Looking for new cans to use at work

[Darkshift]

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum, and you all seem like a knowledgeable bunch...

I'm trying to find a new pair of headphones to use at work due to my current ones being about to bite the dust. I've tried on the Bose AE's for a few hours and instantly fell in love with the comfort. A bit of research here and other places showed me how flimsy the headband is though, and I understand there are much better phones out there for the same or less...

So I was hoping I could get some recommendations from you guys. Firstly, I'm looking for something light. Size isn't really an issue, but weight is. The AE's are five ounces and rest lightly on your ears. I could barely notice they were there. The phones I have now (Sony MDR-V700) are nearly 11 ounces and just plain physically hurt my ears from the pressure after a couple of hours, whereas the AE's weigh only five. Very very nice and I'd like to get as close to that as I can in whichever I end up purchasing.

Also, my work environment is like... library quiet, so open-air is a bit of a concern for me. I like to listen to my music a bit loud and don't really want to disturb anyone.

I listen to pretty much everything but country, but mostly end up listening to rock or electronic/trance music (which is usually pretty bass heavy), but I can appreciate accurate sound, and while I like heavy bass don't care it much if it's muddy.

So I read through the "official" Triport alternatives thread (yes, all of it) and saw quite a few recommendations, for all sorts of applications. Mainly seeing Senns, Grados, and Equation RP-21.

I know the topic of Triport alternatives has been covered plenty, but I'm a bit overwhelmed by the options and not really seeing anything which clearly fits what I'm looking for.

Your input is definitely appreciated. Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Most of the time I'll just be plugging into the computers at work, as I don't have an iPod at the moment (though I do hope to have one in the near future)

 

[ken36]

I can recommend the venerable Etymotic ER-4P/S without reservation. I've had mine for years and they keep chugging along.

 

[Darkshift]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken36 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I can recommend the venerable Etymotic ER-4P/S without reservation. I've had mine for years and they keep chugging along.

Thanks for the recommendation.

I should have mentioned this in my original post, but I've never been terribly keen on buds. I just find them to be awkward, always falling out, and uncomfortable (though admittedly I've never tried any with the interchangeable earpieces). I just prefer to pop on my headphones and go...

 

[frozncore]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkshift /img/forum/go_quote.gif Thanks for the recommendation. I should have mentioned this in my original post, but I've never been terribly keen on buds. I just find them to be awkward, always falling out, and uncomfortable (though admittedly I've never tried any with the interchangeable earpieces). I just prefer to pop on my headphones and go...

The er4p/s is an IEM not an earbud. It won't fall out due to the deep insertion into your ear canal.

 

[ericj]

I think that the MDR-V700 hurting your ears has more to do with clamping pressure than weight.

The 8.5oz dt250-80 will hardly feel like it's there.

 

[Trinity]

I'm in a quiet work environment and have a set of Ety 4P and a set of the Yuin PK1 earbuds. (Both played with a Super Mini Moy amp.) I LOVE the Ety sound + isolation, but often find myself wearing the PK1s due to ease of pulling 'em out of my ear quickly if I need to take a call, talk with someone who walks up, etc.

 

[Darkshift]

So I'm seriously considering the E4P's... my main concern is getting a good seal with them. I understand that getting a good seal is crucial to get good sound from them. I've never tried plug-style phones, so I'm not sure how well they'd fit my ears. I just hate to plunk down a good wad of cash only to not be able to enjoy them due to a bad fit. Plus I'm just not as keen on sticking things in my ears... I generally prefer around-ear style phones. *shrug*

Thanks for the recommendations though, guys. Any other suggestions are certainly welcome.

 

[Omega]

Altec Lansing IM716 get you a lot of the Ety sound for less $$. $92 on Amazon. I forget, the IM716 was manufacturerd by Etymotic, I think. Search for more info here.

FWIW, I love the Ety 4P/S...what it does, it does very well. But for me it remains firmly in the camp of analytical, airy, accurate...which is distracting for me at work. I need to be enjoying music in the background, not picking apart details in the recordings. I enjoy the Beyer line more for work (currently DT880). Maybe you could get away with DT990's without an amp.

I would definitely NOT recommend the Etymotics if you will play primarily rock, trance and electronica. Bass simply lacks enough growl and presence to be satisfying for these genres, to my ears. And you're right, they're a pain to dig out of your ears every time you have to answer the phone or field a question.

 

[Omega]

Sennheiser PX100's aren't a bad work 'phone either. $34 on Amazon.

 

[slwiser]

Check out the ATH-ESW9 if you get the chance.

 

[mtkversion]

Koss KSC75 - $20 and they rock!

 

[Darkshift]

Hmm. Those wooden AT's look hot. Pretty penny, though (and rightly so, it would seem). Everything recommended so far seems like either a step up (in price) or a step down (in quality) from what I'm looking for. I'm basically looking for something of Bose TriPort Around-Ear phones weight, sound quality (or better), and bassi-ness. If they're not open-air, that would be even better. I'm hoping for something between $75-150. If it's more than that, they had better be damn good phones that will last a decade.

 

[slwiser]

Check out ATH-ANC7s. Search on ATHANC7 .

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/athanc7-review-232486/

 

[jamess71]

I was in the same boat. I went through a few and have settled on ATH-A900LTD, for now anyway.

They sound great for a closed can. Keep an eye out and you can pick up a used pair for around $300.

 

[Darkshift]

Seems like we're getting close to what I'm looking for with the ATH-ANC7 and ATH-A900LTD.

slwiser, the weight on the ANC7 looks very nice, thought the weight I saw was without the battery in. Do you feel a significant difference in the weight with the battery in, as opposed to without? I'm also trying to figure out where the battery compartment is, and I can't seem to find it. (I'm assuming it's on the actual phones somewhere?)

jamess71, I wasn't able to find any LTD's for sale anywhere. Do you know if there's any difference between the ATH-A900LTD and ATH-A900, aside from the wood?

Thanks to everyone who has commented so far. This has been very helpful.