need advice on headphones please

[bigbassdave]

Hey guys my girlfriend (soon to be fiance) asked what I would like for Christmas. She said she wants to spend around $200. I have no headphones at the moment but would really like some to use with my receiver. I don't know anywhere near as much headphones as I do about regular speakers so I'm open to anything. I should mention that I hate the style that goes in your ear. Just can't stand the feeling of something in there so it would have to be they would have to be comfortable. I don't think I need noise cancelling because I will use them almost exclusively indoors and at night. I really just want something that I can use for movies music and games when my roomate is sleeping. Also, it would be great if the style reccomended is sold at circuit city so I could get an emplyoee discount but its not a must. I can get the Bose triport normally $149 for $109 but I haven't read many good things about them. Not supprised though seeing as how I really dont like bose home setups. Thanks for the help guys

[WmAx]

Hey guys my girlfriend (soon to be fiance) asked what I would like for Christmas. She said she wants to spend around $200. I have no headphones at the moment but would really like some to use with my receiver. I don't know anywhere near as much headphones as I do about regular speakers so I'm open to anything. I should mention that I hate the style that goes in your ear. Just can't stand the feeling of something in there so it would have to be they would have to be comfortable. I don't think I need noise cancelling because I will use them almost exclusively indoors and at night. I really just want something that I can use for movies music and games when my roomate is sleeping. Also, it would be great if the style reccomended is sold at circuit city so I could get an emplyoee discount but its not a must. I can get the Bose triport normally $149 for $109 but I haven't read many good things about them. Not supprised though seeing as how I really dont like bose home setups. Thanks for the help guys

You won't get a good headphone for the price you state at a mass retail outlet. If you change this prerequisite[purchased from Cicuit City], then you'll have some options.

-Chris

[jaxvon]

Hi,

I'd recommend that you try out some different headphones and see what you like. I'm a fan of the Sony MDR-7506. Those are around $100. You should also look into Sennheisers. The HD-580 and HD-595 are both good sounding and superbly comfortable (moreso than the Sony phones), but the Sony headphones do more to block out noise.

[markw]

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4504

[bigbassdave]

Well like I said they don't have to be something sold at CC just would be nice to get a deal. Wow those senns look very nice and for $149 looks good to me. Problem is finding them to listen to first. Thanks again any other opinions are appreciated

[majorloser]

Go with the Senn's. You can't go wrong. (Unless somebody in your household runs them over with the vacuum cleaner)

Damn it! I forgot she's a member now.

[Sheep]

Go with the Senn's. You can't go wrong. (Unless somebody in your household runs them over with the vacuum cleaner)

Damn it! I forgot she's a member now.


LOL!! :D

I am going to second the Sennhessiers.

I have the HD500's and you can get better then taht for 200.

SheepStar

[WmAx]

LOL!! :D

I am going to second the Sennhessiers.

I have the HD500's and you can get better then taht for 200.

SheepStar

Well, one needs to qualify what they mean by 'better'. :)

If, for example, one wanted the(or one of the) most accurate closed monitoring phone, a MDR-7506 would be in order. If one wanted a relaxed sound with the most physical comfort, a MDR-F1 would be an excellent choice. If a 'lively' sound for electronic/pop music was most desirable, an Audio Technica ATH-900 may be appropriate. So on and so on...

I would hesitate to recommend a specific headphone without being more specific as to what it supposedly does 'better'.

-Chris

[nm2285]

Do you and your roommate share a room? If so, don't buy open headphones. They leak far too much noise at any significant volume and could end up disturbing your roommate too much. If you need a closed 'phone, wmax's recommendation of the Sony MDR-V6 is a good one (I'm using them now!), however, I really dislike them unequalized - they're overly bright in the 5kHz region. If you have an equalizer (software or hardware), they're a wonderful choice. I've heard good things about the Beyerdynamic DT770 (if you're a basshead) and DT250, but haven't heard them myself. I have listened to both the Sennheiser HD280 and the AKG K271. The Sennheiser is a good substitute for the Sony if there is no equalizer available, but the K271s are easily my favorite. They're simply a very nice headphone. They do many things well, my only complaint was thin bass (but still accurate and punchy).

