[tengblad]

Hi ya'll.

I'm sure this question has been asked a lot of times before, but after searching around on the forum a bit I couldn't find a conclusive answer.
You see, I ordered an iPod a few days ago, and now I'm trying to decide on a decent pair of headphones to buy to go with it. I'm looking for something that's light, doesn't look too intrusive and won't need an amp to sound good. It would also be good if it didn't spill too much sound, since I'd mainly be using it on the way to and from school (ie on the bus, and fairly crowded streets).

Euh, the music I'll be listening too is mainly pop and classic-esque stuff. I don't have too much money to spend on them, no more than $50-100 (preferably closer to $50 than $100

).

I am using a pair of Sennheiser 497 for when I'm listening to music on the computer, and I think they sound pretty good (sometimes I'd like the bass to be a little stronger, though). However, they look a bit too ugly for me to consider using them in public places.

In my research I've come up with a few alternatives. The one I've been considering as my first choice, is the Koss PortaPro. But after a bit of reading up on them, I've come to understand that they spill a lot of sound, and don't isolate too well (I really like to look of them, however). The Sennheiser PX 200 is another option, but I haven't been able to find too much information about them. The third pair I've been looking at are the Grado SR 60, but I'm not sure how well they'd work with an iPod, and also, they're a bit too expensive here in Sweden ($135) to be a realistic option.
So if you guys could give me a few suggestions on good headphones fitting my taste and price range, I'd really appreciate it!

Thanks in advance, and sorry if this question has been asked too many times before.

 

[blessingx]

Welcome to Head-Fi.

The Sony V6's are an option. After trying the 497's, PX200's, Eggos, KSC35's, etc. I settled on them. They're somewhat big though and hard to find.

If you're worried about leakage/isolation you can forget about the Grados. I like them better than any of the above, but they're going to release nearly as much sound out as in.

I think you're the first person I've heard praise the PortaPros for looks.

 

[tengblad]

Thanks for the answer! I had a look at the V600, and while it looks like a good phone, I'm concerned that it might be a bit bigger and bulkier than what I had in mind (this is just my impression by looking at photos of it). They were also a bit out of my price range.. I did a quick search on the web, and I could find one swedish retailer carrying them - for $200!! I'd imagine that's a bit over suggested retail price, though

Quote:

Originally posted by blessingx I think you're the first person I've heard praise the PortaPros for looks.

Well, once again, I've only seen them on photos. But what I saw, I thought looked pretty funky - but then again, I have a pretty weird taste in everything

 

[KellDammit]

i think v6 was what they used to call what is now known as the mdr-7506. they're a bit smaller than the v600's, and if you buy them new, they can be a little cheaper.

most decent musical instrument stores carry them.
i think blessingx was suggesting looking around for a used pair of v6's...they'd be cheaper still, and are pretty well regarded here.

you might also want to check out the shure e2...it'd cost about the same as a new 7506. there's no leakage (in or out), and the bass response is pretty good...

kell

 

[blessingx]

Yeah the V6's are definitely different than the V600's. Stay away from the V600's. The 7506's are basically the V6's with a gold tip (though there is still some debate if they have the EXACT same signiture), but are usually much more expensive. The V6's new are still available in a few locations like MillionBuy and Fry's Electronics. They fold up, but are still reasonably big cans. Depends on your idea of portables.

And like KellDammit said, the Shures should also be looked into.

 

[MacDEF]

Quote:

Originally posted by KellDammit i think v6 was what they used to call what is now known as the mdr-7506.

The V6 and 7506 are different models (one is the "consumer" model for $70 and the other the "pro" model for $120), but they are identical headphones.


To answer the original question, if you're looking for a bit of isolation, I highly recommend the PX 200 with the iPod. If isolation isn't a big deal, the best headphones I've ever heard with the iPod in terms of comfort, size, drivability, and sound are the Koss KSC-35, which are temporarily still available from Koss.com for $30.

 

[ls20]

for my Nomad ZEN NX, I've decided on the MX400 earbuds. They beat the KSC-35 in that the cord is the perfect length. On the 35, the cord is about a foot too long and the cord-split awkwardly falls to my stomach. I am not comfortable with them totally leaking out.

Although the PX-series, PortaPro, and KSC-35 are all portable, they cant conceal as well as a tiny pair of earbuds.

As far as the sound goes, they are all equally terrific to me.

