Isolating replacements for Porta Pros?

[nameles]

Hi... first time posting here so please be gentle....

I have Koss Porta Pros that I have been very happy with for a number of years In fact I have worn out one set of pads already. The issue that I have is that they are open and I can hear everyone blathering in the cubicles beside me at work. I would like to find a set of replacements that do a better job of isolation without sacrificing sound quality.

I primarily listen to an iPod. Mostly podcasts which contain a mixture of spoken word and music. The music is a variety but I guess generally could be classified as rock, blues, alt.country etc. No classical or rap to speak of. I wold like to stay within the <$100 category if possible.

At first I was looking at something like the AKG K 81 DJ but when reading the reviews it sounds like they don't isolate very well. Then I started thinking of ear canal phones but most seem to be out of my price range. The JVC Marshmallow seems to be cheap yet get reasonable reviews although people seem to be modifying them. Not sure I want that hassle. I'm also not sure If I would be comfortable with canal phones.

Any words of wisdom?

Thanks in advance....

 

[LaBreaHead]

Welcome to Head-Fi!

Sony (MDR-7506) and Audio Technica (ES7) make closed portable headphones that people seem to like here, although I don't know that you want to pay that much. I'm more of an in-ear person, especially at the office (more low-profile, not so obvious, and -- yes -- more isolating).

The Creative EP630s are not sonic wonders, but for their price (around $30 online) they make a good "carry-around" pair of canal phones that isolate a bit (I always have them with me at work). I really like my Fututre Sonics M5s (in-ear monitors), but they seem to be out of your preferred price range ... unless you could be enticed to upgrade now, rather than later.

The M5s isolate and have a bass-rich, clean, non-fatiguing, near-headphone sound in an in-ear package. Worth the price, if you can justify paying $139 with shipping (from an authorized dealer on eBay ... the list price is $199).

Good hunting!

 

[nameles]

Thanks for the recommendations. Does anyone strongly agree or disagree with these? Anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks for taking the time to reply!

 

[Meloncoly]

Try the Sony MDR-V6 or Sennheiser HD280s. Both are closed and circumaural. I would recommend the Sony MDR-V6 for your tastes, and they can be easily gotten for a good low price.

 

[Spyro]

Shure E2's

 

[nameles]

I'm leaning towards JBL 410s at the moment. Any thoughts on these for my purposes? How is the isolation on these?

 

[facelvega]

I don't know which reviews you were reading on the K81dj, because in fact they isolate very well indeed for a supraaural headphone. They would be a good choice, better than the JBL 410, which is just a rebadged version of a lesser AKG headphone-- though the K81 is a bit of a head-vise. The recommendations for the V6 are sensible if you don't mind how big it is (is portable a concern, or are these strictly for cubicle use?), the ES-7 is alright, and the HD280 would be ridiculous if you did ever want to use it portably, and in any case really misrepresents voices and would thus be a terrible choice for podcasts.

If you went in-ear, I'd skip the marshmallows and ep-630 and go straight to the Crossroads Mylarone X3, available from head-fi sponsor Jaben. Still well within your budget, and a better option than most of those listed in this thread so far.

 

[BassheadJazz]

I would second the K81DJs and the ES7s as well. If you're interested in IEMs I would look into the Jays in addition to what's already been mentioned.

 

[nameles]

Quote:

Originally Posted by facelvega /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't know which reviews you were reading on the K81dj, because in fact they isolate very well indeed for a supraaural headphone. They would be a good choice, better than the JBL 410, which is just a rebadged version of a lesser AKG headphone-- though the K81 is a bit of a head-vise. The recommendations for the V6 are sensible if you don't mind how big it is (is portable a concern, or are these strictly for cubicle use?), the ES-7 is alright, and the HD280 would be ridiculous if you did ever want to use it portably, and in any case really misrepresents voices and would thus be a terrible choice for podcasts. If you went in-ear, I'd skip the marshmallows and ep-630 and go straight to the Crossroads Mylarone X3, available from head-fi sponsor Jaben. Still well within your budget, and a better option than most of those listed in this thread so far.

I wish I knew if I'd be comfortable with in ear phones. For now, lets see if I can summarize the others....

AXG K81dj -
- Isoation - apparently good (can't find the post where they said it was not)
- Sound - full, rich bass
- Portability - Seems to fold up quite well
- Comfort - complaints of clamping
- Price - Seems to be available for about $70 + $30 shipping to Canada for a total of $100.

Sony MDR-V6 -
- Isoation - good
- Sound - Natural, very favourable reviews
- Portability - not clear on how small these fold up, do they fold flat like the K81DJ? I generally take my phones back and forth to work in the side pouch of a laptop bag. Will they fit?
- Comfort - Comfortable, ear pads prone to wear but other than that a proven workhorse
- Price - Seems to be available for about $70 + $30 shipping to Canada for a total of $100.

JBL 410 -
- Isoation - good
- Sound - Apparently not as good as the other two above.
- Portability - Seems to fold up quite small
- Comfort - not sure
- Price - Seems to be available for about $25 + $15 shipping to Canada for a total of $40.

Audio-Techica ES-7 -
- Didn't realy look at these much since the prices I was seeing seem to be outside my price range. If they cn be had for $100 shippped to Canada I'd give them another look.

Summary: Clearly the 410's win on price however they don't seem to be as highly regarded around here. Are the others worth a 60% higher price? If so, I'm having a tough time choosing between the AKG and the Sony. It might come down to the clamping issue on the AKGs. I really couldn't find any negative comments about the V6 other than the pads wearing out so these might have the edge but I'm not sure on the portability.

 

[nameles]

One other little thing... I wear glasses. Will that be a significant issue with any of the above?

 

[Meloncoly]

If you wear glasses, I highly do not recommend the K81DJs...too much clamp and it hurts. I don't personally wear glasses, but when I wear sunglasses + the K81s...they aren't a joyful combo.

Edit: This is with the K81s stretched out to almost loosely fit on my head.

 

[MontyPythizzle]

JVC Marshmallows FX-33.
Cheap when on sale, and worth the 16 dollars that I got them for at CC.
Their website price fluctuates GREATLY, go there when they are on sale for 16 dollars, or try to get a screenshot of the website as they were 24 dollars in store and 16.44 on site, and now they are 20 on the site. They were 29.99 on Friday on the site I believe, so be careful when you go.