[Daft_Luvr_94]

It's been a while, guys!  I'm back, looking for some new headphones for the upcoming school year.  I worry about wearing my DT 250s in public, for obvious reasons, so I thought I'd choose something a little cheaper/smaller.  I'd be running these un-amped out of an iPod, and my music collection consists mainly of electronic/rock.  My budget is around $30-40.
 
Here are a few I've considered:
 
-Koss PortaPros
-Audio-Technica ATH-P3
-Sennheiser PX 200s
 
If you have any other suggestions, please feel free!  Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Daft_Luvr_94]

bump

 

[stevenswall]

Koss PortaPro: Bass and Soundstage are it's forte!
 
Black one here:
 
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Koss+-+PortaPro+Portable+Headphones+-+Black/9492391.p?id=1218113927982&skuId=9492391&st=koss%20portapro&cp=1&lp=1

 

[Daft_Luvr_94]

I'm actually partial to the blue/silver PortaPros, which are stocked by my local Best Buy.  They also have the Sony MDR-570LP.  They're pretty snazzy, but I haven't heard good things about the sound.  Personally, I love the look of the PortaPros, I'm just worried about the durability.

 

[David58117]

Don't worry about the durability - there's a lifetime warranty on them from Koss, you just pay shipping ($6 I think).  I've only had mine maybe 2 months, but they don't seem to need to be babied.  I jog with them (they're great for that btw, they don't isolate so you can hear cars/dogs etc), I do yard work with them...they've been my toss around pair and seem to love it.  Very glad I bought them.
 
Edit - you would be surprised by how well they stay on..also they're very comfortable, so it's very easy to forget they're on.  But as mentioned, they don't isolate, so expect to hear everything going on around you behind the music.

 

[Daft_Luvr_94]

I wore them in the store, and you're right: they're really comfortable.  I plan to use them mainly at school, and it can get pretty noisy in the hallways.  Do you think the lack of isolation would be a problem?  It may help to know that I'm transitioning from earbuds, and I was fine with those.

 

[stevenswall]

Shouldn't be a problem then if you are used to earbuds... maybe a bus with the windows open, but hallways are usually fine for me, even with the crowd noise. Another consideration for the black model is that it has a cloth sheathed cable.

 

[Daft_Luvr_94]

Are you referring to the rope-ish cords?  Because the blue one I sampled had those, too.  Regardless, I think I've made my decision.

 

[stevenswall]

Yes, it feels like shoestring... Glad you landed on the PortaPro!