Good circumaural headphones?

[Throckmorton]

I'm looking for some circumaural headphones for listening to lectures and music at work. My ears are tired of foam pads pressing on them. Right now I use Koss Portapros, so I'd like a set with similar sound fidelity, for under $50.

I have qualms with buying Sennheiser because Dr. Fritz Sennheiser was a Nazi scientist according to his son, so the brand is out of the running unfortunately.

Edit: Not sure if Sennheiser worked for the Nazis or not, but he's clearly not a Nazi based on an article in here http://www.sennheiser.co.uk/se...soundings_01_05_E.pdf/$File/soundings_01_05_E.pdf

Old thread revived by noob.
admin allisolm

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
I'm looking for some circumaural headphones for listening to lectures and music at work. My ears are tired of foam pads pressing on them. Right now I use Koss Portapros, so I'd like a set with similar sound fidelity, for under $50.

I have qualms with buying Sennheiser because Dr. Fritz Sennheiser was a Nazi scientist according to his son, so the brand is out of the running unfortunately.

You really hold a grudge don't you?

 

[Oyeve]

If you are anti Senn then you are basically SOL. And, um, Senn Senior is long dead as is the whole Nazi regime. Get over it, unless he affected your life somehow. They make some of the best circumaural headphones on the market.

 

[Throckmorton]

Sennheiser is alive, he's just very old. If I find an interview or statement where he says that he was just trying to protect his family or renouncing what the Nazis did, I'll patronize his company. I won't buy a Ford either-- Henry died a Nazi supporter, and the company as an entity is the same one that willingly supplied the Nazis for profits.
Whether I'm affected or not isn't relevant-- it's the principle.


Other brands can't all just suck can they? I also don't like the look of most Sennheisers, the exceptions being the cheapest buckets and the more expensive models.

 

[herm0016]

the sony v6 is a great headphone for about 80 bucks.

the whole Nazi thing is kinda stupid. do you not buy anything made in japan either? how about Italy? or anything made in Germany by a company from that era? oh crap... you cant buy Sony either, they are based in japan. about the only thing left is grado but they are all on the ear style.

 

[Throckmorton]

Well, I wouldn't buy a Ford because of Henry's willing support for the Nazis and the continuuing profit from Ford Germany factories during the war. As for German and Japanese companies it would depend on the individual one, and whether it took advantage of the profit opportunity of the war, or was commandeered. I sure as hell wouldn't buy a car designed by Hitler.

Sony's founder, Masari Ibuka, never worked for Japanese regime. I have nothing against an ordinary Japanese person.

Look at it this way... You'd buy food from a Middle Eastern restaurant owned by Saudis right? What if it was run by fundamentalists who sent contributions to Al Qaeda? What about 60 years from now?

I'm not crazy. European Jews tend not to buy cars built by Ford, Mercede, BMW, and VAG.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Well, I wouldn't buy a Ford because of Henry's willing support for the Nazis and the continuuing profit from Ford Germany factories during the war. As for German and Japanese companies it would depend on the individual one, and whether it took advantage of the profit opportunity of the war, or was commandeered. I sure as hell wouldn't buy a car designed by Hitler.

Sony's founder, Masari Ibuka, never worked for Japanese regime. I have nothing against an ordinary Japanese person.

Look at it this way... You'd buy food from a Middle Eastern restaurant owned by Saudis right? What if it was run by fundamentalists who sent contributions to Al Qaeda? What about 60 years from now?

If it was there sons running the business or they no longer made the same mistakes as earlier in their life...sure I would eat there.

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Well, I wouldn't buy a Ford because of Henry's willing support for the Nazis and the continuuing profit from Ford Germany factories during the war. As for German and Japanese companies it would depend on the individual one, and whether it took advantage of the profit opportunity of the war, or was commandeered. I sure as hell wouldn't buy a car designed by Hitler.

Sony's founder, Masari Ibuka, never worked for Japanese regime. I have nothing against an ordinary Japanese person.

Look at it this way... You'd buy food from a Middle Eastern restaurant owned by Saudis right? What if it was run by fundamentalists who sent contributions to Al Qaeda? What about 60 years from now?

If it was there sons running the business or they no longer made the same mistakes as earlier in their life...sure I would eat there.

