headphone recommendation?

[randomlinh]

I'm looking for something for my dad. He want's some closed cans. And it has to not feel like they are squeezing his head. For reference, he really likes the sound from the Sennheiser HD 280's, but they are too tight feeling. They are my brother's, so I don't know if there's anything to stretch them out well.

I have some HD 580's, which he says still feel a bit tight (and they aren't closed, but just for reference).

What he does like in feel is supposedly the $300 bose cans. I have no idea which ones tho, but given the price, I'm guessing the Quiet Comfort 2's. Now, I'm not a fan of bose out of principle, and $300 for headphones is a bit much. So is there anything that matches the HD280's in sound, and feel like those bose's?

Noise canceling isn't really a need if you're wondering, just closed and not sitting on his ears

 

[Baked]

For some people, closed cans get hot really fast and make their ears uncomfortable. Fortunately, I'm not one of them. I love my Audio-Technica A900. If you're on a budget, Amazon.com is selling the Audio-Technica A700 for around $117 shipped. These are strictly indoor cans because they're huge and the support pads on top makes you look like a Martian.

If you want something smaller, there's the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7 for about $91 shipped. These cans are a direct competitor to Bose's QC series cans, and from reviews, the AT cans are better.

 

[Excelsior]

++ on the Audio-Technicas. I tried my buddies HD280s on and they were sooo uncomfortable compared to my ATH-A500s. I find these AT cans to be very comfortable.

 

[CallMeJoe]

The classic answer is the Koss Pro 4AA.

 

[JAG87]

Thumbs down on Audio Tecnica IMHO.

Has your dad heard the 580s or just put them on his head? Cuz if he's heard the 580s, how can he still like the sound from the 280s... I dont understand. The 280s are mediocre.

If closed is a necessity, IMO you have only one manufacturer to look at, and that's Denon. I think a pair of AH-D2000s should give your father exactly what he's looking for.

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: JAG87
Thumbs down on Audio Tecnica IMHO.

Has your dad heard the 580s or just put them on his head? Cuz if he's heard the 580s, how can he still like the sound from the 280s... I dont understand. The 280s are mediocre.

If closed is a necessity, IMO you have only one manufacturer to look at, and that's Denon. I think a pair of AH-D2000s should give your father exactly what he's looking for.

And we have a winner! :thumbsup:

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: JAG87
Thumbs down on Audio Tecnica IMHO.

Has your dad heard the 580s or just put them on his head? Cuz if he's heard the 580s, how can he still like the sound from the 280s... I dont understand. The 280s are mediocre.

If closed is a necessity, IMO you have only one manufacturer to look at, and that's Denon. I think a pair of AH-D2000s should give your father exactly what he's looking for.

Why recommend a Denon D2000 when you can recommend a Sony R10? BTW, I love your detailed insights on why you don't like the AT and recommend the Denon instead. Can I subscribe to your newsletter?

 

[JAG87]

Originally posted by: Baked

Originally posted by: JAG87
Thumbs down on Audio Tecnica IMHO.

Has your dad heard the 580s or just put them on his head? Cuz if he's heard the 580s, how can he still like the sound from the 280s... I dont understand. The 280s are mediocre.

If closed is a necessity, IMO you have only one manufacturer to look at, and that's Denon. I think a pair of AH-D2000s should give your father exactly what he's looking for.

Why recommend a Denon D2000 when you can recommend a Sony R10? BTW, I love your detailed insights on why you don't like the AT and recommend the Denon instead. Can I subscribe to your newsletter?

It almost seems you have strong feelings for Audio Tecnica, perhaps there is something you'd like to share with us? Because IMHO, they are a terrible value for your money. I'm not saying they sound bad, I'm saying that there is much, muuuch better sound to be had.

While I'm sure for some people going from 100 to 250 might be an unacceptable budget increase, considering it gets you very close to the plateau of hi-fi, I think it's not, and since the OP mentions $300 BOSE headphones (for the love of god), I don't see where your sarcastic comment fits in.

So great job mentioning the R10, I'm sure the OP is thinking exactly about spending 3K on a pair of headphones for his dad. It's all about value for your money, and in closed headphones, the D2000s is where the sweet spot lies. An image is worth a thousand words.

 

[aphex]

Denon D2000

Like pillows on your ears. Fantastic sound. I am VERY picky about my headphones and can wear these for 6+ hours straight without so much as batting an eye. Retail is $349, but can be found around $200 new.

 

[nsafreak]

I personally have not listened to the Denon D2000s so I'm not going to comment on their quality sound wise or comfort level wise. However your dad might want to see if there's a head-fi local meetup in his area where he can perhaps try out some of the headphones that he's interested in. That way he'll know how they sound and how they feel. Personally I do own a pair of Audio Technica ATH-AD700 headphones and they are one of the better sets that I have owned. Granted I haven't ever owned anything terribly expensive in the past, my previous set was a pair of Sennheiser HD-280s. From a sheer comfort standpoint these headphones are great as they are very lightweight (magnesium casing) and the wings that support the headphones make it so that the little weight there is isn't felt on your ears at all. From a sound quality standpoint they do sound very good as well. I may not have "golden" ears or the most expensive setup. But hooked into my Harmon Kardon receiver they sound just fine.

