[stan23]

I do apologize if this has been asked many times before. I thought perhaps there are other people out there not inclined to search and have the same questions as me.

I need some suggestions on some good cans for office listening. My main device will be my ipod and a PCDP.

I have narrowed down my choices to a 'closed' phone, as I don't want to leak too much sound as my SR325. I even tried a pair of SR40s, but they still leak too much. I really like the sound of open phones, but I now know I need some closed ones for the office.

The Sony's V6 immediately comes to mind. But I would like to be open minded, and would accept suggestions on other cans as well.

I most definitely will not have an amp, so that will rule out a lot of phones. I'm hoping to stay within the up to $150 range.

Anything I can audition locally will be a good selling point for me as well. I live in the SF bay area.

Many thanks!

 

[Duncan]

Hiya,

As long as you don't mind losing a lot of treble detail, the Beyer DT250s are a lot more 'hi-fi' than the MDR-V6... they're at $150, and share almost identically the phyiscal dimensions of the MDR-V6...

Upping your budget a little more, look at the AT ATH-A900s... these come in at $200... and are pretty damned refined, real good for the cost... but, might sound a little too thin out of just a PCDP jack...

Whereas the DT250s might sound a little syrupy...

Its all a matter of compromise in my opinion...

What kind of music do you listen to - and what model PCDP is it?

 

[2 channel]

I use my Portapros at work and am very happy with them. They dont leak much. If you absolutle can't have any leakage, I'd suggest ety er6. I love mine and there is definitely NO leakage.

cheers,
2

 

[stan23]

Hi,

Thanks for your suggestions

My main musical tastes are: Jazz, house, and disco.

I will most definitely be using my ipod as my main source. And i've heard the headphone jack is quite powerful. I should have no problems driving mid-impedence cans.

The PCDP is a Sony D55 (supposedly the same output jack as D25s)

I'll take a look at the Beyers. Its too bad there is no way I can audition these locally

 

[bangraman]

The MDR-D66 Eggos don't transmit sounds outside, but let sounds in from outside. This is due to the use of a small diaphragm on what is otherwise a closed phone design. If you're OK with that (possibly this is EXACTLY what you want in an office?) then they're better sounding than the DT250-80, I think. Plus, they fold and are tiny.

 

[redshifter]

if you can get your hands on some sony cd1700, they are perfect office cans; closed, good non fatiguing sound, comfortable for hours at a time. i use mine in the office all the time.

 

[stan23]

Thanks!

These are exactly the suggestions i'm looking for!

Beyer DT250 = these are on my list, but I really want to try them on before buying. I called beyer, but there seems to be no local dealers stocking them.

AT ATH-A900 = same problem as above. Are any of the US distributed AT cans any good? They sell some at my local Guitar Center

Koss Portapros = its on my list, but not that high since they are not completly closed.

ETY = I'm not really interested in any in-ear design cans for the office. (i'm sure they sound great though!)

 

[Suedama]

The terms "leakage" and "isolation" seem to used indiscriminately sometimes. I take it that "leakage" means that OTHERS can hear the music from your headphones, while "isolation" refers to the listeners isolation from exterior noises?

 

[stan23]

i'm more worried about leakage. I don't want others to hear what i'm listening too.

 

[Davie]

So happens that I've been trying to find the same type of thing. I have a little "mad money" from X-mas, and have bought several closed cans, with the intention of keeping the one(s) I like and returning the rest. (I already own the Sony 7506/v6, but have some reservations about them for classical.) What I've found so far:

-Beyer 250-80 - sounds real good, but my PCDP/MP3 players can't drive them adequately. Among others, I have the Sony C-J01, which reputedly has the strongest amp of any PCDP that supports MP3. I'd say that these cans are sort of marginal for portable use, but could be OK with a strong source, with recordings mastered at a high level, and definitely with an external amp. If you want to try them, you can order them on-line from Headroom, which has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

-Sony 7506 - sounds good but quite bright and forward. As a result, I don't find these good for background listening at the office. On the plus side, they fold up small and are quite durable for travel.

-Audio Technica ATH-M30 - similar in physical design to the Sonys, but do not fold up. Cheapest that I tried ($50 at J&R). Sound is kind of unrefined, but in what I find to be a fun way. I basically agree with the review at hifichoice: "...these A-Ts have a heavy balance with less high frequency energy but a solidity and smoothness that makes for relaxed long-term listening. There is a shortfall in detail but this is made up for with a weightiness and body to the sound that is quite involving. There's a slight plumminess or sense of the luxury button being pressed but timing is good enough to overcome this." I also find them quite comfortable. I can have these on, listening to background music for extended periods quite happily. But not a can for critical listening. I may keep these just for fun.

-Sennheiser 280pro - I'm still burning these in, but it looks like these are going to be the winners. Quite comfortably driven by my portables. Sound is more balanced than the Sonys. Great isolation. Folds up. The downside of these is that they're really big and dorky looking, but I think I can live with that.

So that's what I've discovered so far. If you do end up trying anything, drop me a PM. I'd be very interested in any impressions.

 

[bangraman]

Quote:

Originally posted by redshifter if you can get your hands on some sony cd1700, they are perfect office cans; closed, good non fatiguing sound, comfortable for hours at a time. i use mine in the office all the time.

FYI, the D66 seals a bit more than the CD1700, leaks less too.

 

[stan23]

Davie-

Great feedback.

I was also thinking of the 280 pros, but i've never really been a fan of the sennheiser sound. Perhaps I like the bright sound, which would explain why I like grado's so much.

I just went out and picked up a pair of 7506s.

So far, i'm very immpressed. The seem to seal great, and the 'boomy' bass is quite the welcome after getting used to SR-40s.

I think I just need the velour pads, and I should be set.

Thanks to everyone on this wonderful board!

 

[elnero]

I don't think the 280's sound like the other Sennheisers I've heard. More forward and brighter sounding but not overdone, decent midrange (not near the level of the 580s though, even if the 580's are a bit recessed) with a nice tight bass that's not boomy or bloated. Overall I find them to be a nicely balanced headphone that might lean just slightly to the side of bright.