decent portable headphones

[sp0om]

hello.

i have a crap pair of sony bud earphones. i like them because they can easily fit in my pocket, but hate them because they have terrible sound quality. anyone have recommendations for a good set of portable headphones? im thinking to spend around 50 dollars.

TIA! 8)

[Kati Compton]

I'd be interested too... Only I'm not willing to spend quite that much. :)

I'm actually looking for a good pair of folding (not earbud) type portable headphonts. Something that won't take up too much room, but is more comfortable and that I'd be more willing to let other people use.

[popabawa]

Waaaay out of your proposed price range but try to let me tempt you to the dark side of Etymotic :devilboy:

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er6.asp

Etymotics are simply amazing. They reveal detail in the music you won't hear unless you have a VERY serious hi-fi addiction.

Save up for 'em - you won't regret it.

Iain.

[SHC]

These are superb earphones, http://products.sony.co.uk/productdetail.asp?id=14_39_2638
I presume you can get them in the US. They cost £35.00 which is about $60.00 I guess but things in the US are cheaper anyway. Check them out you won't be disapointed!

[bljarv]

These are superb earphones, http://products.sony.co.uk/productdetail.asp?id=14_39_2638
I presume you can get them in the US. They cost £35.00 which is about $60.00 I guess but things in the US are cheaper anyway. Check them out you won't be disapointed!

I have a previous version of these headphones from Sony and absolutely love them! They come highly recommended. Do an ebay search for a set and you'll find that you can come in under your $50 budget even with the shipping.

[sp0om]

wow. those etymotics look tempting, but after spending so much on my ppc, i dont think i would feel so good about dropping 140 on a pair of headphones. i'll keep that site in mind if i ever win the lottery ;)

those sonys look to be my perfect mattch

thanks!

[captgoodhope]

I'm actually looking for a good pair of folding (not earbud) type portable headphonts. Something that won't take up too much room, but is more comfortable and that I'd be more willing to let other people use.

I bought these on a recommendation in a post here.

http://www.jandr.com/JRProductPage.process?RestartFlow=t&Section_Id=1&Product_Id=3671159

They fold up in a little case, sound great. There's a 'closed' model also, but I can't think of the number right now.

[Kati Compton]

captgoodhope -

I see the noise cancelling ones like that... but they're $130. 8O

I'll take a look at the one you recommended.

[Zack Mahdavi]

I remember reading a year or so ago that Sennheiser made a pair of regular earbuds ($20) that had great sound quality. I'll try to find the post, but if I recall, I read about the headphones on Planet MD

[socrates63]

zkmusa, you're probably referring to the MX500 (http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite/productdetail.asp?transid=004854). I read good things about it, and bought it directly from Sennheiser last year ($19.95 + shipping).

sp0om, I strongly urge you to take a look at the following two links. You will find recommendations on headphones from lo- to hi-end stuff. I'd been looking around for some headphones to use in my office for the past two weeks, and today, I ordered the Grado SR60. I had been leaning strongly toward buying the Sennheiser PX-100 but changed my mind in the end. I found the portable headphones review at Ars Technica (http://www.arstechnica.com/reviews/004/headphones/headphones-1.html) and Headroom (http://www.headphone.com) helpful. Although Headroom is a retailer, its web site had very good review information on many of its products. I eventually ordered the Grado from Headroom.

.

[kaitanium]

you should check out the forums at headwize.com

my friend browses and participates there and boy...the headphones he chooses are extremely extravagant and good sounding, and all his knowledge came from there

[pacemkr]

I use the Koss "The Plug" noise cancelling headphones and I'm very happy with them. The price is cheap (under $20 for these) the sounds is more than adequate. They put more emphasis on lower frequencies, but I like it. Don't believe their claim about the replaceable cushions though. I've been on backorder for 4 months. Deffinitely visit headwize.com, as kaitanium suggested, awesome site.

[Zack Mahdavi]

zkmusa, you're probably referring to the MX500 (http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite/productdetail.asp?transid=004854). I read good things about it, and bought it directly from Sennheiser last year ($19.95 + shipping).

Yup, those were the ones I was thinking about... what do you think of them?

