Best Headphones For Me

[Butthead]

Hi, I'm new to this forum but I've been reading around here for quite the long time. I bought a 15 gig 3G iPod and I was wondering if you guys could help me pick out headphones. I'm willing to spend between 50 and 100 dollars for them, and I absolutely hate earbuds. Can't get the damn things into my ears :rolleyes:

I have $180 to spend so I was looking at the Bose Triports, but then I decided that I want one of those Vaja cases for the iPod which will set me back around $75... so I was wondering what you guys thought would suit my best.

Thanks in advance, Butthead.

[MusicManiac]

You don't really need a Vaja case. I have a Covertec case, and it's marvelous. That's my favorite leather case. I also have the Krusell case and the Speck iStyle. If you buy the Covertec, you can buy more expensive earphones (the TriPorts). You could try Etymotic Research's In-Ear ER-6s (about $110), but they're earbuds. They're really comfortable though!

[Butthead]

Thanks a lot for the advice, I don't really like the look of the flip top leather cases... I've been thinking about buying Sennheisers, are HD497s any good?

[Outro]

All I have to say is don't let anyone persuade you other wise the vaja case is excellent. Can't say anything about those phones as I have not tried them....yet.

[Butthead]

Ok, thank you both for all the help, keep the advice coming :)

And by the way, your image tag in your sig is messed up. Theres a space between the [ and the img in the first tag...

[honeybee1236]

FYI: The Vaja case is not suede. Make sure while your at their website that you review the 'leather' section. There's a link on the home page. You will not get a suede case as the pictures suggest. It's stressed, cracked leather.

Also zdnet.com could help give you some insight into which headphones to by with their reviews. They also test them on the iPod. So it could give you some help in making a decision. ZDnet.com gave a good review to the Grado $60 headphones and stated that they sound good with the iPod.

Also check out headphones.com and skullcandy(http://www.skullcandy.com/products.php?products_id=6)

[Butthead]

Thanks again for all the help so far, I've narrowed my search to the Bose Triports and Sennheiser HD497s.... which would you guys choose and why?

[Outro]

Thanks for the heads up on my sig, hehe, I think it's to big anyways. I can't help you in that heaphone comparison I would, however have some recommendations. Audio technica's a500 about 100 bucks, and grado sr-60s about 70 bucks. I would recommend both these cans for home use though as the a500s are to big for use outside, and the grados aren't closed so outside noise would be a factor(plus they leak alot of sound to). Hope this helps.:D

[Butthead]

It sure has :)
I've added the Grados to my list of "maybes"...
Thanks a lot for the help

[kauffee]

Butthead, what setting will you be using these in? On-the-go or home use? Does it matter how bulky they are?

[MikeM]

Originally posted by Butthead
Thanks again for all the help so far, I've narrowed my search to the Bose Triports and Sennheiser HD497s.... which would you guys choose and why?

Avoid the triports. Way overpriced for performance. Comfort is the best thing they have going for them.

What are you looking for? You're naming cans, but they are kinda bulky for portable use. The triports are closed while the Senns are open. Do you know the difference?

Also, have you considered in-ear phones?

Have you visited head-fi.org? Its THE headphone forums site. You can get lots of reviews of both the triports and the hd497s. The triports are generally trashed over there and I'm inclined to agree. The 497's are supposedly pretty good but I haven't tried them personally.

I think you need to consider how and where you'll be using these first, then start picking models.

[honeybee1236]

I just received my Grado's SR60 on 5/27/04 (ordered them on 5/6/04) and I have to say they sound great and the construction is the best.

The review here helped me make up my mind:

http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/Grado_SR60/4505-6468_16-30618194.html?tag=pdtl-list

It stated that these sound good with the iPod and they were right. Also the Bose, I tried them and had to send them back because they do not live up to the hipe. The sound quality is to light, mostly treble, not enough bass at all. If you decide to try them, just make sure you order them from somewhere that has a 30 money back guarantee. Your gonna need it.

I settled for the Grado SR60's from http://www.headphone.com and I was not disappointed, received very fast delivery and they have a 30 day guarantee on all their headphones.

