Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Can someone help me, please?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Can someone help me, please?

post #1 of 12
11/18/11 at 7:08am
Thread Starter 

Can someone help me, please?  I am looking for a good pair of over the ear headphones.  I was searching the internet and stumbled upon this forum and it seems like the members here know their stuff; therefore, I am willing to entertain all recommendations.  I searched this forum and it seemed like I continued to get hits from 2009 and I know a lot has changed since then.

 

I am looking for headphones - earbuds do not fit in my ears because my canals are too small.  I did a little research and purchased the Sennheiser 518 from Amazon.com.  I received the headphones and thought they were pretty good but did not realize others could hear what I was listening to as well (open end?). I need something that I can use on an airplane as well as in my home without disturbing others.  

 

I took a trip to Best Buy after work yesterday and listened to the Bose (Quiet Comfort 15) and Dr. Dre's (Beats Pro).  I was shocked at the sound of the Bose (didn't like AT ALL) and purchased the Dr. Dre's for $400.  When I got home and listened thru them during the evening, I disliked them more and more.  The bass was overpowering everything I heard and it seemed as if I was losing some of the instruments and midrange.  Needless to say, they will be going back today.

 

I am not sure what you would call me (audiophile? LOL), but I want a good pair of headphones that I can use on my computer, iphone/ipod, iPad, stereo system and they will let me hear ALL the instruments BUT not reduce the bass...I want it to be balanced or truer to its intended sound.  I listen to all types of music - gospel, jazz, rock, instrumental, r & b but no hip hop.  A good example is Earth, Wind & Fire.  I want to hear ALL the instruments in the song AND the vocal parts AND the baseline...am I being unreasonable? redface.gif

 

I was about 1 minute from purchasing the Sennheiser HD 380 and stumbled across this forum.

 

I would like to purchase headphones within the next 48 hours so thanks to everyone in advance for your advice!

 

 

Signed - an avid  40+ year old, sometimes old school music lovero2smile.gif who likes the sound of REAL rock bands and music and instruments and....atsmile.gif

Reply
post #2 of 12
11/18/11 at 7:21am

Grado RS1i

 

I've had mine for a little over a year now, best $700 I've ever spent.

Reply
post #3 of 12
11/18/11 at 7:45am

HD380 is a good headphone for the price, with a huge soundstage for a closed headphone, great bass, solid build, can be used with ipod and co, very good insulation and not expensive, 100€ in europe.

 

Of course there are better closed headphones, but HD380 is really not expensive if you live in europe.

 

akg 242hd/272hd are very good too, sometimes even better (less bass, more natural midrange, less soundstage and less insulation), and similarly priced (currently 100-115€ in europe) but requiring a much better amp.


Edited by DVDRey - 11/18/11 at 7:47am
Reply
post #4 of 12
11/18/11 at 7:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SilverS View Post

Grado RS1i

 

I've had mine for a little over a year now, best $700 I've ever spent.

Quote:
I need something that I can use on an airplane

blink.gif

 

--

 

Could you clarify "not reduce the bass"

in comparison to what, the beats?

 

 

Reply
post #5 of 12
11/18/11 at 8:01am

Hmm, you want a fat low end without sacrificing the mids and highs, and you need to use them on an airplane..

 

Sony MDR-7506 with some neoprene pads to block out noise (these go for $60 on Amazon). I personally wouldn't risk traveling with a pair of cans that cost more than this. Etymotic makes good buds for planes as does Shure.

 

For in-home use I would recommend a pair of Grado SR/RS-series, Sennheiser HD590 (if you can find them), HD600 (more floaty than the in-your-face Grados), or a set of Beats, by Dr. Dre. Just kidding.

 

If rock and instrument separation is your thing, you can't go wrong with a set of Grados. They are considered by many to be the best headphones for guitars. Riffs pop into your forehead in front of you at light speed while everything else is well-established in the background. I would NOT recommend the 7506 for rock.


Edited by plastick - 11/18/11 at 8:15am
Reply
post #6 of 12
11/18/11 at 8:16am
check out the Shure SRH 940 or 840
Reply
post #7 of 12
11/18/11 at 8:28am

Another vote for the Shures. Also I loll'ed at recommending the RS1 for airplane.

 

And you're not being unreasonable, you're being AN AUDIOPHILE!L3000.gif

Reply
post #8 of 12
11/18/11 at 8:43am

OP - you need closed headphones if you'll be using them on airplanes.

 

Closed headphones to consider:

 

Sennheiser HD 25 I II

Shure 840

Shure 940

Ultrasone 780

Audio Technica ATH-M50

 

AIAIAI TMA-1

Sony MDR Z1000

V Moda M80

Audio Technica ESW9

 

I'd avoid Bose, and Beats, 

Reply
post #9 of 12
11/18/11 at 9:23am
Thread Starter 

@ Sidel - What I mean by that is the highs and midrange is all you hear - the bass line is no longer as clear as it could be...say...you can't really hear the chords of the bass guitar.

 

Does that help?  I am not an expert when it comes to terminology, I just know what I hear. 


Edited by michele - 11/18/11 at 9:30am
Reply
post #10 of 12
11/18/11 at 9:24am
Thread Starter 

@  SilverS - Thanks.  I am doing a little reading on these.


Edited by michele - 11/18/11 at 9:30am
Reply
post #11 of 12
11/18/11 at 9:24am
Thread Starter 

@ LizardKing1 - ARGH!!! LOL! I was afraid of that!


Edited by michele - 11/18/11 at 9:30am
Reply
post #12 of 12
11/18/11 at 9:32am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by zazex View Post

OP - you need closed headphones if you'll be using them on airplanes.

 

Closed headphones to consider:

 

Sennheiser HD 25 I II

Shure 840

Shure 940

Ultrasone 780

Audio Technica ATH-M50

 

AIAIAI TMA-1

Sony MDR Z1000

V Moda M80

Audio Technica ESW9

 

I'd avoid Bose, and Beats, 

Thanks - I am on my way to return the Beats and ship out the Sennheisers.  Thanks everyone for your input.  Once I get back from the Post Office, I will review all the suggestions.
 

 

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Can someone help me, please?