Wanting to get headphones for my son for xmas....

[etecnifibre]

He was wanting the Beats until I came on here to read some feedback, and I'm not spending 400 bucks on inferior quality. Told him if it was the logo he was after, I'll go to a sign shop and we'll cut a vinyl and stick it on some good headphones. Anyway, looking at some by Sony, would like wireless for him, maybe Bluetooth connectivity? Just some general help would be great to steer me in the right direction. Thanks

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/beginners-audiophytes/77289-beats-beating-headphones.html

 

[riker1384]

I'm not experienced enough to tell you the best headphones myself, but the most common recommendation you hear online for moderately priced closed-back headphones are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50. The straight-cable version is going for $120 now at bhphotovideo.com, the coiled cable version is $140. They should have good build quality since they're designed for professional studio use, and they have strong bass which a kid should like.

There are headphone forums at head-fi.org where people discuss this stuff endlessly.

 

[bikemig]

nova musik

Try Nova Musik for a good deal for the Audio Technica ATH-M50. I bought mine there as that was the best online price I found. Also very good are the Audio Technica ATH-AD700. I own both and recommend them both highly. They are also easy to drive so they will work with an ipod, computer, etc., without the necessity of an amp. The ATH M50s are better for bass; I like the ATH AD700s a bit better since I find them more comfortable and they work a bit better for most kinds of music, in my opinion. You can also try Amazon which often has a good price on the ATH AD700s. You won't go wrong in either case.

 

[markw]

I'll just add to the confusion here. The 'phones mentioned already are all good but there are many contenders out there.

Might I suggest Sennheiser HD-280's. They come in for about 100 clams, sound VERY good, and are virtually indestructable. ...and an be driven by Ipods and the like.

 

[jcl]

I think y'all are leading the OP astray. While those Sennheiser's and AT's are good values, they are not wireless.

Sennheiser does make some good wireless headphones, but they have limitations. You'll go through batteries, and the sound quality isn't there compared to wired. We have an older model of something like this:
Sennheiser USA - Wireless Stereo Headphones - RS 110 - Personal Audio

They were used for listening to the tv when my daughter was asleep, but they don't stack up against even my Grado sr-60s. They are also not portable.

What will you son want them for? Are you looking for ear buds or over the ear, open back or closed?

 

[markw]

Were the Beats wireless? Are ear buds wireless?

 

[jcl]

Were the Beats wireless? Are ear buds wireless?

From the OP:"Anyway, looking at some by Sony, would like wireless for him, maybe Bluetooth connectivity? Just some general help would be great to steer me in the right direction."

I think that the search for headphones started with beats, but changed....That's why I asked for clarification. Earbuds for an ipod are far different than the wireless headphones I know.

 

[markw]

From the OP:"Anyway, looking at some by Sony, would like wireless for him, maybe Bluetooth connectivity? Just some general help would be great to steer me in the right direction."

I think that the search for headphones started with beats, but changed....That's why I asked for clarification. Earbuds for an ipod are far different than the wireless headphones I know.

I just find it odd that you criticize us for offering suggestions that aren't exactly what the OP requested (but are in like with what his son wanted) and then you go right ahead and offer an equally off-target suggestion, that's all. Isn't that a bit hypocritical?

Do you really think bluetooth will deliver any semblance of sound quality?

Let's be honest here. It's nice that pop wants to get the kid a pair of headphones and while Beats may be out of the question price-wise, one can get very good quality for much. much less, and that's what we're offering.

Now, if daddy gets him a pair of crappy sounding headphones, do you really think he'll be happy, even if they are wireless?

 

[jcl]

I just find it odd that you criticize us for offering suggestions that aren't exactly what the OP requested (but are in like with what his son wanted) and then you go right ahead and offer an equally off-target suggestion, that's all. Isn't that a bit hypocritical?

Do you really think bluetooth will deliver any semblance of sound quality?

Let's be honest here. It's nice that pop wants to get the kid a pair of headphones and while Beats may be out of the question price-wise, one can get very good quality for much. much less, and that's what we're offering.

Now, if daddy gets him a pair of crappy sounding headphones, do you really think he'll be happy, even if they are wireless?

Markw and Others,
Sorry if I offended with my remarks. That was not my intent. I was trying to point out that you appeared to miss the OP's only requirement in a lighthearted way.

