think tank forum

technology » recommend some cans!

lucas's avatar
13 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
i'm looking for:
-> decent noise isolation (so i don't annoy my office mates)
-> smaller sizes (for most portabilities)
-> good, neutral sound with full bass response
-> $100 to $300 range

proposals? high-impedance cans welcome. go!
nny's avatar
13 years ago
link
nny
M̮͈̣̙̰̝̃̿̎̍ͬa͉̭̥͓ț̘ͯ̈́t̬̻͖̰̞͎ͤ̇ ̈̚J̹͎̿̾ȏ̞̫͈y̭̺ͭc̦̹̟̦̭̫͊̿ͩeͥ̌̾̓ͨ
sony mdr-v7s still a personal favorite... cheap monitors like 75
bsdlite's avatar
13 years ago
r1, link
bsdlite
thinks darkness is his ally
go big or go home
shit also owns
another classic

the above = the trifecta
bsdlite's avatar
13 years ago
r1, link
bsdlite
thinks darkness is his ally
this post has been archived.
lucas's avatar
13 years ago
r2, link
lucas
i ❤ demo
i like these, the audio technica esw9a.
lucas's avatar
13 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
headroom recommended the denon 2000 and the audio technica m50.

i think i'm going to give the esw9a a try.
lucas's avatar
13 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
i'm listening to the esw9a right now. i like them. plus they're beautiful.
Étrangère's avatar
13 years ago
link
Étrangère
I am not a robot...
you already exchanged your other ones?
lucas's avatar
13 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
yeah.

i'm hearing new things from my favorite songs, even on v0! :D
Étrangère's avatar
13 years ago
link
Étrangère
I am not a robot...
they do seem to do that
lucas's avatar
13 years ago
r1, link
lucas
i ❤ demo
ok, i decided that i need to go full-size, otherwise my ears hurt after too long.

sennheiser hd-650 for $350 from headroom
sennheiser hd-600 for $320 from b&h
denon ah-d2000 for $300 from headroom
audio technica ath-m50 for $116 from b&h
lucas's avatar
13 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
too bad the hd-650 and hd-600 cans leak sound like crazy. :(
nestor's avatar
13 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
i used to have senn hd-650s (something like six years ago). i traded them in for grado sr-80s for quiet listening and shure e2cs for commute / work listening. i think you've owned both though.
bsdlite's avatar
13 years ago
r3, link
bsdlite
thinks darkness is his ally
> too bad the hd-650 and hd-600 cans leak sound like crazy. :(

what? they leak sound from the headphones into your ears. of course there is some external leakage, because they aren't sealed.

edit: if you're leaking sound, the volume is too loud; please be kind to your ears. tinnitus causes irreparable damage.
bsdlite's avatar
13 years ago
r1, link
bsdlite
thinks darkness is his ally
if you're looking for a great seal, i would recommend IEM phones--although I can't make a suggestion based on experience. many head-fi audiophiles like some of the higher-end sealed sony monitors that are commonly used in recording studios.

although, like i said above, there is no problem with open cans at moderate volume levels (~65-70 dB) with slightly quieter ambient noise.

in a noisy environment, sealed cans are safer since the tendency to want to "drown out" ambient noise by turning up the volume is reduced.
Étrangère's avatar
13 years ago
link
Étrangère
I am not a robot...
Gotta protect your wee ear hairs, larzie. bsdlite knows.

Anyway, those hd-600 are definitely ugly.
lucas's avatar
13 years ago
r1, link
lucas
i ❤ demo
well, bsdlite argued that the hd-650 headphones weren't worth the extra $130.

i'm sick of returning things, so i'm keeping the ath-esw9a for $220 from adorama.com.

i also have a bithead that cost me $100 (bought new, package deal, sly returns).
lucas's avatar
13 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
i'm really enjoying the ath-esw9a. they look great in the office. sound leakage is minimal. they are small, foldable, and portable. sound imaging is fantastic, and the bass response is very good. they still look as good as new. my only complaint is that they kinda hurt my ears a bit after hours of listening, but that's to be expected with earpads that seal well (and that are less than full-size cans).
nestor's avatar
13 years ago
r1, link
nestor
nestor
hmmm. may look into these. i have grados for home listening, these might be good for the office. i'll probably get some mediocre sennheiser buds for walking to work (and for working out).
nestor's avatar
13 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
where did you get yours?
lucas's avatar
13 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
ultimately, i bought them from adorama.com (an authorized dealer)
lucas's avatar
13 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
my bithead's right headphone jack has a spotty connection. i gotta try to return it for repair!
nestor's avatar
12 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
still happy with the esw9a? i need office cans, i'm sick of forgetting my earbuds at work and then not having them to work out.
lucas's avatar
12 years ago
r1, link
lucas
i ❤ demo
yeah, they're great. they have wonderful bass, despite the smaller drivers. they don't hurt my ears anymore, for whatever reason. the wood and leather looks classy in the office. :)
Étrangère's avatar
12 years ago
link
Étrangère
I am not a robot...
> they have wonderful bass

Enough for me? I'm wasting away in my bass-less world. But $220 seems steep for something that doesn't leave me too free to dance if the mood strikes.
asemisldkfj's avatar
12 years ago
link
asemisldkfj
the law is no protection
still can't talk about the px-100s too much. GET A USED PAIR ON EBAY OR OVERPAY FOR A NEW ONE ON AMAZON BEFORE THEY ARE GONE FOREVER!
lucas's avatar
12 years ago
link
lucas
i ❤ demo
> Enough for me?

you tried them and were fairly impressed. i'd recommend something totally different for you. with these, you're paying a lot for the african wood and lambskin. plus they're smaller to make them more portable, but that means that the drivers are smaller (less bass) and that the earpads might be uncomfortable at times.

i'd recommend a full-size can that is cheaper, has as good of sound quality, and has a bit more bass.
Étrangère's avatar
12 years ago
link
Étrangère
I am not a robot...
How much cheaper is cheaper?
nestor's avatar
12 years ago
link
nestor
nestor
can you name any names lr? i'm (still) in the market for full-size closed headphones for use at work.
lucas's avatar
12 years ago
r1, link
lucas
i ❤ demo
audio-technica ath-m50 have a good low frequency response (better than the ath-esw9a -- compare), so a good choice for becky at $160.

i think that's a solid bet for low impedance (so you don't need an amp), good bass response, comfortable full-size cup, and a reasonable price.

i'd have to look around more to find similar combos.
bluet's avatar
12 years ago
link
bluet
Ultrasone Edition 8 ( http://www.kenrockwell.com/audio/ultrasone/edition-8.htm )

Seem neat.
Carpetsmoker's avatar
12 years ago
link
Carpetsmoker
Martin
I was thinking "Hmm, these look like nice headphones to buy" until I saw the price.
phi_'s avatar
12 years ago
link
phi_
... and let the Earth be silent after ye.
Using Sony MDR-NC6s right now ... oh my god, the noise cancellation gives me a headache.