Headphone recommendations
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My Sony MDR-CD270 ("dynamic stereo headphones") are getting quite old and I need to buy a new pair. I much prefer the large headphones that fit over your ears to the ones you stick into your ears (too much surfer's ear because of time at the beach). Does anyone have any recommendations? I use my headphones a lot so I'm looking at getting a good pair. p.s No real interest in wireless ones as long as the main cable is over 1 meter. Cheers, Simon sig ::
"Don't try to be like Jackie. There is only one Jackie.... Study computers instead.", Jackie Chan on career choices.
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"Most of us are programmers, but a few use VB", Christian Graus -
My Sony MDR-CD270 ("dynamic stereo headphones") are getting quite old and I need to buy a new pair. I much prefer the large headphones that fit over your ears to the ones you stick into your ears (too much surfer's ear because of time at the beach). Does anyone have any recommendations? I use my headphones a lot so I'm looking at getting a good pair. p.s No real interest in wireless ones as long as the main cable is over 1 meter. Cheers, Simon sig ::
"Don't try to be like Jackie. There is only one Jackie.... Study computers instead.", Jackie Chan on career choices.
article :: animation mechanics in SVG blog:: brokenkeyboards
"Most of us are programmers, but a few use VB", Christian GrausWell, I can suggest a great place to go and read (http://www.head-fi.org/forums/[^]) that place is an absolute gold mine of information. The first biggest question is over where you'll be using them, and consequently how isolated they need to be. For instance, in a relatively noisy environment at work you'll need to look at some closed phones to prevent noise leaking into you, but also prevent what you're listening to disturb other people. Otherwise, you can go open, and accept that noise will leak. The other big question is budget, you can buy headphones that cost thousands and thousands of dollars (do a search for Sennheiser Orpheus, a system that sold for over $30,000). Finally, the other big question is not only what kind of music you listen to, but what is providing the music -- portable CD player, hi-fi etc. If you're using a low power device (such as an iPod) you're going to struggle with certain headphones that require a little too much juice, unless you go with an amplifier also. My best suggestion is check out Head-fi, read reviews. Feel free to let me know more about how you're going to be using them and I'll do my best to suggest stuff. -- Paul "Put the key of despair into the lock of apathy. Turn the knob of mediocrity slowly and open the gates of despondency - welcome to a day in the average office." - David Brent, from "The Office" MS Messenger: paul@oobaloo.co.uk Download my PGP public key
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Well, I can suggest a great place to go and read (http://www.head-fi.org/forums/[^]) that place is an absolute gold mine of information. The first biggest question is over where you'll be using them, and consequently how isolated they need to be. For instance, in a relatively noisy environment at work you'll need to look at some closed phones to prevent noise leaking into you, but also prevent what you're listening to disturb other people. Otherwise, you can go open, and accept that noise will leak. The other big question is budget, you can buy headphones that cost thousands and thousands of dollars (do a search for Sennheiser Orpheus, a system that sold for over $30,000). Finally, the other big question is not only what kind of music you listen to, but what is providing the music -- portable CD player, hi-fi etc. If you're using a low power device (such as an iPod) you're going to struggle with certain headphones that require a little too much juice, unless you go with an amplifier also. My best suggestion is check out Head-fi, read reviews. Feel free to let me know more about how you're going to be using them and I'll do my best to suggest stuff. -- Paul "Put the key of despair into the lock of apathy. Turn the knob of mediocrity slowly and open the gates of despondency - welcome to a day in the average office." - David Brent, from "The Office" MS Messenger: paul@oobaloo.co.uk Download my PGP public key
I intend using it to listen to various kinds of music on my PC. Cheers, Simon sig ::
"Don't try to be like Jackie. There is only one Jackie.... Study computers instead.", Jackie Chan on career choices.
