Grado, or something else for ipod?

[sparty]

Hi all, I'm looking for a set of headphones to use with my ipod, unamped. That is the only way I will ever be using them. I would like them to be fairly portable, I will wearing them while walking around campus, but I will not be using them for running, biking or anything like that.

I listen to primarily indie, with a few older bands and some jazz thrown in on occasion. (Indie is the priority, I'm not worried about other genres for these headphones)

I've been reading the forums as much as I can and searching and so far I'm leaning towards the Grado Sr-60. I understand that they are great for the money and can really rock out. I am a little concerned about their design though, I do not want the sound to leak so much that other people around me start to get mad, but I don't really care if it leaks a little and they can hear it. I've also considered the Sennheiser px100. These would probably leak a little less and maybe be a bit more comfortable.

I already have a decent set up for music listening in my room do I do not need these for that, just use with the ipod. Over everything else I want them to sound good. Then comfort would probably come next. I'd like to keep them below $100, although I can spend a bit more if I have to.

Which of these two models would be better for me, or should I consider something else?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[James63]

Welcome to head-fi.........sorry about your wallet

.

If you have not heard good headphones on a good amp you will most likely enjoy the sound of grados out of an ipod. With that being said I just listened to my MS-2i out of my ipod and I thought it sounded bad. It lost a good bit of the dynamic range and sounded a little harsh. This is coming from a Gilmore Lite which sounds very good (for the money) with grados.

I would recommend a pair of canalphones for portable use. It will save your hearing in the long run. Canalphones are the only way I could have ever gotten in to portable audio. Without them you would have to turn the volume way up to enjoy the music in public (to drowned out background noise) and it is not worth you hearing.

So I say buy canalphones fist then get and amp and home headphones latter. If you really want to get into this hobby you will need and amp IMO.

 

[jyjjy777]

Grado's are not something i would use portably, they are as leaky as you can imagine and the cord is long and thick.
I HIGHLY recommend Koss KSC 35/75s for portable use. Very cheap, absolutely amazing sound for the money and just fine for portable situations.
I actually prefer their sound to the SR-60s.

 

[sparty]

I'm not really interested into getting into this as a hobby....I would say collecting and listening to music is more of my hobby, I just want it to sound good. Like I said, for cricitcal listening I already have a setup at home and a pretty decent one (for the money at least) at school too (GMA Europas at home Epos Els-3s here).

That being said, I've tried several types of in ear phones as well as the clip style like this Koss and none of them fit my ears too well. That is why I was leaning more towards the more traditional over the head style. I've looked at the koss portapro and I'm pretty sure they're the ugliest things I've seen in my life. Since the Grado's are out, how would the Sennheisers be? Do I have any other options? I am willing to go above the budget I said in the first post if it is really worthwhile.

Thanks again.

 

[warpdriver]

Consider a closed headphone such as Sennheiser HD25SP or HD280Pro. The 280Pro is a flatter, more midrange-oriented headphone, whereas the 25SP has added bass. Both are closed phones that don't leak much.

Neither the Grados or PX100's are good in keeping sound in....they leak like crazy.

 

[FobbidenBreeze]

Why don't you try Shure E2C ? It costs $99 (If my memory isn't worse) have a good sound for pop music and It wears so cool.... But if u haven't used this kind of ear phones ,it will maybe a little uncomfortable.

 

[Bull Moose]

I agree with going for the Shure e2c. I've had them since this past xmas and they are pretty damn good IMO. Granted, I haven't heard the top notch IEM's I feel that the e2c's should do well for you. They take a few uses before you get used to having them in your ears, but I found that if you purchase the soft rubber tips they are much more comfortable. The clear tips that come with the phones are a bit uncomfertable and a bit intimidating, but if you get the soft-flex ones, you'll enjoy these IEM's a lot more. If you DO decide to get them, just be aware that they will sound a little muddy, but a simple treble adjust could fix this. I'm not too familiar with how these sound with the iPod, but with my x5 they sound excellent when EQ'd.

When I received these, the MSRP was $99, but I understand that you could get them for under $70 if you look in the right place.

If you just feel that IEM's are the spawn of satan, then give the Sony MDR-7506's a try. I've had these since I believe my freshman year in highschool and I'm a freshman in college now and they still sound great. Those you will mostl likely will have to pay about $100 for unless you can find them on ebay. They are bigger, but i wouldnt say unwieldy. From my experience they can take a lot of abuse as well. I'm not big on all the technical jargon and specs for headphones, but to me these sound great will all types of music. I've listened to everything from stait up Metal to Miles Davis and it all sounds great. I hope this helps a little bit!

 

[sparty]

So far nothing has really caught my attention enough for me to jump on it. I have decided that closed headphones will probably be better for my uses. I've also upped the budget a little bit. Some others that are interesting to me are Beyer 250-80, Sennheiser, hd25-1, Ultrasone HFM-###. Which of these would be best for my needs? Is there anything even better than that now that I've made my price range a bit bigger? I still need something closed that will not require an amp since I'll be walking a lot....

Thanks.

 

[mow_the_hawk]

PX100's and Koss porta pros are both very good. I was amazed how good the portapros sounded and there very portable hence the name

 

[LFF]

Welcome and sorry about the wallet.

I would say you go with Grado SR-60's. They do leak badly but the sound is great. The chord isn't too portable friendly either but the sound is great. If you can handle IEM's and have a bit more cash then definately go with Ultimate Ears Super.fi Pro's. They were my number one choice for my iPOD until just recently.

 

[themick]

Try out the Ultrasone HFI-700s. They isolate really well and will work good unamped so they be good for your portable use.

 

[The Monkey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LFF then definately go with Ultimate Ears Super.fi Pro's. They were my number one choice for my iPOD until just recently.

What supplanted them?