[GuruSY]

Howdy, I have a pair of Senn HD580s sourced by a Pa2V2. I absolutely love these for classical music listening. I wanted to get a setup to leave at work to listen to my ipod.

The problem with my HD580 setup, is that these cans are LOUD externally, and I don’t want to buy a second amplifier to leave at work. Does anyone have any recommendations for cans that:
1. Are not so externally loud so I don’t annoy my coworkers in the cube next to me,
2. Can be sourced from an Ipod without the need for an amp, and
3. Are less than approximately $150 (although I am flexible here)

I primarily listen to classical and opera.

Thanks!

 

[feh1325]

i got my dad a pair of hd280 for the classical music on his nano. he loves it, but wishes the headphones weren't so big and take up so much space in his briefcase

 

[LaBreaHead]

Are you specifying headphones ("cans")? Etymotic in-ear monitors would have zero leakage, and they handle classical very well ...

 

[bcwang]

er4s/p or e4c. Great isolation with great sound.

 

[DobsOnly]

KSC75 ~$20 or KSC35 ~$29 - I use these at work. Doubt you would bother anyone else with them unless it's very quiet (library quiet) there. I can leave these and not worry about breaking or losing them. KSC35's do classical pretty well.

Senn PX100 ~$49 is also a very comfortable portable option. A little more leaking from these. Personally think the KSC35 has a little tighter bass and overalll more refined sound though. YMMV

Don't let the cost of these cans fool you..

 

[vberch]

I am facing the same problem. Since I've never tried KSC75's, do they leak less then SR60's?

 

[F107plus5]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I would not get MS2i for use at work.

......I'd never get any work done!

MS-1 could be a good choice though!

...no amp required, the price is right, and they can be ordered with either 1/4 or 1/8" plug. And, they sound great at low volumes! They do opera fairly well but are a bit lacking on the biggest of the big classical pieces.

Smaller choral works, chamber music and string quartets are represented nicely, but you feel as though you are standing there looking over the conductors shoulder at the podium for the really big stuff.

 

[pmk]

I'ved tried both at work - Grado SR-60s and KSC75s. The KSCs leak less in my opinion. I prefer using the KSCs from a "don't bother the neighbors" perspective and I find them more comfortable.

 

[mrarroyo]

If you are going w/o an amp then Ety's ER4P would fit the bill. Be aware that you will probably not hear the phone ring nor if someone enters and starts talking to you.

 

[GuruSY]

Thanks for the recommendations. I will look into all of these and read some reviews, but this was a great starting point!

 

[Gonz]

I think in-ear types are terrible. I know I'm probably in the minority on this, but I cannot stand isolation of that level. You can hear yourself swallow or chewing. You can't hear a doorbell or the phone. I also hate the pressure in my ear canal and can't tolerate the feeling very long.

Some people don't mind those factors, but I thought I'd toss out my feelings on them for your consideration.

I found a comfortable compromise with Sony EX90s. I think they are wonderful for music, but... they do leak sound, because they are not sealed. In turn, you are not completely isolated either. Depending on your volume level, I doubt it would be very bad at work. Comparable to the Koss types I'm sure. You can check them out here. They go for $99, but I found mine for $85 on sale at CircuitCity. (avoid the $60 eBay fakes) They are low impedance and very high sensitivity, theres definitely no amplifier required for these to sound great.

If that doesn't suit you, I think you can't really go wrong with the KSC75 or KSC35, especially for their price. They get alot of praise here.

 

[GuruSY]

Well, I went with the KSC-75s. But since they were so cheap I also picked up a Sony MDR-V6. I'll let you know what I think of both when they arrive in the mail.