Recommendations for headphones on the go. (Update)

[Soontir C'boath]

I am up to my fourth pair of Sennheisers earphones (MX500) which now amounts to sixty dollars spent. Given the rate I'm going, I think I'll be better off making a steeper purchase after this pair is finished

With that in mind, I am contemplating on giving my friend my earphones now as he broke his and I get something more durable for myself. So it's sort of a win-win situation.

Giving the last thread was well over a year ago, does anyone have any new or continued suggestions for headphones and under $100?

[Mobius]

i use some Koss the plug, they work great, not too expensive (25€) and i was able to lower the level of my iPod since they provide better isolation.

[Ubiquitous]

Is it even worthwhile buying expensive earphones to replace my default archos earphones? I have seen some in shops for crazy money - is the sound quality really that much better?

[Soontir C'boath]

i use some Koss the plug, they work great, not too expensive (25€) and i was able to lower the level of my iPod since they provide better isolation.

My brother bought a pair of those a couple of years ago and I found them uncomfortable.

I think I should make it clear that I want to move away from earphones/earbuds as they have easily broken on me (I thought saying I am up to my fourth Senn earphones and spending $60 already would give that clue). I'm really looking more towards durability.

[Uraniun235]

I recommend a used Sony MDR-V6 headphone set. Should run you around $75. Very good sound quality for the price range. Very durable.

[phongn]

I am up to my fourth pair of Sennheisers earphones (MX500) which now amounts to sixty dollars spent. Given the rate I'm going, I think I'll be better off making a steeper purchase after this pair is finished

http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-application/ipod/

Is it even worthwhile buying expensive earphones to replace my default archos earphones? I have seen some in shops for crazy money - is the sound quality really that much better?

It can be, yes.

[aerius]

Is it even worthwhile buying expensive earphones to replace my default archos earphones? I have seen some in shops for crazy money - is the sound quality really that much better?

If they're made by AKG, Sennheiser, Grado, Shure, Etymotic or one of the other high-end earphone companies, then the answer is yes, it really is that much better. If it's made by Bose, Sony, or some other mass market company, probably not.

I recommend a used Sony MDR-V6 headphone set. Should run you around $75. Very good sound quality for the price range. Very durable.

I don't like how they sound, but they are damn durable and will tolerate a lot of abuse.


Personal thoughts, the Grado SR60 or the Alessandro MS-1. Yes you'll look like a complete dork and they look kinda cheap, but it's the sound that counts and they're also quite durable.

[phongn]

SR60s don't isolate well, though.

[Soontir C'boath]

Personal thoughts, the Grado SR60 or the Alessandro MS-1. Yes you'll look like a complete dork and they look kinda cheap, but it's the sound that counts and they're also quite durable.

Have you tried traveling with the SR60? I noticed that the cord length is 6.5 feet...

I actually don't mind the design, I'd feel much more awful and dorkier in wearing some of those egg shape cans that Sennheisers have.

Hmm, right now it's between the AKG K26P and the Grado SR60.

[phongn]

Have you tried traveling with the SR60? I noticed that the cord length is 6.5 feet...

I've done it - you kind of have to put the remaining wire in a pocket or something. It is very much intended for stationary use (hence the huge wire) but works portably.

I actually don't mind the design, I'd feel much more awful and dorkier in wearing some of those egg shape cans that Sennheisers have.

But you won't look like a radio operator!

Hmm, right now it's between the AKG K26P and the Grado SR60.

They aren't listed on the page I linked to you, but considere the Sennheiser PC100 and Koss PortaPros as well. I got my sisters PortaPros one year and they adore them.

[aerius]

Have you tried traveling with the SR60? I noticed that the cord length is 6.5 feet...

I actually don't mind the design, I'd feel much more awful and dorkier in wearing some of those egg shape cans that Sennheisers have.

Hmm, right now it's between the AKG K26P and the Grado SR60.

No, but I have done so with the SR225 which is pretty much the same design. I just wrapped the wire around itself a few times at the plug end & zip-tied it to shorten it a couple feet.

