best happy medium headphones?

[glove_of_power]

Headphones I already own:

Etymotic 6i - perfect for airplanes and subways!
Grado SR225 - perfect for at home, with a huge soundstage that I adore!

I really enjoy both pairs, although they are practically polar opposites both in sound quality and outside noise. I'm looking to buy a third pair, mostly for use at work (quiet office setting). I can't wear the Grados at work because they are very loud in a quiet office, and I can't wear the etys because someone can come up behind me and start talking and I'll be completely oblivious!

So, I'm looking for something inbetween these two extremes--a good sounding pair of headphones that won't leak sound but you can still hear the guy standing next to you if he asks you a question. I think closed back might be the best route??

Budget is circa $100, roughly. (well, I might be persuaded to go a bit higher if it could yield significant improvement) I've been doing some reading and I see the Audio Technica ATH-ES7 recommended in a different thread. Any models I should look into? Thanks in advance for your comments and help!!

 

[nylan8301]

I think I might have just posted on another thread about this...anyway...

Since you seem to enjoy your Etys, I would also like to suggest a pair of JBL 220 "canalphones". I use the quotes since these do in fact go in your ears, but they are open. Clearly, clearly open. What impressed me most about these phones are the soundstage (which is really great for an IEM/canalphone).

Other members may be able to attest to their sound leakage since I demod them in a very noisy store (the store I work at).
I didn't mention them in the other thread since that particular gentleman was looking for something isolating (which doesn't sound like the case for you).

Hope that helps,

Nylan

 

[Schalldampfer]

ATH A700?

 

[ronnielee54]

I use the ATH-ES7's in a work environment. No complaints from coworkers about leakage (and I have asked) and am able to hear pages over my speakerphone while wearing them. Really sweet sounding cans after reasonable burnin (40 to 50 hours) unamped. Sound even better amped. Also very sexy looking cans (had to throw that in. I myself have honestly never been arroused by a set of cans - headphones that is). Cannot go wrong with these cans IMHO.

 

[glove_of_power]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronnielee54 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I use the ATH-ES7's in a work environment. No complaints from coworkers about leakage (and I have asked) and am able to hear pages over my speakerphone while wearing them. Really sweet sounding cans after reasonable burnin (40 to 50 hours) unamped. Sound even better amped. Also very sexy looking cans (had to throw that in. I myself have honestly never been arroused by a set of cans - headphones that is). Cannot go wrong with these cans IMHO.

Hot dog, you could sell ice to the Eskimos with that sales pitch! I'm going to keep looking around and seeing what else is out there, but unless something else catches my eye/ears the ATH-ES7s seem like a solid choice from what you and others have said.

The JBLs look like decent canalphones but already having a pair of great canalphones, I think I will pass on them... even though they are open as you say.

How would you say the ATH A700 compares to the ATH-ES7's??

 

[indigo]

I also have the ES7, but if I were to make a decision right now, I'd wait for this

http://www.audio-technica.co.jp/atj/...sw9/index.html

 

[kurt6652]

I would give the Yuin pk2 or pk1 a try, with the deciding factor being a amp.

 

[Iceroid]

I use my Yuin PK-1's at work every day with zero problems of sound leakage or sound blockage.

yuin @ work = epic win