Best Headphones

[puckhead193]

There was some press about how listening to music with earbuds for extended periods of time in places where there's a lot of ambient sound (like on the subway), can damage your ear. The explanation is that with earbuds you have to turn the volume way up to drown out the outside sound. The best solution is to get noise cancelling headphones (expensive), after that you can look for headphones that do a better job of blocking out outside noise so you don't have the volume as loud. I've heard the 4shures do a good job of this.

I know that's the problem, i mainly use the apple ones when on the train to NYC because i can just wrap them around the ipod and no worries. But in order to block out all the noise you need to turn them up all way. So i'm thinking of getting the Shure e2c or whatever their called cause they don't need a bettery like most (like the sonys MDR-NC11A/WHI), but how durable are they?

Also any major difference between the e2c and the e3cs? What about the "Ultimate Ears super.fi 3 Studio Earphones"
I also heard complaints of putting them in, is it a pain?

 

[Archmagination]

I would reccomend Sennheiser HD497's. They are the best headphones I have ever owned. They are the cheapest HQ headphones available right now(They are around 40 dollars cheaper than the next HQ headphones)

 

[lssmit02]

Sennheiser HD 465

Under $100, bass is great.

 

[jalagl]

I love my Shure E2c's. I got them last Thanksgiving weekend at the Apple Store for ~$70 - pretty good deal I think.

I use them mainly on planes, and the sound isolation is excellent. I had to try all the fittings to find the right one for my ear. Also, I haven't noticed the cord noise mentioned, but when eating you definitely hear every bite

 

[puckhead193]

I love my Shure E2c's. I got them last Thanksgiving weekend at the Apple Store for ~$70 - pretty good deal I think.

I use them mainly on planes, and the sound isolation is excellent. I had to try all the fittings to find the right one for my ear. Also, I haven't noticed the cord noise mentioned, but when eating you definitely hear every bite

Once u find the right foam thingy, is it a pain to put in your ears?

 

[spinne1]

The best headphones I have ever heard are the Sony Professional MDR-7506 model. I have owned these for eleven years and they still sound great! I tried some other models (Sennheiser and Beyerdynamic) while shopping but none sounded as good to me. I admit I have not heard the Grados and therefore I might like them. Yet, the recording and midi studios at my college where I went all used the Sony MDR-7506. Many TV broadcasters use them, many coaches, many radio DJs, etc. They sound really great. The best part about them is that the bass signal is so strong. When I have them on with my home stereo I SWEAR my speakers must be on because the bass sound is so full and powerful.

Look into them. Read several reviews here:

http://www.audioreview.com/cat/headphones-home-audio/headphones/sony/PRD_118049_2750crx.aspx

 

[kwajaln]

i love ANYTHING Sennheiser ! ! !

 

[onthat]

I have never experienced a bit of pain with my shure e2c IEM's, I can actually sleep with them in...we're talking ear against pillow and I never really notice them. They are the largest single driver IEM on the market, but it doesn't really effect the comfort. If the size intimidates you though, the e4c's would be my second choice. They use a dynamic armature which is extremely small and provides the same balance of sound...perhaps a little warmer. I've heard nothing good from the Ultimate Ears Super. fi 3 IEM, supposedly they are harder to fit and the ear loop doesn't work with some people...it is an armature based design similar to the e4c by Shure, but hardly as well defined. They provide nice bass if your'e ear can be fit correctly. As for the high end Ultimate Ear Super. fi's, the bass is too overpowering for my taste in the EB, due to it's driver/armature design...while the PRO is incredible. Etymotic Research Er6i's are a great choice too, if(and only if) you get custom ear molds...the cords are fragile though.

If I had the money, I'd get the Super. fi PRO from Ultimate Ears, sound isolation is great and the output is spectacular...plus you can replace the cords.

 

[onthat]

in regards to durablility, I have accidentally slapped my e2c's against a wall, turning a sharp corner in a crowded hallway...they still sound amazing, no damage at all.

p.s. Shure provides a "no questions asked" 2 year replacement warranty for any of the IEM's they produce, just fill out the info.

Sound Isolation > noise cancellation (this is not debatable, it is a proven fact)

E3C's work well with the PSP, I don't like the way they sound on an iPod...an amp might make all the difference in the world, but I could never bring myself to carry a little box that is bigger than my source and adds about 18 inches of cable length...just doesn't scream portability.

 

[bah-bah'd]

NO EARBUDS! looking for opinions on closed ear old school.

I can't believe how some people don't read what the question is.

I bought a pair of Sennheiser 457s as cheap $20 headphones from newegg.com to start out with and keep as a backup pair when I get better Grados or Sennheisers. (I want isolating studio headphones...) They sucked horribly bad; so much for sticking with brandname.