As for the K26P, to me it doesn't sound as nice as the Grado and the wires are a fair bit thinner and more prone to breakage. However it will isolate you from outside noise which the Grado won't do.

[General Zod]

i use some Koss the plug, they work great, not too expensive (25€) and i was able to lower the level of my iPod since they provide better isolation.

My brother bought a pair of those a couple of years ago and I found them uncomfortable.

I think I should make it clear that I want to move away from earphones/earbuds as they have easily broken on me (I thought saying I am up to my fourth Senn earphones and spending $60 already would give that clue). I'm really looking more towards durability.

I bought a pair similar to the ones Mobius posted and found that they simply don't stay in my ear as well as standard earbud designs. So seconded on that. As far as headphones though, eh, I just usually go with a cheap pair of $20 wraparounds that aren't too expensive to replace if something happens to em. Since I lug mine around a lot.

[Soontir C'boath]

I actually don't mind the design, I'd feel much more awful and dorkier in wearing some of those egg shape cans that Sennheisers have.

But you won't look like a radio operator!

Eh, maybe the older people will notice. I doubt anyone at college who never tuned to the history channel will know what they look like.

But seriously, I don't care what others think as I can't speculate correctly (so why bother?) so it's really how I'll feel. If I feel those egg cans Sennheisers make me look worse than the radio operator cans of the Grados, then I'll feel worse with the Sennheisers.

Hmm, right now it's between the AKG K26P and the Grado SR60.

They aren't listed on the page I linked to you, but considere the Sennheiser PC100 and Koss PortaPros as well. I got my sisters PortaPros one year and they adore them.

I couldn't find the PC100 and the PC150 is a headset with a mic. I saw the Portapros mentioned in an earlier thread and I don't particularly like that horizontal "bar" on top of the cans.

Oh, unless you meant the PX100, which is my third option.

No, but I have done so with the SR225 which is pretty much the same design. I just wrapped the wire around itself a few times at the plug end & zip-tied it to shorten it a couple feet.

Yea, I was thinking I would just do that as well if it came down to it.

As for the K26P, to me it doesn't sound as nice as the Grado and the wires are a fair bit thinner and more prone to breakage. However it will isolate you from outside noise which the Grado won't do.

Hmm, better sound and durability vs blocking the outside world and thin wires. Durability is my first requirement but it'd be nice to block out the sounds outside especially our noisy city trains...

Not to mention that I can't seem to find a place with Grado in stock except on eBay. Even headphone.com has a two week wait.

[aerius]

Hmm, better sound and durability vs blocking the outside world and thin wires. Durability is my first requirement but it'd be nice to block out the sounds outside especially our noisy city trains...

Not to mention that I can't seem to find a place with Grado in stock except on eBay. Even headphone.com has a two week wait.

You're in NYC, the home of Grado Labs, and you're telling me no one in the city has them in stock?

Try TTVJ, they got'em as far as I can tell.

[Soontir C'boath]

You're in NYC, the home of Grado Labs, and you're telling me no one in the city has them in stock? Try TTVJ, they got'em as far as I can tell.

Well, I was sort of hoping for free shipping and tax from getting it on-line.

But yea, I did found one shop in New York City searching through google...
Edit: It'd seriously help if they listed some dealers.

*bonks head* Bah, trying "New York City Grado" now.

[Beowulf]

I have a pair of Sony EX-81s. I know you said you didn't want earbuds, but these sound fairly good, and are fairly durable. They have interchangable ear pieces, to better fit the ears, and do a decent job of blocking sound.

[Soontir C'boath]

Try TTVJ, they got'em as far as I can tell.

I was checking out that site again and I found that I can get an $18 discount ($10 coupon for being a new member + $8 coupon for the item itself!) so I'd be paying $58 including shipping. That's just fucking fantastic! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

I could pay $17 more to get the SR80...though I'm not really a bassy guy, hmm.

