[Asr]

So my parents recently decided that they would like some headphones to have on their international flights (they travel quite a bit) and whenever they feel like listening to music. Now my father got ahold of a free Bose QuietComfort 2 some time ago and is convinced that's all he needs and that "it's BOSE! How could it be bad?"

So I thought I would throw this to the Head-Fi crowd. What do you think would be the headphone that not only convinces my father that Bose is crap, but is also aesthetically pleasing enough my mother would wear it too? Closed, under $100, and unamped. Something guaranteed to impress the parents but affordable.

 

[Firam]

HD280 are good closed headphones. But you look like an idiot in them.

 

[viator122]

Do they have to be circumaural? Would IEMs be acceptable?

 

[MrXpress]

Price notwithstanding, the QC2's are actually probably a decent choice for airline flights. I can't see parents taking to IEMs out of nowhere (or without a vested interest in sonic quality). The MDR-7506/MDR-V6 seem to be a safe bet.

 

[The Monkey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrXpress Price notwithstanding, the QC2's are actually probably a decent choice for airline flights. I can't see parents taking to IEMs out of nowhere (or without a vested interest in sonic quality). The MDR-7506/MDR-V6 seem to be a safe bet.

What would be a better full-size noise-canceling phone than the QC2?

 

[XxATOLxX]

My choices would be the Sennheiser HD555/590, they both have pretty decent comfort/looks.

 

[Asr]

Those Sennheiser ones are open.

The MDR-V6 looks like it could fit the bill, any others like it? There's gotta be more than one headphone in this class.

 

[spinali]

I understand what you're going through because I just had to do the same thing myself.

The Sony MDR-V6 or 7506 are good-looking phones with a nice sound, and they folds up into a vinyl pouch. They do leak, however.

The Grado SR 60 leaks major league, and don't fold up, but look and sound good.

An IEM like the Ety 6i offers portability, good sound, and no leakage. But how do your parents feel about having things stuck in their ears?

 

[wildeone]

parents are notoriously impossible.... if your dad's convinced the bose's are the bees' knees, nothing's likely to change his mind if that's what he wants.... i've tried for years to initiate my parents (whole family actually) and failed. then again, it is *my* family and not yours so good luck!

for what it's worth, i second the mdr-7506 within your criteria.... additionally, they're quite comfortable which will add to their enjoyment.

again, good luck.

 

[Asr]

Thanks, looks like it'll be the V6 then (seems to be cheaper).

Also a curiosity question, how do the V6 and K271 rank against each other? Asking because I'll be getting a K271 for myself sometime soon, and I wouldn't want a headphone that can't compete with one I got for my parents.

 

[Pinny]

I would advise against the V6. It's big and obtrusive, has a long heavy cord, it clamps pretty hard (won't touch the QC2's in comfort), the sound is only so so imho...

Your not gonna find a closed phone to replace the qc2's for under a $100 (except maaaaybe the senn 280 pro). Especially if your dad got the qc2's for free, then your fighting a lost cause. Sorry.

I think your best plan of action would be to just get a ms-1 and let them play with it. Hopefully they'll be so impressed that they wont mind spending $175 on a pair of beyer dt770's (something that fits their needs (comfort, looks, sound q) except for price) for their flights.

 

[gloco]

I doubt the V6's will block out enough noise for airplane travel.

My vote goes to iem's, shure's or ety's. The shure e2c's should be a great budget canal phone.

 

[Jasper994]

Pinny is right, with your current budget you're fighting a bit of a lost cause. The 280's would probably do for isolation and should "put the smack down" on the QC2 for sound, but it's not going to win out in comfort and asthetics.

An IEM is a great idea but the Ety's don't really have the bass to be viable on a plane. I'd recommend the E4, but that's pretty much twice your budget, and still a little bass shy for a plane...

What might be the best thing is to buy yourself something like the UE Super.Fi 5 Pro, Westone UM2, or Shure E5, and offer to let them try it on their next plane trip. Show them how to use it and let them decide whether or not it's something they're even interested in.

 

[The Monkey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildeone parents are notoriously impossible.... if your dad's convinced the bose's are the bees' knees, nothing's likely to change his mind if that's what he wants.... i've tried for years to initiate my parents (whole family actually) and failed. then again, it is *my* family and not yours so good luck! for what it's worth, i second the mdr-7506 within your criteria.... additionally, they're quite comfortable which will add to their enjoyment. again, good luck.

lol, this post is so, so true. Every time I mention a pair of headphones I like, my dad asks if they are as good as his Bose QCs.

"parents are notoriously impossible." Lol.

 

[grandenigma1]

got my dad some HD555s and an M3 and he hasnt touched his boostapoo and QC's since