[BlackFireN2O]

Hey, i'm new hear. Been at ipod sites and have seen alotta good reviews of the sony mdr-ex70sl, but most of you hate them. I really liked the isolation idea, but it kinda scares me cause i could get hit by a big truck lol. But a lot of you seem to suggest the ksc-35s (whch i can't find anywhere, only the 50s) but they don't isolate. How good is isolation really, does it really make a big difference? Basically i'm asking for some suggestions (sub $50) for headphones forr an iPod. If anyone can help i would greatly appreciate it. Thanks PEACE!

 

[wallijonn]

Welcome to Head-Fi. Sorry about your wallet.

Every now and then you'll find Philips HP910 headphones for $30, new, on Ebay. They can be driven well from an IPod, but are eggo shapped. impedance is 32 ohms.

 

[bifcake]

The best portable headphones I've heard are the Grado SR-40. I like them better than the Koss ksc-35. These don't isolate either though.

Isolation is nice because if you're on a subway a bus or on the street, you don't want to hear the engine hum or have to crank up the volume to drown the external noises. However, isolation is VERY expensive in a portable phone. In fact, the only truly portable headphones are the etymotics and at $300 or so, they're no bargain. There are the Sony V6 and Senns 280, but they're too big to be truly portable. You'll look like a dork wearing one of those on the street.

So, with that in mind, you're most likely are going to wind up with open phones. If that's the way you're going to go, I strongly recommend that you audition Grado SR-40 phones.

 

[bangraman]

The EX70's are comparatively bad but then they're comparatively cheap. They sound a bit muffled and bass-heavy, but it's bass which doesn't really have an attack. If you've not used anything but the iPod earphones previously, I don't think they will sound THAT bad. And they do seal quite well. I used to use them on aircraft.
Two options if you don't find the EX70 suitable:
Sennheiser PX200, $50 I think from Headroom. It's pretty cool, portable, isolates a bit, foldable and although I find the characteristics of the sound similar, it's more listenable than the EX70, sounding less muffled (but still with slightly too much bass I thin).
Sony Eggo MDR-D22SL, $45 or something from audiocubes.com. It doesn't isolate as much as the above but is not open. It has a clean, sharpish (but not grating) slightly bass-shy sound which is very different from the above. Put on some bass EQ and you'll have a surprisingly good set of cheap portable headphones. It folds into a compact shape and is available in 3 colours. Grado SR40, Rest In Pieces

 

[Apoptygma]

Koss Porta Pro as an alternative to ksc-35. Low isolation, but I wouldn't say they don't leak too much. Overall very good sound for what you pay, although a bit bass heavy (which may not be a bad thing for portable use).
They're light and comfortable btw, yet sit firm enough for jogging.

I think it's wise to be concerned about isolation with portables. Personally, I wouldn't want more of it than this for street use.