[sp0om]

ah thank you socrates, but ear bud phones are much more easy to pocket, and that is, at the moment, my most important consideration. i will check out headwize.com and see what the folks there have to say.

nice avy btw ;)

[wizardmaster2k]

i second the koss "the plug" they morph to fit in your ear and are way comfortable compaired to traditional style ones.

last time i checked they were only $12 at ecost.com. add something else to make the total over 25 bucks and the shipping is free as well.

[socrates63]

ear bud phones are much more easy to pocket, and that is, at the moment, my most important consideration
I'd appreciate it if you'd post what you finally purchased.

I'm a huge earphone fan...never took a liking to headphones for several reasons but finally bought one because I couldn't find earphones (not the type where they plug into your ears but the kind that's usually provided with a portable player...ear buds??) that sounded better than the Sennheiser MX500 ($20) in the under $70 category.

Oh, and Hobbes for Prez! :)

[socrates63]

zkmusa, you're probably referring to the MX500 (http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite/productdetail.asp?transid=004854). I read good things about it, and bought it directly from Sennheiser last year ($19.95 + shipping).

Yup, those were the ones I was thinking about... what do you think of them?

I'm far from being an audiophile, so all I can say is that I like what I hear (primarily DVD movies, games on my laptop). It has an inline volume control (a definite must), and there's a "thing" that prevents the cord from splitting into two strands. I have a set of very cheap earphones which does not have this "thing" and the cord split into two all the way down to the inline volume control; very messy and tangly.

I wish there were more earphones of this type on the market, but I couldn't find any better than the MX500.

[sp0om]

ear bud phones are much more easy to pocket, and that is, at the moment, my most important consideration
I'd appreciate it if you'd post what you finally purchased.

I'm a huge earphone fan...never took a liking to headphones for several reasons but finally bought one because I couldn't find earphones (not the type where they plug into your ears but the kind that's usually provided with a portable player...ear buds??) that sounded better than the Sennheiser MX500 ($20) in the under $70 category.

Oh, and Hobbes for Prez! :)

i think im gonna go for the koss plugs. they are at the local circuit city, which means i dont have to wait for shipping :). also, cheaper than the 40 dollar sony fontopia. i'll post here again once i get them.

Oh, and Hobbes for Prez! :)

i second that notion

[divajess]

I am going to have to try out those Sennheiser earbuds...I tried the Koss Plug earphones but they actually HURT my poor little ears no matter which pads I used on them.

[Pixelnose]

OMG! The Plug?? You're kidding, right? :p

If search wasn't down at Head-fi, you could search there, but as it is...:

Sennheiser mx500, px100, px200

Koss ksc-35, portapro,

and the highest up the chain I'd be willing to go with an iPaq as a source..

The Shure e2. I love my etys, but they're way too revealing for the source.

The Sony ex71 is just too boomy for my taste.

Of course, this all comes with the warning to make sure you're stuff is encoded with a decent bitrate, or else it'll all sound like crap. ;)

[tanalasta]

ooooo audiophiles on pocketpcthoughts??? Head-fi's a great website.

The shures and ety's are awesome headphones but way out of the $50 price-range proposed :( They're the best on the market.

Seinheiser ones ain't bad.

But yes, the EX71SL from sony are alrighty headphones - most people have a love-hate relationship with them. If they're too boomy, use a smaller earpiece and turn off any bass-EQ boost you have on - that should solve the problem (or don't push the earbuds as far in).

I have the EX71SL's coz they're all i can afford and i like the moderate sound isolation the closed design gives. Unfortunately, they broke after 6 months (but yay! under warantee - just got them back today). Sony has a rep of having crappy wiring in their headphones so that one earbud mite stop working after some rough use. My sony 888SP's died that way too.

But if you can't afford the ety's, the EX71SL's come recommended ;)

[Len M.]

The Shure earphones are getting a fine reputation in the audiophile world.

http://www.shure.com/earphones/index.asp

The least expensive has a list price of $99 so you'll probably be able to find them for around $80 or so if you shop for them. In a quick search:

http://www.mobilecityonline.com/wireless/store/accessorydetail.asp?id=19729

Mobilecityonline has them for 479.95

I have a set of the Etymotic ER-4S after having had a set of the ER-4Bs,and while they sound good, they don't sound as good as our Grado RS-1s or HP-1000 open air headphones. I can't recommend the ER-4s as a high-end audio product.


