a broken record itt but I still recommend the denon ah-c560r

iphone/ipod controls, very durable construction (at least on my pair - thick wire, strain relief plug), and great sound signature.

I've got Sennheiser CX200's on the way from newegg, 12.99 shipped

are they compatible with ipod/iphone controls though?

― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Wednesday, February 9, 2011 1:21 PM (7 hours ago) Bookmark Suggest Ban Permalink

how could any headphone not be?

Easily. The earphone wire itself has to have a built-in microphone that the Apple software will acknowledge as native, or else you have no microphone. This is an obvious problem while trying to have a phone conversation.

This is a special problem if you want to have a microphone into your iPod. I don't have an iPhone, just an iPod Touch, and it won't accept any audio input without the Apple earbuds with the built-in mic that comes with those.

HOWEVER don't bother with the Dr. Dre "Beats" $100 earbuds that are iPhone and iPod compatible. They are that, but they don't have the sound quality you should expect for that price. Dr. Dre wants you to spend $300 on a pair of big-ass cans. If you do, though, he will reward you.

i'm looking for something with good sound isolation for office use

I've got a pair of Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro headphones for the office and they work pretty well - great sound, block out 90% of the yammering of coworkers and can wear them for fairly extended periods (although velvety padding sometimes leads to "hot ear").

So the Dre, errr, cans are good then?I like the shape of them and how light they seem but i'm a bit suspicious they might just be too gimmicky

Right, bought another pair of AKGs but got the 5yr cover. When these break in 12 months time I'll fill you all in on the hoops I'll no doubt have to jump through to get a new set.

ive never had any trouble returning shure + sennheisers when theyve broken fwiw

Seriously, unless the in-cable remotes are essential, or sound-isolation is essential, Koss Portapros are the best headphones under about £60 that I've ever had. Awesome bass response, terrific soundstaging and detail, really dynamic, great midrange, very good treble, more lively and less veiled than Sennheisers, way more thumping than any IEMs I've used. I have to step up to Grados to get anything better, and they're totally not portable.

lukas, from what I understand the Audio-Technica ATH-M50S are a great choice. the mids might seem a tiny bit weaker than the highs and lows and the clamping might hurt at first but most clamping problems can be fixed with a little bit of stretching. but they look great and I read that the bass is punchy, present without being overemphasized and the music is smooth. plus they rank pretty high on head-fi and the isolation is quite good for over ear phones. I would go for it

any suggestion for pretty high-end portable/lightweight headphones compatible with ipod/iphone controls? I'm thinking of the beats by Dre & Quincy's AKGs category (don't know anything about the quality of these specific pairs)

― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Wednesday, 9 February 2011 17:49 (Yesterday) Bookmark

bowers and wilkins p5s.

thanks - this looks indeed exactly like what I'm looking for.

xposts, thanks. birthday present to self decided.

has anyone tried the Audio-Technica ATH-ES7? It seems these could be combined with an Audio Tech iphone adapter

So the Dre, errr, cans are good then?I like the shape of them and how light they seem but i'm a bit suspicious they might just be too gimmicky

― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Thursday, February 10, 2011 4:39 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark

i think they are good quality but very overpriced

My wife has pair of Dr. Dre Solos. She loves them, but I don't see what they do for the music other than boost the bass.

The highs are just the right amount of sharp and the all-important mid-range is... um... extremely mid. They're beautifully engineered, sez me.

Just don't do something stupid like turn on the equalizer on your iPod.

I use MP3Gain on all my music, so I can equalise my ipod as much as I like.

Rong. That's about volume, not sound. And I don't use it specifically because its algorithm is imperfectable. You can't listen to something from 1983 and then something by Bjork and expect a volume analysis to rectify the discrepancies in peaks and troughs. But, handily enough, every portable music machine ever made has a volume control, usually on the side.

</ smart ass>

And if you got full gain on your mp3s and the sound wave looks like a brick (in audacity for instance) then you can't expect equalizer presets on your ipod to work properly. Bass boost for instance won't make bass get louder if the bass is already maxed out. This might be true for listening to music through itunes as well... I know I read this somewhere.

