drgnfrc13
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Nov 18, 2011
- Posts
- 105
- Likes
- 15
I've read lots of threads on this but still haven't found what I'm looking for (-insert U2 track here-). My criteria:
-closed back
-very comfortable, preferably with deep, spacious pads
-circumaural
-portable - I want to be able to wear them around my neck without them acting as a neck brace.
-versatile - I listen to everything from Eminem to Billy Joel to Alter Bridge, and I need something that can handle everything reasonably well. My preferred sound signature is something along the lines of the Shure SRH-840: neutral and somewhat analytical, yet slightly on the warm side. I can adapt to other sound signatures though, as long as the bass isn't drowning out my mids.
-passive - I am indifferent as to whether they have ANC, bluetooth, integrated amp, etc., but if the battery runs out, I want them to keep working.
-well built - cheap-feeling plastic is not my thing.
Some headphones I have already looked into:
PSB M4U 2: I actually purchased these a while back after reading many enthusiastic reviews. In my opinion, their sound quality is just okay, and they are terribly uncomfortable, with the edges of my fairly average-sized ears pressing against the driver housing. I'll be returning these soon.
Oppo PM-3: These seem like the holy grail, but I can't justify spending the extra $100 when I still have some Christmas shopping left to do.
Sennheiser Momentum 2: these seem nice, but I have read a lot of reviews complaining about comfort.
NAD HP50: Good reviews for sound quality, comfort seems hit-or-miss. Is it just me or are these headphones really unattractive?
Blue Mo-Fi: Great reviews, mostly positive for comfort, although they are very heavy and large. These may be a strong contender.
Brainwavz HM5: Seem to have good reviews, but they are significantly below my targeted price range, so I don't know how well they contend with the other candidates.
V-MODA M-100: Known to be quite bassy, but honestly, I have the M-80 already and I like them a lot; build quality is superb, sound quality is very decent, and they look great. If I can't find anything better, the M-100 + XL pads will most likely be my final choice.
Bose QC25: Despite being Bose headphones,these seem to be well received on Head-Fi, though the apparently all-plastic build is a concern, and one review claimed that in passive mode, their sound quality is degraded (counter to what is generally observed with ANC headphones, to my knowledge...).
-closed back
-very comfortable, preferably with deep, spacious pads
-circumaural
-portable - I want to be able to wear them around my neck without them acting as a neck brace.
-versatile - I listen to everything from Eminem to Billy Joel to Alter Bridge, and I need something that can handle everything reasonably well. My preferred sound signature is something along the lines of the Shure SRH-840: neutral and somewhat analytical, yet slightly on the warm side. I can adapt to other sound signatures though, as long as the bass isn't drowning out my mids.
-passive - I am indifferent as to whether they have ANC, bluetooth, integrated amp, etc., but if the battery runs out, I want them to keep working.
-well built - cheap-feeling plastic is not my thing.
Some headphones I have already looked into:
PSB M4U 2: I actually purchased these a while back after reading many enthusiastic reviews. In my opinion, their sound quality is just okay, and they are terribly uncomfortable, with the edges of my fairly average-sized ears pressing against the driver housing. I'll be returning these soon.
Oppo PM-3: These seem like the holy grail, but I can't justify spending the extra $100 when I still have some Christmas shopping left to do.
Sennheiser Momentum 2: these seem nice, but I have read a lot of reviews complaining about comfort.
NAD HP50: Good reviews for sound quality, comfort seems hit-or-miss. Is it just me or are these headphones really unattractive?
Blue Mo-Fi: Great reviews, mostly positive for comfort, although they are very heavy and large. These may be a strong contender.
Brainwavz HM5: Seem to have good reviews, but they are significantly below my targeted price range, so I don't know how well they contend with the other candidates.
V-MODA M-100: Known to be quite bassy, but honestly, I have the M-80 already and I like them a lot; build quality is superb, sound quality is very decent, and they look great. If I can't find anything better, the M-100 + XL pads will most likely be my final choice.
Bose QC25: Despite being Bose headphones,these seem to be well received on Head-Fi, though the apparently all-plastic build is a concern, and one review claimed that in passive mode, their sound quality is degraded (counter to what is generally observed with ANC headphones, to my knowledge...).