Comfort?

[Fishy]

I've been looking at closed headphones that can be driven by a portable (ipod), for under $200. I realize this has been discussed many times...but I haven't found the answer to my question regarding comfort.

Which is more comfortable--the Senn HD25 or the Beyer DT 250-80? Which is tighter on the head? Which pads are more comfortable?

I tried the Beyer DT231--fit was ok, but something was wrong with the cord so i ended up returning them. While I've been waiting, my $$$ grew so I've now been looking at some more expensive options

Thanks

 

[commando]

I owned the Beyers briefly, their comfort's reasonable, not as good as A900 of course, but not bad.

I think the 25s are supraaural, which I find less comfortable.

For portable use i'd go with canal phones, MD33s if you don't need isolation, Ety 6i's if you do.

 

[Fishy]

Commando,
thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Have you owned the 25s, or only the beyers? Do you know if the 25's 'squeeze'?

with regards to canal phones...I have some sony ex 71's that i use for the gym, and about an hour with them is all i can deal with (in terms of feeling like something is in my ear). I never really get used to them. I'm just looking for something i can take with me (usually to the library or in the car--not driving but as a passenger) and be driven easily. It's not like I'm walking around with them...I'd pretty much just be taking them to another location and using them. I would just get some kind of headphone amp to take with me and use the 555's except that they're open. size i guess then is really not a factor for me

thank you for the suggestion

OH--btw--i checked out your headphone review site! what an AWESOME idea! really easy to use

 

[commando]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishy Commando, thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Have you owned the 25s, or only the beyers? Do you know if the 25's 'squeeze'? with regards to canal phones...I have some sony ex 71's that i use for the gym, and about an hour with them is all i can deal with (in terms of feeling like something is in my ear). I never really get used to them. I'm just looking for something i can take with me (usually to the library or in the car--not driving but as a passenger) and be driven easily. It's not like I'm walking around with them...I'd pretty much just be taking them to another location and using them. I would just get some kind of headphone amp to take with me and use the 555's except that they're open. size i guess then is really not a factor for me thank you for the suggestion OH--btw--i checked out your headphone review site! what an AWESOME idea! really easy to use

Nope, i've not used the 25s, sorry, just the 250-250s (which are physically the same as the 250-80s). From memory, the pads aren't very deep, but they're soft and made of a nice material.

Cheers on the site. Once I convince the regulars here to write a few reviews it'll be even more helpful!

 

[TWIFOSP]

It's going to come down to personal preference, of course, but I second the recomendation for canal phones. After you find the right tip combo for you, they are very comfortable. Which is where canal phones will excel over ear buds. You can replace the tips on them with different sizes, materials and shapes to get a proper fit. Or you can even get a mold of your ear done for a perfect custom shape.

I currently have the Shure E5c for portable use, and I'm quite happy. Very comfortable once the fit is found. They actually log more hours than my much better home system since I use them at work, and probably at least an hour in bed. I can lay down on my side with these and experience no discomfort.

For your price point, I'd recommend Shure E3, or Etymotic ER4P. You'll have to shop around to get them down to 200, or buy used. You can buy fresh replacement tips from quite a few of the head-fi sponsors, or the original vendor.

 

[Fishy]

Thanks Twifsop for the suggestions. However, right now, I'm just trying to establish which would be more comfortable, between the HD25 and the DT250-80. Have you tried either? Does the 25SP have a really tight band? I've heard is a problem with some sennheisers...