Recommend a pair of headphones for me

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All I want now is something that sounds decent with a right-angle plug and the ability to control my iphone for less than $50 that won't blow out in 1 to 12 months.

― joygoat, Wednesday, March 19, 2014

srsly

http://www.amazon.com/SOL-REPUBLIC-1111-31-Headphones-3-Button/dp/B00CAB5ZKC

resulting post (rogermexico.), Thursday, 20 March 2014 02:30 (ten years ago) link

Sony MDR-W08L, why are these going for $80 now?

http://www.ebay.com/bhp/sony-mdr-w08l

this is the best, basic in-ear i could find for $10. one side typically craps out after eight months, but for the price, it was worth it.

braunld (Lowell N. Behold'n), Wednesday, 26 March 2014 17:20 (ten years ago) link

i've found stocking up on monoprice to be good both for earbuds and cheap, semi-durable over ear headphones, and also you can buy lots of cheap replacement smartphone connector cables too.

eric banana (s.clover), Friday, 28 March 2014 02:02 (ten years ago) link

one month passes...

any nyc ilxors know of a place in town where a fella can buy monoprice earbuds? I wanna try em but I don't feel like ordering shit online at the moment

Khamma chameleon (Jon Lewis), Monday, 19 May 2014 16:50 (nine years ago) link

two months pass...

i don't know enough to read through this whole thread and figure it out but someone recommend me a pair of over-ear headphones, really really good ones (up to $300 or so) that are suitable for just plugging into an ipod? i'm looking for a pair for my dad, who listens to mostly classic rock, some blues, that kind of stuff.

just1n3, Friday, 25 July 2014 19:46 (nine years ago) link

is this going to be mostly home listening? if he doesn't need major portability, i can personally recommend the hell out of both of these. They're both super-comfortable, closed-back, low-impedance models designed to be driven by an iPhone/iPod with no additional amping required. Both in the $225 USD range.

AKG is a little more detailed with a gorgeous soundstage. Beyer is a little more "live" and bass response can be tuned on the fly.

AKG K550:
http://www.amazon.com/AKG-K550-Closed-Back-Reference-Headphones/dp/B005CNR7B0

Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro:
http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-Custom-One-Pro-Black/dp/B008XEYT48

resulting post (rogermexico.), Friday, 25 July 2014 23:27 (nine years ago) link

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SR850/
$50, apparently made in the same factory and with some of the same components as $300 sennheisers.
I've used them, they're good.

my monoprice 8320s are on the way

You. Squared. (rip van wanko), Saturday, 26 July 2014 00:25 (nine years ago) link

yeah this would be pretty much only home listening. thanks for the recs, i'll look into them!

just1n3, Saturday, 26 July 2014 01:28 (nine years ago) link

Sony 7506

Bringing the mosh (Jimmy The Mod Awaits The Return Of His Beloved), Saturday, 26 July 2014 03:48 (nine years ago) link

any nyc ilxors know of a place in town where a fella can buy monoprice earbuds? I wanna try em but I don't feel like ordering shit online at the moment

maybe B&H?

original bgm, Saturday, 26 July 2014 06:58 (nine years ago) link

I ended up ordering them on the web like everyone else. But B&H, while not selling monoprice buds, does sell the foam tips that are pretty much necessary to get great sound out of the monoprice.

before you die you see the rink (Jon Lewis), Saturday, 26 July 2014 08:14 (nine years ago) link

My rec is the Denon D2000, which has been discontinued, but you can maybe grab them for under $300 on eBay

They're not the sturdiest headphone but they are by far the best headphones I've ever had that sounded great unamped

:(

, Saturday, 26 July 2014 14:25 (nine years ago) link

i bought a pair of in-ear denons bases on recs from this thread last year, and it was the worst mistake - i don't know ANYTHING about this kind of stuff, i just wanted a great sound, and didn't realize that they were a more audiophile kind of earphone, so they were just totally flat-sounding to me and i hated them. my dad's the same - he's not gonna be fucking with the equalizer or whatever on his cheap stereo and for the most part will just be plugging them into an ipod, while he listens to Uriah Heep and tries to block the boring shit my mum is watching on tv.

those first ones rogermexico mentioned sound like they might be more like studio-reference sort of headphones? so not sure if they're the right fit.

the beyerdynamics might be better - but reading reviews is like reading a medical textbook, since i know nothing about this subject. they seem to have lots of sound adjustability but is that something a pretty simple dude like my dad is gonna be able to figure out and get the best use of?

i was just gonna get him some nice bose headphones but i'm still mad at them - i love the in-ears i have, but i'm on something like my 3rd pair because the cable is the most fragile piece of shit of all time and it seems like that's deliberate (the plastic coating is so thin and weak, it's laughable).

just1n3, Saturday, 26 July 2014 20:01 (nine years ago) link

Aw man that was probably my rec - sorry!