I also own the Beyerdynamic DT880 and love them, but they're open.

Edit: I forgot to mention, I owned the HD580s for a time. They're certainly a very nice headphone and a good value at that price, but I found there to be too much emphasis in the lower mids and bass region. I didn't mess with it too long since I had other headphones I preferred at the time (AKG K501 and AKG K271). I've now settled to the Beyerdynamic DT880 (best headphone I've tried), the Sony MDR-V6 (best value WHEN EQ'd and needed a closed phone), and the Etymotic ER-4P for portables

[Sheep]

Well, one needs to qualify what they mean by 'better'. :)

If, for example, one wanted the(or one of the) most accurate closed monitoring phone, a MDR-7506 would be in order. If one wanted a relaxed sound with the most physical comfort, a MDR-F1 would be an excellent choice. If a 'lively' sound for electronic/pop music was most desirable, an Audio Technica ATH-900 may be appropriate. So on and so on...

I would hesitate to recommend a specific headphone without being more specific as to what it supposedly does 'better'.

-Chris

I find MY Sen's to need no EQ/bass boost with portable devices. I also find them to be non fatiguing.

These meet my requirments for headphones. Some thing the bass is a little to loud, but I don't might extra SPL's because its not boomy SPL's.

There. happy? :rolleyes:

SheepStar

[Sheep]

Well, one needs to qualify what they mean by 'better'. :)

If, for example, one wanted the(or one of the) most accurate closed monitoring phone, a MDR-7506 would be in order. If one wanted a relaxed sound with the most physical comfort, a MDR-F1 would be an excellent choice. If a 'lively' sound for electronic/pop music was most desirable, an Audio Technica ATH-900 may be appropriate. So on and so on...

I would hesitate to recommend a specific headphone without being more specific as to what it supposedly does 'better'.

-Chris

I find MY Sen's to need no EQ/bass boost with portable devices. I also find them to be non fatiguing.

These meet my requirments for headphones. Some think the bass is a little to loud, but I don't might extra SPL's because its not boomy SPL's.

There. happy? :rolleyes:

SheepStar

[bigbassdave]

Thanks for the advice. I'm am a bass head. I went to highschool in the 90's so I like early 90's rap but lots of classic rock and some slow stuff. So sounds like the senns will be nice. I think I have a good ear for accuarcy but I'm by no means an expert. I do not share a room he is down the hall but he complains of the sub in my room waking him up when I play games or watch movies at night so I figured a nice pair of headphones with great bass and decent mids and highs would be in order.

[markw]

...then you might try something from the Grado Line. I have both Senn 580s for most listening but also have Grado SR-80's for when the mood hits for more presensce and bass.

...different srtokes for different, er... moods.

[Nick250]

http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4504

I have a pair and feel they are exceptionally good. Highly recommended.

[Nick250]

...then you might try something from the Grado Line. I have both Senn 580s for most listening but also have Grado SR-80's for when the mood hits for more presensce and bass.

...different srtokes for different, er... moods.

Hey, I have the exact same two headphones use them the same as described above. One other note is that I find the a portable listening device muddy with the Senns so I use the Grados or a pair of small light weight Koss Porta Pros with the portable CD player.

[markw]

Hey, I have the exact same two headphones use them the same as described above. One other note is that I find the a portable listening device muddy with the Senns so I use the Grados or a pair of small light weight Koss Porta Pros with the portable CD player.These are what I use on my portable units.

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103705&cp=&pg=3&y=8&s=A-StorePrice-RSK&kw=headphones&kwCatId=2032057&x=18&parentPage=search

Great minds think alike :rolleyes:

Yeah, the Senns are quite unforgiving of poor upstream components.

I'm not sure of the protocol, but here's a nice example of this same discussion on another forum. You'll notice the exact same input theraswell.

http://forums.audioreview.com/showthread.php?t=14951