Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Recommendations for over the head earphones for snowboarding?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Recommendations for over the head earphones for snowboarding?

post #1 of 14
12/30/04 at 2:29pm
Thread Starter 
I have searched for topics related to snowboarding and headphone recommendations, but they are mostly dealing with in canal earphones. I have an iPod that I take snowboarding with me. I also have 3 pairs of headphones. The crappy sounding Apple earbuds, Sony EX71 and a $7 pair of awia plastic over the head earphones that I broke last season and are repaired with tape. Now I normally use the Apple buds when I am at the gym or Mountain biking and they do OK. They get a bit uncomfortable after a while and I could never use them while riding all day on the mountain. The Sony's sound good, but they are not good for sport activities. There is audible cord noise when it moves/hits against my chest and the cord is not quite long enough to reach the iPod without using the remote or extension (which weighs it down a bit). Also the isolating factor of the Sony's make them a bit dangerous to use on the mountain. The aiwa's (which came with my portable CD player that I got in 1992) do an ok job and have the benefit of me not caring what happens to them.

This season I would like something a bit better. I like to take the phones off my ears while riding up in the chair lift so this makes over the head / behind the head earphones ideal. I wear them over my hat and can just drop them arround my neck while in line and talking to my friends. I have been reading a bunch am have myself a bit confused. I would like something that sounds good, but I don't want something that is going to be easily broken or damaged by the weather. I figure abut $50 or so would be a decent price point. I was looking at the grado's but I think those might not be too good in bad weather. Any recommendations or guidence would be greatly appreciated.
Reply
post #2 of 14
12/30/04 at 2:36pm
That would be a sight... grados on the slopes or mountain biking

sporta pros maybe? Although I doubt they can get wet.

Doesn't sony make water resistant phones for Nike? They probably sound crappy but at least they'll survive the elements better.

Garrett
Reply
post #3 of 14
12/30/04 at 2:44pm
I've used my MDR-V6s on-hill for a couple years now...
Reply
post #4 of 14
12/30/04 at 3:36pm
The Koss Ksc-35 are great for this purpose. I have been using them for snowboarding for years now. These headphones are relatively small, very open meaning you will hear everything that's going on out there and they clip on your ears with a secure fit (no headband). Very comfortable, too. The only problem is that these headphone might have been discontinued by Koss and replaced by the Ksc-50, which does not have a as secure fit as the Ksc-35. Maybe you can get the Ksc-35 used somewhere. Since I don't use headphones so much when snowboarding, I haven't yet managed to get them really wet so I don't know how they will react when being wet. One problem, however, is that the Koss captures a lot of windnoise. Thefore I always wear them under a hood, which is not ideal for the sound but I don't really have another choice here.

Another option is the Sennheiser PX 100: also very open but with a over-the-head style. Both the Koss and the Sennheiser are on equal levels regarding sound quality. I have not owned (only tested) the PX 100 but I assume that it has the same windnoise problem due to the open design.

I have also used the Sony MDR V150 for snowboarding purposes but the isolation was a little bit too much and the sound quality kept me wishing for more.

The Grados are rather bulky compared to the Ksc-35 / PX 100 and I wouldn't consider them ideal for snowboarding.

Finally, you could also check out the Sennheiser MX 400 / 500 (the 500 has a volume control in the headphone cable). These are earbuds but don't really isolate. Soundwise, the Ksc-35 and Px 100 are lot better but the MX 400/500 is a lot smaller and only costs around $15.
Reply
post #5 of 14
12/30/04 at 3:39pm
How about the portapros?
Reply
post #6 of 14
12/30/04 at 3:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by saint.panda
The Koss Ksc-35 are great for this purpose. I have been using them for snowboarding for years now. These headphones are relatively small, very open meaning you will hear everything that's going on out there and they clip on your ears with a secure fit (no headband). Very comfortable, too. The only problem is that these headphone might have been discontinued by Koss and replaced by the Ksc-50, which does not have a as secure fit as the Ksc-35. Maybe you can get the Ksc-35 used somewhere. Since I don't use headphones so much when snowboarding, I haven't yet managed to get them really wet so I don't know how they will react when being wet. One problem, however, is that the Koss captures a lot of windnoise. Thefore I always wear them under a hood, which is not ideal for the sound but I don't really have another choice here.

