[aporcelainsky]

I mostly listen to indie-rock, electronica, acoustic and other alternative types of music and am looking for a good set of headphones. Here are the requirements:

Do not require an amp (but may/may not sound better with an amp; as I may invest in one later down the road).
Sound isolation is fairly important as these will be both at home and portable headphones.
Appearance does also play a role since I'll be using them frequently outside of the house.
It'd be great if they weren't super bulky but full size is fine.

Used is not an issue. My price range is fairly loose as I'm looking for a good solid investment; so let's say 100-200$ (but I definitely can't justify spending more than 200$). Let me hear your thoughts!

 

[captian73]

I don't have any experience of the AT's but there are fake ESW9's knocking about, and at a sub $200 range, you're probably looking at a fake version!

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f103/f...arning-409252/
fakeheadphones.com » Possible Fake Audio Technica ATH-ESW-9 headphones.

I haven't updated the info on the Fake ESW9's.. i need to do so.

But as a recommendation, I can only suggest the HD 25-1 MKII headphones. I've had mine for 11 years, and i'd never ever think of letting them go.

 

[aporcelainsky]

Wow, thanks for the heads up. I was bidding on some on ebay for around the 150$ range, but if there's fakes out there I guess that price might be too good to be true.

 

[aporcelainsky]

bump for updated initial post

 

[aporcelainsky]

Well I actually ended up buying both. I opened up the custom 3s and really like them.. so if anyone is looking for a brand new pair of never opened x5s pm me!

 

[Zalithian]

I wish I could afford a new pair of those right now =/. They sound like a nice pair of IEMS. I doubt I'll ever get to listen to them though.

 

[aporcelainsky]

It looks like you've already got a pretty nice collection. How do those westones sound?

 

[Zalithian]

Fantastic. Listening to them right now.

They're pretty balanced. Instrument Separation is probably their strong suit. Mids are their best part as far as SQ goes but the bass is clean with good impact and the highs are very detailed without being fatiguing. Very comfortable and good isolation with the Comply's but I don't think the small ones are the best option. Big ones are my favorite but a bit too long for my ears. I'm using modded tri flanges right now (bi flanges now)

I like the cable too, very light and seems durable but it's my first Westone so we'll see. Burning in my IE8's again right now because I had to get a new pair. They're really nice too.

No matter how big a collection is, it's always nice to hear different stuff

 

[aporcelainsky]

haha. well if you ever decide to trade those westones, let me know ; ) While I really like the Klipsch Custom 3s, I too am always anxious to try new things.

 

[Headphile808]

x2 Senn HD25-1 II, if isolation is an important factor as well as portability then look no further. Also one of the most durable sets around, sound really nice straight-away, although they scale quite nicely with a good cable upgrade. Impact & SPL champs they are & the best portable alternative to IEMs IMO. Good Luck.

Aloha

Headphile808

 

[lordearl]

beyerdynamic dt250 (80ohm) -- no amp needed, reference quality sound. best electronica headphones around.....

 

[rRav3n]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Headphile808 /img/forum/go_quote.gif x2 Senn HD25-1 II, if isolation is an important factor as well as portability then look no further. Also one of the most durable sets around, sound really nice straight-away, although they scale quite nicely with a good cable upgrade. Impact & SPL champs they are & the best portable alternative to IEMs IMO. Good Luck. Aloha Headphile808

x3, totaly agree pickup a pair of HD-25's at the start of the week, loving them very much, quite surprised how good they sound straight out of my iPod ... excellent isolation especially good since i can't stand IEM's
might look at changing cable, but sooo many choices

 

[aporcelainsky]

I already purchased a set of custom 3s but I may actually pick up a pair of the hd-25s as well. so they don't need an amp to sound good with an ipod?

 

[rRav3n]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aporcelainsky /img/forum/go_quote.gif I already purchased a set of custom 3s but I may actually pick up a pair of the hd-25s as well. so they don't need an amp to sound good with an ipod?

there is a whole thread http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/hd2...thread-163153/ ,easy headphones to drive ...

i tried them through the cMOY that i have, and in my opinion they sound about the same, maybe a little something else there ... sorry i lack the words or headphone listerning time really say much, but the above thread seems to really push them

 

[aporcelainsky]

so an amp does little for the hd25-1s?