All the revives on this thread inspired me to buy some AKG earpads to switch out with the standard pads on my HD668bs. And I've been reading up a lot about modding these phones which supposedly makes them pretty awesome. And I'll probably buy a portable amp to help lift the recessed lower mids. If I had a portable mp3 player with a stable RockBox port I would download that firmware because it has a near perfect equalizer unlike ipod's EQ which doesn't support custom presets.

anyone have recommendations on especially comfortable earbud-type iPod headphones? i don't know if i'm just irritable or over-sensitive about my earlobes but i kind of hate how sore my ears get with even the fairly nice Bose earbuds i have so much that i don't listen to my iPod nearly as much as i would otherwise.

people have different shaped ears - there's no replacement for just trying earbuds out until you find a pair that you like

yeah but i can't really go into a store and try them on like shoes -- was thinking maybe other people had had the same problem i dunno

what are your thoughts on Klipsch earbuds?

― juicebox, Thursday, February 10, 2011 4:50 AM (2 hours ago) Bookmark

had klipsch earbuds, the plug broke within 3 months

― dayo

My Klipsch S4's sound great (with Shure buds). But I have to say, build quality is not great (as mentioned above). My last pair developed a loose connection in the plug within 12 months. Got a new pair with the warranty but I'm a bit suspect as to how long the new pair will last.

been researching a bit the B&W P5s and came across a lot of comparisons with the Beyerdynamic T50p. Has anyone tried these?
The B&Ws look fabulous but I'm a bit worried that they seem to have a rather dull neutral sound not really adapted to the kind of music I listen to (mostly electronic)

Well, my Bose died on me tonight for what sounds like a pretty common reason - the cheap ass jack plug came lose and exposed the wires. Not sure what to do now, can't really afford to spend $100+ on new cans. Very pissed.

hate it when that happens, pays to be good w/ a soldering iron

Just frustrating because I've been super careful with them because I'd read about that very issue. Is there any decent over the ear cans for less than triple digits? Just doesn't seem worth it to spend so much when they break anyway.

I've stanned for these before I think. Definitely worth considering.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0026P45EE/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/179-7624359-3573039

Koss Portapros.

http://www.globalnerdy.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/anime_headphone_guide.jpg

(bottom right)

^^^ ♥♥♥

i feel sort of creepy for posting that but fuck it, it's the internet

Fetishisation is the elephant in this room thread anyway, may as well express what everyone's thinking.

Koss Portapros.

Definitely leaning this way after researching and reading a few reviews last night. Are they comfortable for at home, relaxed listening? This is what the Bose were 100% used for.

Yeah, they're open and are pretty comfy for most head shapes, I think. Excellent sound for the price. The Sennheiser PX-100 model is probably the closest I've used that aren't the portapros, and they're still probably not as cool.

I rediscovered my AKG 240s after buying a uDAC preamp two weeks ago. teh AKGs are comfy and rich - maybe a bit above your budget though

has anyone tried running with the koss portapros? if so, how does that work? my etymotic er-6i earbuds just gave out after a few years :/

works fine. they get a bit damp.

sennheiser makes special sports buds xp

oh cool i need to check those then

i was happy with the etymotics but i'm looking for something below $80 this time, yknow?

not sure how much the sennheisers are...

to take this thread full circle

I just bought a new cheap pair of earbuds to replace my Apple earbuds

so anyone who thinks those are bad (though I don't) should try these

I'm not sure whether they're worse or not

I suspect they are

oh cool i need to check those then

i was happy with the etymotics but i'm looking for something below $80 this time, yknow?

not sure how much the sennheisers are...

over time sweat will damage phones. sennheisers are water resistant, sq ain't great though. senns are also designed to stay in your ear through exercise although they may be a bit uncomfortable

ilxor, i use these when running and they are great

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-80-ECO-Rugged-Neckband-Headphones/dp/B001IKKDL2/ref=pd_ys_iyr_img