[Gluegun]

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...

 

[Chickenman]

I would have suggested the Marshmallows, but since she isn't willing to mod them..

 

[facelvega]

ep-630 isolate pretty well and don't sound terrible if she doesn't mind big muddy bass.

 

[Clincher09]

JVC Marshmallows, I haven't modded them and they still have great sound quality.

 

[4ki]

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

 

[Gluegun]

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?

 

[facelvega]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4ki /img/forum/go_quote.gif 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.

 

[lottocdr]

i'd say go for the ep630s, not bad for under $20

 

[Joshatdot]

JVC HA-FX66's or HA-FX33's

 

[kg21]

another vote for the ep-630s isolate pretty well and are cheap but sound decent

 

[glac1er]

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.

 

[Phraxos]

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.