[elitiste]

I'm looking for a portable headphone to use with my iPod, cell phone, etc. mostly outdoors, on trains, subways, airplanes, etc. My requirements:

1. Supra-aural
2. Closed-back, for noise cancellation
3. Decent sound quality, doesn't have to be perfect
4. Relatively light and portable, collapseable
5. Sturdy for outdoor or commuting use

 
My candidates:

1. AKG K518DJ, or the K518LE version, appears to have great reviews but am concerned about the clamping power
2. AKG K519DJ, just came out, appears similar to K518DJ. Is it an improved version?
3. Senn PX200, heard it in store today, appears a bit sluggish
4. Audio Technica ATH-SJ3 or SJ5, they appear a bit fragile
5. Panasonic RP-DJ120
6. Pioneer SE-MJ31/51/71

1. JVC HP-S360
2. Creative HQ-1900

 
If you have tried or used any of them, would appreciate your comments. Thanks a lot!

 

[Azathoth]

How far can you stretch your budget? For portable closed-backs, my top choice is the Sennheiser HD-25-1 II, about $130-170 depending on where you look. I absolutely hated the clamping force on the K518DJ - even after stretching them out over a stack of books over two weeks, I just couldn't deal with the ear pain.

 

[elitiste]

Thanks. That's a bit too expensive for me. I'd say $100 tops. 

 

[ljokerl]

I would recommend the PX200-II. Vastly superior to the PX200 in sound and a little better-built, too. The K518 can be really uncomfortable if you use them for more than two hours at a time though the isolation is very hard to beat. The Panasonic DJ120 you can cross of the list. They sound awful even for $20 cans. 

 

[BlackSushi222]

Oh wow, I didn't know AKG came out with the AKG K 519 DJ!
 
Thx for telling.
 
I wonder if the comfort improved.

 

[elitiste]

Any updates guys? I've heard the K518DJ and ATH-SJ3 and SJ5 now. Both a bit unsatisfying in SQ. I wonder if there is anything better.

 

[pxatzis]

I have the K518DJ and after stretching them out by hand ( to the point that I've thought they gone break ) they are ok 

 

[zmd]

I've had the PX200-II for almost two weeks now and I love them, even though they need a bit of breaking in. They're super small, comfortable and sound amazing, considering they're this tiny. The sound does suffer a bit in noisy environments, where their lack of bass hump makes them seem lightweight in this department. Make no mistake though, they are balanced and clear sounding. If you can get them for 70$ or so, go for it.

 

[InFn-0]

Try the Audio Technica ES7

 

[BlackSushi222]

Quote:

Any updates guys? I've heard the K518DJ and ATH-SJ3 and SJ5 now. Both a bit unsatisfying in SQ. I wonder if there is anything better.

Hi there!
 
I got good news for you. Just today I got my JVC HA-S650 that I ordered, and I am pretty impressed.
I was looking for exactly what you are requesting, and I think they fit the bill. They are extremely small, portable, supra-aural, closed-back, and light! They also have super comfortable earpads.
 
After my left ear gets unclogged from earwax (Can't hear out of em + nasty) I am going to make an impressions thread on them.

 

[elitiste]

Thanks. JVC HA-S650s look very pretty. Looking forward to your review. Especially if you could compare them to the PX200 IIs that I noticed that you no longer have.

 

[BlackSushi222]

Here u go elitiste. I typed the review. Enjoy!
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/502546/jvc-ha-s650-review-pics#post_6785389

 

[elitiste]

Thanks a lot for the review. I'll go take a look when I have a minute.

 

[DevienT]

The answer is in your list: Pioneer SE-MJ31 (or the MJ71).
I have it, and find it is the perfect portable headphone. Check em' out.