Need advice on headphones/outside noise for mp3 player

[Jfs]

mp3 player: Sandisk Sansa Fuze

I am looking for headphones, preferably over the ears rather than
ear buds. Prefer something economical.

I have some questions about what I can use for headphones with
these as far as power needed:
Will the size of the mp3 player make a difference in what
headphones I can power?
Do I need to look at other things like impedance or
sensitivity?

From what I understand headphones can be hard on the hearing.
How does a person avoid hearing damage. When I listen while
riding on transit there is often a need to turn up the volume
because of the outside noise?

Thanks

 

[sholling]

Option 3: Inside the ear monitors. These aren't earbuds. They fit inside the ear and deliver sound equal to big bulky headphones. The key to getting the best from them is fit. They must fit snugly inside the ear canal and grip solidly to sound right. The other advantage is that because they block outside nise like ear plugs you don't need near the volume to make them sound good. Look at Ultimate Ears Super.Fi 5 or money allowing Triple.Fi 10; or Shure's SE210 or SE310. I have the Triple.Fi 10 and they rock!

If you insist on over the ear the choice is Grado's SR60 or SR80 would be my choice for a portable. The aren't as comfortable as a Senn HD497 but they don't need as much power.

You can also add a portable headphone amplifier if you want to get more impact. I have a Total Airhead and love it.

 

[MinusTheBear]

mp3 player: Sandisk Sansa Fuze

I am looking for headphones, preferably over the ears rather than
ear buds. Prefer something economical.

I have some questions about what I can use for headphones with
these as far as power needed:
Will the size of the mp3 player make a difference in what
headphones I can power?
Do I need to look at other things like impedance or
sensitivity?

From what I understand headphones can be hard on the hearing.
How does a person avoid hearing damage. When I listen while
riding on transit there is often a need to turn up the volume
because of the outside noise?

Thanks

For a budget up to $150 any open headphones from Grado or Alessandro are very effecient and work very well with any portable device. The Grado SR60i, SR80i or Alessandro MS1 are on ear. The Audio Technica ATH AD700 is another great open circumaural headphone that works well with any portable device however this headphone is huge and purple but has great sound quality and soundstage. For a closed back model (blocks out sound) the Shure SRH440 is a awesome bang for buck model (build quality , comfort and sound quality). I am listening to music on it right now on a Cowon D2. The Sansa Fuze is a great MP3 player and I have a lot of experience with it. It will power any of these cans.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Hey Jfs,
Well, let me start by saying you get only one pair of ears in your lifetime, so I think its worth to try to keep them in good shape. Medicine still haven't figured out how to fix bad hearing...

I agree with sholling, in-ear canals monitors are your best choice for both sound isolation and music quality.

I got Etymotic Research hf2 , which I use almost daily on my work commute,
but since you dont need handfree headset, this might do the trick for you:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQSGMM/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_3?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0012OP7HE&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0JYHPR9YPDYS5SKDQ7Q3

 

[Jfs]

Thanks to everyone for the replies.
One of the reasons I was looking for over the ear phones was
because I have very small ear openings. In my left ear I have a hard
time pushing a cue tip through. Will these headphones be a problem
for me?

Thanks

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

my Etymotic Research hf2 came with set of 6-8 different tips including ones for very narrow ear canals

 

[HDPCsound]

Thanks to everyone for the replies.
One of the reasons I was looking for over the ear phones was
because I have very small ear openings. In my left ear I have a hard
time pushing a cue tip through. Will these headphones be a problem
for me?

Thanks

Most of them fit perfectly on any ear, you should not have a problem with that, try using the Sony MDR-EX51LP Fontopia In-The-Ear Headphones, they are confortable and have a decent sound.

 

[sholling]

With some in ear monitors you can have your local ear doc send them a mold of your ear. Not all will make custom ear pieces but some will.

 

[m_vanmeter]

not to be the "odd man out", but I find in-ear phones uncomfortable over even a short period of time. For over-the-ear noise canceling headphones, I have had very good service from my Audio Technia ATN-ANC7b headphones. They work well with the noise canceling turned on...or off as straight headphones. Come with a nice travel case.

Watch for sales, they often can be found around $125 or slightly less.