Need Recommendation on new cans

[ShortbusKid]

Hi all, just stumbled across this site while researching headphones and was impressed by the knowledge of the members, so I thought I'd request some input.

I'm sure this question gets posted all of the time, but basically I need some good headphones and would prefer to stay under $200.

About me: I travel quite a bit, so portable is nice, but not absolutely necessary as I always have carry-on room for some closed-back cans...main thing though is isolation...need to hear sonic ranges over the other noises on the planes or in the airports. I listen to a variety of music, primarily in the rock/folk/singer-songwriter genres, as well as a lot of live bootlegs. So basically anything from Rage to PJ to DMB to Ray LaMontagne to Ryan Adams, etc.

I've used the following already:

• Sennheiser HD280 Pro - Sound was mediocre, construction was terrible. They cracked within a year and fell apart. Will not go here again.
• Etymotic ER6i - Sound was pretty decent, but they came unclipped from my shirt on a plane and I didn't notice...two weeks after I bought them. Wasn't a fan of trying to keep the clear/white/opaque earbuds from looking disgusting, even with constant ear cleaning.
• Shure E2g - Got the black ones so I didn't have the same visual issues as #2. The size of the earbuds were a problem. In my travels, I found the flange getting stuck in my ear while the rest of the headphone came out. This was not only a bit unnerving, but a pain to dig the flange/earbud out of the canal of my ear with a key or whatever worked. I'm sure this had to do with the compression of the canal as the plane climbed and descended, but would prefer to avoid again.
• Sony MDR-EX81 - Got these in black while on the trip where I lost my Etymotic's. The sound was good enough, but mostly I really enjoyed the fit. They never came off in my ears, the over-ear brace was good for keeping the weight of the wires from being annoying. These were a very good travel headset, except for the fact that the soft-rubber cable covering disintegrated completely. After much haggling, I got a warranty replacement and those did the same thing.
• Bose Tri-Port - These had a pretty nice sound, though I'm sure the audiophiles are cringing right now. Mostly these were the most comfortable large headphones I've ever worn. They were nice and light and fit around my ears perfectly so as to not be overly large. My dog chewed up the cable going into the headphones, so these are now gone too.

So, as you can see, I've had my fair share of issues with headphones. I'd like a durable pair...something that can survive me falling asleep with them on and possibly rolling over on them would be good.

I've mostly been looking at the Ultrasone HFI-700 and HFI-780's as well as the Audio-Technica ATH-M30's, which a friend recommended.

I can get the HFI-700's for ~$150 as BStock (since they've been discontinued). The 780's are $250, which is higher than I wanted to go. Reviews seem to suggest the Ultrasone's methods of delivering sound to the front of the ear make them far more comfortable for long listening (think a 14 hour flight to Germany). The M30's come in at a far nicer price point but what do I sacrifice in sound? Also, apparently the chords for each of these is upwards of 10' which isn't what I would want to lug around on plane trips.

Any thoughts or recommendations on these that I'm considering or others?

If it matters in your feedback, I don't use a headphone amp either.

 

[jdtrbn]

Hi.

I don't know much about cans in that range because often you quickly want to climb to higher price ranges. I think you could take a look at AKG K240. What you will get is excellent build quality, nice comfort and a neutral, clean sound. However, they may sound too clean and flat or boring (some people disagree, i know). These are probably the reasons they are used for monitoring in studios. I don't know if this type of sound is the right for you and your music styles. I found some prices to be 199$ and sometimes lower.

Good luck with the search

 

[pataburd]

The HFI-780 needn't cost you $250. Contact RMC Audio. I just saw the Proline 750 sell on the FS forum here for $195; and they're more-than-likely better-sounding than the 780.

Given your needs, I'd still endorse the Ety ER-4S. After awhile you'll grow immune to the sight of soiled eartips (the foamies worked best for me); and you may even grow akin to the taste of your own earwax (in the interests of developing a better seal).

 

[Jaw007]

The Ultrasone HFI-780 are excellent sounding after some burn in.

