Budget Closed Circumaural 'Phones

[Volta]

Hi,

Having ordered my iAudio M5L, I am wanting some Closed Circumaural 'Phones for use in a car and on planes, as well as at home.

Isolation is important.

I listen to progressive rock like- The Mars Volta, Dredg, Coheed...so good sound-staging is also a must.

My budget is 80 pounds at the most.

Any suggestions?

josh.

 

[HFat]

I heaven't heard most of the well-regarded circumaural closed phones (AT, Ultrasone, Beyer, Sony) so I'm not recommending those, but let me offer a suggestion within your budget... I don't listen to much prog and I don't know the bands you're talking about, but I can say I've enjoyed rock on my K271S. As with most AKGs, people seem to hold contradictory views about its sound... and since I modded mine a little, I might well have tweaked its sound as well. Anyway, it's got the best isolation I've heard in a comfortable closed phone (read: not one of those DJ cans that apply heavy pressure on your ears or your skull) so this alone should make it worthy of consideration.

 

[Volta]

HFat- Do you use those with a portable player?

 

[HFat]

Sometimes. They're hard to drive but my two Korean players can handle that so I'm assuming yours would as well (I've never heard an iaudio).

Make no mistake though: these aren't portable. They're bulky and I'd only use them if I'm going to be sitting down a long time... ideally, I wouldn't use them outdoors at all but, since you say you're going to use them as home cans as well, there are some compromises you'll have to make one way or the other.

 

[Volta]

Where did buy yours from?

(edit- if you live in England)

 

[Headphony]

Check out the Audio-Technica ATH-M30 or M40.

 

[facelvega]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Headphony Check out the Audio-Technica ATH-M30 or M40.

I heard a couple of days ago from a good friend who has both the M30's and a pair of HD201's. He assured me that once he bought the 201's, he couldn't stand to switch back to the M30's anymore. What's more, he isn't even using a dedicated amp on those 201's.

Headphony, you're one of the few head-fiers who have had both, and seem to have made the opposite conclusion from my friend. How would you describe the M30's? I've noticed you recommending them before, but you haven't gone into any detail.

 

[sgrossklass]

HD280s would fit within the budget and have good isolation. No idea whether they work well for prog rock though.

 

[Ross1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgrossklass HD280s would fit within the budget and have good isolation. No idea whether they work well for prog rock though.

i own a pair and with my X5L you do need to fiddle around with the equalization to get them to sound their best. But I love their isolation, and dont think they sound bad at all. Plus, I have to say I dont notice the 'vicegrip' some people speak of when talking out the HD280's. I actually find them very comfortable.

 

[Headphony]

Quote:

Originally Posted by facelvega I heard a couple of days ago from a good friend who has both the M30's and a pair of HD201's. He assured me that once he bought the 201's, he couldn't stand to switch back to the M30's anymore. What's more, he isn't even using a dedicated amp on those 201's. Headphony, you're one of the few head-fiers who have had both, and seem to have made the opposite conclusion from my friend. How would you describe the M30's? I've noticed you recommending them before, but you haven't gone into any detail.

That's interesting, because I went from the HD201's to the M30's, as I couldn't bear the HD201's after picking up the M30's. I was using them straight from a laptop at work. The remarkable thing about the M30's is the amount that they get right vs. wrong for the price and profile. The sound seems very balanced and neutral though leaning slightly to the warm side. It makes for a very pleasant non-fatiguing sound that's perfect for long listening sessions and not-so-good sources like a laptop headphone jack. The main short-coming of the M30's compared to pricier headphones IMO is the lack of detail resolution in comparison, and perhaps soundstage. I still found them to be more resolving, and overall more pleasing, than the comparatively thin sounding HD201's. Note that I never had a chance to hear the HD201 from a "good" source. Comfort is another big plus for the M30's over the HD201's. After a while the HD201's can get quite uncomfortable, because though circumaural they rest on your ears. (Atleast mine did)

 

[Volta]

I like the look of both the Senn HD280 pros, and the AKG K271S.
Has anyone here heard (or own) both?

 

[Chris Tch]

I own the HD280 Pro and have heard the k271S. The Sennheisers are pretty good for rock and metal I listen to, but the drums and bass don't "hit" you very hard, plus you NEED EQ for a good amount of bass. The k271 seemed to be better when I listened to them, but still not all that hard-hitting. I'd say both are a good choice, but if you want something cheaper, get the 280.

 

[facelvega]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Headphony That's interesting, because I went from the HD201's to the M30's, as I couldn't bear the HD201's after picking up the M30's...

many thanks. Very interesting. I thought that perhaps my (non-audiophile) friend was hearing things when he said that he also preferred the HD201 to some KSC-75 I advised him to buy. Definitely people around here seem to have heard the M40 more often than the M30, but to my mind the M30 is more interesting because it's at a much less crowded price point. I don't think anyone can expect much detail resolution for that little cash!