Looking for the most comfortable headphones

Oct 20, 2007 at 2:14 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 22
Ranma13

Ranma13

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I own some Grado SR225's which are uncomfortable to me, even with the flat pads, unless I bend the headband out so much that the headphones slip off my head if I look down slightly.

I also have the AKG K701's, but I have to adjust the headband every 30 min. or so to avoid the pressure on my head and the right cup applies a lot more pressure than the left one, and the pressure of both cups on my jaw causes me to salivate like crazy.

I was wondering what you guys would recommend for the most comfortable pair of headphones. I'm only interested in the high-end stuff, but am unwilling to pay more than $400 for a pair. So far the HD650's are out due to the 'distant music' sound signature and clamping force. Right now I'm eyeing the DT880's. I think I'll pass on the DT990's because I want a more neutral sound, though I have to admit I like the Grado's 'fun' sound. Anyways, I wanted to hear what you guys had to say.
 
Oct 20, 2007 at 2:18 AM Post #2 of 22
Even if it could be a tad out of your price range, the most comfy cans by far that I've owned are the Denon D5000... Like a kiss on the ears
wink.gif
 
Oct 20, 2007 at 2:22 AM Post #4 of 22
Yeah, that's a little out of my price range. I should also mention that I want open headphones. Circum-aural or supra-aural doesn't matter, as long as they're comfortable.
 
Oct 20, 2007 at 2:23 AM Post #5 of 22
Double post, but I'm thinking about the AH-D5000's now :P. If I do get them though, I'll have to sell off both the Grado's and AKG's. My poor credit card can't take the burden...

Any other suggestions though before I plunk down some cash?
 
Oct 20, 2007 at 4:34 AM Post #10 of 22
Any beyer, they all have the same headband and pads (leather or velour though)

They are so comfortable. My DT990 and previous DT770, both amazingly comfortable.
 
Oct 20, 2007 at 5:14 AM Post #11 of 22
Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranma13 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I also have the AKG K701's, but I have to adjust the headband every 30 min. or so to avoid the pressure on my head and the right cup applies a lot more pressure than the left one, and the pressure of both cups on my jaw causes me to salivate like crazy.



That doesn't make any sense. The pressure should be equal on both sides, since each side is just pulling away from the other.

Unless perhaps the strap is only pulling on one side - some people have found that some untrimmed casting flash on the plastic bits has caused their AKG K(4,5,6,7)0(0,1) headphones to pull the strap unevenly, which MIGHT have some weird effects if you exacerbate them by fiddling with it without paying attention to what you're doing.

I know I have some perceptual issues about figuring out where supra-aurals are resting on my ears without feeling for landmarks.

So next time it's really bugging you, go look in a mirror. Chances are, if it's just the strap pulling unevenly, you can fix it.

You can also easily reduce the clamping force of AKGs just by bending out the headband wires.
 
Oct 20, 2007 at 5:31 AM Post #12 of 22
Quote:

Originally Posted by ericj /img/forum/go_quote.gif
That doesn't make any sense. The pressure should be equal on both sides, since each side is just pulling away from the other...


x2. Also, anyone who thinks a DT880 is the last word in comfort obviously hasn't ever worn an MB QP series headphone. It's a lot like an improved Beyer, where instead of a single hinge distributing the weight, there is a "cardamatic suspension" of five elastics suspending the earpiece in a ring. And finally, if you really can't stand anything touching your ears, how about a float? A QP85, dynamic Jecklin, or if you're lucky an Ergo 2 will be cheaper than the Denons and won't bother your head at all.
 
Oct 20, 2007 at 6:04 AM Post #13 of 22
The Stax Lambda series are very comfortable. All current models (SR-202, 303 and 404) and most if not all of the vintage models (SR-Lambda, Lambda Pro, Lambda Professions, ...) can be had or less than $400.

Highly recommended. Both comfort and sound vise!
lambda.gif
 
Oct 20, 2007 at 7:53 AM Post #14 of 22
Thanks for the suggestions everyone, I just placed an order on amazon.com for the Denon AH-D5000's for $490.

I don't know either why the K701's feel like they're clamping down more on my right ear. But when I sell them, I'll put it in the description and let the buyer deal with it. Maybe I just have an oddly-shaped head.
 
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