Len Moskowitz
Core Sound
www.core-sound.com

[Pixelnose]

Ok, I gotta ask, what audio source/amp did you use for the comparison and what music? And did you get a good seal with the etys?

I've heard the rs-1 (bowl pads, definately Grato!), and I tell ya, they're in the same class. At this point it's all down to personal preference. How can the etys not be a high-end product when they have a near perfect frequency response?

But getting back to the ipaq, no, I don't think the etys especially would be very good. Too detailed. The highest up the ladder I'd go is the Shure E2.

[Len M.]

We use our 'phones with a variety of sources including a Grado headphone amp, an Alesis Masterlink, an M-Audio Duo, and about ten different PDAs.

Neither the Etymotics ER-4S nor -4B have a flat frequency response. Check out this page:

http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/images/er4-graph.gif

+7/-6 dB doesn't look like "flat" to me.

I have custom earmolds for them, so seal is not a problem. They have fine bass; it's the midrange and high end that aren't quite right.


Len Moskowitz
Core Sound
www.core-sound.com

[Pixelnose]

Have you tried testing them with a real source and not a crappy pda? And can you show me (besides the HP1000 which isn't exactly the best choice for portable use), a better frequency response?

I dunno, no headphone has a perfect response, but comparing these two confirms what my ears heard.

The ety 4s

http://www.headphone.com/graphs/showGraph.php?graphID=111

The rs-1

http://www.headphone.com/graphs/showGraph.php?graphID=123

It ain't neutral. It's got a hump in the midrange, and lots of people like that, and you obviously prefer it to the "colder" etys, but don't pronounce it as not audiophile just because you don't like it. Both graphs courtesy of The Headroom - http://www.headphone.com[/url]

[Len M.]

Maybe you missed my mention of the Grado headphone amp. It's being driven by a Benchmark DAC-1 from a Meridian CD player and an Alesis Masterlink. And the Benchmark drives the headphones wonderfully too.

We build microphones and mic pre-amps. I know what my ears tell me, and we have some of the world's finest test equipment to confirm what I hear.

But to each their own.


Len Moskowitz
Core Sound
www.core-sound.com

[Pixelnose]

I notice you say nothing about that midrange hump in the rs-1's though - that's hardly neutral. The ety 4s has no such hump. I'm just trying to point out that they're in the same class, and that it's all down to personal preference when you're at that level of sound.

But cans like etys, Rs-1's and certainly HP1000's aren't exactly portable for a pda.

Nice to see though that you have a good audio setup. I was afraid you were plugging an RA-1 into an iPaq!

My setup is a bit more budget, but a solid performer:

Nad C542-->Perreaux sxh-1-->Tara Labs 1100i IC's-->Senn 600 w/ Oehlbach cable or Etymotic 4s

[sp0om]

alright, someone here asked for an update on what i bought, so here it is: i went ye ole best buy and bought a pair of hte mdr-ex51lp. i saw the koss plugs for half the price, but those looked terribly uncomfortable. anyways, i bought these and i absolutely love them. when i have them on, i cant hear very much outside noise which is great. um... my only gripe is that the bass is a bit boomy, but ipaq audio can adjust that. oh, and they are comfy as hell. i could wear these forever! :D

DISCLAIMER: this above opinion is from a normal guy. i am no audio guru unfortunately

[tanalasta]

I think I've mentioned already i have the ex71SL's. not sure what the difference between that and the ex51 is in terms of sound quality. They are comfy though ain't they? :)

If you find the sound overly boomy I've found you can:
1. Twiddle with any EQ/bass boost settings as you've done.
2. Experiment with a smaller ear-bud size.
3. There are other earphone mod suggestions on the web, but they are rather irreversible, in my opinion unneccesary and void your warranty so I won't suggest them here :P

[maikii]

I really like the Sony 71s. Best small headphones I ever had.

Although the list price is about $50, I bought them for about $35 at a PCMALL shop, Creative Computers in Santa Monica. I think PCMALL online has the same price, and some other places as well, while others charge $50 for them.

