Reccommendations for around-ear headphones???

[Vagabond]

Like Triports, but not

...I tried the Triports at an Apple Store (this was pre-Head-Fi, BTW). I didn't care for the sound, but the around-ear design was incredibly amazing. I loved how they completely surrounded my ear, to the point where the pleather padding was actually touching my head. I'm looking for a pair of cans that will give me the same form factor for less cashola, and a better sound if possible (I'm no 'phile). My AKG K81DJ's are treating me nicely, but I can't help but be envious of the Triports' design (not its durability, mind you). The only thing I've seen come close to this on the internet is the JBL Reference 420 and Reference 610 (Link). If these are around ear, and they look to be based on pictures, I would buy them if I could find them for under $100, and I'm sure I could. I've done very well with JBL speakers in the past. Is there anywhere else I should be looking? I mostly listen to rock, anything from Alternative (Switchfoot) to Classic (Led Zeppelin) to Ska (Catch 22) to Indie (Arctic Monkeys)...but, like I said, sound doesn't matter as much to me as form factor/portability and durability. I will be wearing these to and from school and on loud track meet bus trips, and they will be abused to the fullest.

EDIT: I've also just discovered the Denon AH-D1000, just to give you another idea of what I'm looking for. Any Head-Fi member reviews on either these or the JBL's?

 

[azncookiecutter]

Senn HD280, Sony V6/7506, they're both circumaural and cheap. And V6s are especially comfy with Beyer DT250 velour pads. And they're built like a tank.

 

[3X0]

Isn't the HD280 supraaural?

 

[azncookiecutter]

Pretty sure they're circumaural, unless I'm mistaken. Someone can correct me on this.

 

[Duggeh]

The HD280 goes all the way around my massive ears.

 

[Vagabond]

Well, I'm not sure how well all those moving part will fare against my abuse. Do the HD212's go all the way around your ears? They look harder to break, since they aren't foldable, it seems like there would be less chance of breaking a hinge or something. Maybe some HD497's would suit my fancy?

 

[sgrossklass]

HD497s and HD212Pros might be circumaural for some people, but generally they're not. My ears are on the larger size and sticking out a bit, and I didn't care much for the HD497's fit. HQ-1300s proved to be rather worse (ear squishers and quite heavy), but DT231s with worn-in pads are quite comfy - in spite of the medium earcup size, my ears just fit in there. HD280s seem to be quite rugged, with the dreaded headband cracking problem reportedly having been fixed in the meantime (it wasn't even the hinges).

Oh, and could you give a quick rundown of your usage profile? How much isolation do you need? HD280s are known to isolate well (also a result of moderately high clamping force), V6s not so much, and I wouldn't suggest using DT231s in overly noisy places (they basically isolate about as well as HD497s). As a cheaper but also non-foldable and thus less compact (and more prone to damage) alternative to HD280s, the HD215 might be worth considering, this is the closed version of the HD465/485 line. The Denon looks to be another interesting candidate, but it doesn't give the impression of being the most rugged headphone ever.

Does anyone else think that these JBLs look hideous?

 

[lordkelmain]

If you're looking for decently-priced circumaural (around ear) headphones, the Sennheiser HD280 Pro ($80 off Amazon marketplace from the higher-ranked sellers) is the way to go.

I have the HD497's, and I can tell you the HD280 beats the living crap out of them.

Try before you buy, though. They're a bit tight-fitting (since they're closed and attenuate noise). They're far more comfortable than the HD497's could ever be, though.

- lk

PS - The HD497's aren't meant to be circumaural. They're supra-aural (they go atop your ears). And they're uncomfortable as heck after 15 minutes.

 

[qazwsx]

The HD212 Pro's, a good majority of the discontinued HD4xx series, and all of the eH series have pads that are somewhere in-between circumaural and supraaural.

 

[ecclesand]

Quote:

Originally Posted by azncookiecutter /img/forum/go_quote.gif And V6s are especially comfy with Beyer DT250 velour pads. And they're built like a tank.

X2...

 

[rockbottom]

Surely no headphones can outperform the BOSE TRIPORT! I base this on 3 solid facts:

1. They cost a lot, surely noone will buy them unless if they sound absolutely fantastic!
2. They're everywhere, on TV, on the streets. If they're so popular, they must be good.
3. They are made by BOSE a company well-known for making absolutely the best audio products ever.

Grados, Senns, ATH, STAX and AKGs are nothing but a poor man's BOSE. But if you're like me and your ears are not worthy of appreciating BOSE's "high quality" sound, I guess you'll just have to settle for some HD580/HD600/HD650s.

 

[uraflit]

Sony MDR-V6 (maybe with velour pads?)

 

[nibiyabi]

ATH-A500?

 

[qazwsx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockbottom /img/forum/go_quote.gif Surely no headphones can outperform the BOSE TRIPORT! I base this on 3 solid facts: 1. They cost a lot, surely noone will buy them unless if they sound absolutely fantastic! 2. They're everywhere, on TV, on the streets. If they're so popular, they must be good. 3. They are made by BOSE a company well-known for making absolutely the best audio products ever. Grados, Senns, ATH, STAX and AKGs are nothing but a poor man's BOSE. But if you're like me and your ears are not worthy of appreciating BOSE's "high quality" sound, I guess you'll just have to settle for some HD580/HD600/HD650s.

To their credit, the Bose QC's isolate very, very well. They just need speakers that would actually output quality sound. The mids and highs are completely muffled. And they have many issues with build quality.

 

[Vagabond]

I've also been looking at Audio-Technica's line, specifically the ATH-M30/ATH-M40. The M50 is newer and a bit out of my price range. I'll also check for deals on the V6. Anyone having issues with using a coiled cord portably? As in, on a bus or train.