 

[ShortbusKid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pataburd /img/forum/go_quote.gif The HFI-780 needn't cost you $250. Contact RMC Audio. I just saw the Proline 750 sell on the FS forum here for $195; and they're more-than-likely better-sounding than the 780.

Good advice, I'll reach out to them. If the Proline 750's retail for $300 and can go for $100 less there perhaps I can get something at least affordable with the HFI-780's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pataburd /img/forum/go_quote.gif Given your needs, I'd still endorse the Ety ER-4S. After awhile you'll grow immune to the sight of soiled eartips (the foamies worked best for me); and you may even grow akin to the taste of your own earwax (in the interests of developing a better seal).

I'll take a look for those...they appear to be near the top of my price range and I'm still a bit hesitant on the earbuds. They really do seem to cause fatigue a lot faster than the cans, though are far more portable.

 

[pataburd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShortbusKid /img/forum/go_quote.gif Good advice, I'll reach out to them. If the Proline 750's retail for $300 and can go for $100 less there perhaps I can get something at least affordable with the HFI-780's.

The Proline 750, recently replaced by the different-only-cosmetically 750PRO, retail for $399. I've owned the PL750 (w/the RAL cable upgrade) and consider them the best closed headphones I've ever tried. In addition, when speaking with RMC representatives about the comparative performances of the HFI-780 v. PL750/750PRO, they've emphatically and unequivocally endorsed the 750.

There's been a lot of hub-bub and new product band wagon hype about the HFI-780 being the "poor Head-Fier's Edition 9," but I would assert that the 750 are probably the better closed Ultrasone offering (i.e. w/respect to the 780). In view of the frenzied interest in the 780, I honestly don't think I've missed much by not having purchased the Edition 9, either.

 

[ndskyz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShortbusKid /img/forum/go_quote.gif Good advice, I'll reach out to them. If the Proline 750's retail for $300 and can go for $100 less there perhaps I can get something at least affordable with the HFI-780's. I'll take a look for those...they appear to be near the top of my price range and I'm still a bit hesitant on the earbuds. They really do seem to cause fatigue a lot faster than the cans, though are far more portable.

I just got a pair of Proline 750's B stock from Ultrasone site for 225. plus shipping. I was looking at the 780's but for 25 bucks more, you get what many say are a better set of cans.

 

[ShortbusKid]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndskyz /img/forum/go_quote.gif I just got a pair of Proline 750's B stock from Ultrasone site for 225. plus shipping. I was looking at the 780's but for 25 bucks more, you get what many say are a better set of cans.

To this point, the HFI-700's are available for $150 in B-Stock...is the sound difference between these and the PL750's worth another $75?

 

[pataburd]

For a closed Ultrasone, I reiterate my endorsement of the Proline 750/750PRO. Even the Edition 9 have been dismissed (in some circles, e.g. Malos) as having basically the same, perceived shortcomings as the PL750.

I am, in fact, tempted to try the PL750 a second time around (lamentably, I sold my previous pair, which had the RAL cable upgrade). However, recalling that I tended to prefer the K701 (w/stock cable) even to the RAL/PL750, staves off such temptations. : )

In all fairness, the RAL/PL750 are perhaps second--or third, if I consider the K501--on my list of all-time favorite headphones. If I were to seriously consider them again, I would try a balanced RAL re-cable. : )

 

[ndskyz]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShortbusKid /img/forum/go_quote.gif To this point, the HFI-700's are available for $150 in B-Stock...is the sound difference between these and the PL750's worth another $75?

Hard for me to say. I've never heard the HFI-700's I will say this. I tend to agree with Pataburd. I have K701's and the PL750's dont sound better than the k701's BUT for the money and a closed can, they are very VERY good set of cans.

 

[pataburd]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShortbusKid /img/forum/go_quote.gif To this point, the HFI-700's are available for $150 in B-Stock...is the sound difference between these and the PL750's worth another $75?

. . . I think so . . . : )