I also tried the more expensive version with the anti-noise circuitry. (I forget what you call that.) I didn't find that to improve the sound at all, or reduce noise at all, just adds noise.

I didn't try the 51s at all, but the specs look exactly the same as the 71s. I think the only thing different is that they do not include the case and the extension cord. The case is worthless-cheap plastic that breaks. The cord is necessary for the 71s though, unless you always have the music player in your shirt pocket. The cord without extension is not long enough to go to your jacket pocket, belt clip, etc. So--if the 51 has the same length cord as the 71 without the extension, then it makes sense to get the 71 to get the extension. (But perhaps the 51 cord is longer. I couldn't imagine any headphones having a cord as short as the 71s, without the extension.)

I actually tried the Shure $99 model, to compare. I didn't find the sound any better than the Sonys, and not as comfortable. I returned them.

The Koss "Plugs" are another in this type of earphone, much cheaper ($15 at some places, $20 at others), and not bad. I like the Sonys better though.

[sp0om]

the cord on my 51 is long enough to get to my pocket with a good amount of slack.

i agree with the included case totally sucking buns. its terrible. i dont know how it is supposed to help in any way. in fact, the way that the earphones are placed into the case with the ear bud stick things sticking out makes it more prone to breaking with the case. eh, im just not going to use it.

and yes they are quite comfy. i wear the medium sized buds. the smalls are too small and the bigs are too big. wearing the smaller ones did lower the bass, but the earphones didnt feel very in my ear.

eh. im quite happy with my purchase :)

[tanalasta]

My brand new EX71SL's broke just 2 weeks after getting them replaced under warranty. The left side just refused to work :P I really think Sony's got some shocking quality control with their wiring. What a waste :(

Trouble is, they're now out of warranty.

I'm looking for a new pair of headphones in the $50-80US range.

After vowing never to touch Sony's again, I'm considering the new-line MDR-G72SL streetstyles. Durability is a bit factor this time around though - I can't afford to keep replacing my phones. I'm staying away from the earbuds but if I can't find anything at all, I might even go back to the reliable 848's.

My other alternatives are: MX500 (maybe not), Koss KSC-55. Any other recommendations or opinions?

[shawnc]

My other alternatives are: MX500 (maybe not), Koss KSC-55. Any other recommendations or opinions?

Just curious, why not the PX100's from Seinheiser? Also, you seem to have considerable knowledge about headphones so I'm going to ask you two quick questions. What's the difference between (in laymans terms) open and closed headphones? And, is there a problem with in-line volume controls? I would think all high-end phones would have this convenience but few do. It makes me wonder if this feature degrades performance.

Just wondering since I've been on a never-ending search for headphones for over a year. My problem is that I seem to like high's better than overbearing bass. I have a pair of $20 Sony MDR-A35's that I can't seem to replace. I've tried 3 better looking headphones but have returned them all because the Sony's sound so much better. I'm willing to go as high as $100 but would really prefer in-line volume control, which my Sony's do not have.

Good luck.

[Kati Compton]

My brand new EX71SL's broke just 2 weeks after getting them replaced under warranty. The left side just refused to work :P I really think Sony's got some shocking quality control with their wiring. What a waste :(

Trouble is, they're now out of warranty.
They don't say "and this replacement should last x months"? I'd call and complain anyway. You may not get a new set, but you might feel better. I would.

[tanalasta]

The replacements were totally brand new and packaged. Unfortunately, they don't come with any "extra" warranty and the period's just expired. So I'm stuck with buying new ones unfortunately :(

open and closed headphones?
Open headphones are your normal earbuds, street style headphones etc... They're open in that they don't form a seal around your ear and isolate the sound. You can hear what's going on outside and if you play it loud enough, others can hear your music.

As for in-line volumn controls - I've never bought a pair with them. The remote control for my CD player is only a hand's reach away :P

I'll add the Seenheiser PX100 to the list. They're a little hard to find in Australia without ordering online.

[tanalasta]

I finally settled on a cheap set of earbuds - The Sennheiser MX400. They're as cheap as most entry level buds and I will agree they sound absolutely awesome for the price. They don't have as much bass as the EX71's (Sony) nor the clarity and reproduction of the 888's (Sony) but cost 1/3 the price.

