Recommend a pair of headphones for me

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there is no way i would ever buy headphones that required a battery pack. that would annoy me WAY too much.

s1ocki (slutsky), Saturday, 5 August 2006 06:24 (seventeen years ago) link

Upside: iPod batteries last much longer. Downside: AAA batteries. I'll have to get a charger that fits them.

Tab Hunter loves to take his shirt off (kenan), Sunday, 6 August 2006 18:18 (seventeen years ago) link

I love my PX200s, but sometimes I want to just take in-ear phones around with me.

Just ordered some CX300s for that.

Alba (Alba), Sunday, 6 August 2006 18:25 (seventeen years ago) link

one month passes...
My daughter is thinking about getting some noise-cancelling headphones because she has a noisy roommate. (Constant TV + 4-hr. calls to boyfriend.) I suggested the Sennheiser PCX-250s mentioned on an ILM headphones thread to her, but I also found these:

Plane Quiet NC6
Has anybody had any experience with Plane Quiet headphones? Recommendations yea or nay?

Danny Aioli (Rock Hardy), Saturday, 9 September 2006 01:03 (seventeen years ago) link

I think they only cance out constant noise like the hum in a plane, constant chit-chat may be a problem, unless of course she's a boring droner.

Might nbe better to get in ear ones that will block out the noise physically.

I just bought some Shure E2Cs and on the short run out they've had so far they're absolutely fantastic and a mile better than the sonys I've just replaced which I thought were pretty good in the first place but kept losing the sleeve (including once in my ear canal - resluting in some worried rummaging while walking along a tube corridor)

Porkpie (porkpie), Saturday, 16 September 2006 12:38 (seventeen years ago) link

one year passes...

Just ordered some CX300s for that.

-- Alba (Alba),

How are they working out for you? Just ordered a pair

Ste, Tuesday, 11 March 2008 11:35 (sixteen years ago) link

seven months pass...

Looking for some recommendations as well. I've heard great things about sennheiser's HD25 and Grado's SR60 (though the later don't seem particulary aesthetic or comfortable but based on reviews it seems they have a great sound for the money)

Moka, Tuesday, 21 October 2008 18:48 (fifteen years ago) link

ugh still waiting for my portapros to come back to me. i tried using the apple earbuds today but they are such shit and they wont stay in my earholes for even a second.

s1ocki, Tuesday, 21 October 2008 18:49 (fifteen years ago) link

i bought some jvc replacement buds for my broek apple ones and they SUUUUUUCK

but spending real $$$ on headphones to wear on the bus/bike is stupid because i lose things like that professionally.

the valves of houston (gbx), Tuesday, 21 October 2008 18:50 (fifteen years ago) link

i will swear to the death on my sr60's. They only get uncomfortable if you have them on for like 3 hours.

the bourgeoisie and the rebel (Stevie D), Tuesday, 21 October 2008 18:57 (fifteen years ago) link

I've got three headphones right now:

Sennheiser PX100 (good for work cuz I can hear the phone, bad because I can also hear my co-workers)

Shure E2C earbuds (my wife wears these and she loves them, good isolation and once you find the right earbuds they fit snugly and comfortably)

Creative Labs EP-630 earbuds (I use the harder plastic Shure earbud pieces--I find these suit me fine when I am running/on the bus/etc and they are cheap.)

Alex in SF, Tuesday, 21 October 2008 18:59 (fifteen years ago) link

i will swear to the death on my sr60's. They only get uncomfortable if you have them on for like 3 hours.

― the bourgeoisie and the rebel (Stevie D), martes 21 de octubre de 2008 19:57 (7 minutes ago)

So would you recommend them over every other headphone you've tried?

The Shure headphones are a tad overpriced for me :P I'm looking for something below the $90 mark

Moka, Tuesday, 21 October 2008 19:08 (fifteen years ago) link

They are $60 on Amazon.

Alex in SF, Tuesday, 21 October 2008 19:11 (fifteen years ago) link

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

the bourgeoisie and the rebel (Stevie D), Tuesday, 21 October 2008 19:13 (fifteen years ago) link

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.

the bourgeoisie and the rebel (Stevie D), Tuesday, 21 October 2008 19:14 (fifteen years ago) link

anybody try the "iGrado" model?

El Tomboto, Tuesday, 21 October 2008 19:34 (fifteen years ago) link

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.

Alex in SF, Tuesday, 21 October 2008 19:37 (fifteen years ago) link

two weeks pass...

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?

NOW WITH ADDED CAPS (grimly fiendish), Saturday, 8 November 2008 18:44 (fifteen years ago) link

Koss Koss Koss

Tracer Hand, Saturday, 8 November 2008 19:11 (fifteen years ago) link

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

Tracer Hand, Saturday, 8 November 2008 19:22 (fifteen years ago) link

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.

