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Need a closed headphone reccomendation for a noisy work environment

post #1 of 18
10/12/09 at 12:40am
Thread Starter 
I recently started working at a new place, and I can't concentrate at all. It's an incredibly noisy environment and as a programmer I just can't keep any train of thought with people yelling at each other all day.

I am looking for a set of closed headphones to try to help with this issue. I was considering Noise-Canceling, but from what I've read here these are only really good for low-freq noise and won't help much with human voices. I also considered IEMs but I simply can't wear these all days.

My price cap is around $300. More important than sound quality really is isolation and comfort. As for what I'm looking for sound wise -- I've tried many, many headphones on the market but always keep going back to my HD600's (even over the 650's).

These will likely be un-amped with a poor source, however a USB portable amp is a very likely upgrade, and would be *in addition* to the $300 i.e. don't consider it part of the price.

The only closed phones anyone even seems to mention around this range are the D2000's and SRH840's, and no reviews about the two particular things I am interested in. I know there is more out there than this, what happened to all the Senn/AKG/ATH love?
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post #2 of 18
10/12/09 at 1:50am
The reason you don't see alot of Senn/ AKG close headphones recommended because Denon really "own" the closed market.

As a alternative.. i would look into the Beyer Dt770
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post #3 of 18
10/12/09 at 4:51am
Well if you like Sennheisers you should check out Sennheiser 380 Pro
I'm a fanboy so I don't need to explain more do I ?
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post #4 of 18
10/12/09 at 12:25pm
I'll throw in my suggestion for the AKG K 271 MK II. They are extremely comfortable and isolate very well--much better than the Denons, FWIR.

Check my posts; you'll be able to get an idea of why I like the K 271 and why I think it'll work well for your situation. A plus is that it doesn't need an amp to sound great, but will scale up quite nicely if/when you decide to purchase one.

Good luck!
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post #5 of 18
10/12/09 at 12:35pm
SRH840!

Like you, I tend to enjoy the Senn's sound in opens when the environment allows, but the 840s have been a really surprising treat for me at the office. I work in open cubicles and my neighbor tends to have lengthy phonecalls in Mandarin which used to distract me to no end. The 840s have a very nice level of isolation (more than the D2000) and a very compatible balanced sound to the Senns from my experience.

They are also quite easy to amp (or not amp!). They do tighten up slightly through my D10, but I was surprised how good they sounded even from my wife's piddly ipod nano. They are also quite durable and easily transportable (they fold up nicely and come with a carrying case).
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post #6 of 18
10/12/09 at 3:46pm
Try the GMP 8.35 they are the best for a noisy work environment...
Here more info: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/ger...indeed-406658/
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post #7 of 18
10/18/09 at 8:10pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the recommendations. AKG K 271 MK II vs. D2000 -- which is easier to wear all day? Having trouble finding reviews that mention comfort.
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post #8 of 18
10/18/09 at 10:45pm
I used to use both versions of the 271 (S or mkII) at the office just to block out the co-workers and the noise the PC's generate. I preferred using the velour pads over the plether pads for comfort. I would wear them the whole day at the office like this. There is clamping pressure on the noggin but acceptable enough to wear for hours with breaks in-between. Sound comes in muffled and sufficiently reduced. Doesn't block noise as well as an IEM does...but it is sufficient and sounds good and non-fatiguing. Very little bass from the 271 unless powered via an amp or mixer.
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post #9 of 18
10/18/09 at 11:42pm
I've tried Denons at meets and they didn't isolate all that well. I think they were the D2000. Head Room has isolation graphs that would help you i think. Unfortunately, on their new web site, the ability to compare up to 4 headphones on one graph is broken, but you can still look at individual graphs.

Edit: The graphs are working, it's just a little funky. Pick a product like the AKG K271 MKII http://www.headphone.com/headphones/akg-k-271-mk-ii.php. Click on the Specs tab, then click on the isolation graph. If you scroll down in the pop up, you can select 3 more headphones to include in the graph
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post #10 of 18
10/19/09 at 2:00am
Thread Starter 
Wow, I never knew that feature existed, thanks for pointing it out.

Odd you think the Denon's isolate worse though. The graphs indicate they provide 10dB greater isolation compared to the AKG's in the range of human voices (and 10 dB worse for lower frequency sounds).
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post #11 of 18
10/19/09 at 3:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chu View Post
Odd you think the Denon's isolate worse though. The graphs indicate they provide 10dB greater isolation compared to the AKG's in the range of human voices (and 10 dB worse for lower frequency sounds).
Speaking of Denons, I'm using the D1001 right now and I can hear the guys to my immediate right talking. I can't make every single word out becuase the music is playing, but I can hear them better than when I had my AKG271s on. I can also hear the person typing behind me. And the PC fan to my left and below is annoying. It's the PC fan noise that's the most annoying. It they weren't so big to carry around...I'd still be bringing the 271 with me to the office over the Denon. Just for the better isolation from the noise. It sounds good anyway powered off my Behringer mixer with the bass knob tweaked up a bit.
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post #12 of 18
10/19/09 at 8:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chu View Post
Wow, I never knew that feature existed, thanks for pointing it out.

Odd you think the Denon's isolate worse though. The graphs indicate they provide 10dB greater isolation compared to the AKG's in the range of human voices (and 10 dB worse for lower frequency sounds).
I didn't say they isolate worse than the AKGs, just that they don't isolate well. They didn't block out much of the noise of a meet. Meets can be pretty noisy if a lot of people are there. It may be noisier than your work environment.

I looked for a isolating, closed headphone for years for my subway commute. I gave up because none worked well enough. But the subway is a lot louder than a typical office.
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post #13 of 18
10/19/09 at 9:42am
Sennheiser PXC 450 - Full Size Noise Canceling Headphones | HeadRoom Audio
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post #14 of 18
10/19/09 at 9:47am
D2000 are very comfortable but they do not isolate well.
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post #15 of 18
10/19/09 at 9:50am
PXC 450 were regarded for audiophile SQ when NC is switched off. I did not hear them and can not confirm this myself, so check the reviews
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