My only criticisms are that their treble doesn't sound quite right. The cord is a tad too short. The plug isn't gold-plated. And they are slightly uncomfortable with a completely round earbud. But I would still recommend them for anybody who only has a couple of dollars to spend! They come with a 2 year warranty so I plan to abuse them till I can save up for those Etymotics!

[Jereboam]

The plug not being gold-plated is not an issue. It only offers better conductivity etc if it is like to like, ie gold-plated plug to gold-plated socket, if you are talking using with a Pocket PC or just about any portable music player you will not have a gold-plated socket. In fact gold-plated to not gold-plated could cause oxidisation issues in the long-term.

It's mainly a marketing/aesthetics thing at this level of audio quality. Don't be taken in.

The treble on the Sennheisers doesn't sound quite right because you are not used to them. Most other earbuds simply don't match the frequency response curve of the Senns, so you are not hearing what your brain is used to hearing. It is, in actual fact, better...technically. But everyone is different and what sounds good to you might not sound good to me.

Sony's bass is often overemphasised to compensate for the deficiencies in the headphone amps of almost all portable players, with varying success.

Save up for those Etys. I have the 4Ps and they are amazing.

I also can't recommend the Sennheiser PX-100s enough. They are not buds, OK, but the quality is amazing, and they fold up for ultimate portability. They are pretty cheap too, you can find them for $40 or so.

J'bm

[tanalasta]

Oooo ... I was about to purchase the PX100's but couldn't resisting saving money. Would you be able to compare them to Koss's KSC 50 which I have also heard nice things about but haven't had the opportunity to listen to.

My CD-player does have gold-plated earphone sockets and I know it doesn't make much difference but it looks prettier ;) Superficial - I know.

The trebles sound brighter than I am used to - though not overly so. I would argue that the Sony E888's sound better but all in all the Senn MX400 / 500's are still highly recommended.

When I get a new job I'll buy the Ety's - which retail for A$499 - but that won't be for another year and a half yet :oops:

[shawnc]

Oooo ... I was about to purchase the PX100's but couldn't resisting saving money. Would you be able to compare them to Koss's KSC 50 which I have also heard nice things about but haven't had the opportunity to listen to.

I purchased the Koss's and after 2 weeks of trying to "break them in" and waiting for them to sound better than my cheap $20 pair of Sony's, I gave up. They are bulky, but look great. However, for my taste, they sound horrible. Very hollow.

[Jereboam]

I'm a headphone junkie and I have the Koss KSC50s too...

Compared to the Sennheiser PX100s - there is no comparison, IMHO.

The Sennheisers blow them away completely - in terms of comfort, definitely, in terms of bass, definitely, and given that they fold up into their own case they don't fall short on portability either.

Spend the little extra and get the Senns. You will not be disappointed. For the money they are my favourite headphones by a long way, and I have some serious cans in my collection.

J'bm

[Jereboam]

I've used Headroom (http://www.headphone.com/layout.php?topicID=3&subTopicID=26&productID=0020080010) in the past, for example to order my Etys, and can recommend them as a purchase point.

J'bm

[Kati Compton]

The replacements were totally brand new and packaged. Unfortunately, they don't come with any "extra" warranty and the period's just expired. So I'm stuck with buying new ones unfortunately :(
I'd probably STILL complain. "I don't consider those to be replacements if they were defective. So please send me the replacements you were supposed to under my warranty."

[Kati Compton]

Spend the little extra and get the Senns. You will not be disappointed. For the money they are my favourite headphones by a long way, and I have some serious cans in my collection.

I recently spluged on this:

http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite/productdetail.asp?transid=004924

The Sennheiser PXC-250's. They're closed, and have noise-cancelling. The noise cancelling makes me uncomfortable when there's not enough noise to cancel, so I'll probably only use that feature on the plane, but I'm sure that there it will be a godsend! I was getting really sick of having to jack up the volume on planes to hear anything, and still not hear it well.