Like I said, I'd like to see Dr. Sennheiser give some kind of individual statement. Otherwise it will always bother me having headphones designed by a former Nazi.

 

[imported_Truenofan]

blatant ignorance. I've had Sony's, pioneer's, JVC's, and a few other name brand headphones including some noise canceling. Sennheiser's(i have the HD435's) are the best I've ever used and will probably continue using.
guess what, my grand father fought against the Japanese empire and still hates them, but that doesn't effect me in buying Japanese products made by Mazda, Mitsubishi, Honda, Toyota, and Nissan and other Japanese companies. why? because that was them, not me. grow up.
oh and guess what. Nazi's are a dead ideology, it'll probably never happen again.

edit: on another note, here i am in a country that doesn't like us. yet some of the fruit drinks/soda's and food we have here are actual native and written in part Arabic and part English. from what I've seen on the containers, they contain less preservatives and additives(if its accurate) and taste better at that. i wish i could bring them back with me or buy them back in the usa.

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: Truenofan
blatant ignorance. I've had Sony's, pioneer's, JVC's, and a few other name brand headphones including some noise canceling. Sennheiser's(i have the HD435's) are the best I've ever used and will probably continue using.
guess what, my grand father fought against the Japanese empire and still hates them, but that doesn't effect me in buying Japanese products made by Mazda, Mitsubishi, Honda, Toyota, and Nissan and other Japanese companies. why? because that was them, not me. grow up.
oh and guess what. Nazi's are a dead ideology, it'll probably never happen again.

edit: on another note, here i am in a country that doesn't like us. yet some of the fruit drinks/soda's and food we have here are actual native and written in part Arabic and part English. from what I've seen on the containers, they contain less preservatives and additives(if its accurate) and taste better at that. i wish i could bring them back with me or buy them back in the usa.

I don't really understand why you're calling me ignorant. I'm NOT refusing to buy Sennheiser because it's a German company but because its founder was a Nazi. In this case the company has no Nazi affiliation, but the man did and hasn't explained it. Would you buy sodas from Osama bin Laden??

And regarding the companies, does a corporation that willingly supports fascism and genocide for the sake of profits, as Ford did, deserve our patronage? If so, what motivation is there to stop industry in the future from selling materiele to the every genocidal tyrant who comes along? I believe in consequences. They made their money in an unethical manner, now they won't get mine.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton

Originally posted by: Truenofan
blatant ignorance. I've had Sony's, pioneer's, JVC's, and a few other name brand headphones including some noise canceling. Sennheiser's(i have the HD435's) are the best I've ever used and will probably continue using.
guess what, my grand father fought against the Japanese empire and still hates them, but that doesn't effect me in buying Japanese products made by Mazda, Mitsubishi, Honda, Toyota, and Nissan and other Japanese companies. why? because that was them, not me. grow up.
oh and guess what. Nazi's are a dead ideology, it'll probably never happen again.

edit: on another note, here i am in a country that doesn't like us. yet some of the fruit drinks/soda's and food we have here are actual native and written in part Arabic and part English. from what I've seen on the containers, they contain less preservatives and additives(if its accurate) and taste better at that. i wish i could bring them back with me or buy them back in the usa.

I don't really understand why you're calling me ignorant. I'm NOT refusing to buy Sennheiser because it's a German company but because its founder was a Nazi. In this case the company has no Nazi affiliation, but the man did and hasn't explained it. Would you buy sodas from Osama bin Laden??

And regarding the companies, does a corporation that willingly supports fascism and genocide for the sake of profits, as Ford did, deserve our patronage? If so, what motivation is there to stop industry in the future from selling materiele to the every genocidal tyrant who comes along? I believe in consequences. They made their money in an unethical manner, now they won't get mine.

Out of curiosity....can you link to proof that Dr. Sennheiser was a Nazi who supported the radical views of Hitler?