[MikeM]

Do you use your SR60s in public? They sound great [a friend has a pair that I borrow every once in a while when I want a change from my more relaxed Senns] but leak sound out as much as they send in to your ear!

[Butthead]

Well, since you guys don't think the Triports are that good, I suppose the search is narrowed to the HD497s and SR-60's... I'd get the SR-60's in an instant except I'll be wearing these mostly in public and I don't want to look like a damned fool...

[MikeM]

Originally posted by Butthead
Well, since you guys don't think the Triports are that good, I suppose the search is narrowed to the HD497s and SR-60's... I'd get the SR-60's in an instant except I'll be wearing these mostly in public and I don't want to look like a damned fool...

Both of those phones are open, not closed. You'll not only be blasting music outward so that all around can hear it, you'll be letting in any outside sounds to distract your music. I really don't think either of those are good for public use.

I highly recommend changing your search to closed phones or in-ear phones [my personal favorite for public use].

[Butthead]

Alright, what closed phones do you reccomend?

[MikeM]

These are generally very well received.

http://www.headphone.com/layout.php?topicID=3&subTopicID=26&productID=0020080280

headphone.com is a great site to purchase from. They have a no questions asked 30 day return policy. Just go easy when opening the package. :)

There are many others on that site with a wide variety of styles and prices.

I [and many others] still think that phones like the Shure e2 and e3 are the best for use in public places. Awesome sound, isolation from outside noise, and you don't have to wear giant cans on your head.

[Butthead]

I would use earbuds, but I haven't found a pair yet that fits into my ears... thanks for all the help though!

[MikeM]

Which have you tried?

Just to be clear, I'm not talking about earbuds, I'm referring to in-ear phones. The Shures have foam pieces that fit into your ears exactly like earplugs but with a little hole for the sound.

The Sony EX-71 have some really small ear pieces as well.

Shure (http://www.shure.com/psm/earphones/default.asp)

Sony (http://www.sonystyle.com/is-bin/INTERSHOP.enfinity/eCS/Store/en/-/USD/SY_BrowseCatalog-Start;sid=UghGXbyXAhNGQ_wvUQtMVvOaK9KzzqXfV-k=?CategoryName=pa_Headphones_FontopiaEarbud&Dept=pa)

[honeybee1236]

Originally posted by MikeM
Do you use your SR60s in public? They sound great [a friend has a pair that I borrow every once in a while when I want a change from my more relaxed Senns] but leak sound out as much as they send in to your ear!


I haven't had a chance to use them outside as of yet, but I know I will. I like these headphones and the design doesn't bother me. I have been using them all day today and it's 11:37 PM here now and I still have them on. I don't find them uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time as it was stated in articles that I've read.

[Butthead]

I've used the Apple earbuds that came with the iPod, and past experience with other ones prove that they just don't fit in my ear.

The Shure e2s fit into my price range, so I'll think about those...

[Demo]

What about the Sony MDR-V700's, because those are those ones i've settled on.

[Brodrick]

I hate earbuds too, none of them seem to fit in my ear, and fall out too easily. I also dislike closed air cup style headphones as I find my ear gets too hot after extended wear. I currently use Sennheiser HD570s for my extended listening (I can comfortable wear them all day at work) and a pair of Sony MDR-EX71SL in-ear headphones for walking around the city. They come with 3 size rubber nubs (similarly to the Shure E class headphones) and I use the smallest size one and find it quite comfortable. Used them recently for 5 hours straight on a plane flight, and have even fallen asleep wearing them. They also have a 2 part cord so you can remove about 2-3 feet off the length which is perfect if you use the iPod remote (though, I'm a short guy, so your experience may be different).

I'd say try the Shure E2c in-ear headphones, they come with a 30 day guarantee, so you can return them if you find they're uncomfortable for you. Or find a SonyStyle store and try the EX71s. Else everyone seems to love the Grado SR60s (if you don't mind sharing your music with those around you). A lot of reviews seem to heavily favor the E3c headphones though...

[MikeM]

Not sure if this sale is still in place, by the e3 can be had for $135, which is only 'slightly' more than the e2. Its been tempting me to upgrade. :)