I also bought a pair of Icemat headphones (came with a microphone) which are sold as gamer headphones. Originally a gift for someone who got a bluetooth headset prior, so I got to keep them and am very glad. Slightly bassy with a little mud in the sound, and the soundstage is a little empty in the midrange, but for classic oldschool headphones, they freaking rock for $75 to the door.

https://www.icemat.com/shop/default.asp?main=products
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836508101


iCEMAT Black Siberia Headset - The Siberia Multi Headset is Skype certified, and designed for both gaming, portable sound players, HI-FI and IP-telephony.

HEADPHONE:
Frequency resp: 18-28.000 Hz
Impedance: 40 Ohm
SPL@1kHz, 1V rms: 99 - 104dB
Cable length: 1,0+1,8=2,8m.
Jack: 3,5 mm. + 6,3 mm. converter.

MICROPHONE:
Frequency Response: 80-15.000 Hz
Pick-up pattern: Sensitive uni-directional
1V/P@1kHz: -38dB

iCEMAT Black Siberia Headset

Oh, those headphones has about a 3'-4' cable which connects to a ~10' extension with a volume adjuster. The volume control's parts are cheap and degrade the sound. I was unhappy with the headphones until I thought to bypassed the extension cord.

It does not matter much that I have to get a better quality 1/8-1/8 extension cable though. The headset cord is plenty long, useable with an iPod in your pocket or backpack or any other use no problem. The microphone cord is actually ~10'

 

[Blind Buzzard]

I have a pair of Grado SR60's, great quality for the price. I also own a pair of Sennheiser mx500 earbuds for on the go, not bad for what they are, el' cheapos'.

I tried out a pair of the "earcanal" earbuds, like the Shure's, but I didn't care much for them. Everytime the cord would hit something you would hear and feel a reverberating effect. Seemed like you couldn't be very active in them, although the sound quality was great.

 

[onthat]

I can't believe how some people don't read what the question is

I can't believe how some people can make a critical comment when they haven't even read the entire thread. Puckhead193 showed an interest in portable/earbud style headphones and decided to impregnate someone else's thread.

 

[onthat]

anyone have a suggestion for portable headphones. my mom wants me to get new headphones cause she thinks the apple ones are bad for you.... I like the ear bud style because i can just throw them in my pocket/bag. Any ideas

...wouldn't expect that from a "member"

edit: just wanted to clarify that I wouldn't expect a "member" (in this case bah-bah'd) to make uninformed comments.

 

[puckhead193]

I can't believe how some people can make a critical comment when they haven't even read the entire thread. Puckhead193 showed an interest in portable/earbud style headphones and decided to impregnate someone else's thread.

what's the big deal.... no point in a new thread.....

 

[onthat]

what's the big deal.... no point in a new thread.....

my thoughts exactly, the title opens this thread for anyone to submit a question...some people like to make negative comments when they haven't even taken the opportunity to inform themselves of what's been said, or in this case asked.

Puckhead193 showed an interest in portable/earbud style headphones and decided to impregnate someone else's thread.

I meant nothing harmful by my comment regarding puckhead193, simply said that he took the opportunity afforded him. I apologize if you took offense and will attempt to make my observations clearer in the future.

 

[puckhead193]

update

So i went to get my car wash today and down the street was best buy...
Anyway, I picked up the E2cs, There awsome, it takes some time to figure out which cap thingy to use, and putting them in. Other then that no complaints.

If you are still using those white headphones from apple throw them in the trash and pick these up ASAP!!! Highly recommend

 

[onthat]

you made the right choice, I love mine.

I do have one complaint however, the waxguard stickers wear off if you change out the eartips too frequently.

edit: also, you should try reversing them and running them behind your ears...some people find that this provides tighter bass.

 

[ksz]

Sony MDR-SA5000

I stumbled upon the Sony SA5000 at a store that carries a wide selection of headphones all hooked up to a high-quality source. You can truly do A/B comparisons all day in that place...and so I spent a bit too much time doing just that.

Conclusion: A toss-up between the Sennheiser HD650 and the Sony MDR-SA5000.

The Sennheiser is more subdued in the highs, not quite as airy. But the Sennheiser exerts excellent control and weight. The Sony is brighter, but it does not compromise the lower frequencies. Both are excellent choices. My ears preferred the more open Sony. I am a big fan of good treble control and openness, and the Sony IMO betters the Sennheiser in this respect.

The Sony was a discovery for me. I went to the store to audition Sennheisers and Grados, never expecting to find such a gem in the Sony department.

 

[Chef Medeski]

I personally do NOT buy anything BUT Sennheiser headphones.


Everything else is junk

Yeah right. Grado SR-125s can be found used for $100 and that will give you the best sound quality for price. It will sound as good as most $200 headphones including those Sennhousers.

 

[Bengt77]

Too little too late, but still...

I saw you already bought some cans, but I just wanted to point you at these cans. For just under $100 ($99, to be exact) they have to be about the best you can buy. Of course, for the same price you can get these cans, but they're open, and you asked for closed cans. But the second pair actually is better than the first, though.