Ear phones and headphones

[pcslookout]

I am buying some new ones soon. Just can't decide if I should get ear phones or headphones?

Last time I got the Shure 525 ear phones. Can't remember the exact model number because it been well over 4 to 5 years sense I tried them. All I remember is they had a option to lower the music on the ear phones and hear people talking to you without taking the ear phones off. Awesome feature. I didn't like their fit though. They sounded really great though. Prefer ear phones too but couldn't get them comfortable in my ear.

Next I got the Denon DH2000 headphones. Loved them and these are the ones I kept. The only disadvantage is after 3 years of having them the little screw that keeps the ear cups on came off on the left had side. Then cup on the right hand side came off. I got them by on but it was very difficult. Wish there was a easier way. Currently I must be careful they don't fall off. Otherwise they are still ok. I still want new ear phones or headphones though.

Which ear phones or headphones do you all recommend?

Here is what I will be using them for:

Movies
Music
Gaming
YouTube videos

 

[Soundmanred]

http://www.beatsbydre.com/headphones/solohd/beats-solohd.html

 

[pcslookout]

Thanks just decided to get a new pair of the headphones I already have. I love them to much.

The only thing that sucks is a new pair is $100 to $250 more than what I paid for them.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Yeah Denon discontinued them and replaced them with an inferior headphone so prices got jacked up on them.

You might consider the Audio-Technica ATH-A900X or maybe the Sennheiser Momentum. I believe V-Moda has a couple of models you might also consider. I'm sure there's a few others too.

Actually I believe Creative has been using the Denon drivers, or rather, they're Fostex (who was the OEM for Denon on the Dx000 headphones), and I think they might have just brought out some new Models. Their Auravana Live was basically the AH-D1000 but cheaper (with a bit of a stepdown in looks).

If you want to go open the Sennheiser HD-650 often gets compared although they sound quite a bit different in many ways.

I believe Audio-Technica has a few models that would be worth considering if you wanted something more portable. The ESW9 and there's like 2-3 limited edition models, and also there's a couple of others but I can't recall their model names.

Oh, are you replacing them just because of the screw? I think there might be a couple of modders that have a fix for that.

Here's a good resource:
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/innerfidelitys-wall-fame-full-size-sealed

There's plenty of others on there as well. He unfortunately doesn't seem to have the newest Audio-Technicas or a wide variety of their models (probably because he seems to limit it to the US models, whereas you can buy a wider variety from AudioCubes).

 

[Zorander]

You should ask this question in Head-fi since that's what the site is about (as much as Anand is about computer hardware).

You are missing much detail in your OP. You should include the following as otherwise your question is too open-ended:
1) Outdoor or Indoor use
2) Budget
3) Source (e.g. phone, computer audio-out, dedicated dac/amplifier, etc.)
4) Percentage/split between your intended usage

p.s. the feature you mentioned on the Shure is PTH (Push-To-hear).

 

[hans030390]

If you have a good DAC and a powerful amp, one of the best entry-level audiophile cans on the market now is the Mad Dog (silly name, I know). It's a highly modified Fostex T50RP. You can do your own mods on the T50RP as well, though results aren't guaranteed. It's a fairly neutral can with a tilt towards a warmer/darker sound. Really great, clean bass, but it might sound thin if you're used to the Denon's bass (which is a tad exaggerated and has somewhat high harmonic distortion, which gives the perception of more bass at time). It's better balanced than the Denon...great bass, better mids, and just-as-detailed treble but without the Denon's treble resonance that makes it sound sibilant at times.

Consider the HD600/HD650 for open headphones. The HD558/598 are great alternatives if you can't spend as much.

The ATH-M50 is one of the best all-rounder cans and is fairly inexpensive as well. Mad Dog is still better overall, though.