Closed headphones recommendation with great isolation and SQ

[bajaiman]

I just got into this headphones hobby only recently (in the last 3 months) hence I'm only a noob ... so...I need recommendation from you guys on closed headphones.

I mostly listen to pop, rock, RnB and jazz. The only time and place I could enjoy listening to my music is during work hours in an office environment, hence, isolation is a must as I dont wanna disturb my work collegues.

I have the following:
Fullsize cans: Denon D5000 (half MarkL self modded) and Sennheiser HD650
IEM: UM3X
Amp: Audio-GD C2C (coming very soon), Ibasso D2+Boa, Meier 3move
Source: Cowon S9, AMP3 and desktop computer.
Songs that I've got are mostly ripped at 320k and flacs.

As for the HD650...bad sound leak....didn't know what I was thinking when I bought this

. I have never listened to this at its full potential due to sound leak and maybe the lack of proper quipments to drive it.

The D5000 leaks sound quite a bit too. I like the bass and treble coming out of it. I also like the mids coming out of the UM3X.....is there any closed headphones that have these sound signitures?...

I greatly appreciate any recommendation you guys might have... oh last but not least.... Budget is under US$350 (new or used).

Thanks

 

[Ra97oR]

SRH840? I think this is the closest to high end you could get. Most high end phone don't isolate well even if its closed, W5000, AD2000X... They do isolate a bit but not much.

Also have you consider yourself listening at very loud volume? I have not got any leaking problem from closed phone, but isolation is a different matter.

 

[Palpatine]

If you don't mind supra aural...HD 25 I II. Great sound.
Ultrasone Pro 750 as well...

 

[wantmyf1]

I just joined in August as well so "Welcome" from a fellow noob. I bought the German Maestro 8.35D's and have been listening to them for the last few weeks. I really do like them though this is the voice of inexperience. My setup is Fuze, LOD to PA2V2 to GMP 8.35D's. I listen to a lot of heavy stuff and I find them a bit slow for some of the fastest double bassing, but that's about the only weakness I've found to date. They sound fantastic with strings and great with Jazz. They hardly leak and isolate very well. Don't take this the wrong way, but I can hardly hear my wife with them on, even without music playing.

Comfort wise, they are all right. I could understand if people felt they clamped too tightly. The coiled cord isn't a huge problem, but I would definitely prefer a straight one. And the ear pads are pleather. They're soft enough, but I've read on head-fi that they don't make your ears sweat...If only that we're true for me. It's probaly an exaggeration to say I have two mini saunas strapped to my ears...But it gets hot under there. Maybe not a problem for everyone, but this is what I experienced.

There's a few reviews at head-fi if you want a more thorough dissection.

They really are fantastic soundwise, particularly for the price with great isolation & no leakage. I really do enjoy them and don't regret buying them. You would just have to figure out if the comfort issues affect you, and if so, if they're worth it.

 

[oqvist]

You have very good ears the 8.35D Monitors are indead excellent and I hear pretty much the same. May isolate a bit to well for work? People generally need to tap me on the shoulder or shout and unless I have my phone in my room I don´t hear it either while listening to music. And I don´t run over 80 db.

Comfort is not the best but you can´t get it all for 140 euro I suppose

. It´s good for 3h stints for me. There is some velvet pads for it coming which should help with the ear sweat thing going on. It´s not that bad with stock pads but the new oval ear pads do get a bit warm. However be prepared pad rolling have a huge effect on these headphones.

Otherwise not many closed headphones I could recommend except for ultrasones, particularly the Pro 900. Not as good isolation as the 8.35D Monitors but not far behind. Way better then the markl D5000 I had earlier. That had just about no isolation. Pro 900 in particular but that is over your budget and if you don´t have a good amp doubt it´s worth it. Comfort is as good as it gets and like the german maestros great all rounders. Don´t impress as much with low bit rate music or such. The German Maestros isn´t quite as picky smoother which is one of the reason I find them great to have on the side.

Soundstage with stock pads is a bit closed though can go surprisingly wide at times. But certainly have a closed signature.

New pads they get very detailed and overall more neutral and considerably bigger soundstage. I am not sure which 8.35D I preferr honestly both great when in different moods

 

[bajaiman]

Thank you all for the suggestions, greatly appreciated.

Yes I do listen to my music a bit louder than normal coz I like my music a bit louder.

I almost pull a trigger on the 8.35D Monitors today but I cooled down as I need to sell a few stuff first before I get a new set of headphones.

 

[Drubbing]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ra97oR /img/forum/go_quote.gif SRH840? I think this is the closest to high end you could get. Most high end phone don't isolate well even if its closed, W5000, AD2000X... They do isolate a bit but not much.

What? 'high end' has nothing to do with it.

They're either open and leak, or closed and leak minimally. To say high end closed phones have a problem with leakage is just uninformed and misleading. Different closed phone have different levels of isolation based on materials, design and fit. Cost has nothing to do with it.

I throw out a suggestion for the DT250/80ohm. Good SQ, fairly neutral and will do well without an amp. Comfort is up there with the best.

 

[Ra97oR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drubbing /img/forum/go_quote.gif What? 'high end' has nothing to do with it. They're either open and leak, or closed and leak minimally. To say high end closed phones have a problem with leakage is just uninformed and misleading. Different closed phone have different levels of isolation based on materials, design and fit. Cost has nothing to do with it. I throw out a suggestion for the DT250/80ohm. Good SQ, fairly neutral and will do well without an amp. Comfort is up there with the best.

I am saying most Hi-Fi top phone done isolate well, all those woody don't isolate much but won't leak if you want to keep your hearing afterwards. I have listened to W5000 and D7000, both isolation is not comparable to DJ or monitor closed phone.

 

[Drubbing]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ra97oR /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have listened to W5000 and D7000, both isolation is not comparable to DJ or monitor closed phone.

Which, as I said, has more to do with material and design, than cost.

Of course DJ and monitor phones should isolate as much as possible - look at the application they're designed for. There are closed phones that isolate just as well as these that are not high end

 

[jc9394]

Take a look at ESW10JPN, it isolate but not like an IEM. I used to use it at work and my office mate never complaint about leakage.

W5000 isolate fine, most likely the one you try did not have good seal. I have to bend the headband to get it where I like it. W5000 is very picky on amp...