[crzycuyler]

I honestly expect no responses. I am in love with this musical group and listen to them everyday. This hasn't changed in years. Let me know if you know what portable headphones or eim with give me the most natural experience. I am an analytical listener who enjoys a balanced, neutral, detailed sound. Antifogmatic is my favorite album thus far. The band recorded together around one microphone thus creating a very natural recording.
 
Thanks

 

[Swimsonny]

Don't know the band but for analytical sounds look at fischer audio DBA-02 and Etymotic HF and ER4 series.

 

[crzycuyler]

I'm currently investigating the Sennheiser HD25-1 II. I am looking to purchase only what I can get from Best Buy because I am an employee and am granted awesome discounts, cheap replacement plans, and 18 months no interest financing. We carry the Etymotic hf3. Is that any good?

 

[Swimsonny]

I have the Etymotic HF5 (same with out the mic) and they are some great neutral sounding earphones with awesome balance. They dont peak in any frequency and they are super detailed and accurate. A little research on here and you will see a lot of good things on them. If you work in the store can you audition them? If so i recommend doing so. They don't need burn in as they do not have a dynamic driver but a balanced armature driver so they will sound as good as they get out the box. See if their signature suits you.

 

[crzycuyler]

 
Let me lay things out a bit clearer...
 
Environment: I will be using the headphones at work, the university library, on walk to campus, and at home. 
 
Use: I will be using the headphones for music, computer games, and an occasional movie. The ratio for music to games usage is nearly 50/50, but my main concern is with music. I care more about my audio experience with music than with computer games, but do not want to suffer terribly in my gaming experience.
 
Purpose: To provide the most detailed audio without sacrificing a natural/accurate sound. I am very OCD when it comes to certain areas. I appreciate a balanced sound. I want to hear the most accurate reproduction of the recording. I am a very analytical and intellectual listener. I listen to tracks multiple times through to follow different instruments, rhythms, harmonies, and pick up on unique features. I sing, play guitar, play mandolin, and write music, and I like to hear the details behind what is occurring so that that I can grasp what the artist is doing. If theses descriptions make for a boring headphone, I could look for something a bit more fun, but I cannot stray far from these characteristics. 
 
Music: I listen to Punch Brothers, Iron and Wine,The Civil Wars, Glenn Hansard, The Frames, Nickel Creek, and anything Chris Thile, firstly. Secondly, I will on occasion listen to many genres consisting of The Raconteurs, Incubus, Matchbox Twenty, Jason Mraz, Jamie Cullum, John Mayer, Radiohead, and The White Stripes. 
 
Gaming: Games I play consist of Elders' Scrolls: Oblivion, Skyrim, Fallout 3, Starcraft II, Diablo, Guild Wars, Bioshock. I mostly don't play first person shooters. I love RPGs, and it just so happens that almost all the games I have mentioned have very unique and intricate soundtracks.
 
Summary: I may not know the best thing for me, but what I have concluded thus far is that I need a portable, isolating headphone for my use. Feel free to argue with me. I also believe I need a well balanced, versatile, accurate headphone. This would mean it does not lack significantly in anything. For game use, is bass important? 
 
Models considered thus far:
-Sennheiser HD 25-1 II - The talk of balanced sound, build quality, and isolating ability has excited me. I have not and will not be able to test them. I hear the bass is nice; this helps video games and some genres of music. I hear they are accurate; this fill my OCD craving. I hear they are detailed; this is the most important factor as I am VERY interested in hearing the minute details.
-B&W P5 - I know very little about these. I like the look. I've read they aren't very detailed, but that they have nice mids? This did not have substantial support. 
-Shure SE535 - I know very little about these, as well.
-Audio Technica ATH-ESW9A - I'm hoping that if the HD 25-1 II are not for me, that these will be. The pricing I display in a moment will explain this.. They are pretty attractive. I've read a few nice reviews, but they were few and very subjective. Advice here would be nice.
-Klipsch Image X10i - Someone recommended them before... that is all I know.
-Etymotic ER23-HF3-C - These were recommended and through research I read that they are very accurate IEM. I am not sure if this is a "very accurate for the price" statement, or if it is overall.
-AKG Q701 - Clearly not a portable or isolating headphone, but it is of interest. If it can support much better audio than the portables, then maybe sacrificing my portability and isolations may be worth it. I'll take a fantastic experience on regular occasion, rather than a pretty good one all the time. I've read the AKQ Q701 are pretty raved about for value, detail, balance, and bass. Any thoughts?
-Sennheiser HD650 or HD598 -  I know little of the differences, but my thoughts in this direction are near exact as the AKG Q701 thoughts. 
 
