help with first headphones

[1mark2]

Hi! So I'm planning to buy some new headphones, but unfortunately in my country only very limited options are available and shipping from other countries would likely double the price due to taxes so I'm stuck (my budget is also quite low)
Now the options available here in my price range are the Sennheiser HD 439 , Sony XB 450 (both priced the same) or the pricier HD461i. All other options here are either Beats or Skullcandy which I don't think are worth the money.
I listen to Electronic Music, orchestral music and sometimes pop and I'll mostly be using the headset on the bus 
Do you think any of the options are worth it or do I just stick with the samsung IEMs that came with my phone until I can afford sth better ?

 

[DivineCurrent]

For the price, you definitely can't go wrong with the HD 439. I've never heard them, but Sennheiser is very reliable, there hasn't been one headphone I have not liked from them. However, if you like bassier sound, go with the Sonys, because the Sennheisers will have a more neutral sound signature. If you need more isolation from outside noise, go with an IEM instead. I recommend the Sennheiser CX 300-II.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

  Hi! So I'm planning to buy some new headphones, but unfortunately in my country only very limited options are available and shipping from other countries would likely double the price due to taxes so I'm stuck (my budget is also quite low)
Now the options available here in my price range are the Sennheiser HD 439 , Sony XB 450 (both priced the same) or the pricier HD461i. All other options here are either Beats or Skullcandy which I don't think are worth the money.
I listen to Electronic Music, orchestral music and sometimes pop and I'll mostly be using the headset on the bus 
Do you think any of the options are worth it or do I just stick with the samsung IEMs that came with my phone until I can afford sth better ?

 
HD439 is an open back headphone. That's not a good idea for using it in public. At minimum, you get a very high noise floor which means you'll have to push your volume settings higher and hence, more distortion, which will be more audible without strapping an amplifier to your phone to make it more like a brick than a phone. Worst case scenario, it will get you a broken jaw or a broken headphone, depending on how other people react to listening to your loud music.
 
Look into IEMs instead if you'll use them mostly on the go, and check what's available in your area.

 

[1mark2]

   
HD439 is an open back headphone. That's not a good idea for using it in public. At minimum, you get a very high noise floor which means you'll have to push your volume settings higher and hence, more distortion, which will be more audible without strapping an amplifier to your phone to make it more like a brick than a phone. Worst case scenario, it will get you a broken jaw or a broken headphone, depending on how other people react to listening to your loud music.
 
Look into IEMs instead if you'll use them mostly on the go, and check what's available in your area.

I'd prefer an over ear /on ear headphones to IEMs to be honest if I'm going to buy sth. How about the HD461, I believe these are closed back but I can't find that many reviews for them.
I also found HD 229 and HD 215 as an option.

 

[ProtegeManiac]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1mark2 /img/forum/go_quote.gif

I'd prefer an over ear /on ear headphones to IEMs to be honest if I'm going to buy sth. How about the HD461, I believe these are closed back but I can't find that many reviews for them.

I also found HD 229 and HD 215 as an option.

 

Notsure about the sound of the HD461 but in terms of it being closed back that's slightly better.

 

HD229 has good isolation for an on-ear but that' done through a thick leathrette earpad that tries to seal off the whole ear canal from the top, and then has a small opening with a thin fabric to let sound through. While it's good compared to, say, a Grado or some bundled earbuds, it's still noisy. HD215 is a long-running product so you can find a few more reviews here and there.

 

One other reason why especially at that price point it's better to go with IEMs though is that earpads wear out, especially leatherette. Circumaurals and supra-aurals designed for mobile use tend to use that as they seal a little better, keeping more of the noise going through and around gaps in the earpads out, while keeping bass in, basically a little bit of isolation plus a little bit of bass boost to compensate. The problem is that the cheaper ones are more susceptible to wear and tear due to sweat acidity as well as humidity, and some of these headphones don't have easily replaceable earpads unlike higher models like the HD600. IEMs on the other hand all have disposable eartips, and with brands sold by pro audio stores like Shure and Westone, replacements are available from the distributor; alternately, some easily fit other earphones, and then there's Comply.

 

I'd hazzard a guess though that that HD439 and HD461 share the same plastic mounting system as the HD380/555/558/595/598/600/650 so these are your best bets, but check with your local or regional Sennheiser distributor if they stock the earpads. Local distro here doesn't and when I ask about HD600 pads they'll suggest I get in line, pay them, then they have some pads included in the next shipment but they have no idea when it will arrive. Most people just buy HD600 earpads off Amazon (original Sennheisers or direct replacements, or the Brainwavz HM5 earpads), but in your case if you'll have to deal with import duties, this can be a problem.

 

[VRacer-111]

I would say an IEM would be the best way to go for isolation and high quality sound, even though headphones would still be preferable to me. I have Shure SE215 and they work great both for music on the go and for hearing protection (such as when attending concerts or more regularly driving my car with loud exhaust, they have a - 37dB attenuation...) Though I've not ever used them, MEE audio has SE215 clone (M6 PRO) for near half price, not sure on audio quality. The Shure SE215 are excellent for what I listen to - EDM, electronica, classical, and vocals. Of the headphones I have (AKG K7XX, Denon AH-D2000, Fostex T50RP Mark III, and Philips SHP9500) they sound most like the AKG K7XX or modified Philips SHP9500 if you want a comparison.