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: PurdueRy

Originally posted by: Throckmorton

Originally posted by: Truenofan
blatant ignorance. I've had Sony's, pioneer's, JVC's, and a few other name brand headphones including some noise canceling. Sennheiser's(i have the HD435's) are the best I've ever used and will probably continue using.
guess what, my grand father fought against the Japanese empire and still hates them, but that doesn't effect me in buying Japanese products made by Mazda, Mitsubishi, Honda, Toyota, and Nissan and other Japanese companies. why? because that was them, not me. grow up.
oh and guess what. Nazi's are a dead ideology, it'll probably never happen again.

edit: on another note, here i am in a country that doesn't like us. yet some of the fruit drinks/soda's and food we have here are actual native and written in part Arabic and part English. from what I've seen on the containers, they contain less preservatives and additives(if its accurate) and taste better at that. i wish i could bring them back with me or buy them back in the usa.

I don't really understand why you're calling me ignorant. I'm NOT refusing to buy Sennheiser because it's a German company but because its founder was a Nazi. In this case the company has no Nazi affiliation, but the man did and hasn't explained it. Would you buy sodas from Osama bin Laden??

And regarding the companies, does a corporation that willingly supports fascism and genocide for the sake of profits, as Ford did, deserve our patronage? If so, what motivation is there to stop industry in the future from selling materiele to the every genocidal tyrant who comes along? I believe in consequences. They made their money in an unethical manner, now they won't get mine.

Out of curiosity....can you link to proof that Dr. Sennheiser was a Nazi who supported the radical views of Hitler?

I've been searching but I can't find what I read last year. It was an interview with his son. I can't remember what he said exactly-- I think that after the war he was out of a job so he started the company. Now I'm not sure if he was a Nazi scientist or did contract work.

I did find this though:
http://www.sennheiser.co.uk/se...soundings_01_05_E.pdf/$File/soundings_01_05_E.pdf

The New Yad Vashem Museum

More than 40 heads of state and ministers were present in March 2005 for the official opening of the
new Yad Vashem Museum in Jerusalem. Ten years in the making, the museum, which is mainly underground, portrays
the persecution of the Jews during the Nazi era in a deeply affecting and personal way. The scale of the genocide is highlighted
by exhibits which recount the fate of many individuals. Film footage prior to the persecution, personal effects
and the stories of survivors reveal the people behind the tragedy.
Kilim, Sennheiser?s partner in Israel, was responsible for the technical equipment required for the various events (including
a conference) held between March 15 and 17. For the international TV networks, some of which did live broadcasts,
Kilim made excellent sound and light technology available. Speakers and presenters alike used ME 36 microphones on
MZH 3040 goosenecks. evolution e 935 microphones were provided for the vocal performances. The conference made
use of an iCL conference system with 50 microphone units. The message: presenting a unified front against violence
worldwide, and pledging to prevent future genocides.

It turns out that I CAN buy Sennheisers in good conscience

 

[arcas]

How are Sennheisers when it comes to durability? I've read that some of their models have headbands that tend to break after a while?

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: arcas
How are Sennheisers when it comes to durability? I've read that some of their models have headbands that tend to break after a while?

The ones I have owned:

HD555's
PX100's
MX400
MX300

and none of them have broken.

 

[Throckmorton]

A lot of reviews complain about Sennheiser open ear headphones leaking sound and bothering other people. What I'm wondering is if they are any worse than on ear headphones like my portaPro. I don't have any problem with other people hearing what I'm listening to, because I don't listen at high volume. I can't imagine Sennheiser cans radiating more sound outward.

I think I may buy these after work http://www.guitarcenter.com/Se...nes-242420-i1126145.gc

 

[tailes151]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton


I think I may buy these after work http://www.guitarcenter.com/Se...nes-242420-i1126145.gc

You would be much better off spending an extra $20 (minus guitarcenters shipping costs), so probably more like $10, and going with these.

I've had a pair of HD-555's for around 3 years now and couldnt be happier with them. I've also got a pair of KSC-75's, which are similar to your portrapro's but a bit less bass happy. The 555's are easily the most comfortable cans I own. And they more than satisfy me in music, movies, and gaming.


--edit--

But if you're looking to use these phones for portable use then you shouldn't be going circumaural. They will all leak, and a good deal more than your portapros. Even listening to them at moderate levels, people around you will hear the music quite clearly.

