Need cans while ear infection keeps me from E3C

[JoyElyse]

Hey, so I can't find a discussion like this. I've been getting a series of outer ear infections thanks to my daily swim. (I can't bring myself to stop swimming until the good weather is really gone.) They're minor, but they make putting in my Shure E3Cs torture. I need to find a solution that will allow me to listen while hiking, hanging out in my hammock, and doing housework. They need to be circumaural! I can't stand having anything on my sear. Open, sealed, I don't care. I hit headroom's site, but everything I found needed an amp. Since these are my fill in headphones, I don't want to start with buying amps, etc. It'll just get too costly. Anyone have an idea for a really comfortable set of cans that won't drive me insane do to poor sound quality and still won't cost over $200? Is an amp necessary?

BTW, they'll be driven from an Ipod.

Thanks!!

Joy Elyse

 

[sc53]

Depending on the size of your ears, the Beyer 250-80's could fit your requirements very nicely. They sound great right out of the iPod, they are very comfortable, and they are not too expensive (esp if you can find them used on the For Sale forum here). The cups are narrow but long, they cover my ears completely, but if you have BIG ears they may press on the sides I guess. The Senn 25-1's are also well-liked for portable use without an amp, but their cups are much smaller and won't go around most people's ears. And finally, the Senn PX-100's or 200's are cheap and very comfortable, though they rest on the ears not around them. But they don't press very hard and I hardly ever know they're on my head. They are great for portable use without an amp.

 

[lini]

JoyElyse: I'd recommend to check the Creative HQ-1300 - surprisingly good sound for ~ 25 Euro over here. And the phone is fairly comfy and efficient as well...

Greetings from Hannover!

Manfred / lini

 

[lindrone]

Audio Technica A900

 

[JoyElyse]

I have small ears, so those Beyers might work for me. Have you ever compared them to the Sennheiser HD 280 Pros?

I hate to even mention the name here, but even Headroom says that Sony makes a couple of good full size sealed cans. My husband has a 10+ year old pair that are really comfortable though leave something to desire in sound reproduction. Anyone know which Sony models don't bite?

 

[Illah]

HD497's are cheap, great sounding, and sorta-kinda circumaural (as long as you're not 6'+ and/or big-headed they should be cool). Don't need an amp either.

--Illah

 

[sc53]

Hi JoyElyse, I had the Senn 280 Pro's for a couple of years before I sold them because I ultimately agreed (after purchasing lots of other, different phones) that the bass was too light for me. I now have the Beyer 250-80's for closed phones and they are EXACTLY my cup of tea, plenty of bass, good detailed highs, nothing harsh or unpleasant. They are also very comfortable on my head. Like you, I'm female, with a head on the smaller side I guess, so they would probably fit you well too. AS a reference point, my favorite phones are the Senn 650's, and then next probably the Beyer 880's, so you can see I prefer the warmer phones rather than the "Grado sound." The 250-80's provide a crisper, sharper sound than either of these, but to me are still on the warm side.

 

[Sovkiller]

I think that you want both joys, aren't you asking too much from life? why not trading one pleasure for the other, swimming for listening?........Don't be so greedy man!!!!!

Sometimes is better to stop using the ears, and give them a rest until they heal completelly, don't know if this is your particular case though......

 

[bhd812]

even I would call a time out for the ears...let them rest a few days

 

[JoyElyse]

I live in Boston. Pond swimming only lasts until October at the latest. I need to stretch it out.

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoyElyse I hate to even mention the name here, but even Headroom says that Sony makes a couple of good full size sealed cans.

Unfortunately, those two Sony cans they call "good" are really expensive - they sell for well over $350 new, even at discount.

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Audio Technica ATH-A900 from www.audiocubes.com own for $200.

http://www.audiocubes.com/product_in...roducts_id=317

Circumaural, closed, and comfortable.

No amp required for awesome sound.

Currently listening to: "Society" by Pennywise on my ATH-A900s