Falling for Bose.

[[zerophase]]

I have avoided Bose headphones for a long time because of this forum and the "better off-with something else" stuff but i can't seem to find any good headphones that cup over the ear that also are designed well and fold up. also if it does, they aren't that comfortable. so, is there anything that has the bose quiet com. 2 features of over the ear, very good cusioning cups, nice fold up design, and look cool for less? i really don't care especially for active noise cancelling, its just an extra. i can't really find any, you have any suggestions?

[thedodgyguy]

Not sure about cool, but the Sony MDR-V900 / 7509 would fit the rest of the bill (minus noise cancellation). The Ultrasone headphones as well as the Beyerdynamic DT660 might fall into this category if 'folding' into a package slightly bigger than twelve 40Gb iPods lined up 3 x 4 could be called 'nice fold up design'.


The QC2 might still be the better bet :D

[Interpol]

Well, before I make some suggestions, can you list the headphones you've tried already?

[[zerophase]]

thanks.. as for headphones, i haven't tried any over the ear headphones besides like trying on the bose once. all my other headphones are under $30 and are behind the neck. i had the sony ex71's but my cat chewed through the wire and i hate the feeling of something stuck in your ear.

i check out the sonys... there great but they don't fold up which causes such a hassle to carry around.

[Interpol]

Few more questions:

What's your budget?

From what you described, it sounds like you're looking for a set of over-the-ear headphones. Are you also looking for ones that do active noise cancellation as well?

[[zerophase]]

my budget.. well under 300... i would like as cheap as posible with these features:

well designed
over the ear cup with nice cusions
very comfortable
fold up/ portable.

the noise cancelling is just a plus

[Interpol]

OK. $300 is more than enough for some really decent headphones. Take a look at:

Sennheiser HD201 ($25)- they look cheap, but they sound phenomenal for the price
AKG K26P ($50)
Grado SR60 ($60) - not a full seal, but sound really good
Sennheiser HD555 ($170)
Sennheiser HD280 Pro ($200)
Sennheiser HD595 ($290)

You can read reviews at: www.headphone.com.

[thedodgyguy]

The HD201/555/595 is portable? News to me.


The MDR-V900 / 7509 folds. I found the sound not so great, but very comfortable with cushions which go around your ear. There's also a useful amount of external noise blocking as well.


As I said before, the Beyerdynamic DT660 / Ultrasone headphones and the Sennheiser HD280 folds, but into a large package. (as I said, imagine twelve 40Gb iPods stacked 4 high and 3 across)


Among headphones which fit into your requirements, I've owned the Ultrasone HFI-650, Sennheiser HD280, Beyerdynamic DT660, Sony MDR-7506/7509/V700, Panasonic RP-DJ1210, etc... and right now I use the Sennheiser HD25-1 as my main portable headphone. It doesn't fold, but it is very compact. The comfort is not bad, but the cushions go over your ear. Keeps out nearly as much noise as in-ear phones.

[Interpol]

Originally posted by thedodgyguy
The HD201/555/595 is portable? News to me.
Guess you do learn something every day, eh?

Unless you're incredibly weak, I would say being able to pick up a pair of headphones and packing them in a suitcase or backpack without having to include a large amp makes it portable.

However, I was remiss in not limiting my recommendations to fullsize phones that fold up, and for that I apologize.

[[zerophase]]

wow those are a lot of headphone recommendations! thanks, i'll be sure to check them all out.

[thedodgyguy]

Originally posted by Interpol
Unless you're incredibly weak, I would say being able to pick up a pair of headphones and packing them in a suitcase or backpack without having to include a large amp makes it portable.



There's portable, and there's transportable. It's more about bulk than weight in my experience. My HD25-1, MDR-V700 and PX200 are all portable. My Qualia 010 and ATH-W2002 are transportable but not portable.

[enjoilax]

Sennheiser HD555, Sennheiser HD580, some Grados with a circumaural cup mod (www.head-fi.org)

[ojisinnocent]

wow. you are talking about a major upgrade...spending ten times more than the phones you currently have. if you were going to spend 300 bucks, i would try a few before i dropped that much cash. i'd try to do a little more research than trying some bose q2 for a minute or two. if you are brand-commited to bose though, why not get the triports? they are half the price. it just seems a little silly to make such a huge monetary jump without trying out others. you have tons of other recommendations. in retrospect, i remember ten years ago thinking "god, if bose make headphones, i will buy them in a second." seriously though, don't spend $300 on something you tried for a minute or two...especially if you are currently using 30 dollar phones.

[ojisinnocent]

oh yeah, and headfi.com will give you tons of other recommendation...but beware, they will bose-bash and possibly make fun of you for mentioning bose

[rx7_fan]

Bose = Best Overall Sound Equipment lol =D, just kiddin. listen to those guys above.