Good portable around/on the ear

[redBison]

What are some good around/on ear portable headphones under $100? The size I'm talking about is something like these Logtech's
Newegg.com - Logitech 980461-0403 Supra-aural FreePulse Wireless Headphones - Headphones & Accessories

Obviously they don't have to be wireless or any of that stuff, just good sound. I don't want in ears, I don't want big studio bulky ones, this is for the office, so I need not look like a pilot. Just something compact, while retaining as good sound as possible. I listen to mostly metal (Maiden, Metallica, Megadeth, Ozzy, etc..) and some rock like Floyd, BOC, etc... occasionally some good pop/hip hop/house as well.

Thanks in advance

 

[4saken]

Sennheiser PX100, or if you like the neckband style, the PMX100. Great sound, and it's compact!

 

[tim359]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4saken /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sennheiser PX100, or if you like the neckband style, the PMX100. Great sound, and it's compact!

I'll second the PX100. Great sound for the size and price ($40 on Amazon).

 

[4saken]

If you want something closed (work place so you may want to keep your metal tunes to yourself =)) you might want to try some Audio-Technica models (e.g. FC700) which are less portable, but still smaller than most of the closed, circumaural headphones under $100.

 

[redBison]

Yea those Audio-Technica models look the perfect size. How good are they?

I like these 2 models that I've seen: Audio-Technica ATH-SJ5 and Audio-Technica ATH-SQ5. Are those 2 good? Also are they kinda flimsy (not enough strength), or do they press well onto your ears?

 

[4saken]

Not sure, but if you can get the ES7 for under $100 they seem to be the preferred "low-end" Audio-Technica headphone. FC700 is part of their entry level portable headphones.

From what I've read, SQ5 is also good.

 

[roxxor]

I'm having a lot of fun with these Yuin G2's at the moment. They're $60.

 

[jonathanjong]

Under $100, supra-aurals...

Open-headband: PX100. Sounded great, though I'm not as hyped about them as a lot of people here (possible because they're not that cheap in NZ). Felt a bit flimsy to me.
Open-neckband: iGrado. Love the sound, didn't love wearing them with glasses on.
Open-earclips: KSC75. Brilliant bang for the buck.
Closed-headband: Erm...AKG K414P, but lotsa people don't like these. I like them for what I use them for, though. Better than the PX200s, IMO.

Hope this helps. Also, don't take my word for it. The search function is your friend.

 

[Arfa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathanjong /img/forum/go_quote.gif Open-neckband: iGrado. Love the sound, didn't love wearing them with glasses on.

Went for the iGrado's earlier this year. Yep nice sound, bit awkward with glasses, after a while they get uncomfortable as the combination of the ear clip and your glasses push your ears out too much. Depends a lot on your glasses, lot worse now I went for chunky black plastic glasses.

Also the cable on them is terrible, super flimsy, the plug went with a couple of months and recently the wire has broken inside the rubber insulation near the ear.

And this is just from wearing them whilst sat at work, never even wore them out and about! Shame really as it really lets them down, otherwise they're pretty good cans really. I keep meaning to recable them, but its tough finding the time with kids.

So I'll be watching this thread carefully to see what replacement suggestions get thrown up.

 

[1Time]

JBL 410 Reference (JBL410), $15 new on eBay. I found that I preferred it to the KSC75 and PX100 in a direct comparison. I also have owned the HD280 and SR80, and I prefer the JBL410 to those too. I mostly listen to classic rock and bass heavy electronica at loud volumes, and classical and jazz at normal volumes. I can see others preferring any of these headphones over the others. The JBL410 just works better than the others from my PC and for my taste.

 

[dexterslabmi]

I have the ATH-SJ5s.... they are a good size and should perform well with your musical tastes.... I am still in the middle of burn in but they are sounding even better each day. Cushions are a bit thinner than I would like but not flimsy. They press fairly well to head but isolation is not their strongest attribute...

 

[ExtendeD]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dexterslabmi /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have the ATH-SJ5s.... they are a good size and should perform well with your musical tastes.... I am still in the middle of burn in but they are sounding even better each day. Cushions are a bit thinner than I would like but not flimsy. They press fairly well to head but isolation is not their strongest attribute...

May I ask you where you bought those? I'd like to try a pair some time. Where I've been looking they've been about $55, which is very close to the AKG K81.

Thanks.

 

[Pianist]

Personally, I also recommend that you check out Audio Technica ATH-CM700. It can be bought for $69 off ebay and sounds better than any of the 'phones previously recommended in this thread. I think that for that price it's a bargain. The sound quality is about on par with unamped Yuin PK1 - the PK1 has cleaner, more extended and more detailed highs and smoother, more effortless midrange, while CM700 has much tighter, deeper and more accurate bass, more detail and articulation in the mids and an impressive wide soundstage with excellent imaging and great dynamics that makes it sound just like a good full-sized headphone.

 

[Pianist]

Quote:

Originally Posted by roxxor /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm having a lot of fun with these Yuin G2's at the moment. They're $60.

Hmm... $60 for the G2s. I don't now. I got mine for $49.99 and I've seen them sold for $44.99, so $60 seems a bit too steep. For that price, I would rather get the Yuin OK3s from Head-Direct (fall sale). Also, I still have doubts about how real these G2s are - I suspect that they may still be an unfinished product. The highs are still overemphasized and sibilant after 30 hours of burn-in, which is not something I would expect from Yuin headphones. They are getting better though, so I guess I can't make any final conclusions just yet.

 

[1Time]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pianist /img/forum/go_quote.gif Personally, I also recommend that you check out Audio Technica ATH-CM700. It can be bought for $69 off ebay and sounds better than any of the 'phones previously recommended in this thread. I think that for that price it's a bargain. The sound quality is about on par with unamped Yuin PK1 - the PK1 has cleaner, more extended and more detailed highs and smoother, more effortless midrange, while CM700 has much tighter, deeper and more accurate bass, more detail and articulation in the mids and an impressive wide soundstage with excellent imaging and great dynamics that makes it sound just like a good full-sized headphone.

Actually the price on eBay is lower than $69 shipped if your best offer is accepted. I'm guessing a best offer of $62 or lower would be accepted. Seems like a very good bargain. But I don't think the OP is considering IEMs?