[DaveX]

Okay, I'm misleading you with the title. Unfortunately, nobody bothered even introducing themself (let alone attempting to help me with my question) earlier today, so I'm reduced to this.

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Hello, all. My name is DaveX. I'm interested in buying a new set of headphones, and am hoping to get some opinions and assistance from you all.

I'm working on a budget-- under $130 is best. I listen to a LOT of music, with my primary focus being experimental and avant-garde works. I also listen to a lot of noise, so if there are any noise fans here, I'd appreciate your opinions especially. I'm sure the requirements for noise fans are somewhat different, at least regarding headphones.

I am not interested in any sort of noise-canceling headphones, though good isolation is a plus. I will be using these for both demoing material sent in for my radio broadcasts, as well as for preparing mixes and recordings of experimental music.

I'd like to avoid Bose products, as I have often felt them to color the resulting sound somewhat. I'm much more concerned with quality of construction than appearance. The headphones don't have to be particularly portable.

Currently, I'm considering the Audio-Technica ATH-M45 and the Sony MDR-7506. I've been searching the archives for answers to my question, but there seems to be a large amount of disagreement among users. I'd appreciate any assistance you all could render me.

Thanks in advance!

--DaveX
Startling Moniker

 

[Akathisia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveX /img/forum/go_quote.gif Okay, I'm misleading you with the title. Unfortunately, nobody bothered even introducing themself (let alone attempting to help me with my question) earlier today, so I'm reduced to this.

You sir, are very clever.


Anyway, I would check into a set of AKG K240 Studios. They can be had for Under $100, they sound great, and they are confortable for hours on end. They are not sound isolating, but bleeding into other recordings will be nill. They are also built like a tank, guaranteed to last a long time.

Good Luck!

 

[DaveX]

I thought it might be over the top to claim I had the IEM's stuck in my nose... but seriously, thanks for the advice. I'm going to look those up now.

 

[Akathisia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveX /img/forum/go_quote.gif I thought it might be over the top to claim I had the IEM's stuck in my nose... but seriously, thanks for the advice. I'm going to look those up now.

Not a lot of recommendations on those here, but believe me, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Jingo Lingo]

Definitely give the Alessandro MS-1's a look.

 

[Akathisia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jingo Lingo /img/forum/go_quote.gif Definitely give the Alessandro MS-1's a look.

These don't meet almost any of his requirements.

 

[DaveX]

From what I've read so far, I don't think those Alessandro MS-1s are going to provide much isolation, which is important to me. Also, I plan to buy in-person, and don't think I'll be able to come across a pair of those. There's really NOWHERE locally that sells anything decent, I'm going to have to travel a bit-- thinking St. Louis, most likely. Can anyone speak of good/bad points about the Sony MDR-7506, or ATH-M45?

 

[Caribou679]

Go with the Sony.

I have listened to the Sony 7506 and own a 7509HD. They sound great, are very comfortable, are "professional" hp and are sturdy.

I plan on buying a 7506 as well.

Must be a reason they are used in studios worlwide...

regards,

 

[raven1245]

IEM's stuck in your ear can be a serious business...I had the rubber sleeve come off my JVC FX66's last week, and I had to goto the on campus EMT's to get it out...

But thanks to everyone for their input. I'm in about the same boat as he is!

 

[shigzeo]

don't just pull - i would suggest going to hospital or doctor to see if you can get that fixed. it is indeed dangerous to have phones stuck in your ears. fortunately, the bose is not an iem, so it could not go that deep and since it is only a canalphone that is open, you can at least still hear.

i hope to hear that all is better and safely so in a few hours or a day or so... hears hoping in all ernestness that you are okay and your hearing intact. god bless you

 

[squall343]

Quote:

Originally Posted by raven1245 /img/forum/go_quote.gif IEM's stuck in your ear can be a serious business...I had the rubber sleeve come off my JVC FX66's last week, and I had to goto the on campus EMT's to get it out... But thanks to everyone for their input. I'm in about the same boat as he is!

haha..his title is just a trick to pull in people to recommend him headphones

 

[Naris]

A bit of a dirty trick to draw people in to read your thread

. Oh well, I suppose there would be some to comment on the poor quality of Bose IEMs, so I'm glad you don't suffer from this problem.

I must throw my recommendation towards my current favorite headphone: the Sennheiser HD25-1. They are lovely, quite full... if a bit bass heavy. They are comfortable for a fairly extended listening session, but require a bit of stretching before they're fully comfortable. Unfortunately, they are about double your current budget when you add the velour pads and replacement cable. You don't really need either of those items, but they sure make the headphone comfier, and keep the temperature of your ears more stable than the stock leatherette pads (they tend to overheat your ears in the summer, freeze them in the winter).

As for the recable... the HD580/600 cable or the HD650 cable would suffice. To go much higher would start to reach the limits of the headphone (IMO). However, there is absolutely no doubt as to the improvements brought on by replacing the crappy steel cable... it's like night and day.

So... there's my .02, I wish you luck in finding your pair of headphones.

EDIT: By the way... welcome to Head-fi, sorry about your wallet!

And... you really shouldn't post the same question in two different threads... as entertaining as the title of your post may be, it's still kind of excessive.

 

[Wmcmanus]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shigzeo /img/forum/go_quote.gif don't just pull - i would suggest going to hospital or doctor to see if you can get that fixed. it is indeed dangerous to have phones stuck in your ears. fortunately, the bose is not an iem, so it could not go that deep and since it is only a canalphone that is open, you can at least still hear. i hope to hear that all is better and safely so in a few hours or a day or so... hears hoping in all ernestness that you are okay and your hearing intact. god bless you

Proof positive that people don't actually read the threads, just the thread titles, before posting.

 

[Akathisia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wmcmanus /img/forum/go_quote.gif Proof positive that people don't actually read the threads, just the thread titles, before posting.

I see this so much here. drives me nuts. Just like the guy who recommended MS1's.

It's drive by posting.

 

[redrich2000]

The two phones you suggested are not highly regarded on head-fi. You might want to try the Beyerdynamic DT250 (80) or DT231.