Another option is the Sennheiser PX 100: also very open but with a over-the-head style. Both the Koss and the Sennheiser are on equal levels regarding sound quality. I have not owned (only tested) the PX 100 but I assume that it has the same windnoise problem due to the open design.

I have also used the Sony MDR V150 for snowboarding purposes but the isolation was a little bit too much and the sound quality kept me wishing for more.

The Grados are rather bulky compared to the Ksc-35 / PX 100 and I wouldn't consider them ideal for snowboarding.

Finally, you could also check out the Sennheiser MX 400 / 500 (the 500 has a volume control in the headphone cable). These are earbuds but don't really isolate. Soundwise, the Ksc-35 and Px 100 are lot better but the MX 400/500 is a lot smaller and only costs around $15.


Curious... how well did the KSC35 hold up to the cold/damp air? Any problems with them getting wet? I have KSC75s.... and am just curious.
Garrett
Reply
post #7 of 14
12/30/04 at 3:43pm
try the Nike/Philips PSA. they're designed specifically for outdoor sports and fits your criteria pretty well. they should go around $20 in stores.
Reply
post #8 of 14
12/30/04 at 3:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kramer5150
Curious... how well did the KSC35 hold up to the cold/damp air? Any problems with them getting wet? I have KSC75s.... and am just curious.
Garrett
I've used my pair of ksc-35s as my toss around/workout/exercise/portable phones for about 2/3 years now, and they just won't die. Heck, I even have a pair that I bought as a backup, and I haven't had to take those out yet.
Reply
post #9 of 14
12/30/04 at 4:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EricP
I've used my MDR-V6s on-hill for a couple years now...
when i had v6's it was pretty easy for them to fall off of my head. and i have a big head plus i would want to hear whats going on if i were snowboarding so closed phones would be out imo. though it seems like a weird suggestion the hd580's i had stuck on my head really well and were open... i don't know if they would hold up to the cold. plus they are pretty big. but yeah, they could in theory work :O
Reply
post #10 of 14
12/30/04 at 9:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kramer5150
Curious... how well did the KSC35 hold up to the cold/damp air? Any problems with them getting wet? I have KSC75s.... and am just curious.
Garrett
Garrett, actually I don't wear them so often when snowboarding because it's a real hassle to get them on and off with gloves on. I always have them with me though. And when I wear them they are usually under a bonnet so they don't have direct contact with the snow that flies around.
Only once did they end up in the snow really bad because so did I, which, however, seemed to have affected me more than the headphones. Also, so far the Koss has survived the the cold air and humidity (especially in the bag after a day in the mountains) without any problems.
Reply
post #11 of 14
12/31/04 at 1:22am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by EricP
I've used my MDR-V6s on-hill for a couple years now...
These seem a bit big and bulky to use on the hill. I don't think they would stand up to me spinning in the pipe or park without flying off my head.

Quote:
Originally Posted by saint.panda
The Koss Ksc-35 are great for this purpose. I have been using them for snowboarding for years now. These headphones are relatively small, very open meaning you will hear everything that's going on out there and they clip on your ears with a secure fit (no headband). Very comfortable, too. The only problem is that these headphone might have been discontinued by Koss and replaced by the Ksc-50, which does not have a as secure fit as the Ksc-35. Maybe you can get the Ksc-35 used somewhere.
These sound like just what I'm looking for except that they are a pain to take on and off with gloves. How does the sound of the 50's compare to the 35's, and how do both of these compare to the senn px-100?