These headphones are amazing (and quite expensive for me, given that I'm no afficianado). They were $120 from Amazon. They're SMALL for noise-cancelling headphones. They fold up very cutely, and have a bag that they come with (I think the non-noise-cancelling version comes with a rigid case, which would have been nice). They come with the mini-to-regular adapter, as well as an airline adapter (dual mini).

I'm definitely hearing parts of songs that I haven't heard before, even on a good stereo system. Background music and vocals that are "ambiance" behind the lead vocals and musicians. It was distracting at first, but it's NICE. I'm very happy. I might even get my husband a pair for Christmas.

Oh - though let me give a better explanation of what bothers me when I'm just turn on the noise cancelling without music and when the room is already quiet (and this happens to my husband too) - we both experience some *physical* discomfort. Like our ears really really need to pop. But again, that's only when I'm using the noise cancelling in situations where I really wouldn't want to anyway.

I might suggest, though, that if anyone is thinking about getting noise-cancelling and hasn't ever tried them before, they see if there's a store around where they can actually try some out. From what I understand, a very small segment of the population gets physically ill from them even with music/noise. If it just feels "weird", you're probably OK. ;)

[Jereboam]

Hi Kati,

You're right, these are exactly the same headphone units as the PX-100s but with noice cancelling ciruitry inserted in the lead. So they are top-notch.

I thought about these too, but decided that the in-ear isolation of the Etymotics was going to give me superior noise-cancelling performance, and they are superb. The rest of the wordl just fades away, and I can hear every little nuance of the music I am listening too. The flip side is that tracks encoded at lower bitrates sound even more terrible, and some CDs even I have discovered are of absolutely appalling quality...and all my CDs are genuine...quite an eye opener.

I never knew that some people were getting discomfort from the noise-cancelling technology...although anything that has an impact on the inner ear could potentially cause this...glad I went with a passive solution now, couldn't bear my music making me feel ill!

J'bm

[Kati Compton]

Hi Kati,

You're right, these are exactly the same headphone units as the PX-100s but with noice cancelling ciruitry inserted in the lead. So they are top-notch.
Actually, the 100s are open. The 250s are based off the 200s, which are closed.

[Kati Compton]

Here's the different portable Sennheiser's:

100: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000089GN3/qid=1090087555/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/104-9348680-2363107?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846
(Check out the "better together" link, where Amazon usually tries to sell you books or CDs from the same author/artist you're looking at... Yeah, I need 2 sets of headphones....)

200: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000089GN4/qid=1090087555/sr=8-4/ref=pd_ka_4/104-9348680-2363107?v=glance&s=pc&n=507846

250: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000089GN2/qid=1090087555/sr=8-2/ref=pd_ka_2/104-9348680-2363107?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846
(This pic shows the headphones folded).

[Jereboam]

Hi Kati,

You're right, these are exactly the same headphone units as the PX-100s but with noice cancelling ciruitry inserted in the lead. So they are top-notch.
Actually, the 100s are open. The 250s are based off the 200s, which are closed.

I appreciate the difference, but what I meant was the actual drivers and components...they are identical.

Cheers, J'bm

[Janak Parekh]

Oh - though let me give a better explanation of what bothers me when I'm just turn on the noise cancelling without music and when the room is already quiet (and this happens to my husband too) - we both experience some *physical* discomfort. Like our ears really really need to pop. But again, that's only when I'm using the noise cancelling in situations where I really wouldn't want to anyway.
Hmm. For me, it feels like the world is a bit hollow, but strictly from an auditory perspective, not from a physical perspective. Perhaps it's some psychosomatic effect? In any case, I got used to the sensation I described after a while. At my last job, I used the noise-cancelling feature of my MDR-NC20s (I know, mediocre headphones, but hey, they were the only ones on the market 5 years ago!) and it felt weird at first, but being able to drown out others' chitchat was very helpful.

Anyway, I think Jereboam's point is if you wanted the same listening quality with an open pair, the 100s would be ideal. I'll have to check them out myself - I'm looking for a new comfortable pair of open headphones for home.

--janak

[rez13]

I haven't read much of the other pages, but Sennheiser (http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm.nsf) are cool and high quality

[Janak Parekh]

I haven't read much of the other pages, but Sennheiser (http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm.nsf) are cool and high quality
Well, two posts above yours, Sennheisers were being discussed. ;) And yes, they have carved out a very nice niche in portable listening. I've got a pair of MX400 earbuds sitting right next to me...

