Isolation and comfort

[vaudio]

Can someone compare the Beyer DT770-80 Pro and EA RP21 to the Audio Technica A900 with respect to isolation and comfort (>= 2 hours). Even though I enjoy the sound and comfort of my A900's, they do not give enough isolation from my noisy office environment. Thx.

 

[Rlynn]

Like you, I needed comfortable isolating headphones for a noisy office. I finally settled on the Etymotic ER4s after reading a few specifications as well as comments here. Of the ones you mentioned, I only tried the DT770. They were way to big and didn't isolate at all. Plus they would have looked ridiculous and out of place in my office.

Normal conversation is between 40 and 60 dB. The Etys, one of the most isolating phones available, block out 42dB with the foamies. If you listen, like I do, to music with a wide dynamic range, there will still be some times when the booming bass from the next cubicle will be heard above the music. It took a while to get used to taking them in and out, but I don't have any trouble now. I can still hear the phone or at least see the flashing red light. Every office situation and musical taste has different requirements. IEMs are the best compromise for me. I'm sorry I delayed trying them thinking they would be uncomfortable and too isolating.

The Ety ER6 is less expensive and should still provide very good isolation.

 

[scompton]

I've been looking for good isolating full sized headphones for a while and haven't found any yet. It all depends on just how noisy your office is. I'm looking for isolation for my subway commute. I'm pretty sure I'm stuck with my IEMs. For the office, the full sized cans will probably be adequate, depending on your office. If there's a lot of loud machinery, no, cube farm, yes. I just recently bought the RP21. They're fine for the office, but not good enough for my commute. You need to buy Beyerdynamic pads to make them comfortable enough to wear all day. I've not heard the DT770, but I believe they come with velour pads which won't be very isolating. You'd probably have to buy pleather pads.

As for full sized cans looking ridiculous at the office, where I work many people do. I use only full sized cans at work. They're much more comfortable for all day use. The only reason I'd use IEMs is if it was a very noisy environment.

BTW, I discovered last night that Headroom has graphs for isolation. Here's the graph for DT770 and ER4S. You do get a good 30dB more isolation with the Etys.

http://www.headphone.com/technical/p...are+Headphones

 

[compuryan]

The EA RP-21 don't isolate worth a darn. I haven't tried the leather pads, but I've heard they don't help that much either with isolation. But I have heard that they do make the phones more comfortable to wear.

 

[scompton]

Quote:

Originally Posted by compuryan /img/forum/go_quote.gif The EA RP-21 don't isolate worth a darn. I haven't tried the leather pads, but I've heard they don't help that much either with isolation. But I have heard that they do make the phones more comfortable to wear.

I think this is what you'll find with any full sized, closed headphones.

In Skylab's closed headphone review. Here's his take on isolation

Quote:

ISOLATION: What matters here is how well do they isolate from outside sound. All of these are sealed enough that they won’t be heard by other people when you use them. And this varies WIDELY, from the HD25’s which isolate well enough to be used on many airplanes in lieu of IEMs, to the D1000, which basically don’t isolate at all. 1. HD25-1 2. K81DJ 3. MV-1 4. RP21 5. ES7 6. D1000

From Headroom graphs, the DT770 might isolate a little better then the HD25, but still nowhere near as good as IEMs

http://www.headphone.com/technical/p...are+Headphones