"Beater" Headphones

[GiMione]

I am looking for a pair of canal phones that range from 30-40, maybe 50 dollars. I want great isolation, comfort and good sound quality (of course!) Can’t ask for too much as this price point, though. I will be mowing the lawn with these so Isolation would be pretty important. I like high detail, but with enough oomph to be somewhat visceral.

 

[saturnine]

Sharp MD33!

http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Sh...eadphones.html

<3 mine.

 

[450]

50 dollars won't get you the sound and isolation you want.

E2c at 60-70 are closest to decent but lack in highs. Consider getting some Panasonic HJE50's and modding with ER6 tips. It should be cheaper that way. Modded MDR-EX71 might also work (check some of BowerR64's mods).

Another option would be to buy used.


Does the MD33 have enough isolation to cut out lawn mowers?

 

[nikongod]

the sony in-ear-buds certanly fit the bill moneywise...

im not familiar with their sound though.

 

[Spiritboxer]

My beaters are a pair of Koss Spark Plugs, not a bad deal for under $20. These and the E3's are the only canalphones I've ever had so I can't really comment on anything else but many speak well of the Sharp MD-33.

 

[Acidice]

I think for isolation at that range your best bet are the Plugs. If the included tips don't fit in your ear you can buy some ear plugs and make a hole in the center of them then use them as tips. Awesome isolation, not so great sound.

 

[ajt976]

If it's any help, I used to wear some IEMs (e3s) and a pair of ear muffs on top while mowing and worked quite nicely. This same technique could be applied to some of the Sharps, Sonys, or Koss phones. I've recently sold my e3's and I'm probably going to look for a cheaper pair, I guess we are in the same boat!

 

[episiarch]

If you're truly serious about good isolation at that price, then what I think you need to do is buy Ety ER-20 "hi-fi" earplugs ($12) and wear an inexpensive closed headphone over them, like the new Sennheiser HD201 ($25) or Koss UR-20 ($20).

The combo won't be totally hi-fi, but it will sound much better than you're probably thinking at this moment (stop giving me that look). The ER-20's do a decent job of attenuating sound fairly evenly across the spectrum, and the headphones will supply a smidge of additional isolation and, of course, the music.

 

[JB.]

I've just spent a few days with the Philips HN060's. The stock tips were unbearable, but they take Ety tri-flanges and foamies like they were made for each other. The Ety tips provide better isolation and comfort than the stock tips, and the noise-cancelling capabilities are also improved.

I grabbed mine for $20 or so on eBay, about the same as the "Plug" and the sound quality is much better. My only complaint with the HN060's are the recessed mids. But the bass is surprisingly low and fun, and the highs are acceptably clear.