Comfy headphones that sit on ear

[XtremeD]

I'm looking for comfy headphones that sit on the ear, as opposed to the cupped ones that go around the ear and often end up with contact on your neck and ear glands.

I was wondering what headphones there are for this type? So far I've found the Grado SR60 and SR80. Anyone had personal experiences with these or others?

Thanks

 

[MD1032]

So basically you're looking for a supra-aural mid to full-size headphone as opposed to clip-ons? Well the Grados are great, I can vouch for them myself, the SR-80 is a great phone, but it comes with bowl pads stock, which for me are actually circumaural but for 95% of the population are supra-aural. In that case you could always get the flat pads, which don't come in contact with much of anything! The SR-60's on the other hand come with supra-aural pads stock, the "comfy" pads. They don't sound as good as the flat pads, but they are Grado's most comfortable pad.

I'm going to recommend the SR-60's, however, let us know what your musical tastes are because the Grado sound might not be for you.

 

[XtremeD]

Thanks for the technical terms, needed those.

My music taste is varied, so anything from classical to rap etc. I've heard it has quite a bit of bass, but that's not a major concern of mine.

I've heard about replacing the SR80 pad with the SR60 one, that recommended? Btw how is pad changing done, is it with glue or something? Also wondering how much of a difference the two are?

Any closed supra-aurals?

 

[Jazper]

if you're looking at the sr60s and 80s you might want to look at the tiny giant, the alessandro MS-1s.

They're a steal for what they are and cope well with a varied selection of music. I've played everything from Heavy metal through to jazz, opera and classical through them and they've yet to disappoint. The only shortcoming so far that I can see is the lack of soundstage.

They flourish with anything with some groovyness to it, funk, jazz, blues, selected rock, acid jazz, progressive psytrance, some electronica etc etc..

 

[Lisa]

Closed supra-aural I'd recommend the Sennheiser HD25-1. But to make it comfortable enough you have to get the velour pads for them. They clamp your head. Especially in the beginning. And that can be uncomfortable. The MS-1s are better IMO. And can be very comfortable depending on what pads you use and whether you bend the headband out to make them clamp less. And they're half the price.

Groningen tbh? Where are you from? Is a valid question if you want to get Grado Sr-60s or the Alessandro MS-1s.

 

[XtremeD]

I'm from London, but I haven't seen anywhere to buy the Alessandro.

 

[Lisa]

OK.

This is the problem. Grados are overpriced in Europe. Well, anywhere outside the US really. Usually you pay twice the price if not more. And Grado has made a rule that US dealers are not allowed to ship abroad so you have to pay the enormous prices locally.
The good news is Alessandros are Grado headphones too.
The MS-1 is a tweaked Sr-125
MS-2= tweaked SR325
MS-pro=tweaked RS-1

The Alessandro line is supposed to sound a bit less bright. Yet still quite alike.

The MS-1 can be ordered online from Alessandro themself for $99 shipped anywhere in the world. Now check that price with the price of a SR-125 in the UK and you'll understand why the MS-1 is considered such a good deal. And not just a good deal, a good headphone too.

http://www.alessandro-products.com/headphones.html

 

[XtremeD]

MS-1 sounds interesting. Better than SR-60 and SR-80 you'd say?

I think that is what I'll go for, in terms of Open headphones.

Any closed headphones?

 

[Jazper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtremeD MS-1 sounds interesting. Better than SR-60 and SR-80 you'd say? I think that is what I'll go for, in terms of Open headphones. Any closed headphones?

The problem with closed headphones is you'll find you can't get the same quality for the same money as open headphones. So you'll be paying (roughly) twice as much for closed headphones of similar quality output.

 

[XtremeD]

Would it be possible to mod the Grado or Alessandro to make it closed? By for example, putting foam on the back of them?

 

[Lisa]

I can't tell you for sure. The MS-1s are supposed to be better and the general concencus is that they are better. But I never heard the SR-80s and there was a lot of time between me listening to the Sr-60s and owning the MS-1s so I can't really remember. Only thing I can remember is that the Sr-60s were less neutral and that's why I always like to recommend the MS-1s over them. They are a better bet. People who'd like the soundsignature of the SR-60s a lot will still like the MS-1s. People who don't like the SR-60s signature that much will probably like the MS-1s just fine.

 

[Lisa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtremeD Would it be possible to mod the Grado or Alessandro to make it closed? By for example, putting foam on the back of them?

No. Would sound like crap.

 

[XtremeD]

Ok, but how much does it leak? I remember having my Sennheiser HD600 which leaked quite a bit.

Also what does the term Neutral mean? Is it good to be neutral or?

 

[Jazper]

Quote:

Originally Posted by XtremeD Ok, but how much does it leak? I remember having my Sennheiser HD600 which leaked quite a bit. Also what does the term Neutral mean? Is it good to be neutral or?

the MS-1's leak quite a bit, they are a very open headphone type (the rear is open)

neutral means "balanced sound" - not coloured by the headphones

 

[XtremeD]

What about the Sennheiser PX200? Isn't that the closed version, if so, does anyone know how that feels on the ear?