The OP asked for wireless headphones. I recommended wireless headphones I'm familiar with. I didn't think that was off target. I pointed out the sound quality isn't good and that they aren't portable.

I don't know what the OP is looking for, nor do I know what his kid would want. I do know he asked for wireless, and wired headphones were suggested. If this was done because for a reason, then I think it would have been a good idea to explain why. Without that it is unclear if there is a reason or if the original post just wasn't read thoroughly.

 

[jcl]

To the OP -
Head-Fi.org - Headphone forums and reviews for audiophiles is a great place to learn about headphones and HeadRoom at HeadRoom: Stereo Headphones, Amps & DACs, Wireless, Noise Canceling, Ear Canal, Earbud, Audio Cables & Accessories has a tremendous selection and tons of information and advice as well.

Ear buds offer the best isolation if they fit well. Some people find them uncomfortable to wear for a long time. They're also not as easy to take on/off.

On ear - if you wear glasses the pressure of the on ear may make them uncomfortable.

Over the ear - less of an issue with eyeglasses. They are bigger and thus may not be as portable or 'cool'?

Closed back gives better isolation than open back (but not as good as well sealed earbuds)

I tried an early pair of the Shure earbuds but couldn't get them to stay sealed. I've heard the Etymotic 4s and they sounded great and seemed to fit well.

I love my Grado SR-60s and used to listen to them all the time when working in cubicles. However, they are open back so don't give great isolation and they are on ear so they hurt after a few hours. Grados are still assembled in USA fwiw.

The Sony MDR-V6 are closed back and sound pretty good for the price. They used to be popular among concert tapers as well as the Sennheiser HD 280 pros.

The Sennheiser HD600 were very comfortable (being over the ear) and sounded great, but were harder to drive than most so didn't work as well powered by an ipod. I think the 650 is the current model.

If your son might wear them in a noisy situation and be tempted to crank em to compensate (like mowing the lawn) I'd get a good sealing pair of earbuds. They'll sound good and hopefully he will be less likely to damage his hearing.

 

[zhimbo]

Ear buds offer the best isolation if they fit well. Some people find them uncomfortable to wear for a long time. They're also not as easy to take on/off.

In many contexts, "Earbuds" generally refer to in-ear phones that merely sit in the ear loosely (like these or the standard Apple earbuds); "In ear" phones or "IEM (In Ear Monitors)" or "Ear canal phones" refers to a style that fits into and seals up the ear canal (such as these). This second type is what you're talking about.

The terminology isn't completely standardized though; but what I call "earbuds" provide little-to-no isolation. In-ear phones can provide very good to extreme isolation.

 

[jonnythan]

The $300 Beats are genuinely excellent. I'd love to own a pair.

Keep in mind when reading reviews that what audiophiles like is almost certainly not going to be what your son likes.

 

[MinusTheBear]

My recommendations:

Budget Closed <$100 - Shure SRH 440
Mid-tier Closed - AKG K271 MKII
Reference Closed >$300 - Shure SRH 940
Reference Semi Open - Beyerdynamic DT880 (32 ohm)

 

[audiofox]

I'll just add to the confusion here. The 'phones mentioned already are all good but there are many contenders out there.

Might I suggest Sennheiser HD-280's. They come in for about 100 clams, sound VERY good, and are virtually indestructable. ...and an be driven by Ipods and the like.

These will be under the tree for my son this Christmas-he keeps borrowing my HD600's, so I got him a set that will get him close sonically without breaking the bank or send him off to find my 'phones. Amazon has them for $80:

Amazon.com: Sennheiser HD-280 PRO Headphones: Electronics

 

[afterlife2]

These are great for the price:Amazon.com: MEElectronics HT-21 Travel Lightweight Headphone with Swivel Cups, Adjustable Foldable Headband (Black): Electronics
Audio Technica are my favorites, but these are close to their signature sound.
These are highly regarded as well. One of the best budget headphones I ever tried: http://www.amazon.com/Koss-PortaPro-Headphones-with-Case/dp/B00001P4ZH/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1323469882&sr=1-1
ATH-M50 are great too. Grado SR-60 are fantastic, but were very uncomfortable after awhile. I sold them.