If you're looking for strong bass, go for the PortaPro or PX. They are both well-priced.

But the MX400 is only 9$USD, so just get the above for "fuller" sound and the MX for ultra portability

 

[tengblad]

Eep, sorry, I messed up! Thought you meant the 600s. Not quite sure why I did that..

I wasn't able to find any swedish retailers for the V6s, and finding american retailers that ship internationally, without charging loads of money for the shipping, is proving quite hard. Millionbuy would ship internationally, but would, however, not accept VISA cards that had been issued outside the United States. As far as I can tell, the only kind of payment they'd accept from international customers is traveler checks and.. well.. that just seems like too much hassle. I would also be a bit worreid about the 'phones being damaged during the shipping, and not to talk about the risk of the package getting stuck in customs.
Will try and keep an eye out for it in specialized audio stores, however.

Quote:

To answer the original question, if you're looking for a bit of isolation, I highly recommend the PX 200 with the iPod. If isolation isn't a big deal, the best headphones I've ever heard with the iPod in terms of comfort, size, drivability, and sound are the Koss KSC-35, which are temporarily still available from Koss.com for $30.

Well, isolation would be pretty nice, since I'd mainly be using them in fairly public places. What makes the KSC-35 superior to the PortaPros?

ls20:
Hey, that's a pretty good suggestion actually! I'm sure there are times when I'll be prefering to use earbuds. Of course, I was planning to use the ones that come bundled with the iPod for those occasions, since I've heard that they are rather decent.

 

[ls20]

from memory, the PP has a warmer and stronger bass. It's really, really good on rap/hip-hop tracks. It seemed to me (and some others) that the PP had the potential to go LOUDER. Even though it folds up, the KSC-35 really has it beat on portability, though--i mean its the exact same thing w/o the headband.

Obviously neither has good isolation

 

[tengblad]

After doing a more extensive search on the web, I managed to find the Sony MDR-V6's at Outpost.com, and surprisingly enough they will ship internationally!

So now I'm tempted to order them, but there is still the problem of their size. Since there is very little chance of me being able to find them here in Sweden, I wonder if anyone can tell me how they compare to the Koss PortaPro, and Senn PX200 when it comes to the size. Also, how are the V6s in leakage/isolation?

Edit: After looking a bit closer at the product page for the MDR-V6 at Outpost.com, I noticed that it's labeled as "Not available for export.". *sighs* I can understand why products including encryption technology etc would not be available for export, but a pair of headphones? Inconceivable..

The search goes ever on and on..

 

[KellDammit]

actually, i'd meant to tell you earlier...but i don't use the 7506's with my ipod, as i find the pairing a little bright for my tastes, and i have to use eq (which i prefer not to) to get the sort of bottom end i prefer...
they do match up well with the sony pcdp's tho.


kell

 

[SunByrne]

If you want isolation in a portable headphone, your options are few. The V6s are on the big end for portables--certainly bigger than the PX200 or the PortaPros--but they're still manageable. They isolate quite well.

If you can't get the V6s (or 7506s), then I'd recommend the PX200 if you really care about isolation.

Or, if you want to go really cheap and go the earbud route, go with the MX400 or MX500. They're great for earbuds, but of course they're still earbuds. They're mostly what I use for walkin' around with my iPod...

 

[tengblad]

Thanks for the replies! After reading peoples opinions, I've been considering using an Sennheiser PX200 (Or PortaPro, I'm still undecided)/MX500 combo as ls20 suggested above.

(I'm so fickle - I always have lots of problem deciding on.. well.. just about everything)

So I'm a litte curious to what the difference is between the MX400 and MX500s. Is the only thing differing them the volume control? I also noticed that Sennheiser had an MX 400 RC, which is designed to work better with portable players remote controls. Would this be the best alternative, if I'm planning to use the iPod's remote control?

Sorry for all the newbie questions, but we're all beginners at first

 

[SunByrne]

Yes, the only difference between the MX400 and the MX500 is the volume control--thus, if you're using the iPod remote, you don't really need the MX500.

I believe (but I'm not sure) that the MX400 RC is just the MX400 with a shorter cord.

 

[kwk]

I've got the PX200's and like them a lot. Lightweight, good sound, decent isolation. Plus they fold up nicely for portability.

You'll have to experiment with the position of them on your head to achieve the best bass and isolation.

Kevin