Headphones, want I do

[frequentflyer]

Hello, after receiving my new ipod for graduation and accidentally tripping on my stock earbuds (haha dont ask), I have spent a bit of time today looking for something a bit higher quality.

I have read through numerous website reviews, user reviews, and most importantly this forum, to narrow my selection down to a small few for my 'starter set':

Grado SR 80
Senn HD280
Etymotic ER-6i

I am going to be in a workplace with other people (although they are all around my age) so I would like to try and have the least amount of noise leakage as possible. I do listen to a lot of rock/rap but I like listening to classical (Bach 4 life hahaha) as well if that helps a bit. I have a work window of about $100-125 dollars. The Senn HD485 was also included in my list a bit earlier but for some reason there is not much info on them so I just figured they were not as good of performers as the others. Any help will be appreciated

Thanks.

 

[mjg]

sound leakage?

It's a shame, the best amongst your choices (sr60) scratch that off your list.


How long will you sit and listen? Er6i in your canals all day aint happening, i'd say 2-3 hours at most, but those are the superior alternatives to those closed sennheisers you might be looking at.

I say a reasonable amount of sound leakage (depending on what kind of environment this is, lots of kids? whats a lil noise gonna do) would say, get a pair of sr60s, or, step up to ms1's (100 bux, best cans under 150 to many on here). Also check out sennhessier hd 595's on sale, sometimes around 150ish maybe? See what kinda deals ecost has. If you consider used cans, check for sale forums. AT a900s are out of your budget (i guess at 200) but can be had used for 150-170-ish). Those are the best closed cans you will get in your range.

Otherwise, look into maybe some e4's for IEM's... THey are going for 200, a touch above your budget... Also consider e2's (alternative to er6i in your budget < 100 bux).

Other then these suggestions, there are other decent alternatives,
but specifically, are you trying to roam around in these outside? Circumaural cans might be kinda goofy to you? Out and about? Let us know so we can advise ; )

 

[Kameleon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frequentflyer I would like to try and have the least amount of noise leakage as possible.

Scratch the Grados, then.

If you don't have a problem with the whiteness ("Mug me, I have an iPod!") of the ER6i, they're pretty much ideal (EDIT - mjg I didn't have any problems with wearing ER6i for long periods, but it is an individual thing). Maybe a little lacking in the bass department than you would prefer for rock/rap, but nothing beyond a bit of EQing. They're also probably the quickest route to something bigger and better, they really let you know just how much is possible with a pair of headphones

So with that in mind, welcome to Head-fi, and sorry about your wallet

 

[The Monkey]

Sennheiser HD 25-1 could be a good choice if you can find them used/on sale.

 

[frequentflyer]

Sorry, I did not mean to imply that sound leakage was so important, quality is much, much more important to me. I have read a lot of good things about the sr60/sr80's and do not want to exclude them just because of a that.

 

[mjg]

Quote:

Originally Posted by frequentflyer Sorry, I did not mean to imply that sound leakage was so important, quality is much, much more important to me. I have read a lot of good things about the sr60/sr80's and do not want to exclude them just because of a that.

i say you sound like an alessandro ms1 man then ; )

 

[Jmmmmm]

While the er6i's are great for rock and even better for classical, they are....poor, for rap. If I am using the er6i's, I have to skip any rap song that comes on. If rap is not a big deal, then they are fine, though.

If an open headphone is ok, though, get the sr80's. That would be my choice, anyway; I love mine.

 

[warpdriver]

Grado and their offspring don't really go loud and deep in the bass, they have a nice midbass impact, but I think the Senn HD-25's would be better for rap and still provide some isolation.

The ER-6i isn't strong in the bass. You'd be better off with almost any Shure product, or the new Super-fi line.

 

[rellik]

grados will definatly go dangerously loud and have a sweet bass

i loved my ms-1's so much i got ms-2's

but they have no isolation at all, you can hear the same with them on or off

you should also consider the shure canals if you want isolation

 

[The Monkey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by warpdriver Grado and their offspring don't really go loud and deep in the bass, they have a nice midbass impact, but I think the Senn HD-25's would be better for rap and still provide some isolation.

I agree. I think the 25-1 probably is the most Grado-esque Senn out there. But it is nicely portable and closed. That said, I still like my SR-80 better, but the 25-1 won't offend co-workers. Note that both work just fine unamped.

 

[ReDVsion]

I would suggest the AKG K240S for rock/rap, although they do leak (certainly not as much as a grado/alessandro, however!).

 

[hardbop]

The Grados will leak; it's akin to having a radio a low volumes, others will be able to hear what you're listening to, but won't be able to make it out clearly. Also, you'll be able to hear all the ambient sound in the workplace.

The Etymotics will isolate you from your workplace, so you may miss phone calls and you'll have difficulty carrying conversations while wearing them. I don't know to what degree microphonics affect the 6i's, but moving around with them in your ears will probably be an annoyance.


That said, I'd suggest the Grados. They'll probably be more enjoyable with your music. I haven't heard enough of the Alessandros to suggest the MS-1's, but they're similar. The Grados are fairly big and they have that retro styling, or lack thereof, but I really like them.

Either option will sound just fine out of an iPod.



As an alternative, you may want to check out the Koss KSC75's. I'm currently listening to them instead of my SR-80's, they're more comfortable and they have a lower profile. You don't have to spend a bunch of money to get good sound.

 

[arspy87]

Add the Beyer DT231 to your list!! They do leak a little even though they're closed, however.

 

[stevieo]

there is the portable electrostatic stax. you can't rule that out of your options & you can take advantage of the ipod line out. they rest on top of your ear canals & the amp is about the size of the ipod & runs on a pair of double a's.

 

[plus_c]

I use the KSC75 as my work headphone - I've had them for approximately two weeks now. Here's what I like about them:

They're cheap. $18 shipped from Amazon, I felt like I had hit the jackpot when I heard them the first time.

They don't leak too much, while at the same time letting you hear when your coworkers are trying to get your attention.

They bring the bass. Oh boy do they bring the bass. For your rap tracks, you won't be disappointed.

What I don't like about them:
The ear clips are kind of finicky - when I go running, it sometimes takes a while to adjust them so they don't fall off my ears.

For some tracks, they have a bit too much bass.

Overall, one of the best deals in headphones you'll find. Get a pair, you will most definitely not be disappointed.