Quote:
Originally Posted by saint.panda
Another option is the Sennheiser PX 100: also very open but with a over-the-head style. Both the Koss and the Sennheiser are on equal levels regarding sound quality. I have not owned (only tested) the PX 100 but I assume that it has the same windnoise problem due to the open design.
I have been using a cheap set of Aiwa HP A092 Picture and if the wind noise is what I have been hearing with them as well, then that is not a problem. After looking at the sennheiser PX100's these seem like they might do the trick. I have not been able to find the koss ksc-35 new anywhere. I have also seen these Koss KTXPRO1 and wonder how they compare to the sennheiser's. The Koss phones are 1/2 the price and if the sound is comparable I'll get the cheaper ones in case of breakage.

Quote:
Originally Posted by saint.panda
Finally, you could also check out the Sennheiser MX 400 / 500 (the 500 has a volume control in the headphone cable). These are earbuds but don't really isolate. Soundwise, the Ksc-35 and Px 100 are lot better but the MX 400/500 is a lot smaller and only costs around $15.
I think I'll just use the Apple buds instead of going this route, if I am going to ger ear buds. Thanks for all of the suggestions and keep them comming!
Reply
post #12 of 14
12/31/04 at 3:57am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Morfious
These seem a bit big and bulky to use on the hill. I don't think they would stand up to me spinning in the pipe or park without flying off my head.

I wear my goggle strap over the headband and they stay put in all but the craziest bails. Beanie under headphones under goggle strap, keeps the ears warm and everything stays put, I've not had problems spinning or inverting and having them fall off.

As far as closed, yes, you can't hear anything, but to me, that's a bonus. People are morons, the less I have to listen to them, the better.
Reply
post #13 of 14
12/31/04 at 8:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Morfious
These seem a bit big and bulky to use on the hill. I don't think they would stand up to me spinning in the pipe or park without flying off my head.
My Ksc-35 never flew off but I'm not sure about the PX100. They do have a tight grip on your head (while being still comfortable because of the light weight) but you might better check them out at a store and try some head banging to simulate a pipe situation.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Morfious
These sound like just what I'm looking for except that they are a pain to take on and off with gloves. How does the sound of the 50's compare to the 35's, and how do both of these compare to the senn px-100?
I didn't compare the Ksc-50 with the Ksc-35 side by side but only heard the Ksc-50 at a store. The Ksc-50 does not press against the ear as hard as the Ksc-35 which makes it more prone to falling off your head and the sound quality suffers a little bit, too. There are more detailed comparisons between these two headphones when you do a search.


Quote:
After looking at the sennheiser PX100's these seem like they might do the trick. I have not been able to find the koss ksc-35 new anywhere. I have also seen these Koss KTXPRO1 and wonder how they compare to the sennheiser's. The Koss phones are 1/2 the price and if the sound is comparable I'll get the cheaper ones in case of breakage.
Soundqualitywise, there is not that much of a difference between the Px100 and the Ksc-35 and I think that in your situation it really comes down to which is more portable. In this case, it is probably easier to get the Px100 on and off while wearing gloves because of the headband. The Px100 is also foldable and can be stored away in a suitable casket like glasses.
If you can't find the Koss Ksc-35, the Ksc-75 might also do the trick. I have read very positive impressions about this new clip-on headphone and the design philosophy is very similar to the Ksc-35. And it only costs $20.
Reply
post #14 of 14
1/3/05 at 12:05am
Thread Starter 
Well after some looking and more research I have decided on the KTXPRO1. These were only $20 at CompUsa and they sound pretty good. I have only been listening for a short while and they sound warm and inviting. Definately much better than the old Aiwa's I was using. I think these will work out quite nicely for the slopes. Thanks for all who game me some recommendations. Anyone looking for a pair of lightweight decent sounding headphones check out the KTX Pro 1. Also there is a volume control inline with these phones and I have not noticed any microphonics (cord noise) with these!
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Recommendations for over the head earphones for snowboarding?