Headphone recommendations?

[slackerinabox]

I'm tired of shoving earbuds in my ears while commuting and would like some over the ear headphones for portable (subway) use. I have grados that are great but offer no sound isolation and surprisingly lovely sounding JVCs that are just too huge, I'd like something the size of beats by dres or bose quiet comforts. I'm a big fan of large soundstages and have a hard time finding headphones that don't sound like I'm in a tunnel.

Thanks!

 

[alfa147x]

I had a pair of Grados for work a while ago. I like them a lot. Kinda miss them

 

[hans030390]

So, you want a pair of closed headphones that aren't too big and offer a large soundstage...budget?

 

[slackerinabox]

So, you want a pair of closed headphones that aren't too big and offer a large soundstage...budget?

Pretty much on the nose. Budget is flexible. I do have a pair of $100 iems so I don't want to break the bank.. Let's say ideally sub-$100, but I could go up to $200 if necessary. Beat solos can be had for $99 but I think they look goofy.

 

[yh125d]

I have some Senn. HD280 Pro's. Good sound, great insulation, but they're fairly big (all circumaural cans kinda are), and can be tight if you have a big head. They usually run ~$60-75

 

[allies]

Look into Shure SHR-440s. I had the 840s (lost them... darn) and from what I other people say the SHR-440s are a little more "fun" and not as analytical. Can be had for around $70.

 

[hans030390]

TBH, I'm not familiar with many closed headphones with a large soundstage that aren't expensive or huge. I think in your price range, you'll be looking at something like the Audio Technica ATH-M50 (very popular under $200, soundstage is just average), the Shure headphones, etc.

The only closed headphone that really impressed me with soundstage was the Denon D2000, but it's definitely above your budget and it's huge.

 

[letulechuga]

http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/headphones/audio_headphones/index.jsp

Ae2's are great, I have an older model. About as lean as you can get with ear covering cans and under $200.

 

[Chapbass]

http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/headphones/audio_headphones/index.jsp

Ae2's are great, I have an older model. About as lean as you can get with ear covering cans and under $200.

Honestly these really aren't bad. While I guess I haven't tried the AE2's (Maybe I have the AE1? They look a tad different and are a few years old) they definitely arent bad. One of the few products from bose that I've tried and said "Okay, I can do with that, not terrible." Definitely don't sound as good as my HD650's, but they're very light, do a good job of noise deadening, and the sound quality is respectable. OH and the biggest thing about them: VERY COMFORTABLE. I definitely have to give bose props where its due, those over the ear cans are incredibly comfy.

 

[uhohs]

the AE1's would be an "ok" buy at maybe 50-70.

at anything near their retail price? nope.

 

[Chapbass]

the AE1's would be an "ok" buy at maybe 50-70.

at anything near their retail price? nope.

Real quick to hate, but you dont give any reasoning or alternative suggestions.

 

[slackerinabox]

the AE1's would be an "ok" buy at maybe 50-70.

at anything near their retail price? nope.

Hmm, what $50-70 headphone compares favorably to the AE1? Thanks for the suggestions so far, everything but the bose seem to be on the huge side (which would suck on the subway). Thanks!

 

[aphex]

I recommend the Audio Technica ATH-ESW9A (~$230)

I use these headphones with my portable setup and have been very pleased with both their sound quality and portability. Very wide soundstage with some very sweet sounding mids. Comfortable to wear for hours on end (I wear them for 4-6 hours everyday at work) and work well on public transportation (I used them two weeks ago in the UK on both trains, and the transatlantic flights). I also like how they sound fantastic unamped, but also respond very well to amping when desired. They don't leak sound really at all (no one can hear what i'm listening to), but they also isolate just enough to keep the everyday noises of life out.

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica.../dp/B002FTIDQC

I've gone through about 8-10 different portable headphones (ranging in price from $20 to $500) over the years and these ones fit my needs the best in terms of sound quality, portability & comfort. Just a word of caution though - Be aware who you buy them from, Audio Technica's are common targets for Chinese knock offs. Stick to the reputable/authorized sites, or buy them used from a reputable seller on Head-Fi. Used price should be $160-$190, give or take depending on condition.

 

[Oyeve]

http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/headphones/audio_headphones/index.jsp

Ae2's are great, I have an older model. About as lean as you can get with ear covering cans and under $200.