VegemiteGrrrl, Saturday, 8 November 2008 20:35 (fifteen years ago) link

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!

ᑥ ᑥ ᑥ (libcrypt), Saturday, 8 November 2008 22:27 (fifteen years ago) link

porta pros work with ipods fine

sexyDancer, Saturday, 8 November 2008 23:49 (fifteen years ago) link

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.

Millsner, Sunday, 9 November 2008 00:37 (fifteen years ago) link

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 ;)

NOW WITH ADDED CAPS (grimly fiendish), Sunday, 9 November 2008 13:21 (fifteen years ago) link

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.

NOW WITH ADDED CAPS (grimly fiendish), Sunday, 9 November 2008 13:22 (fifteen years ago) link

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.

problem chimp (Porkpie), Sunday, 9 November 2008 13:24 (fifteen years ago) link

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

Tracer Hand, Sunday, 9 November 2008 14:02 (fifteen years ago) link

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

Millsner, Sunday, 9 November 2008 17:59 (fifteen years ago) link

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

Millsner, Sunday, 9 November 2008 18:00 (fifteen years ago) link

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

jon /via/ chi 2.0, Sunday, 9 November 2008 19:53 (fifteen years ago) link

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 ;)

NOW WITH ADDED CAPS (grimly fiendish), Sunday, 9 November 2008 21:11 (fifteen years ago) link

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.

fat penne (Ned Trifle II), Sunday, 9 November 2008 21:27 (fifteen years ago) link

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 ;)

NOW WITH ADDED CAPS (grimly fiendish), Sunday, 9 November 2008 21:35 (fifteen years ago) link

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

HI, YOUR BAND! (Mackro Mackro), Sunday, 9 November 2008 21:43 (fifteen years ago) link

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.

Millsner, Monday, 10 November 2008 06:46 (fifteen years ago) link

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.

Moka, Monday, 10 November 2008 07:04 (fifteen years ago) link

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

Moka, Monday, 10 November 2008 07:05 (fifteen years ago) link

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.

Millsner, Monday, 10 November 2008 07:08 (fifteen years ago) link

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.

Millsner, Monday, 10 November 2008 07:10 (fifteen years ago) link

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.

Sick Mouthy (Scik Mouthy), Monday, 10 November 2008 10:57 (fifteen years ago) link

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?

NOW WITH ADDED CAPS (grimly fiendish), Monday, 10 November 2008 12:01 (fifteen years ago) link

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.

Sick Mouthy (Scik Mouthy), Monday, 10 November 2008 12:07 (fifteen years ago) link

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

NOW WITH ADDED CAPS (grimly fiendish), Monday, 10 November 2008 12:13 (fifteen years ago) link

I'd seriously recommend Portapros over PX100s.

Sick Mouthy (Scik Mouthy), Monday, 10 November 2008 12:24 (fifteen years ago) link

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

NOW WITH ADDED CAPS (grimly fiendish), Monday, 10 November 2008 12:36 (fifteen years ago) link

Ah, yes.

Sick Mouthy (Scik Mouthy), Monday, 10 November 2008 12:37 (fifteen years ago) link

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.

dan selzer, Monday, 10 November 2008 13:49 (fifteen years ago) link

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.

Moka, Monday, 10 November 2008 19:17 (fifteen years ago) link

If you are listening outdoors I would seriously consider earbuds.

Alex in SF, Monday, 10 November 2008 19:26 (fifteen years ago) link

do I need a headphone amp if I’m already going through a stereo receiver? I’m not having volume issues at all. Do they make music sound better? Warm tubey goodness?

brimstead, Wednesday, 13 March 2024 01:44 (one month ago) link

I've gone done that road (without spending all that much) and I would say no. Not unless your receiver sounds obviously noisy or is under-powered (like you're almost maxing it out to listen at a comfortable level).

maf you one two (maffew12), Wednesday, 13 March 2024 02:13 (one month ago) link

Light dabbling in tubes I also found kind of a waste of time. And reading accounts of people with higher end stuff (who could be honest about it) it's really kinda like, well the lights look nice. Sort of like digital vs vinyl.

maf you one two (maffew12), Wednesday, 13 March 2024 02:16 (one month ago) link

I have a tubey headphone amp, but I needed something as my amp didn't have a headphone jack.

The headphones I have are Beyer Dynamic DT 990's, which I mainly bought because the guy in front of me at the hifi place looked like Jimmy Page, and he bought a pair of them. He wasn't Jimmy Page, but just the fact that he looked like him made me think that there must be something to the product. They're really comfy to wear.

henry s, Wednesday, 13 March 2024 02:26 (one month ago) link

xxp that makes sense, kind of what I suspected. Thanks!

brimstead, Wednesday, 13 March 2024 03:23 (one month ago) link


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