 

[Throckmorton]

Not for portable use-- for the office, in a cubicle environment. I can hear the music from the earbuds of the guy across from me, but I can't hear the sound from my own headphones when I take them off. Why would cans leak more sound? Because the drivers are further from your ears and therefore must be louder? My concern with closed cans is that I won't be able to hear when someone comes to talk to me.

I don't like the 1/4" plug on the HD555. I'm not sure why they went with that. What's wrong with putting the small plug into an adapter? That way a bigger and sturdier jack is subjected to the use of a long lever-like adapter.
In order to not have to worry about damaging the headphone jack on my work computer, laptop, or mp3 player I'd have to buy a dongle type adapter (on second thought I have an inline volume control that will take stress off the port but dunno if that affects quality). I also like how other Sennheiser headphones have the 1/8" jack on the headphones instead of having the cable soldered in.

Edit: The Guitarcenter B&M store only had one Sennheiser model, HD280

 

[tailes151]

Just use a splitter to take the strain off of your computer/mp3 player. In all fairness to Senn, I doubt the headphones were aimed at portable players and the such.

The 280's are great closed cans, albeit a bit expensive. Plus you'd have quite a hard time hearing someone talk to you. I have no problem talking to someone while wearing my 555's, but again, they do leak sound.

 

[Throckmorton]

HD205s are a good price but only go up to 20khz!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...ronic+corp.-_-26106018

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
HD205s are a good price but only go up to 20khz!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...ronic+corp.-_-26106018

as if you can hear any lower....

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
HD205s are a good price but only go up to 20khz!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...ronic+corp.-_-26106018

Dude, get the 202s and save 30 bucks. Great sound for a much cheaper price. The 280 Pros are so overrated. They really do suck. Gave em to my kid only because they are sturdy and he wont break them too easy, but they are horrid in sound quality. I picked up the 202s a while ago for cheap cans to go on fishing trips with and they are surprisingly good. My favorite overall cans are my 18yr old MDR-V6. Nothing can touch those for build/sound/longevity in its price range.

 

[Throckmorton]

Originally posted by: Oyeve

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
HD205s are a good price but only go up to 20khz!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...ronic+corp.-_-26106018

Dude, get the 202s and save 30 bucks. Great sound for a much cheaper price. The 280 Pros are so overrated. They really do suck. Gave em to my kid only because they are sturdy and he wont break them too easy, but they are horrid in sound quality. I picked up the 202s a while ago for cheap cans to go on fishing trips with and they are surprisingly good. My favorite overall cans are my 18yr old MDR-V6. Nothing can touch those for build/sound/longevity in its price range.

I've read that those aren't true circumaural and sit on top of your ears-- at least the silver model which may be lower end, but same design.

 

[jpeyton]

The Germans made lots of great inventions during WWII.

Did you know the first operational (and the first to fly) jet engine was invented for the German WWII war effort by a man named Ohain?

It was a country full of scientists and engineers, who under the stress and pace of war, advanced military and civilian technology at a frantic pace.

 

[Throckmorton]

Now I don't know what to buy. The HD555 should create really good sound, and be comfortable, so it's easy to justify the cost since I listen to headphones 6+ hours a day at work. The slim design is nice too.. But I don't want to bother people with leaking sound!! The cheaper Sennheiser closed headphones all seem to be smaller than full circumaural, so they rest on your ears.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Originally posted by: Throckmorton
Not for portable use-- for the office, in a cubicle environment. I can hear the music from the earbuds of the guy across from me, but I can't hear the sound from my own headphones when I take them off. Why would cans leak more sound? Because the drivers are further from your ears and therefore must be louder? My concern with closed cans is that I won't be able to hear when someone comes to talk to me.

I don't like the 1/4" plug on the HD555. I'm not sure why they went with that. What's wrong with putting the small plug into an adapter? That way a bigger and sturdier jack is subjected to the use of a long lever-like adapter.
In order to not have to worry about damaging the headphone jack on my work computer, laptop, or mp3 player I'd have to buy a dongle type adapter (on second thought I have an inline volume control that will take stress off the port but dunno if that affects quality). I also like how other Sennheiser headphones have the 1/8" jack on the headphones instead of having the cable soldered in.

Edit: The Guitarcenter B&M store only had one Sennheiser model, HD280

is this the case fo my HD555's? how can i replace the cable if it were to break?