Senn PX100 vs Senn PMX60 vs Koss KSC55 vs Koss Porta Pro

[munkee]

I have spent a good 6 hours trying to read up all I can about different headphones. I'm not willing to pay more than $100. Initially, I wanted phones that don't leak much sound, because I want to listen while travelling on a train everyday. But from what I understand, what I'm apparantly after is "closed" headphones. i.e. the uber-massive crazy expensive type. I dont like them very much right now (although I'm sure that I will get them at a later stage).

What I WANT is relatively light "STREETWEAR". I am aware that almost all of these are "open" and therefore leak sound. More importantly than anything is that I want good sound, especially good-deep-driving-BASS. The music I mainly listen to is Trance/Electronic/Hip-Hop/Breakbeats. So after looking around, I found these which are all in my price range and accessible to me in Australia:

Sennheiser PX 100 (open) (over-head)
Sennheiser PMX 60 (open) (behind neck)
Koss KSC 55 (open) (behind neck)
Koss Porta Pro (open) (over-head)

Ok, I want to ask a simple and possibly naive question: Which has the BEST SOUND quality? - or perhaps a more relevant question is: which one of these is closest to audiophile quality? Also, which one of these LEAK the LEAST SOUND? (I know that they are all "open").

I've read some very good reviews about all of these in terms of sound quality. I am aware that in terms of comfort, the KSC 55 is most probably the least comfortable, and the rest are roughly the same in comfort. Also, I want to mention that the MPX 60 is fairly new, and I like its appearance the most. However, this is a completely aesthetic issue, so I dont really need u guys to weigh the looks of the 'phones. All I would like to know is about the sound quality (esp bass, and if it's suited to my music) and how much sound leakage there is.

Thank you in advance

ps. i've also considered getting the AKG K 26 P (closed) (over-head) but I can't find any site that sells them in Australia. In case u know anything about these and how I can get them from Australia, I'm curious to know how it compares to the open ones i've listed above.

pps. If you know of better 'phones that would suit my needs better, please tell me!

peace out.

 

[ACAVant]

I've got a pair of Senn PX100s that I swear by. Not the best headphones around, but damn good for the money. Maybe bring in your MP3 player to one of the specialists...

 

[zaack]

I though the new model is the PMX90?

Anyways, i swear by my KSC55, not comfy, but hey.. It sounds much more better than any of my low-fi streetstyles around..

Portability: PX100 and the PMX60 if it folds
Amp/Mods(75 ohm adapter and such)-Worthy: KSC55 and Porta-pro
Sound: It'll depend on your taste
Comfortability: PX100, PortaPro2

 

[uconn_husky_1]

I have been using my Senn PX100, commuting to work on subway for over a year now - excellent. Very light weight, collapsable, and sound great. For the price, these are tops.

 

[Tyll Hertsens]

Sealed headphones are not neccessarily expensive. Check out the Sennheiser HD201 and EH250, and the Beyerdynamic DT231. All three less than $100 and sound as good or better than the ones you mention. Of those you mention, the Porta Pro is the best sounding in my opinion. They are all pretty good though. The Sennheiser PMX60 is a little peaky in the midrange, I'd put it at the bottom of the list, though it's by far the more comfortable of the two street style cans you mention.

I'll add the there are some other open cans to consider under $100. Check out the Grado SR60 and the Senn EH350. Both very good sounding. I think you'll be better of with a sealed headphone, though, with the train commute.

 

[Silfer]

Don't get the PMX60s. They don't have the bass you're after. At all!
Out of the list the PX100 leaks the least. (I'm not even taking the PMX60s into consideration.)

I second Tyll in considering closed Headphones for commuting. You don't just need to worry about leaking but also about your hearing and open phones let in sound so much that you need to turn up the volume.

BTW, $100US or $100AUS ?

 

[iamthepapa]

"More importantly than anything is that I want good sound, especially good-deep-driving-BASS"

In answer to your question, from my experience, you want to get the portapros. They have the deepest Bass. Once you listen to those you will think the PX100's lack bass. I have the portapros and the PX100's and find portapros to be exceptional . For me the portapros are best at recreating the experience I get from listening to speakers and a subwoofer.