article :: animation mechanics in SVG blog:: brokenkeyboards
"Most of us are programmers, but a few use VB", Christian Graus -
Well, I can suggest a great place to go and read (http://www.head-fi.org/forums/[^]) that place is an absolute gold mine of information. The first biggest question is over where you'll be using them, and consequently how isolated they need to be. For instance, in a relatively noisy environment at work you'll need to look at some closed phones to prevent noise leaking into you, but also prevent what you're listening to disturb other people. Otherwise, you can go open, and accept that noise will leak. The other big question is budget, you can buy headphones that cost thousands and thousands of dollars (do a search for Sennheiser Orpheus, a system that sold for over $30,000). Finally, the other big question is not only what kind of music you listen to, but what is providing the music -- portable CD player, hi-fi etc. If you're using a low power device (such as an iPod) you're going to struggle with certain headphones that require a little too much juice, unless you go with an amplifier also. My best suggestion is check out Head-fi, read reviews. Feel free to let me know more about how you're going to be using them and I'll do my best to suggest stuff. -- Paul "Put the key of despair into the lock of apathy. Turn the knob of mediocrity slowly and open the gates of despondency - welcome to a day in the average office." - David Brent, from "The Office" MS Messenger: paul@oobaloo.co.uk Download my PGP public key
May I prevail on you for a recommendation? I had a bit of a look around that site you recommended and it is chock-full of information, but it is a bit overwhelimg. Purpose: Plug into my laptop (no fancy audio hardware) to listen to music. I listen to mainly rock, metal and electronica which I imagine is quite a frequency range. I like my music loud but clear (those high, clear moments after a bass-heavy introduction that send shivers down your spine). Environment: Home-office so I don't have to worry about co-workers. Got a busy road outside the window though so I imagine a bit of covering would help. Though it gets hot here and you can sweat, so huge ear-muffs might get uncomfortable. Bias: My dad would be proud if I got Sennheiser as he has a pair and they are pretty damned good. Personal: I wear glasses and have about 60% hearing in my left ear. If any of that makes any difference. Budget: $150-$200. Thanks Paul, I'll have to reward you somehow for a good recommendation. regards, Paul Watson South Africa The Code Project South-East Asia Disaster: How you can help Pope Pius II said "The only prescription is more cowbell. "
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May I prevail on you for a recommendation? I had a bit of a look around that site you recommended and it is chock-full of information, but it is a bit overwhelimg. Purpose: Plug into my laptop (no fancy audio hardware) to listen to music. I listen to mainly rock, metal and electronica which I imagine is quite a frequency range. I like my music loud but clear (those high, clear moments after a bass-heavy introduction that send shivers down your spine). Environment: Home-office so I don't have to worry about co-workers. Got a busy road outside the window though so I imagine a bit of covering would help. Though it gets hot here and you can sweat, so huge ear-muffs might get uncomfortable. Bias: My dad would be proud if I got Sennheiser as he has a pair and they are pretty damned good. Personal: I wear glasses and have about 60% hearing in my left ear. If any of that makes any difference. Budget: $150-$200. Thanks Paul, I'll have to reward you somehow for a good recommendation. regards, Paul Watson South Africa The Code Project South-East Asia Disaster: How you can help Pope Pius II said "The only prescription is more cowbell. "
Ok, I'm not too sure how much I can recommend... although that site does have quite a massive amount of info, you may be better posting a message in the Headphone section asking for suggestions. If you give the same info as here you should get a few. Wearing glasses at the same time may cause a few comfort problems, I've tried a few different headphones over the years but because I don't wear glasses I don't know whether they'd become uncomfortable as a result. My immediate thoughts would be to suggest any Grado headphones within your price range (SR225's are well regarded: http://www.headphone.com/layout.php?topicID=3&subTopicID=26&productID=0020090225[^]). But that may be overkill without a good source so you may also go with the SR125 or SR80's. They're open so if you're in a noisy environment they may not be great, but they're quite light and the foam doesn't get too hot. From what I've read (and from use -- I used to have a pair of their flagship RS-1s) they suit the music you describe. For ones that isolate you a bit more, I believe the AKG K271s are also a good choice (http://www.headphone.com/layout.php?topicID=13&subTopicID=71&productID=0020120271[^]). As are the HFI-650s (http://www.headphone.com/layout.php?topicID=13&subTopicID=71&productID=0020360650[^]). As I said, those are my first thoughts. I've owned Grado's before (and they are excellent, they don't need a lot of power), the only reason I got rid of my RS-1s was because I had another pair and couldn't afford to keep them. One other thought, if you're unsure you may be better buying a pair second hand (Head-fi has a classifieds bit) where you should get a pretty good deal on them and it means if you don't like them you can sell them on again for little loss, its a good way of trying out a few pairs and see which you prefer. Hope that helps. -- Paul
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Ok, I'm not too sure how much I can recommend... although that site does have quite a massive amount of info, you may be better posting a message in the Headphone section asking for suggestions. If you give the same info as here you should get a few. Wearing glasses at the same time may cause a few comfort problems, I've tried a few different headphones over the years but because I don't wear glasses I don't know whether they'd become uncomfortable as a result. My immediate thoughts would be to suggest any Grado headphones within your price range (SR225's are well regarded: http://www.headphone.com/layout.php?topicID=3&subTopicID=26&productID=0020090225[^]). But that may be overkill without a good source so you may also go with the SR125 or SR80's. They're open so if you're in a noisy environment they may not be great, but they're quite light and the foam doesn't get too hot. From what I've read (and from use -- I used to have a pair of their flagship RS-1s) they suit the music you describe. For ones that isolate you a bit more, I believe the AKG K271s are also a good choice (http://www.headphone.com/layout.php?topicID=13&subTopicID=71&productID=0020120271[^]). As are the HFI-650s (http://www.headphone.com/layout.php?topicID=13&subTopicID=71&productID=0020360650[^]). As I said, those are my first thoughts. I've owned Grado's before (and they are excellent, they don't need a lot of power), the only reason I got rid of my RS-1s was because I had another pair and couldn't afford to keep them. One other thought, if you're unsure you may be better buying a pair second hand (Head-fi has a classifieds bit) where you should get a pretty good deal on them and it means if you don't like them you can sell them on again for little loss, its a good way of trying out a few pairs and see which you prefer. Hope that helps. -- Paul
Thanks for the info, Paul, I'll look out for some Grados around here and give them a try. regards, Paul Watson South Africa The Code Project South-East Asia Disaster: How you can help Pope Pius II said "The only prescription is more cowbell. "