--janak

[Jereboam]

Oh - though let me give a better explanation of what bothers me when I'm just turn on the noise cancelling without music and when the room is already quiet (and this happens to my husband too) - we both experience some *physical* discomfort. Like our ears really really need to pop. But again, that's only when I'm using the noise cancelling in situations where I really wouldn't want to anyway.
Hmm. For me, it feels like the world is a bit hollow, but strictly from an auditory perspective, not from a physical perspective. Perhaps it's some psychosomatic effect? In any case, I got used to the sensation I described after a while. At my last job, I used the noise-cancelling feature of my MDR-NC20s (I know, mediocre headphones, but hey, they were the only ones on the market 5 years ago!) and it felt weird at first, but being able to drown out others' chitchat was very helpful.

Anyway, I think Jereboam's point is if you wanted the same listening quality with an open pair, the 100s would be ideal. I'll have to check them out myself - I'm looking for a new comfortable pair of open headphones for home.

--janak

The PX100s are great Janak. Highly recommended...Headroom says that the bass with the open design is far better than the closed design of the 200s or Kati's.

Of course, they will bother people around you slightly, and likewise any ambient noise will come through. But I actually prefer that, I can hear phones, my daughter etc so it's good for listening casually during the day.

J'bm

[Janak Parekh]

Of course, they will bother people around you slightly, and likewise any ambient noise will come through. But I actually prefer that, I can hear phones, my daughter etc so it's good for listening casually during the day.
Yep - that's the point. Not only does closed get to you after a while due to its utter silence, it has to clamp over your ears. Mine are sensitive, so they get sore after an hour or two. I have sufficiently sensitive ears that even open earbuds start irritating me after about 3-4 hours of listening, so I'm looking for something very light. People would generally not be around my computer when I'm using them, so that's a non-issue. :)

--janak

[tanalasta]

How much are you willing to spend? If you want something really light and comfortable, any of the in-ear canalphones readily come to mind. You almost forget you're wearing them! And as they tend to block outside noises, you won't get distracted from your computer :D

Models that immediately come to mind are:
1. Sony EX71SL
2. Shure E2c - http://www.shure.com/earphones/eseries_e2c.asp
3. Etymotic ER-6
4. Shure E3c

The latter three are decidedly pricey but are quality pieces of equipment :)

[shawnc]

I have agonized over the purchase of a decent pair of headphones for quite some time. Based primarily on the intelligent and informative material posted in this thread, I finally narrowed it down to the Shure E2C and Sennheiser PX100.

My experience has not been good with phones that sit in your ear. They just haven't felt very comfortable. But there are times on my morning commute that I just want to do this to some very loudtalking passengers :snipersmile: , so eliminating outside noise is important. I'd rather not have to continously listen to my music at the top volume.

Ultimately I decided to go with the Shure's because of the need to eliminate the outside noise AND the fact that they look to be pretty comfortable.

Neither has the volume control that I wanted really bad, but I guess you can't have it all.

Thanx to all who contributed so much information to this posts. As I've said before, this site is the best thing going, second place isn't even close :wink: .

[Jereboam]

An absolute pleasure to have helped with your decision, and I am sure that you will be pleased with the Shures.

Remember that they come with a few different fitting options...and the flange type fittings that came with my Etys are available as replacement parts and AFAIR they fit the Shures as well, so you should be able to get a comfortable fit somehow!

Be really careful walking with in-ear headphones though...you won't hear shouted warnings, car horns etc.

Volume controls are often absent on high end headphones because of the noise they introduce, so not necessarily a bad thing...

Enjoy your headphones.

J'bm

[shawnc]

Remember that they come with a few different fitting options...and the flange type fittings that came with my Etys are available as replacement parts and AFAIR they fit the Shures as well, so you should be able to get a comfortable fit somehow!

While I didn't know that you could fit the ETY's fittings, the multiple fitting options available with the Shures was the critical factor in purchasing. They simply LOOKED very comfortable.


Volume controls are often absent on high end headphones because of the noise they introduce, so not necessarily a bad thing...

