Best headphones for commuting?
Oct 3, 2012 at 7:20 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 12
mantis toboggan

mantis toboggan

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I live in NYC and everyone who lives there knows how noisy it it: in the street, on the subway, on a bus, so I'm looking for a good pair of closed back over-ear headphones which are also effective at noise reduction or isolation.  I mostly listen to bass heavy jazz, rock, and rap.  
I've looked at the Audio Technica ATH-m50's and wondering if they provide sufficient noise isolation to ride a city bus on.  I'm also looking at the Fanny Wang 2000s.  Please offer advice and recommendations.
 
Oct 3, 2012 at 11:22 AM Post #3 of 12
Given your requirement on noise cancellation, I would definitely look at IEMs. IMHO, IEMs with properly sized/fitted foam tips offer the best isolation from outside noise.

The following thread has good info on bass-heavy IEMs:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/629913/extreme-bass-iem

-p
 
Oct 3, 2012 at 11:28 AM Post #4 of 12
IEMs are the better bet if you want any isolation. If you are going to be doing a lot of walking and riding in loud areas I would recommend a cheaper pair of IEMs with comply or AirBuds tips.
 
If you get good fits from the regular silicon tips then try just a pair of skull candys or sennheiser. If you want good comfort (memory foam eartips) and good sound, I would recommend AirBuds (www.air-buds.com/product/) IMO
 
 
Oct 3, 2012 at 11:56 AM Post #5 of 12
Shure SE-215 are my IEM of choice for commuting to and traveling in New York City. Subways arrive and if I'm not looking, it can come and go and I'd miss it. Keeping eyes open while crossing the street is a must.
 
Oct 3, 2012 at 6:49 PM Post #6 of 12
Well I prefer over the ear headphones to IEMs on because theyre not really comfortable in my ears and I have to constantly readjust them by pulling my lobe and whatnot, it's really annoying. But yeah, are the M50s any good at noise isolation? I also want to use them without any type of amp, just my iphone
 
Oct 3, 2012 at 7:12 PM Post #7 of 12
If you want any sort of isolation, you need to get IEMs. Over the ear isnt really blocking anything out and can be dangerous because you may just compensate for lack of isolation by blasting the volume.
 
I understand what you are saying about IEMs 'not fitting' but im telling you, I had the same issue and the big comfy memory foam AirBuds solved all my problems
 
 
Oct 3, 2012 at 8:56 PM Post #8 of 12
I hear that all the time. On the subway, someone not that close to me is bopping to a beat and I hear pretty clearly what they are hearing. Difference is, they're going to get deaf from it.
 
Oct 4, 2012 at 1:33 AM Post #10 of 12
IEM's > headphones for isolation.
 
With over the ear headphones you will end up cranking the volume and causing damage. Instead you should get a pair of IEM's with good isolation to block noise so you wont be trying to overpower the noise with your volume control. Foam tips really can isolate well and be comfortable at the same time.
 
Oct 10, 2012 at 3:06 PM Post #11 of 12
Quote:
mantis toboggan said:
Well I prefer over the ear headphones to IEMs on because theyre not really comfortable in my ears and I have to constantly readjust them by pulling my lobe and whatnot, it's really annoying. But yeah, are the M50s any good at noise isolation? I also want to use them without any type of amp, just my iphone
Click to expand...

M50s may be a little too big for commuting use. At least imo
 
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