Final Vital tid bit: I work at Best Buy. I get employee discounts. They can be substantial. I also get the discount on replacement plans, and I can get 18 months no interest financing. Therefor, I am wanting to choose from the selection at Best Buy. 
 

 

[Shoulon]

 
Quote:

Etymotic ER23-HF3-C             179.99                    60.01
 
Thanks!!!
 

 
good grief look at that discount lol. and the IE60 are 250? wow.... what a rip off.
 
I can Bet youll just end up getting those. Etymotic ER23-HF3-C

 

[eke2k6]

 
Quote:

 

 
Give me a sec to pick my jaw off the floor after looking at those discounts.
 
Ok, on to the suggestions. You listen to a lot of acoustic instrument-oriented music, meaning you need something that is balanced, and has very good vocal and instrumental timbre. This narrows it down mostly to dynamic drivers IMO. Secondly, you need something with good bass presence without a midbass hump overshadowing the sound. You also need something with a large soundstage while playing games, yet is not too distant when listening to music. 
 
With that criteria in mind, I suggest the Sony EX600. It checks all of the boxes above, while costing between $125 and $200. I think Best Buy sells them too, so you can get it for a further reduced price. Failing that, there is also the Vsonic GR07 that is quite similar to the EX600 in sound, but has a far better form factor and fit. It is available from the reputable seller, lendmeurears for $160. Link here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vsonic-GR07-R07-/320761139769?pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item4aaeda9239
 
Good luck with your search.

 

[crzycuyler]

 
Quote:

 
 
good grief look at that discount lol. and the IE60 are 250? wow.... what a rip off.
 
I can Bet youll just end up getting those. Etymotic ER23-HF3-C

 
I'm considering it. The price is nice and I've heard they are pretty accurate. I'll have room in this case to grab a specific headphone setup for home. Aside from the etymotic, what would you pick for my needs? Can you give me a portable answer and a home use answer? I know... I demand a lot.
 
 
Quote:

 
 
Give me a sec to pick my jaw off the floor after looking at those discounts.
 
Ok, on to the suggestions. You listen to a lot of acoustic instrument-oriented music, meaning you need something that is balanced, and has very good vocal and instrumental timbre. This narrows it down mostly to dynamic drivers IMO. Secondly, you need something with good bass presence without a midbass hump overshadowing the sound. You also need something with a large soundstage while playing games, yet is not too distant when listening to music. 
 
With that criteria in mind, I suggest the Sony EX600. It checks all of the boxes above, while costing between $125 and $200. I think Best Buy sells them too, so you can get it for a further reduced price. Failing that, there is also the Vsonic GR07 that is quite similar to the EX600 in sound, but has a far better form factor and fit. It is available from the reputable seller, lendmeurears for $160. Link here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vsonic-GR07-R07-/320761139769?pt=Other_MP3_Player_Accessories&hash=item4aaeda9239
 
Good luck with your search.

 
Thanks for the reply. I know... the discounts are killer, but we don't sell the EX600. I've heard fantastic things about the GR07, and if I choose to purchase outside of Best Buy (which I really do not want to do) I would likely grab the GR07. Do you have any recommendations from my list? Even if they don't fully fit my needs (as may not be easily done)?
 
Thanks, guys!
 