Are these the latest version of the "Tri-ports" from a few years ago? If so, then they are actually pretty damn good. I remember when the first triports came out everyone was bitching at how expensive it was and how cheaply made it was, but I bought a set years ago and they still work well to this day. Yeah, ive had to change the pads a few times and rewire the thin cable, but the drivers are original and sound pretty decent. And they are comfy and light as hell to boot.

 

[hans030390]

Hmm, what $50-70 headphone compares favorably to the AE1? Thanks for the suggestions so far, everything but the bose seem to be on the huge side (which would suck on the subway). Thanks!

JVC HAS700 can be had for $30. From what I've read, they sound and look like the AE1.

 

[uhohs]

Real quick to hate, but you dont give any reasoning or alternative suggestions.

I would call them "overpriced swill marketed to the ignorant masses" if i were "Real quick to hate", and not "ok" or decent.

Reasoning? being overpriced for the performance isn't obvious enough? poor construction quality/design as well.

the audio technica es9w would be a good pick at ~200, as would the sennheiser hd25.

at ~100, the audio technica es7, m50, or akg q460 come to my mind.

there's tons of good options out there.
this review thread on head-fi might help, but it's always best to hear/test headphones yourself. for example, |joker| somewhat favorably reviewed the panasonic htx-7 while i think they sound terrible with super recessed mids and would without hesitation choose my $5 koss ksc75 over it.

 

[aphex]

I would call them "overpriced swill marketed to the ignorant masses" if i were "Real quick to hate", and not "ok" or decent.

Reasoning? being overpriced for the performance isn't obvious enough? poor construction quality/design as well.

the audio technica es9w would be a good pick at ~200, as would the sennheiser hd25.

at ~100, the audio technica es7, m50, or akg q460 come to my mind.

there's tons of good options out there.
this review thread on head-fi might help, but it's always best to hear/test headphones yourself. for example, |joker| somewhat favorably reviewed the panasonic htx-7 while i think they sound terrible with super recessed mids and would without hesitation choose my $5 koss ksc75 over it.

HD25's are nice, but both them and the ES7's hurt my ears after an hour of usage. The ES7's sound very close to the ESW9/ESW9A, but the comfort was my biggest issue, but at half the price of the ESW9, its a very worthy competitor. The HD25's were a bit too technical for my taste.

 

[QuantumPion]

If you are willing to go to $200 then go with the Denon AH-D1100. Super comfy, light weight, great soundstage, strong but balanced bass, not overpowered or boomy. Good sensitivity for portable use. Low sound leakage. Far higher quality than any of the crummy consumer bestbuy brands.

 

[Oyeve]

What about the old classic Sony MDR-V6? Its a bit bright but after some burn-in it kinda evens out. Going on 26 years with my set. Coil-cable may be a bitch for portability though.

 

[RampantAndroid]

I have some Senn. HD280 Pro's. Good sound, great insulation, but they're fairly big (all circumaural cans kinda are), and can be tight if you have a big head. They usually run ~$60-75

Good sound perhaps, but they're lacking proper bass.

Take a look at the Beyerdynamic DT250-80s. They're less bulky than the HD280s, will not be painful if worn for hours (glasses + HD280s/vice grip on head = pain. And the HD280s feel like a vice grip.)

The DT250s offer slightly better bass, and can be driven by a MP3 player. Avoid the DT250-250s unless you have a headphone amp.

 

[alfa147x]

Shure SRH440 is for $60 on amazon

 

[wsaenotsock]

i second mdr-v6, that model in particular has excellent isolation which is the most important thing in this case. it's the best choice for a number of reasons

-low cost
-circumaural, but not too bulky or ridiculous to wear in public
-it can fold up which makes it easier to store and less likely to get damaged
-40-60 ohms, low enough to drive with a portable
-comfortable... enough
-isolation
-isolation
-did I mention isolation yet? you're using this on the subway right?

it even has it's own wikipedia article. lol!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_MDR-V6

 

[LiuKangBakinPie]

Eek for subway use. Don't get ones that sounds to good a lady jogged off a cliff once like that. Getting too intune with her music and not watch where's she going.

 

[slackerinabox]

JVC HAS700 can be had for $30. From what I've read, they sound and look like the AE1.

Thanks! Ordered them for shits and giggles, though I'm aiming to get the audio technica pair recommended as the shure's seem to be a bit bright for my liking (bright headphones hurt my ears, I prefer a warm sound). The M50s seem great but those wood ones seem like they might be worth saving for.