I have a pair of Sony EX-81s. I know you said you didn't want earbuds, but these sound fairly good, and are fairly durable. They have interchangable ear pieces, to better fit the ears, and do a decent job of blocking sound.

Well, I could avoid the "radio operator" look if I take this one, but I don't want to take the chance I'll come out $35 short in that those pieces won't fit me. If only there was a store that allow us to try them out but they'd be wasting or washing a lot of earpieces, heh.

[Ypoknons]

From what I've heard the EX-81's are ... alright, just ... alright.

How about the Sennheiser PX-100 or if you want to spend up a bit, the AKG K81DJ? The later are very punchy, bassy closed phones, and I've actually owned both, so I vouch that they are pretty good <$100 phones.

[Stark]

I'm currently using a pair of those Koss things: cheap rubbish, but they're way better than 'regular' AU$50 headphones, stay in better and have way better isolation. If you break them (how?) there's little point buying really expensive headphones.

[Pezzoni]

Shure e2c's are in your price range. I have the e3c's, and they're incredibly solid and well built (you don't need to worry about breakage), provide great sound insulation, and very clear sounding music.

[LapsedPacifist]

I listened to the Grado 60s and 80s at the local shop and have really really liked my 80s. Sure I look like a radio operator, but if people could hear them, they'd understand.

Local shop beat online pricing as well.

LP

[The Dude]

Shure e2c's are in your price range. I have the e3c's, and they're incredibly solid and well built (you don't need to worry about breakage), provide great sound insulation, and very clear sounding music.

Seconded. Good in-ears will sound better than equivalently-priced cans when you're travelling due to the isolation (especially on a plane) and are a hell of a lot easier to store. They're also better for your hearing: without the isolation, you tend to crank the music (sometimes over 20dB!) to overcome the ambient noise - for each 10dB you reduce the earphone SPL, you increase the safe listening time by 4X. And they're infinitely better for the gym/running.

On the other hand, if you listen primarily in places (at home, library) where it's quiet, then go for the Grados - they'll be more comfortable, and will sound better.

[Soontir C'boath]

Update: After waiting for about two weeks, I finally was able to try out the Grado SR60. It is in short, magnificent! I can't go back to my earphones anymore without thinking how much of a piece of shit it is. I'll take listening to Yankee Rose by DLR for example. On my earphones the electric guitar and the drums are fighting each other to get on top and the bass is being muddled in between them. On the Grado, they're all balanced out more evenly. Two things for sure, it sounds fantastic indoors or at quiet areas and it definitely does not isolate well. At times, the traffic and subway noise are enough to hamper listening that I might as well turn it off. If I try to pump it up five points to 15/25 from my usual upper limit on my Zen Micro, it competes with the ambient noise and it loses. Badly. On the other hand while I am at home, I could listen to music at 2/25!

How about the Sennheiser PX-100 or if you want to spend up a bit, the AKG K81DJ? The later are very punchy, bassy closed phones, and I've actually owned both, so I vouch that they are pretty good <$100 phones.

The PX-100 seems to be getting plenty of good reviews but seems it isolate just as well as the Grado; both open air. As for the K81DJ, it has a ten foot cord. If Grado wasn't bad enough already with six feet...

Hmm, the Ultimate Ears IEM seems to be better at isolation than the Shure.

I thank everyone for the suggestions.

[aerius]

Update: After waiting for about two weeks, I finally was able to try out the Grado SR60. It is in short, magnificent! I can't go back to my earphones anymore without thinking how much of a piece of shit it is.

Yup, you're ruined. It's really cool seeing people get introduced to good sound, once you get a taste of it, you can never go back. Now we just gotta hook you up with a Grado RS-1 and a nice vacuum tube headphone amplifier.

[phongn]

Yup, you're ruined. It's really cool seeing people get introduced to good sound, once you get a taste of it, you can never go back. Now we just gotta hook you up with a Grado RS-1 and a nice vacuum tube headphone amplifier.

Bah. Solid state 4 LIFE!