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: aphex
Denon D2000

Like pillows on your ears. Fantastic sound. I am VERY picky about my headphones and can wear these for 6+ hours straight without so much as batting an eye. Retail is $349, but can be found around $200 new.

:thumbsup:

Aphex is right. I own the Denon D2000 as well and the sound is awesome. I can easily wear them for 8 hours or more. Most comfortable closed ear headphones I have ever had a pleasant using.

 

[abaez]

Originally posted by: pcslookout

Originally posted by: aphex
Denon D2000

Like pillows on your ears. Fantastic sound. I am VERY picky about my headphones and can wear these for 6+ hours straight without so much as batting an eye. Retail is $349, but can be found around $200 new.

:thumbsup:

Aphex is right. I own the Denon D2000 as well and the sound is awesome. I can easily wear them for 8 hours or more. Most comfortable closed ear headphones I have ever had a pleasant using.

What about if you have a big head? I have the 280's and they barely fit even when they are opened all the way. After awhile they start to hurt, plus they rub the top of your head so you feel like you're gonna get a bald spot.

Woe to the big-headed people in the world trying to find comfy headphones ;(

 

[Miramonti]

For a tighter budget, how is the Denon ah-d1001 (for about $86)?

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: abaez

Originally posted by: pcslookout

Originally posted by: aphex
Denon D2000

Like pillows on your ears. Fantastic sound. I am VERY picky about my headphones and can wear these for 6+ hours straight without so much as batting an eye. Retail is $349, but can be found around $200 new.

:thumbsup:

Aphex is right. I own the Denon D2000 as well and the sound is awesome. I can easily wear them for 8 hours or more. Most comfortable closed ear headphones I have ever had a pleasant using.

What about if you have a big head? I have the 280's and they barely fit even when they are opened all the way. After awhile they start to hurt, plus they rub the top of your head so you feel like you're gonna get a bald spot.

Woe to the big-headed people in the world trying to find comfy headphones ;(

I hated the comfort level of my HD 280's and glad I finally threw those away. Most uncomfortable headphones I have ever wore.

Not sure about big heads and the Denon D2000's though. Not sure if I have a big head or not. I don't think so but even with the HD 280's it was horrible.

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: jjsole
For a tighter budget, how is the Denon ah-d1001 (for about $86)?

Not sure sorry.

Interesting just checked amazon and they do not sell the Denon D2000 or even the higher level D5000 anymore directly. You can still buy it on amazon but can't use amazon price. Glad I bought mine when I did.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: jjsole
For a tighter budget, how is the Denon ah-d1001 (for about $86)?

The Denon D1001's are highly regarded and comfortable as well, but by all accounts, the D2000 is a significant upgrade.

 

[randomlinh]

thanks for all the replies.. I hadn't had a chance to follow up on this. But the $300 bose was not necessarily the budget, it was just something he found really comfortable. I personally couldn't give money to Bose.

As for the sound from the HD580's... to be honest, none of us are really audiophiles. and the source test was an ipod. soooo... yeah. I have the HD580's since I got them for $100 and they fit nicely for me (though, I'm finding over 3hrs of use gets tiresome, but I rarely hit that). I had a small amp for them, but it was battery powered, so cumbersome to deal w/ charging and whatnot for a desktop application.

And he's not going to go to any meet up to try anything, heh. D2000 sounds like a solid choice. Though, I have a feeling he'll go w/ the ATH A700 out of cost. The little graph seems to imply it's not that bad a value.

 

[thomsbrain]

My HD-580's are so loose than I can't wear them if my head is tilted or they slide off my head. Your dad must have a head the size of a hippo. 😉

Also, the bands on most headphones will break in over time and stop clenching so hard.

 

[pcslookout]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
My HD-580's are so loose than I can't wear them if my head is tilted or they slide off my head. Your dad must have a head the size of a hippo. 😉

Also, the bands on most headphones will break in over time and stop clenching so hard.

I never tried the Sennheiser HD580 but I was thinking about getting them. I decided not to after my reading about them becoming uncomfortable after a while and ear fatigue. I did not want that again even if they were awesome compared to my Sennheiser HD280 pros. Don't think I will ever buy another Sennheiser headphones because they are just to tight on my head. It starts to hurt my head after a while. I know after a while they are suppose to break in but even then they are still to tight. No I do not have a big head.

My #1 concern was comfort then sound quality. That is how it will always be from now on because I don't care if they are the best headphones in the world If they are not comfortable to wear for 3 hours + then I do not want them at all.

I have a problem with in ear headphones as well. They are far to uncomfortable. There no way I can try custom ones though even if I could get them they are far to expensive custom in ear headphones.