You have no idea how long I have been trying to find out why volume controls do not seem to be resident on high-end headphones. Thanx again for the info.

[Janak Parekh]

How much are you willing to spend? If you want something really light and comfortable, any of the in-ear canalphones readily come to mind. You almost forget you're wearing them!
If you're referring to me... I've tried one or two that are barely in-ear and my ears get really sore very fast. :( I might try the EX71SLs ultimately -- my officemate raves about them -- but my ears are weird, and for now, I've been very conservative with my headphone choices.

And as they tend to block outside noises, you won't get distracted from your computer :D
No - I don't mind my computer's noises when I'm at home. In fact, I generally prefer open headphones even when I'm roaming around the city, as I want to hear those cars honking as they're about to plow into me. :P

--janak

[Kati Compton]

No - I don't mind my computer's noises when I'm at home. In fact, I generally prefer open headphones even when I'm roaming around the city, as I want to hear those cars honking as they're about to plow into me. :P
Hehehe - I might actually have gotten an open+noise cancelling version if they'd had one (that was portable). I've been using them some at home, and I do notice that I can't hear my husband due to the closed design (I have noise cancelling off unless we have the whole house fan on).

Maybe I'll make these Official Plane Gear, and get the 100s for at home. When I get my next paycheck. :P

[Janak Parekh]

Hehehe - I might actually have gotten an open+noise cancelling version if they'd had one (that was portable).
I thought such things don't exist, by definition...

I've been using them some at home, and I do notice that I can't hear my husband due to the closed design (I have noise cancelling off unless we have the whole house fan on).
Is that a good thing or a bad thing? :twisted:

Maybe I'll make these Official Plane Gear, and get the 100s for at home. When I get my next paycheck. :P
;) My MDR-NC20s have become essentially plane gear for that very reason. I use earbuds at home and during my commute.

--janak

[Pat Logsdon]

I might try the EX71SLs ultimately -- my officemate raves about them -- but my ears are weird, and for now, I've been very conservative with my headphone choices.
The EX71SLs get my vote, too. I've had mine for about 6 months now, and I love 'em. I used to use the cheap Sony earbuds, but I couldn't take them for more than 2 hours at a time - it felt like they were rubbing holes in my ears. :) The EX71SLs are VERY comfortable. The little rubber "caps" are very soft and flexible, so I can wear them all day (and have) with no discomfort. They also come with three different sized caps for each ear, so they should fit most people with no problems. The sound is night and day from regular earbuds - much better clarity and WAY more bass. Very full and crisp. Me likey. :mrgreen:

[Janak Parekh]

Hmmm. Thanks, Pat -- maybe that'll be enough incentive for me to try it. It did seem really soft when my officemate got them, but I thought it'd be rude if I stuck his in my ears before he got to use them. :P

--janak

[Kati Compton]

My momma told me to never stick anything in my ear...

:P

[ctmagnus]

And my momma said

go stick it in yer ear

:p x2

[Kati Compton]

ct: :P

Anyway -

Actually, rather than the MX100s, I might be looking for a set that has a single wire (attached to one ear, not both), and incorporates a microphone. But I haven't seen any reviews of this type of headphones on HeadRoom, so maybe they're all sucky, and I'll just keep a cheap pair around for when I need it and use the MX100s at home. Though it'd be nice to have the single cord - gets in my way less when I turn my head to talk to my husband.

[Jereboam]

Kati, think these (http://www.sennheisercommunications.com/toServlet.jsp?servlet=servlet/SubpageServlet&subsiteId=&pageId=10&subpageId=37&env=0&view=1) are what you are looking for.

Reviewed here (http://www.dansdata.com/s140150.htm).

J'bm

[Kati Compton]

Kati, think these (http://www.sennheisercommunications.com/toServlet.jsp?servlet=servlet/SubpageServlet&subsiteId=&pageId=10&subpageId=37&env=0&view=1) are what you are looking for.

Reviewed here (http://www.dansdata.com/s140150.htm).
Cool, thanks!

Now the question is, do I want to be "stylish and cool", "ultimate", or "supreme"? :P

[Jereboam]

I will shamelessly say that you have the choice, Kati... :lol: