Newbie with some Questions

[I Miss My Car]

Ok, so I'm a newbie shopping for some new headphones. I've been lurking around the board for a little while trying to pick up as much info as I could, trying to avoid starting a thread like this. But I still got some questions. First off, i listen to mostly rap/hip-hop and rock and my budget is around $50, but I would like to spend as little as possible while still being happy.

I'll be using these headphones while commuting, so sealed headphones and canalphones would be best, but are they my only option? I'm using stock clip on earphones that came with my cd player and have to turn up the volume a fair amount. Would it be the same with standard earbuds?

Theres a lot of discussion of the Sharp MD33's, Panasonic RP-HJE50, and Sony Ex51/71/81's. But has anyone tried the Aiwa HP-VX101, Pioneer SE-CL20, or other lower end canalphones listed on Audiocubes.com?

Do canalphones create a lot of pressure against the ears drum? Also, with the lower end canalphones, how isolated would I be? I want to cut most of hte background noise while listening to my music, but it would still be nice if people could still get my attention.

And most importantly, since I am as yet uninitiated into the world of hi-fi, does it really matter what I choose? Any of the ones I mentioned above should be better than my current headphones, and I could go with the cheapest ones and still be happy right?

Thanks for taking the time to read my long post.

 

[kramer5150]

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Miss My Car Ok, so I'm a newbie shopping for some new headphones. I've been lurking around the board for a little while trying to pick up as much info as I could, trying to avoid starting a thread like this. But I still got some questions. First off, i listen to mostly rap/hip-hop and rock and my budget is around $50, but I would like to spend as little as possible while still being happy. I'll be using these headphones while commuting, so sealed headphones and canalphones would be best, but are they my only option? I'm using stock clip on earphones that came with my cd player and have to turn up the volume a fair amount. Would it be the same with standard earbuds? Theres a lot of discussion of the Sharp MD33's, Panasonic RP-HJE50, and Sony Ex51/71/81's. But has anyone tried the Aiwa HP-VX101, Pioneer SE-CL20, or other lower end canalphones listed on Audiocubes.com? Do canalphones create a lot of pressure against the ears drum? Also, with the lower end canalphones, how isolated would I be? I want to cut most of hte background noise while listening to my music, but it would still be nice if people could still get my attention. And most importantly, since I am as yet uninitiated into the world of hi-fi, does it really matter what I choose? Any of the ones I mentioned above should be better than my current headphones, and I could go with the cheapest ones and still be happy right? Thanks for taking the time to read my long post.

Never tried those other models...
sensitivity varies, but typically canalphones are more sensitive than other designs, so it really depends.

Never tried those other models. I do have EX51 and e2c.

Isolation is not that great with lower end models. My DT770 isolates better than my EX51. IMHO the lower end models isolate some but not much. And its frequency dependant.... so they isolate some frequencies more than others. My e2c is basically an earplug with a speaker attached to it. So given your criteria, the lower end models would be better.

Pressure also depends on the model and the shape of your ear. Generally the lower end models exert less pressure. Although I have soft sleeves for my e2c and the pressure is not that great.

I cant really recommend the EX51. Muddy to the max, mids are severely recessed and treble is exagerated. Horrible sounding for the $$$. Although they have come down in price lately. But still of the ones you listed the sony EX should be last on your list. Note also there are some discussions recently on the NEW EX51 and the driver updates Sony has recently made. I havent seen A/B pictures yet so at this point it hasn't been proven..... I dont think.

IMHO it does matter.... Just because youre new to hi-fi, doesnt mean you have to suffer. IMHO you should always get whats best for your $$$.

**edit**
If you can streth your budgent a little, you can get used MDRV6 for ~ $60... Surf the F/S forum...

Garrett

 

[gratefulshrink]

Ok, so I'm a newbie shopping for some new headphones. I've been lurking around the board for a little while trying to pick up as much info as I could, trying to avoid starting a thread like this. But I still got some questions. First off, i listen to mostly rap/hip-hop and rock and my budget is around $50, but I would like to spend as little as possible while still being happy.

I'll be using these headphones while commuting, so sealed headphones and canalphones would be best, but are they my only option? I'm using stock clip on earphones that came with my cd player and have to turn up the volume a fair amount. Would it be the same with standard earbuds?

************************************************** ************
I was like you, only a few months back....

I don't like ears buds/canalphones, so I can't comment there. Don't rule out open phones, even though you are commuting.

Here are my suggestions for getting the best bang for your buch at (around) the $50 price point:

Closed:

Sennheiser px 100 or 200s -- great sound, very portable:
http://www.toddthevinyljunkie.com/pr...uct.php?id=160
http://www.toddthevinyljunkie.com/pr...uct.php?id=161

Akg 24 P, 26 P (one is open and one is closed):

http://www.akgusa.com/product.aspx

Open:

Grado Sr 60.
This was my first hifi set of cans. They are open, but still, they are great for rock. They are above your price point, but it is well worth the investment, and you can plug them into a home system or any PC as well. Maybe you can find a good deal on them, or perhaps even used:

http://www.toddthevinyljunkie.com/pr...uct.php?id=129

Hope that helps......

 

[I Miss My Car]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gratefulshrink Don't rule out open phones, even though you are commuting.

So open headphones can still do a good job of cutting out the ambient noise during my commute? If thats the case, maybe i should consider the Portapros.

Oh, and those AKG's really caught my attention. The 24P is described as semi-open. Does that really mean anything? They look like they might be a really good option for me if their "semi-openess" really does help block out outside noise.

 

[VicAjax]

Quote:

Originally Posted by I Miss My Car So open headphones can still do a good job of cutting out the ambient noise during my commute? If thats the case, maybe i should consider the Portapros.

no, they won't cut out the ambient noise, and they'll leak. having said that, you'll get much better sound at your budget with open cans. the cheapest closed phones i'd recommend are the sony v6 (NOT v600 or v700). you may be able to find them used for $50ish.

Quote:

Oh, and those AKG's really caught my attention. The 24P is described as semi-open. Does that really mean anything? They look like they might be a really good option for me if their "semi-openess" really does help block out outside noise.

semi-open will attenuate a bit, but not much. i did see some good buzz about the 24P awhile back, but i haven't heard them.

i have heard the sennheiser PX200 portable closed phones... owned them for 2 weeks before i returned them. i can't recommend them; they're all midrange and when the wind blows through the headband, you hear a weird whistling noise. still, some people really like them.

if you like rap/hip hop and you need isolation, i'd probably recommend the shure e2c. bloated bass, rolled off highs, but that's quibbling... they're quite good for the price. a lot of folks also recommend the sharp md33.

 

[I Miss My Car]

Well, Headroom seems to like the AKG 26P. They even say it "is a great rock/rap/produced music sort of headphone!" These are the headphones I'm leaning towards. Should cut enough ambient noise, fold up nicely, and are not too expensive.

The e2c's seem like they'd be good too, but i'm afraid of being too isolated and missing announcements during my commute.

Headroom also seem to recommend the Sennheiser HD 201's for a cheap good sounding headphone. Anyone know anything about the 201's?

Thanks again for all your help.