[hiyobeats]

 
CAUTION: Noob-audiophile. Proceed with caution...
 
I’m looking for a closed, noise-cancelling headphone that does not leak sound out (I like to play my music in the library).
 
Portability is a plus: IE: collapsible, foldable. (I don’t enjoy having thick cables dangle in front of me all the time)
 
Types of music I play: House/Techno, Classical, HipHop.
 
Budget is around ~$230. Cheaper the better.

Vanity: Looks decent? I don't really like the look of Grados, and I hear Sennheisers tend to crack alot. (I might be wrong, so just ignore my ignorance)
 
Suggestions?
 
Background: I had some Dr. Dre Beats Studios, (I’m not an audiophile), and I was extremely pleased. The sounds (sounded) good, looks were decent, and it had a portability feature. Comfort wise, it was GREAT: I could wear these things for hours. Only things that irked me was the noise-cancelling feature wasn’t strong, music leaked out A LOT,  and you had to have a battery in order to play music! I know theres something out there that fits my wants AND is more cost-effective. Help! 
 
Background 2: I also have a pair of Audio Technica's (I forget the name of the model, but they're really thin, have a noise-canceling, and can fold up). I love these for the fact that they have a really powerful noise-canceling feature, however, these don't cover the ears as a whole and they have an annoying battery compartment in the middle of the cords. 

 

[Digital-Pride]

How about noise isolating?  Like Audio-Technica's ATH-M50 for example.

 

[WhiteCrow]

Ultrasone HFI-580

 

[WobblyGoblin]

I have a pair of Aiaiai TMA-1s I use at work (open office environment). They're not circumaural but they do block out a LOT of noise and sound good too. I listen to music at a good volume and even when I bump the volume up no one can hear a sound.

I tried a few other headphones when looking at these and the TMA-1s had the best sound for closed phones amongst that selection for the price IMO. I even compared them to noise cancelling phones that were $100 more expensive and those were fairly useless for blocking out voices. I would love to compare them to some circumaural heaphones though...

They're also comfortable enough to listen for hours at a time after the pleather pads soften up.

good luck.

 

[Canadian411]

I have Dr Dre Studio and Pro version and noise canceling is acceptable.
 
I ended up buying Sennheiser PXC450, compare to Dr Dre headphones, PXC450 is way superior in terms of sound quality.
 
I was very disappointed in the bass department on PXC450 however, after few hundred hours of burn, the bass started to be stronger every time.
 
Not sure how you can wear Monster headphones for hours ?, I can only wear it for max 10 minutes before it starts to irritates me. As oppose to Senns I often forget I have it on.
 
Sennheiser PXC450 is very comfortable headphone and does not required battery to play in "noise-canceling" mode.
 
To activate noise canceling, PXC450 needs 1 AAA battery, and it last me about 3 to 4 weeks if I use it every day.
 
It also comes with the carrying case, and 2 AAA batteries.
 
I have a big head, I am about 6'2 and only need to extend half the headband.
 
Hope this helps.

 

[Kukuk]

If using batteries is something you're trying to avoid, noise isolating is what you want, as all active noise canceling headphones use batteries.
 
I think the Sony MDR-V6's offer excellent noise isolation for the price. Well below your limit, but don't think they won't perform admirably!

 

[Katysax]

The ATH M50 with the coiled cord covers the whole ear.  Has good isolation but no battery active noise cancelling.  Sound quality is excellent and bass is plentiful.  Works well without an amp.  Costs $120. 

 

[hiyobeats]

Thanks for the awesome replies guys!
 
So far, two people recommended the ATH-M50's... And after looking at Amazon's reviews, I guess they do checkout. Only thing that irks me is the lack of noise-cancellation. Is there a reason why alot of audiophiles don't like it? (At least it seems that way...)
 
The other recommendation, the Ultrasone HFI-580 S-Logic's seem great too, especially in the looks department. (they did get lesser reviews than the ATH's though) But DAMN do they look good....
 
The Sennheiser PXC450 are out of my budget and as for the Aiaiai wow... I have no doubt the sound quality is superb, it just looks... plain. 
 
Keep the suggestions coming! So far, I'm leaning more towards the ATH-50 or the Ultrasone HFI-580.

 

[astroid]

Denon D1100

 

[Digital-Pride]

Quote:

Thanks for the awesome replies guys!
 
So far, two people recommended the ATH-M50's... And after looking at Amazon's reviews, I guess they do checkout. Only thing that irks me is the lack of noise-cancellation. Is there a reason why alot of audiophiles don't like it? (At least it seems that way...)
 
The other recommendation, the Ultrasone HFI-580 S-Logic's seem great too, especially in the looks department. (they did get lesser reviews than the ATH's though) But DAMN do they look good....
 
The Sennheiser PXC450 are out of my budget and as for the Aiaiai wow... I have no doubt the sound quality is superb, it just looks... plain. 
 
Keep the suggestions coming! So far, I'm leaning more towards the ATH-50 or the Ultrasone HFI-580.

With active noise-cancellations as part of the overall cancellation process you lose a bit of the overall sound frequency, so you're not quite getting the full range of sound as a non-active cancelling headphone would.  While there are excellent sounding anc headphones available(the Sennheiser model comes to mind) they are quite expensive and are still eclipsed by the non anc headphones in its price class.
 
If you like the visual style of the HFi-580(they are indeed beautiful) then go for them as they are every bit as good if not better than the M50.

 

[classakg]

Quote:

Ultrasone HFI-580.

 

Get this one.
They block out most of the outside noises. 

 

[hiyobeats]

Anyone have any experience with comfort for both the headphones? I'm set on purchasing either the ATH-M50 or the HFI-580's. I hear that the M50's are a little more comfortable because of the wider pad area and the grip is less ferocious compared to the 580's. Anyone like to chime in?

 

[MrBapti]

I think either way, if you buy the m50s or the h-fi 580 you'll be satisfied. D
And I think some audiophiles dont like ANC because of the hiss you sometimes hear from the ANC, and ANC headphones generally speaking have a lower price-quality ratio. D

 

[WhiteCrow]

 
Quote:

Thanks for the awesome replies guys!
 
So far, two people recommended the ATH-M50's... And after looking at Amazon's reviews, I guess they do checkout. Only thing that irks me is the lack of noise-cancellation. Is there a reason why alot of audiophiles don't like it? (At least it seems that way...)
 
The other recommendation, the Ultrasone HFI-580 S-Logic's seem great too, especially in the looks department. (they did get lesser reviews than the ATH's though) But DAMN do they look good....
 
The Sennheiser PXC450 are out of my budget and as for the Aiaiai wow... I have no doubt the sound quality is superb, it just looks... plain. 
 
Keep the suggestions coming! So far, I'm leaning more towards the ATH-50 or the Ultrasone HFI-580.

IMO the hfi-580 were better than the m50's, they had more of....pretty much everything, Bass, Mids, Highs, Sound stage. They are both built like a tank but the HFI-580 were a bit more comfortable IMO. They can both be run out of an Ipod and sound damn nice to.

 

[astroid]

D1100 , portable, bigger soundstage than the m50 or 580 , better treble extension and very hard hitting bass, ignore this option at your peril.