harvinstein
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2009
- Posts
- 248
- Likes
- 10
Hello Head-Fi community!
I am new to this whole headphone scene, and after two days of reading posts, I thought the fastest way to get more specific advice would be to post. So here it is.
As is common for new posts, I am in the market for a set of headphones.
I will be driving them with my Zune 30GB and probably my computer's on-board sound, but no amps, EQs or anything.
Portability is very important since these will be for commuting, listening to music in the office, and cross-country flights. So something that I can throw in my backpack or shirt pocket would be nice.
Isolation is something that I'd like a little of so that I don't have to turn the volume up so much and to help a little with jet engine noise, but I don't want so much that I can't hear my office phone ring, or my co-workers standing in my doorway yelling my name.
I want something that is durable. I do not want something that is going to break within a year. I am not hard on equipment, but I just can't deal with something more fragile than the Zune. I also do not like the thought of one of those IEMs breaking off in my ear.
I listen to all types of rock and metal, and the occasional (as in maybe 6 times a year) classical, jazz and funk. 95% of my collection is 320kbps MP3s, with some down to 192kbps.
I am located in the US.
I am willing spend up to around $100, but if there are products that you think would make me happy for less, please throw them out there. In the past, I have only used on-ear headphones of dubious quality, so anything should be better than what I have experience with.
I have small ear canals, and don't really like wearing foam earplugs for work, so I'm a little leery of IEMs. But I can see myself using some of the shallow ones, if they are very comfortable. I would rather not have to track down some special tips in order to get comfort, but I will do what I have to, so suggest as you see fit.
I used to play drums, so I am partial to something with good definition, which I don't think I've ever had in a set of headphones. I do not like muddy low definition bass or artificial/harsh highs, but I am not an audiophile like a lot of people on this board. I guess I like a slightly exaggerated low end, flat middle, and pretty flat high end (maybe a small bump), but it all needs to be as clean as possible. You know, so I can really hear my crappy metal mp3s
I understand that it will probably be hard to find this in my price range, but since I'm coming from crap, I should be easy to impress.
I'm real good at researching something to death for a month or two before buying something, but I’m trying to push myself out of that habit and you can help!
Here is what I have found from my two days of searching, please confirm these as good choices for my application, or tell me to strike them off my list. I'm also open to more suggestions, but I would like to narrow my list down to as few as possible.
MeElectronics Ai-M6 - $40
NuForce NE-6 - $40
V-Moda Vibe - $45
MAXIMO iM-590 - $50
V-Moda Vibe Duo - $55
V-Moda Viibe II - $85
CrossRoads MylarOne X3 - $? (did not see them for sale anywhere)
Cyclone PR1 Pro - $? (did not see them for sale anywhere)
Soundmagic PL50 - $75
Klipsch IMAGE S4 - $80
Denon AHC751 - $100
Monster Turbine - $110
Shure SE210 - $110
Neglecting Isolation, taking any cons regarding my application for the following,
Koss PortaPro - $35
Grado iGrado - $50
Sennheiser HD 228 - $60
Sennheiser HD 238 - $90
Audio-Technica ATH-ES7 - $90
Denon AH-D1001 - $110
Yuin PK3 - $45 (not really sold on buds, but open to suggestions)
Yuin PK2 - $75 (not really sold on buds, but open to suggestions)
Yuin G2A - $50 (not really sold on clip-ons, but open to suggestions)
I will probably also be buying a set of Grado SR60i for home and maybe office use just because I'm intrigued by them, but they will not be my portable set.
Finally, a huge thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide!
I am new to this whole headphone scene, and after two days of reading posts, I thought the fastest way to get more specific advice would be to post. So here it is.
As is common for new posts, I am in the market for a set of headphones.
I will be driving them with my Zune 30GB and probably my computer's on-board sound, but no amps, EQs or anything.
Portability is very important since these will be for commuting, listening to music in the office, and cross-country flights. So something that I can throw in my backpack or shirt pocket would be nice.
Isolation is something that I'd like a little of so that I don't have to turn the volume up so much and to help a little with jet engine noise, but I don't want so much that I can't hear my office phone ring, or my co-workers standing in my doorway yelling my name.
I want something that is durable. I do not want something that is going to break within a year. I am not hard on equipment, but I just can't deal with something more fragile than the Zune. I also do not like the thought of one of those IEMs breaking off in my ear.
I listen to all types of rock and metal, and the occasional (as in maybe 6 times a year) classical, jazz and funk. 95% of my collection is 320kbps MP3s, with some down to 192kbps.
I am located in the US.
I am willing spend up to around $100, but if there are products that you think would make me happy for less, please throw them out there. In the past, I have only used on-ear headphones of dubious quality, so anything should be better than what I have experience with.
I have small ear canals, and don't really like wearing foam earplugs for work, so I'm a little leery of IEMs. But I can see myself using some of the shallow ones, if they are very comfortable. I would rather not have to track down some special tips in order to get comfort, but I will do what I have to, so suggest as you see fit.
I used to play drums, so I am partial to something with good definition, which I don't think I've ever had in a set of headphones. I do not like muddy low definition bass or artificial/harsh highs, but I am not an audiophile like a lot of people on this board. I guess I like a slightly exaggerated low end, flat middle, and pretty flat high end (maybe a small bump), but it all needs to be as clean as possible. You know, so I can really hear my crappy metal mp3s
I'm real good at researching something to death for a month or two before buying something, but I’m trying to push myself out of that habit and you can help!
Here is what I have found from my two days of searching, please confirm these as good choices for my application, or tell me to strike them off my list. I'm also open to more suggestions, but I would like to narrow my list down to as few as possible.
MeElectronics Ai-M6 - $40
MAXIMO iM-590 - $50
Denon AHC751 - $100
Neglecting Isolation, taking any cons regarding my application for the following,
Koss PortaPro - $35
Sennheiser HD 228 - $60
Sennheiser HD 238 - $90
Audio-Technica ATH-ES7 - $90
Denon AH-D1001 - $110
I will probably also be buying a set of Grado SR60i for home and maybe office use just because I'm intrigued by them, but they will not be my portable set.
Finally, a huge thanks in advance for any help you guys can provide!