New Headphones for use in public

[the machine]

So I'm thinking about getting a pair of new pair of cans. The main use will be in public, walking around, flights, and I play a lot of poker in casinos, and while I rarely use my headphones, I sometimes need to just get my mind of the game or not hear some annoying drunkard.

I have always wanted a 'nice' pair of phones. Always wanted HD800's but I think it may be a bit of overkill for me. Forgive my ignorance but if I get a pair of something along those lines I will need an amp I believe, and are there portable amps that are small enough?

I really have been thinking about the HD700's which I can pick up for $600 shipped. But I think these are open, and for public use, I probably need closed me thinks.

I should note my music style. I listen to a wide variety of music from hip hop, to drum and bass, to metal, to soft rock, to classical. Most of my listening currently is soft rock and drum and bass. Bass is important, but I do not want a bass boosted Dre style phone.

I currently own the bose QC3 which I think the sound is pretty good. I have never tried a true hifi headphone so I really have no idea where to begin. The cost would ideally be 400-600, but if there was something that was phenomenal then I might just save up a bit a spring for the best out there.

Any advice for what to start looking into for a noob is much appreciated.

(hd700 has a note in the technical details on amazon that says "Noise Cancelling Feature". Do they have noise cancelling?)

 

[connieflyer]

As far as the 700's are concerned, I have not seen anything on the other forums about such a feature. They are open and would not be a good match in public. I am using the 650's which are exceptionally good, but also open. The last good closed pair I had was the Sennheiser HD 380's ... Amazon.com : Sennheiser HD 380 Pro Collapsible High-End Headphone for Professional Monitoring Use (Black) : Musical Instruments which I used for a couple of years. The price was about $250 when I bought them and thought they were execellent. The isolation is quite good and my wife never objected to my listening even at higher volumes sitting quite close to me. They fold and colapse up really flat for carrying, and have a nice case for that. The quality of the product is evident in the construction. If I was looking for a closed set, I would go back to these especially with the price point now.

 

[the machine]

Thanks for the reply. Been doing more browsing, looking at ultrasone pro 900, AKG K550 or 551, ATH-M50 (i may even pick the M50s up for haha's given the price) also the 380s are like $70 used. is there anything else i should be looking at? the price isn't a huge deal, but id like to keep it around $500. Am I giving up a ton by going with a $200 pair over an ultrasone pro 900 for 500?

also, any information on a portable amp? i really have no idea what types of amps i would need and which cans need to be amped. thanks

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Do you have anything against using IEMs ? If not I could recommend Shure SE425. I have them and love to use

 

[the machine]

I do not prefer to use IE phones for long periods. I have Senn CX 680i, that I use for working out, or when my QC3 battery dies. But I def prefer on ear or around ear.

The more I read, the more I think I might enjoy

so now here is my list of possibilities (and I may buy a few of the under $100 used models on Amazon because the price isn't constraining)

Audio Technica ATH-M50
Audio Technica ATH Pro 700 MK2
Ultrasone Pro 900
V Moda M-100
AKG K551
Sennheiser HD 25 Aluminum
Sennheiser Momentum (although I really think the look and color of these are ugly but the sound is supposed to be awesome, so its a maybe)

and I'm sure the list is going to be growing over the next few days

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'd skip M50. I know they have lots of fans, just not me. I heard them and found too much bass heavy for my taste. YMMV

Our of your selections, AKG K551 would be my first choice...

Also if you mind semi-opened back - I'd suggest these:
Amazon.com: AKG Q 701 Quincy Jones Signature Reference-Class Premium Headphones - Black: Electronics

And one more: I own Fostex T20RP and T50RP - they both sound really amazing !!
T40rp is closed back version: Fostex T40-RP Replacement for Fostex T40-RP | B&H Photo Video

In fact my T20's are well over 10 years old and only change I had to do is to swap ear-pad which costed my whooping $15 (for compatible shure pads)

 

[MinusTheBear]

I also agree with the poster above that the AT M50 is an overrated headphone. Same negative - too bass heavy.