Sounds like what you really need to do is to have place to go try 'em out, or a place with a good return policy so you can buy a bunch and figure out which ones you like

There's pretty much no way to figure out what a headphone is gonna sound like from just reading reviews

, Saturday, 26 July 2014 20:18 (nine years ago) link

yeah - each headphone just kind of has its own voice (and measure of physical comfort) and what works depends on the listener's preferences, what they listen to, and the shape and size of their ears and head. we recently tested a bunch at my work, which is how i settled on the two i recommend.

the beyer tuning system actually helps to compensate for this a bit -- it's dead simple and gives the headphones a couple of different voices.

akg def not too sterile or "studio" -- just won't wallop you with the bass like e.g. Beats or ATH-M50. protip: the AKGs are also super-comfy.

another hot choice in your category (closed-back, over-ear, plays well with portables, sub-300) is the Sennheiser Momentum. Stylish as hell and great-sounding, just wasn't very comfortable for me. (note: if you go with these be careful to get the over-ear model -- there's a cheaper on-ear that's nearly identical in product pix)

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-505994-Momentum-Headphone-Ivory/dp/B00HHTD1Q2

resulting post (rogermexico.), Saturday, 26 July 2014 20:27 (nine years ago) link

my hdj-2000s have seen better days ... what's the final verdict on tma-1s?

the late great, Saturday, 26 July 2014 20:35 (nine years ago) link

TBH though if the Denon sound is already too flat then I think the AKGs will def sound 'sterile' or too 'studio' (as someone who prefers Denon / AKG to all others)

, Saturday, 26 July 2014 20:37 (nine years ago) link

if beyer tuning system is pretty simple they might be the ones - thing is, my dad is in nz, i'm going back in 3 weeks, thought i'd try to get a pair here for him before i go. if i get them on amazon i think i can probs return them, so maybe i'll give them a try. if i like them, he'll def like them.

also: no worries, D, i just had no idea that sterile headphones were a thing! like i said, i'm clueless here.

just1n3, Saturday, 26 July 2014 20:52 (nine years ago) link

i tried out the Bose AE2i Audio headphones (over ear), against my better judgment, and they sounded really flat and also really screechy. do not recommend.

just1n3, Thursday, 31 July 2014 16:54 (nine years ago) link

two weeks pass...

the conventional wisdom on monoprice 8320s is otm: sound like $40-50 budz but the tips MUST be replaced which makes the whole endeavor maybe not worth it. plus they UGLY.

rip van wanko, Monday, 18 August 2014 00:21 (nine years ago) link

Yeah they are impossible without foam tips. Which cost 15 bucks for a set, so they are really like 25 buck earbuds. Still well worth it IMO.

before you die you see the rink (Jon Lewis), Monday, 18 August 2014 01:30 (nine years ago) link

gotta ask again ... any reviews on tma-1s?

the late great, Monday, 18 August 2014 01:51 (nine years ago) link

I like mine. Other than a sonic profile that caters to bassier music, I would say they are defined by their simplicity.

mh, Monday, 18 August 2014 01:57 (nine years ago) link

three weeks pass...

$12.99 Audio Technica ATH-CLR100 are so awesome for the price. So light, such a great fit, such fantastic sound.

rip van wanko, Wednesday, 10 September 2014 14:06 (nine years ago) link

what kind of sound? And they stay in your ears well with the stock tips?

Yesterday, same day I found out the ipod classic was discontinued, I found out my favorite portable headphones (the iGrado) are also discontinued. Blehg.

Rand McNulty (Jon Lewis), Wednesday, 10 September 2014 14:44 (nine years ago) link

have I admitted to ilx yet that I bought those earphones that are 3d printed based on the shape of your ear

⌘-B (mh), Wednesday, 10 September 2014 15:12 (nine years ago) link

I'm no audiophile but I'd call the sound flat and natural with nothing objectionable at the high or low end, surprisingly capable at the low end, not a sparkling high end but not muted or sibilant either. Excellent sensitivity. xp

rip van wanko, Wednesday, 10 September 2014 15:19 (nine years ago) link

Xpost I want to try that!

Rand McNulty (Jon Lewis), Wednesday, 10 September 2014 15:36 (nine years ago) link

oh yeah the fit is great (for me), so much better than monoprice and i'm sure that's partly a function of how light the AT's are

rip van wanko, Wednesday, 10 September 2014 15:59 (nine years ago) link

rip that is rad, i am looking for cheap earbuds that are decent. my headphones take such a beating that i don't want to shell out for something expensive. i have standard issue apple earbuds that came with my ipod and as usual they are starting to tear at the base of the cord

marcos, Wednesday, 10 September 2014 16:19 (nine years ago) link

was thinking of ditching earbuds this time, but for 6 months of the year i am wearing a winter hat outdoors and i don't know how regular headphones work with a winter hat

marcos, Wednesday, 10 September 2014 16:20 (nine years ago) link

B&H didn't have those Audio Technicas strangely.

