[Skrying]

My audio needs are going to be changing greatly soon, and therefore its time to rethink my audio setup.

What I'm in search for is a headphone that has the following qualities:

- Reasonable size. I'm going to be using these for walking places, commuting, etc. Not only for looks but simply out of convenience I need something that I can easily, and safely, stow away in a backpack.

- Basic noise canceling. Not much though, basically I want the outside world sounds blocked but if someone says hi I want to be able to hear them.

- Comfort. Going to be using these a lot, I don't mind on top of the ear, and that might be my only choice (I have large ears). I also don't mind IEMs as far as the comfort aspect goes.

- Will also be used at a computer that pulls both gaming, music, and TV/movie functions. I'm not massively demanding on games and TV, I also realize that some superior headphones/IEMs might be a bit reveling of a bad source, I've lived with it before and I'm fine with that again.

- I listen to a massive range of music so I can't really nail down a genre or style I like. Anything from richly layered to just the basics.

- Price. I would like to stick below $200. I'm willing to go to $250, but only if there is a step up that is seriously worth it. Nothing over $250, that is my absolute limit.

In the end I just need a great all around headphone. Something that's portable but also functional outside of that. Something of reasonable (compact) size, and within my budget.

Thanks in advance with any suggestions!

 

[-=Germania=-]

I love the im716's for just about everything.

As far as the other IEM's go - I liked the shure 310 better than anything else in the new lineup (even the 500's - by a lot). Mostly due to sound sig I think is the difference.

The Audio Technica noise canceling sets have good reviews online and would not be a bad choice.

 

[MaloS]

Hi's are usually the first thing that goes with isolation... (although not with noise canceling).

The only noise canceling is the above mentioned Audio-Technica ANC7 that is worth looking at. If you do not commute in anything like a subway, then your isolation needs should not be ridiculous, in which case you could just look at a closed can like Sennheiser HD-25 or Audio Technica ES7, or Equation Audio RP-21 or 22x.

 

[Kosmic]

LIVEWIRES!

 

[commando]

Super Fi.5 EB. They're kinda big though. Otherwise Sony EX52's - they're actually really good and they're like $50.

 

[manaox2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by commando /img/forum/go_quote.gif Super Fi.5 EB. They're kinda big though. Otherwise Sony EX52's - they're actually really good and they're like $50.

I would recommend the super.fi 5 pro. They still have decent bass, are smaller, have noticeably better quality sound overall, and for a wide range of music you will not have any frequencies overcome by the bass. Very musical little phones from my experience.

 

[NeObliviscaris]

if you really wanna go cheaper, super fi 3's

 

[tottiflames]

How about UE 2Fi's...even cheaper...plenty of bass..

 

[manaox2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tottiflames /img/forum/go_quote.gif How about UE 2Fi's...even cheaper...plenty of bass..

are you talking about the metro or is that a joke? I laughed pretty good.

 

[Mortalcoil]

If it were me, and I wanted a great,poratable,with good isolation, durable, home computer use hp that I was going to throw in the knapsack and not have to worry about. With a cool "old skool" look.

I would look no further than the HD-25-1 @ $200.

 

[NeObliviscaris]

^^ those sound great, tried em at the melbourne meet, seen djs at clubs with em as well. great cans

 

[kevg73]

definitely go with the hd-25's. they are perfect for what you say you need