[s7on3d]

Hi Everyone!
Though this is my first post here on Head-Fi, I've been a long time visitor and reader

I need a set of cans to use daily at college. I spend a lot of my time studying in the rather loud computer lab or on busses/trains... and I NEED to shut out some of the noise.
They have to be portable and preferably come with some sort of protective case (they'll be in my heavy bag all day).
I prefer comfortable "on ear" headphones (I know... Oxymoron).
I listen to a lot of classical, classic rock, and jazz, but mostly I'd like to be able to put them on and knock off a few dbs of abient noise.
I built a "Mini3" amp a year or so ago, and while everything sounds better through it, as a flustered, rushed and constantly stressed student most of the time I'll be listening direct from my Ipod Nano or Mac.

As I live in Israel and there are very few places to try good quality cans out, I'll probably be ordering (from the US) blind on your advice. Please try to be as descriptive as possible.

Lastly, a few weeks ago I listened to the (please don't kill me) Bose "on ear" headphones (not the QCs) in a lound and crowded mall. While the sound quality was mediocre at best, I found both the insulation and comfort to be quite excellent... If they were around $100 cheaper, I might even think of buying a pair.

Thanks in advance,
Ilan

 

[CTechKid]

Audio-Technica ATH-ES7.

 

[zerodeefex]

Shure SCL4s with black foamies. You'll be seeing much more attenuation than you will with the Bose.

They're flat and some say anemic, but I find them to be detailed and perfect for just letting the world sink back while I'm enjoying classical music.

 

[kmhaynes]

You might want to also check out the IEM forum here, because it sounds like a decent IEM might do your best -- very portable and good isolation in noisy environs. Phonak PFE, Monster Turbines, etc.

I have Nuforce NE-7M ($50 USD) for isolation and they are very good for the price.

 

[zerodeefex]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmhaynes /img/forum/go_quote.gif You might want to also check out the IEM forum here, because it sounds like a decent IEM might do your best -- very portable and good isolation in noisy environs. Phonak PFE, Monster Turbines, etc. I have Nuforce NE-7M ($50 USD) for isolation and they are very good for the price.

I'd avoid the turbines for classical and jazz. If you can get your hands on Ety HF5s, those are pretty good as well.

 

[s7on3d]

Firstly, thanks a million to all you guys for offering assistance.

The Audio-Technica ATH-ES7 look good... Though I'd like a bit more info. Are they cool to wear when it's hot an balmy outside? Comfortable? (I hate clampy headphones that apply pressure on your ears...)

As for the rest - I'm trying my best to avoid IEMs as most of them are uncomfortable in my ears and do a bit too good of a job isolating the sound from outside.
As for the bigger "over ear" models - being a doomed glasses wearer I find them to be a bit disturbing (especially while reading/studying).

Any more advice would be welcome

 

[CTechKid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by s7on3d /img/forum/go_quote.gif Firstly, thanks a million to all you guys for offering assistance. The Audio-Technica ATH-ES7 look good... Though I'd like a bit more info. Are they cool to wear when it's hot an balmy outside? Comfortable? (I hate clampy headphones that apply pressure on your ears...) As for the rest - I'm trying my best to avoid IEMs as most of them are uncomfortable in my ears and do a bit too good of a job isolating the sound from outside. As for the bigger "over ear" models - being a doomed glasses wearer I find them to be a bit disturbing (especially while reading/studying). Any more advice would be welcome

Out of the box the ES7 can be quite uncomfortable and clampy..... luckily however there's an incredibly simple fix.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/ath...dshots-228313/

 

[koshman]

Not that I've tried them, but from what I've read the ES7 don't isolate very well. I'm afraid finding a well-isolating and comfortable set of supraaural cans is not easy...