And now for the question that has been asked 1000 times....

[DUMP_TRUCK]

I've searching around the forum, and countless other websites in an effort to find a pair of headphones for primary use with my 5th gen. ipod. It seems as though everytime I think I have decided on a pair, I go to the next page and they are ripped apart in multiple reviews for various reasons. I realize this is because of the highly subjective nature of listening preferences. However, I'd love some assistance in maybe getting 3 or 4 models to go out and try and make a decision for myself. So here is what I am looking for...

Price range - $100 or less

Style - closed and either circum or supra-aural. unless there is a pair of open 'cans' that the sound leakage is low. they double as great earmuffs in the winter.

High comfort level - as I generally wear them for atleast an 1 hour at a time.

Use - Primary use with 5th gen. ipod. So something w/ low impedance as well. I listen to a fairly wide variety of music. Primarily rap, r&b, alt. rock, classic rock, live recordings, with some acoustic and country sprinkled in. Bands/artists include 2pac/Audioslave/Anthony Hamilton/Matchbox20/ Train/Led Zepp/AC/DC/Doors/Ludacris/Jim Croce/Stevie Wonder/Al Green/ Motley Crue/Rage Against the Machine/Outkast/Maxwell make up a good bit of the 16 gig on there.

I'll be coming from a [gasp] pair of sony mdr-v100's, so yes I'm new to the game and most anything will be a vast improvement. But the bass on those is just too muffled and over bearing. Sounds like I'm listening to music under water. Anyone have any experience with the Panasonic HT-355? I know it's panasonic, but they are cheap, and have been getting good reviews in a lot of places. I was really looking at the AKG 26's, but it sounds as though the new batches of them aren't that good. Grado Sr-60/80's and Senn 485's seem to leak a lot of sound.

Thanks in advance for taking time to read this massive post. I'll be happy to answer any other questions you might have.

Thanks,

Russ

p.s. can you buy an in-line volume control for any headphone at like Radioshack or something....and it will it have any effect on the sound quality???

 

[Canman]

A great cheap sealed headphone is the Sennheiser HD-201. At only $25 it is an amazing value.

http://www.headphone.com/products/he...ser-hd-201.php

 

[episiarch]

DUMP_TRUCK, sorry it's so hard. Unfortunately they're all gonna get "ripped apart in multiple reviews." Really good-sounding closed cans tend to be expensive, and anything closed under $100 is going to have its limits. And not infrequently, someone or other will use dramatic terms to evaluate or describe those limits.

But that's okay. If you only buy headphones without negative reviews you could have a long wait ahead. (HE90's don't come available very frequently.)

I agree with the HD201 recommendation. It's comfortable and good-sounding. It sounds best amped (or at least with a little more power than my 4G iPod can give it), but sounds fine even unamped. Not a bass-heavy phone.

The Audio-Technica ATH-FC7 is my nomination if you want the smallest and most portable headphone that gives you real isolation (that is, not only does it not leak, it blocks a useful amount of outside sound). It too sounds best with an amp, but is pretty OK without (I use it with a Nano sometimes). Fairly bassy, especially when amped.

I like the Sennheiser HD25-SP. A good, balanced presentation. Less comfortable than either of the above, but after getting used to them for a while, wearing them for a couple hours at a time wasn't a problem.

The Sennheiser HD280 will definitely muff your ears. I find it uncomfortably tight; your mileage may vary. I'm not wild about the sound; I prefer the HD25-SP, frankly, but I'm in the minority.

Warning: I recommend against the Beyer DT231, which leaks quite a bit despite looking as though it's sealed.

As for an inline volume control, Shure makes one (they call it the Level Attenuator), but it generally will have an effect on the sound quality: putting resistance in series with the headphone is like driving it from a weaker source. If what you're really after is some kind of remote volume control to work with the iPod, the Griffin AirClick is pretty nice (I have one for my 4G) and has play/pause/next/previous as well.

 

[DUMP_TRUCK]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

The senn 201's seem to be popular. Would you say the bass is adequate for rap and r&b applications?

The Audio-Technica ATH-FC7 look awesome, I'm just concerned about the impedance w/ out an amp.

And although the Sennheiser HD25-SP may have good sound, I could probably never get past how hideous they are. I know I should be more concerned about the sound, but I just can't bring myself to do it w/ those. Maybe I'm just getting a bad pic of them?!?!

I do seem to like the senn 280's as far as design. I like the whole detachable single cord deal. They are a possibility for me.

Thanks again everyone, this forum is awesome!

Any experiences w/ the senn EH-150/250?

No takers on the Panasonic HT-355?

 

[coffeeaddict]

I can't answer most of your questions, but the FC7's do not need an amp. In my experience, they offer a punchy, bassy sound.

They are supra-aural though, and so will not be earmuffs.

 

[ATAT]

Get the Koss KSC-75 .. 2 from amazon, free shipping. Then spend the rest of your budget on a good amp and sikdin line out =)

Probably will be the best $100 you'll spend =)

 

[kwitel]

Dump Truck-ill give a third to the Senns-they are solid all around performers and great bang for the buck. However, to my ears-most of the sub 580 Senns sound boring to me.
here are a couple definitely worth looking into:

1)AKG K26P-I love these cans. Supra-Aural, decent isolation, nice fold-up design and good all around aggressive sound.
2)Sony MDR6-some love this headphone, others hate it. I happen to like it cuz im somewhat of a basshead. I think its a good all around travel/isolation can. Try it out and see what you think.
3)I would put up an ad on the for sale boards and see if you cant get your hands on nice used pair of Audio-Technicas or better yet, some Beyerdynamic dt250-80. I love the comfort and sound from these cans, all around performers-low impedence (80ohms) that retail for about $160. However, you might be able to get your hands on them used for substantially less.
DONT BE AFRAID TO BUY USED.
Most people who sell around here are serious audio-philes; people who keep their gear in pristine condition.
4)Lastly, id give IEMS (In ear monitors) another look. The technology these days is top-notch and you can find some great deals now for under $100. Take a look at the following models:

a)Ety-er6i:I thinkcan be had for around $115.
b)Shure e2cs:right at or around $100
c)Ultimate Ears Super-Fi 3.:My personal pick (low end response)and im sure sell for under $100.

Theres alot here to research, I know-but take your time. Headphones become a very personal/subjective hobby-audition as many models as you can at a local Hi-Fi store. Only YOUR ears know whats best for you.
Good Luck.