Headphones as Stocking Stuffer?

[erikzen]

My brother-in-law recently bought an iPod and I would like to get him a decent pair of headphones for Christmas. Here's the criteria:

1)Portable
2)Closed
3)Inexpensive
4)Better than stock iPod buds

He commutes on the train everyday so they need to be portable and should block out some noise and shouldn't leak. My family has a rule about spending too much money on Christmas gifts, so I need to keep this under $50.

The only model that comes to mind is the PX200. Is there any other decent closed phone under $50?

 

[Enverxis]

is the shure e2-c under $50 in us ?

 

[erikzen]

No, the Shure E2 is a little too expensive. They go for around $80, although some have gotten them a bit cheaper. Plus, I don't know how he feels about canalphones.

 

[BowerR64]

Koss KSC50,75 koss portapros, Pro1, PX100, Sony EX71, Sharp MD33

Look for those, ide get the Koss or the PX100s first those have the best sound.

 

[erikzen]

Koss and PX100 are open phones. Although the train is not that noisy he'll need a little isolation and sometimes you have to sit very close to other passengers. You don't want them to hear your music.

I'm skeptical about getting buds or canalphones because some people just don't like the idea of putting things in their ears.

 

[S_Dedalus]

For $50 your options are pretty limited. I'd recommend going to a guitar center and listening to some of the closed cans they have there.

 

[BowerR64]

There arnt many good portables that are closed, other then canals. I tried the PX200 and they didnt have any bass. I would think your options are canal phones or somthing that is simi open.

I just put my KSC 75s on my portable and i put it at 5 thats about where i listen to mine 4-5 and i held them away from my ear about where a person would be setting right next to me on a train and i could bairly hear it. I couldnt hear any words or where it was on the song and i know the song. I have my tv on and my computer is on with the fans running. How quiet is it on a train? I can hear the tv with no music playing but when the music is playing i cant hear it.

 

[Bolt San]

PX200s have good bass if you get a good fit with them.
Anyway, I'd recommend Audio Technica FC7s over them, and there's a used pair for sale here for 40 bucks.

 

[soupy]

Sharp MD33's!!! The package it's in would fit perfectly too

 

[Edwood]

LOL, if those are the choices for a Stocking Stuffer, what are you getting him for a regular present?

An amp?

More expensive headphones?

-Ed

 

[erikzen]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edwood LOL, if those are the choices for a Stocking Stuffer, what are you getting him for a regular present? An amp? More expensive headphones? -Ed

I wanted to convey the fact that this should be small and rather inexpensive, that's why I said stocking stuffer.

He's getting nothing else!

I have experience with both the train and the PX200s. I live in Westchester NY. If you don't know the train to the city, it can get pretty crowded. Your ears are literally inches from the person next to you. I've been playing music at moderate levels using my Eggos and people have asked me to turn it down.

I think the PX200s are a pretty good set of headphones that really fit the bill. They should be better than the iPod buds, right? I know the choices are limited. I just didn't want to overlook anything.

 

[Rodent]

I'd say FC7 too. Closed, supposedly not leaking much and most say they're better sounding than the px200s.