I happened to notice that all the CVS stores have Philips earbuds on clearance now (philips discontinuing the line? Idk) including the SH 3590 which have a reputation similar to the monoprice as great all round performers. I bought them and I'm really digging them so far. Bass is present but unexaggerated, same w/treble. These don't have the distinctive super wide stereo image of the monoprice but they also sound more natural to me. Worth grabbing when you're picking up your meds.

Rand McNulty (Jon Lewis), Sunday, 14 September 2014 22:14 (nine years ago) link

i have standard issue apple earbuds that came with my ipod and as usual they are starting to tear at the base of the cord

Get rid of the rubber bit that's tearing and mould some Sugru round them.

Alba, Monday, 15 September 2014 01:16 (nine years ago) link

Definitely super feeling these 3590s. Went through a gamut of different stuff tonight on them (meat puppets, current 93, john barry, sibelius)

Rand McNulty (Jon Lewis), Monday, 15 September 2014 02:35 (nine years ago) link

NB I had a pair of comply foam tips in my bag and put those on there instead of struggling with the silicone thingies.

Rand McNulty (Jon Lewis), Monday, 15 September 2014 02:43 (nine years ago) link

i have standard issue apple earbuds that came with my ipod and as usual they are starting to tear at the base of the cord

Get rid of the rubber bit that's tearing and mould some Sugru round them.

― Alba, Sunday, September 14, 2014 9:16 PM (Yesterday) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

afraid it's too late, the wires have already been torn and the sound quality is compromised when the cord is bent a certain way

marcos, Monday, 15 September 2014 13:53 (nine years ago) link

Alright everyone: Koss PortaPro KTC, Sennheiser PX 100-IIi, or iGrado?

Anyone used at least two of those and can compare them? I'm leaning toward one of the first two because they're available with iPod/iPhone controls and mic, and because they fold. But good sound is first. That and comfort.

and in his absence, she (Lee626), Monday, 29 September 2014 04:37 (nine years ago) link

I'll throw open the Sennheiser PX 200-IIi for consideration too. Similar to the PX 100 but with a small closed-ear design and a doughnut vinyl earcup rather than a flat piece of foam. Only a bit heavier and more expensive.

and in his absence, she (Lee626), Monday, 29 September 2014 06:09 (nine years ago) link

Do you mean one of the regular grado? iGrado got discontinued, sadly.

OU281 (Jon Lewis), Monday, 29 September 2014 11:37 (nine years ago) link

Fuck yeah my new headphone listening setup:

Laptop -> Dragonfly DAC -> Little Dot I+ headphone amp -> AKG K550s -> my ears, in my head, on my torso, on my massive beanbag.

DISMISSED AS CHANCE (NotEnough), Monday, 29 September 2014 14:17 (nine years ago) link

iGrado is discontinued but I think you can still but them directly from the company.

EZ Snappin, Monday, 29 September 2014 16:30 (nine years ago) link

i bought the last 2 pair on clearance at TekServe for 9 bucks each to squirrel them away against future cord death of my current pair...

OU281 (Jon Lewis), Monday, 29 September 2014 16:46 (nine years ago) link

seems like there are some on amazon sold by grado?

⌘-B (mh), Monday, 29 September 2014 16:47 (nine years ago) link

there are probably a ton still lying around in warehouses after production stopped

Nhex, Monday, 29 September 2014 16:50 (nine years ago) link

maybe they stopped making them because they can't fit any more in their warehouse

⌘-B (mh), Monday, 29 September 2014 16:51 (nine years ago) link

again, I do love them bc it is a bit awk to run around town with legit grados on (esp that burly cord) and the iG is really close to the same sound but w/o the physical burden

OU281 (Jon Lewis), Monday, 29 September 2014 17:09 (nine years ago) link

I don't see any sign the iGrado has been discontinued - it's available for order on both their US and UK sites as well as from Amazon, with all of those showing them in stock. I think they did briefly stop production awhile back to strengthen the cord. My main beef with these is the inflexible headband that doesn't adjust, much less fold, as well as inavailability of iPhone remote controls. I'm sure they sound good.

http://www.gradolabs.com/headphones/prestige-series/item/39-igrado
http://www.grado.co.uk/grado-earphones/grado-igrado-sport-headphones.htm

And yes, I strongly considered using the SR60e or SR80e as my mobile headphones until I saw pictures of people wearing them. They look deceptively small in photos where they're shown by themselves rather than on someone's head. Whoa, those things are huge. OTOH, one thing I'll credit the likes of Beats and Skullcandy for is making it socially acceptable and even fashionable to walk around in public wearing big headphones, so maybe I'll go that way. The SR80e gets glowing reviews from everyone from high-end audiophile sites to Consumer Reports, and they're affordable too. I'll just have to squash the long cord in my pocket or something.

and in his absence, she (Lee626), Monday, 29 September 2014 19:44 (nine years ago) link

The long cord is incredibly thick and inconvenient

, Monday, 29 September 2014 19:45 (nine years ago) link


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