Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Most Isolating, Least Sucky earphones <$30 USD?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Most Isolating, Least Sucky earphones <$30 USD?

post #1 of 12
12/13/07 at 1:59am
Thread Starter 
Hi there! I have a friend in California, who wants an isolating headphone for portable sources. She wants to spend under $30, after shipping, but would consider going all the way up to $45. She isn't willing to do crazy mods on headphones or anything. Form factor isn't an issue; isolation, decent but not necessarily great sound, and decent build quality is. Does anyone have a suggestion? I haven't been keeping up on current canalphones...
Reply
post #2 of 12
12/13/07 at 2:18am
I would have suggested the Marshmallows, but since she isn't willing to mod them..
Reply
post #3 of 12
12/13/07 at 2:29am
ep-630 isolate pretty well and don't sound terrible if she doesn't mind big muddy bass.
Reply
post #4 of 12
12/13/07 at 2:46am
JVC Marshmallows, I haven't modded them and they still have great sound quality.
Reply
post #5 of 12
12/13/07 at 2:54am
Actually, while I'd also suggest the above, there have been better reviews of the JBL 220 phones that seem to be modeled after the sennheiser/creatives. At $22-25, they're hard to beat.

Awesome isolation is pretty unattainable at these price-ranges, they'll get rid of most ambient frequencies decently, like the rumble of a car engine being only a bit noticeable over music. Otherwise, people talking, kids destroying furniture, etc. should be well-blocked out :-)
Reply
post #6 of 12
12/13/07 at 3:49am
Thread Starter 
What are the mods for the JVC Marshmellows? Are they really easy?

Also, which of the two JVC headphones is naturally better? Better after mods?
Reply
post #7 of 12
12/13/07 at 3:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4ki View Post
Actually, while I'd also suggest the above, there have been better reviews of the JBL 220 phones that seem to be modeled after the sennheiser/creatives. At $22-25, they're hard to beat.

Awesome isolation is pretty unattainable at these price-ranges, they'll get rid of most ambient frequencies decently, like the rumble of a car engine being only a bit noticeable over music. Otherwise, people talking, kids destroying furniture, etc. should be well-blocked out :-)
I have owned both the ep-630 and the ref220. The JBL are much better sounding headphones, but they barely isolate at all, including for sure the sound of passing cars. Maybe a few decibels reduction, that's it. Perceived isolation on the ep-630 is ten times greater.
Reply
post #8 of 12
12/13/07 at 3:58am
i'd say go for the ep630s, not bad for under $20
Reply
post #9 of 12
12/13/07 at 4:30am
JVC HA-FX66's or HA-FX33's
Reply
post #10 of 12
12/13/07 at 5:12am
another vote for the ep-630s isolate pretty well and are cheap but sound decent
Reply
post #11 of 12
12/13/07 at 1:00pm
I don't like how the Marshmallows(FX33) sound, even modded. But with the right tips, they have very good isolation. The ep630 and jbl220 are better sounding but less isolating.
Reply
post #12 of 12
12/13/07 at 1:21pm
For IEMs, I'd say the JBL 220's are a steal - meant to be 70+ but selling for 25-30-

For a full-size 'phone, someone was talking about an Ultrasone HFI-550 rebranding by Stagg audio for $35 - I'd imagine it would easily trounce any isolating cans in that price range.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Most Isolating, Least Sucky earphones <$30 USD?