What is a good headphones for lossless quality?

[fluffhead1124]

Hi, im putting lossless audio on my new ipod and I want to know whats the best headphones for under 100 bucks to really hear the lossless quality well. Any suggestions?
Thanks

[rx7_fan]

really no point of using lossless when you're going to buy headphones that are $100. Those headphones barely can tell 128 and lossless. I suggest 192 if you're going for sub 100 headphones

[solvexyz]

Maybe try Grado SR60, but you almost can not tell the difference between a 320kbs AAC and a lossless codec.

[thedodgyguy]

I disagree partially with rx7 (many sub-$100 headphones allow you to hear differences between 192K and lossless) but to be honest, the only headphone I've had on which I can definitively tell the difference between lossless and 320K compressed audio without referring to the original CD (i.e. going purely by whether I can hear any compression effects, since I wouldn't be able to A/B a >16khz dropoff) on an iPod without trying too hard is the Sony Qualia 010 (http://www.audiocubes.com/category/Headphones_Audiophile/product/Sony_Qualia_Q010-MDR1_Stereo_Headphones.html)... which I believe exceeds your budget somewhat.


Given the quality of high-bitrate compression these days, Lossless is largely a waste of time on a portable platform. With a low-budget headphone, it is almost a total waste of time. It sucks batteries and at your budget level, the differences will be truly miniscule if at all detectable. But as we know, audio is very subjective and some people may perceive a difference simply by willing themselves to hear a difference.


With that in mind, the Grado SR60/80 are the standout for sonic bang for the buck in the sub-$100 category, but they are patently unsuited for portable use. They have a long stiff/heavy cable, are relatively flimsy in build and offer no isolation and leak sound very badly. The best option for a closed headphone would be the Sony MDR-V6 or the MDR-7506 (same phone). The best option for an IEM? Take your pick... reviews aplenty here. The sonic bang for the buck is poorest with the IEM's but they offer the most isolation (and portability of course).


The place where Lossless makes sense IMO is if you listen at home on a 'big system' more often, in which case you can play the same library both on the move and when back home.

[enjoilax]

If you are staying within budget: Etymotic Er-6i
If you want to hear the difference between Lossless and 192: Shure E4c, E5c, possibly higher.
If you want to get the best of size and sound quality: http://www.ubernet.org/?p=UberGuide
I rip all my cds in this now, and have never looked back. I even re-ripped cds just so i could have them in this.

[jwc110869]

I actually regret using lossless in many ways. It can take as much as 3 times the space as 320 AAC, and when you are on a budget, like myself, you rarely get the opportunity to apprecieate the quality. I, myself, am just starting the process of re-ripping my library down to this space saving format, which is still rather large...........

BTW, the larger the files, the more the hard drive has to spin, and the more battery life you lose...........

Sorry to rant, not on phones, but its something to think about.

Have you decided if you want in-ears of true headphones?