If I was in the market for noise cancellation my first look would be at Paradigm H15NC. I haven't heard them but I like the features enough to get me interested to look at them.

 

[the machine]

Thanks for all the advice. As far as the M50, I do listen to a lot of bass heavy music so maybe it would fit my ear. I really need to find a store in my area that has a lot of these types of headphones so I can see which ones sound good to me.

 

[the machine]

Picked up a pair of the M50's despite the discussion here, 97.50 shipped for a new pair so I figure its likely worth it. Will likely pick up one more pair as well. leaning toward the 551 or the momentums.

 

[afterlife2]

I like my M50's and eq it, so the bass is not overblown. Great choice of headphones. Check these out too: Audio Technica ATH SQ505 RD Red Headphones 4961310113193 | eBay

 

[kzaudiovideo]

Bose earphones are my favorite.. You can use anywhere you go.

 

[the machine]

Ok so I need some feedback here.

Purchased the M50's and ATH Pro700 MK2

I love the M50

I HATE the Pro700 MK2

I'm not sure if it is because I do not have them amped but the Pro700 sounds flat. It sounds to me like the bass is more of a mid, and the highs feel like they are mids. Vocals also sounds very strange. I plugged them into my Denon AVR 1712 and it did not remedy much.

They remind me of a sound, like when you would go through an equalizer on any media player and you would get to the 'hall' setting. It sounds very drab and hollow. Is it because these need an amp? Do they need to be pushed by something that is different from my Denon AVR 1712?

Is there a possibility that something is wrong with these cans?

 

[the machine]

A quick update, I went back and forth a few times between direct iPod and Denon AVR, and there is a noticeable difference. Maybe its just my ear that doesn't enjoy the sound. From the reviews I read I heard about these being bass monsters. The bass seems so lacking compared to the M50. I listen to a lot of drum and bass and I am underwhelmed to say the least. Looking forward to suggestions on this issue. And maybe looking to sell a pair of headphones in the near future.

 

[the machine]

anyone? help with the above question??? any idea where I can take these to get them tested???

 

[MrHeadGear]

why you not go to store and try it first?
for me, Marshall Major is enough. Maybe because i'm only using it at home, and when i'm on train or plane.

 

[afterlife2]

anyone? help with the above question??? any idea where I can take these to get them tested???

You can buy them at Amazon and return the one you don't like.

 

[the machine]

I bought them on ebay already. I understand they are DJ headphones, I'm just so shocked at how flat they sound. I almost thought they are defective or something. But I suppose that they just really need a dedicated amp, which i don't have. I think I'm just going to sell them because the seller does not accept returns. Also going to sell my M50, because I just bought the M50x. The long cable was just too much for me while out in public.

 

[the machine]

I decided to do some more tests and I am def going to sell my mk2. But now I have another question.

I decided to run my mk2 and the m50 off of my denon AVR, and I realized how much better the m50 sounds running off the AVR over running directly off my ipod. It sounds louder at 57% volume on the AVR compared to around 90% on the ipod and the bass response is MUCH better. the intensity and depth of the lows are so much stronger when plugged into the AVR. I'm curious if I should invest in a portable amp for use with the ipod. I have heard many people say the m50 do not sound much different when using a portable amp.

Any suggestions on the effectiveness on an amp with the m50's?

 

[zhimbo]

I have heard many people say the m50 do not sound much different when using a portable amp.

It certainly sounds like your iPod isn't doing so great with them: I wouldn't worry about how high up you have to crank the iPod - as long as it goes loud *enough* it doesn't much matter - but if the bass response is suffering, that's a different story.

It's possible there's some EQing or some other issue going on, and by the specs they seem like they should be fairly easy to drive...but, one of my computer's headphone output makes my m50s sound pretty anemic. I use a FiiO Alpen amp with them in that setup and they sound great.

 

[the machine]

Thanks, I think I'm going to try the E11, seems like the E17 is a bit of overkill since I can't use the DAC with ipod, but I do have an ipad so maybe it would be best for that.