 

[eke2k6]

The next best thing on your list would be the IE80, from what I've seen. Though, after discount they're still double the cost of the others I've mentioned.
 
Provantage has the ex600 for $120: http://www.provantage.com/sony-mdrex600~7SNYE0WX.htm
 
If it helps your decision, I listen to a good bit of John Mayer, and more recently I listened to Yo-Yo Ma's Goat Rodeo Sessions (cello, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, and some vocals) on both iems. Both are fan-flipping-tastic! The GR07 pulled ahead, but only VERY slightly. I think the difference in price (provantage price) is somewhat representative of the difference in quality.

 

[crzycuyler]

 
Quote:

The next best thing on your list would be the IE80, from what I've seen. Though, after discount they're still double the cost of the others I've mentioned.
 
Provantage has the ex600 for $120: http://www.provantage.com/sony-mdrex600~7SNYE0WX.htm
 
If it helps your decision, I listen to a good bit of John Mayer, and more recently I listened to Yo-Yo Ma's Goat Rodeo Sessions (cello, mandolin, fiddle, guitar, and some vocals) on both iems. Both are fan-flipping-tastic! The GR07 pulled ahead, but only VERY slightly. I think the difference in price (provantage price) is somewhat representative of the difference in quality.

 
Mentioning Goat Rodeo Sessions sure gets my attention, but I come from the Chris Thile point of view. Nonetheless, I will certainly be listening to these recordings. I hate to ask it this way, but what of these would you recommend, aside from the IEM, for listening to the Goat Rodeo Sessions? I have been avoiding EIM ever so slightly, but I have not disregarded them. I am becoming very interested in AKG Q701. 
 
Also, I was quite seriously planning on ordering the HD 25-1 II this morning at work but resisted. It was probably for the best, but I still have this strange longing for them... haha

 

[eke2k6]

 
Quote:

 
 
Mentioning Goat Rodeo Sessions sure gets my attention, but I come from the Chris Thile point of view. Nonetheless, I will certainly be listening to these recordings. I hate to ask it this way, but what of these would you recommend, aside from the IEM, for listening to the Goat Rodeo Sessions? I have been avoiding EIM ever so slightly, but I have not disregarded them. I am becoming very interested in AKG Q701. 
 
Also, I was quite seriously planning on ordering the HD 25-1 II this morning at work but resisted. It was probably for the best, but I still have this strange longing for them... haha

 
I mention iems because of the simple fact that they're exponentially more portable than most headphones. They stay in your ears, you can whip your head around without them falling out/down, and take up less space. The only true advantage I could see a headphone having is a more "out of head" soundstage.
 
My experience with headphones is somewhat limited. I've never heard the Q701. The only one I've listened to on that list is the P5, which I think sounds amazing, but it wouldn't quite suit those genres.

 

[crzycuyler]

 
Quote:

 
 
I mention iems because of the simple fact that they're exponentially more portable than most headphones. They stay in your ears, you can whip your head around without them falling out/down, and take up less space. The only true advantage I could see a headphone having is a more "out of head" soundstage.
 
My experience with headphones is somewhat limited. I've never heard the Q701. The only one I've listened to on that list is the P5, which I think sounds amazing, but it wouldn't quite suit those genres.

 
I appreciate your advice. I'm planning on listening for extended periods of time. I do not think I want EIM in my ear for too long.

 

[eke2k6]

 
Quote:

 
 
I appreciate your advice. I'm planning on listening for extended periods of time. I do not think I want EIM in my ear for too long.

 
I've worn my GR07 for 8hrs straight.If you feel like a headphone is what you need, then go for it.

 

[crzycuyler]

 
Quote:

 
 
I've worn my GR07 for 8hrs straight.If you feel like a headphone is what you need, then go for it.

 
How do they perform with gaming?

 

[eke2k6]

 
Quote:

 
 
How do they perform with gaming?

 
Pretty well. Like I said, their soundstage is large enough, with good overall width, height, and depth for gaming, yet staying intimate enough for music.