Headphones for airplane

[Diggitty]

So, are there any over-the-head phones that will allow me to listen to music on an airplane at the same volume level that I do in a quiet environment? I know that the Senn HD280 has 32db of attenuation. Are there any other non-IEMs that can accomplish this degree of isolation, or close? (Preferably as compact a headphone as possible, too.)

Also, do the in-ear buds (not IEM) isolate well enough for an airplane? I mean like MD33, EX51, etc.

Cheers.

 

[DJ_JonnyV]

Back when I was in management consulting, I spent about 4 years on airplanes, and the best I've found so far are IEMs such as Shures or Etys. For a while I had some Sony circumaural noise cancelling jobs which worked fine, but after a recent trip with some Shure E4cs, there's no comparison. Couldn't hear the jet engines, people talking, or anything else. Not sure if you have some specific reasons not to go IEM, but I think those would be your best bet.

 

[Thaddy]

Yeah, IEM's are definately the way to go. There is a set for every budget, so it depends on how much you want to spend. Plan to spend from $100 to $1000...depending on how deep your pockets are

 

[MikeAKGGuy]

There are a number of people (myself included) that find that pushing in-ear cans into my ears excruciatingly painful.

My mom told me never to jam anything into my ears and the advice she gave me has always been reliable.

I respect the fact that many people use these devices without problems, but like anything else, they're not for everyone.

 

[3lusiv3]

The Senn HD 25-1 isolate very well and worked well on a plane for me.
http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser...nsf/root/02976

 

[Ticky]

On the issue of IEMs.

If you are impartial to something less "audiophile" in quality, there are partial in-ear phones by Sony (no I don't work for them.

), Philip, etc., that don't fit into your ears as tightly as the Etys. As a result, these are much more comfortable (and cheaper) though they don't isolate as much. Still, I've taken my pseudo IEM Sonys on flights and they work well.

 

[MikeAKGGuy]

I have never hidden the fact that I work for AKG and I have never used my membership in Head-Fi as a platform for any business activity. I never slam my competitors or make claims about our products in any forum.

I stated my personal experience (and pain) with in-ear 'phones honestly and sincerely without singling out any product or brand.

That's the truth.

I'm just like most of the people here--I am a audiophile and I listen to and use various products in different applications.

 

[smuh]

I use the sennheiser px200, but iems might be a (much) better choice when it comes to isolation!

 

[technetium]

the hd25-sp-ba where used on the Concorde

Mine should be here any day now

 

[afxdave]

I've been using the PXC300 for my flights and train rides. For convenience and isolation I like them a bunch. Real easy to fold and fairly comfy. The only drawback is the noise-cancelling circuit. It becomes a hassle since it's another thing to deal with.

 

[richard]

Bose QC2s are very popular with some flyers, although others consider them overpriced. Quite comfortable, very good at blocking airplane noises, not very good at blocking speech.

IEM's are very good at blocking all sounds and can have very high sound quality. Some love 'em, some regard them as uncomfortable. Shure and Ety's are the big brands. Worth trying, especially with a money-back guarranty.

 

[Diggitty]

Thanks for the great info guys. I'm steering away from IEM's as I've never really liked any type of earphone. For airplane use I'm now deciding between the AKG k26p and the HD25BA. Both of these are small and look decent, but which one do you think would sound better?

technetium, have you received your HD25BA yet and if so how do you like them?

Cheers.

 

[BushGuy]

I've got both HD25-BA, and HD25-1. A benefit with the BA (versus SP) is they come with 1.5m cables. I think they tend to under-rated simply because they are compared to the more costly 25-1........with either I'd suggest spending an additional aprox $13 for the Velour pads from Sennheiser.......more comfortable/less sweating than usual pleather....HD25-SP or BA will lie flat in your luggage. - you'll be happy. As I recall a day or two ago there was a chap in Head-fi For Sale forum selling them for 45GBP shipped to US or 35GBP in UK.......which works out to $5 less than I paid for BA........the last 2 months they have mostly sold for significantly more.

 

[ipaqman2005005]

are the audio technica A900 LTD cans good for the plane?

 

[Diggitty]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BushGuy I've got both HD25-BA, and HD25-1. A benefit with the BA (versus SP) is they come with 1.5m cables. I think they tend to under-rated simply because they are compared to the more costly 25-1........with either I'd suggest spending an additional aprox $13 for the Velour pads from Sennheiser.......more comfortable/less sweating than usual pleather....HD25-SP or BA will lie flat in your luggage. - you'll be happy. As I recall a day or two ago there was a chap in Head-fi For Sale forum selling them for 45GBP shipped to US or 35GBP in UK.......which works out to $5 less than I paid for BA........the last 2 months they have mostly sold for significantly more.

How would you compare the isolation of HD25-BA and HD25-1?