So my dad just got back from Frys...

[ShaithEatery]

and brought home for me (part of graduation gift) the Creative HN-505 noise cancelling headphones. Now, I don't claim to be any kind of audiofile at all, but I just can't get over how unsatisfying these headphones sound to me. I'm using them with my Creative Zen Touch 20gig (other part of grad. gift, guess he thought creative + creative = win =\), and I've been messing with the eq for about an hour and have come up with the conclusion that these headphones are not worth the $40 they cost.

So my question is this: What headphones would be more suited for me? I can spend probably upto $100, listen to heavy metal (in flames/dream evil if you've heard of them), and want something that is portable enough for me to be able to put in my pocket (but not earbuds, can't stand earbuds) as I goto school and various other places. I like bass, but hate it when that's all you can hear (want the focus to be on guitar).

 

[blessingx]

Welcome to Head-Fi.

Best phones Fry's (at least one near me) carries is the Sony V6 (gold box NOT V600s). Use to own the V6s and have heard the Creatives. Get the Sonys.

EDIT: I should read the whole post next time.

Fry's carries the Shure line. You may not be restricted to Fry's (as they give money back easily) but the Shures may be best suited for what you want anyway. Not sure if you're going to disqualify based on earbuds dislike, but unless you have giant pockets, your options are limited.

 

[kramer5150]

Nothing at Frys will meet your criteria. Closest would be the V6, but they dont fit in any pocket I'm familiar with, or the e2c but its a canal-phone and theyre $99 at frys... hardly a good deal.

avoid the sony EX51/71... destroys guitar tone completely.

My suggestion would be to return the creative phones and buy some KSC75s ... theyre $13 at Amazon. then amp em with a PA2... stellar sub-$100 guitar rig. Dont let the $13 price fool you, they are a great sounding earclip. Next step up from there would be an SR60 amped with a PA2, ~$130. Next step up from there would be an MS1 or K240s amped with a PA2, ~$160.

IMHO you probably could do just fine with any of these cans unamped, but the PA2 really tightens up the sound and is well worth the $60 IMHO.

note Im basing my oppinions on the 3 frys stores near me. I dont think their inventory changes that much from store to store.

Garrett

 

[Kirosia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by kramer5150 My suggestion would be to return the creative phones and buy some KSC75s ... theyre $13 at Amazon. Garrett

Agreed, as long as you don't need sound isolation. Not sure bout heavy metal, but I think they're damn good for rock. System of a down and everclear sound great on em!

Course, all in my opinion.

 

[OceanEnthusiast]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShaithEatery listen to heavy metal...I like bass, but hate it when that's all you can hear (want the focus to be on guitar).

someday, try some grado's (or allessandro's, basically the same thing). probably not a good match this time around, because they're a bit large for a portable (although some people use them on portables). but that might be the sound you're looking for.

kudos to your dad, he was going in the right direction. headphones are a great gift. and kudos to you for having the balls to tell him you want something that sounds better to be satisfied. otherwise, his money was wasted, right?

 

[Gigabomber]

no one's going to say "sorry about your wallet" or "go away"?

 

[OceanEnthusiast]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gigabomber no one's going to say "sorry about your wallet" or "go away"?

actually, run dude, as fast as you can, far away from here. many would consider this place not healthy.

 

[mulveling]

Koss PortaPros (or the PortaPro2, $30 at Circuit City) fit your criteria perfectly. They have lots of bass but are also very musical and well-balanced overall. They fold up nicely to a small size and are comforatable. A steal at their price; they even sound great unamped out of my ipod.

I haven't heard the Koss KSC-75, but I'd wager they're also excellent, if you don't mind the clip-on thing. Koss really makes some cheap 'phones that sound amazing...

 

[ShaithEatery]

ya, i've seen sony headphones everywhere i've been (best buy, circuit city, frys, etc.), and just didn't know if they were good quality at all.

I guess they don't really have to necessarily fit into my pocket. Just something that folds up and can be put away in a backpack or something without getting too damaged. and i guess getting a PA2 would also be a worthy investment for the type of music I listen to?

 

[cmirza]

I was just at Fry's today (Willsonville, OR) looking at their headphone selection. The best headphones I saw were Shure e2, e3 and Sony V6s. So yea, their selection is pretty much the same from store to store. As long as you have all the packaging and a reciept returning them for a refund should be no problem. As far as something nice that aren't big, the Koss KSC75s are cheap and unbeatable (at their price). They can be enjoyed without an amp (as I am doing right now), but most people here seem to agree that a good amp makes them even better. I have a PA2 on order for my Grado SR60s and Koss KSC75s. I'd say get the KSC75s, see how much you like them, and if you get curious (like me) about the whole headphone/amp scene get a PA2 to compliment them.

 

[fatp3nguin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShaithEatery ya, i've seen sony headphones everywhere i've been (best buy, circuit city, frys, etc.), and just didn't know if they were good quality at all.

Well, a lot of the common Sony headphones are universally reviled around these parts, with the exception of the MDR-V6s and the new XD-200 and 400. Be sure to differentiate the Sony V6s from the V600s, which are supposed to sound like crap.

V6s fold up into a nice small ball, and certainly feel tough enough to take some abuse. I don't really care for their sound myself, but each to his own.

 

[kramer5150]

Yeah V6s fold up nicely and are durable while folded. I for one have had very good luck with the stock pads, and have not felt the need to replace them.

2 things I dont like about the v6: coiled cord is heavy so it feels like its tugging on the left earcup all the time, bright upper mids make some guitars sound thin and some vocals "shout-ey"... ozzy for example.

But for the $$ its a very good can IMHO... although a better can for the $$ is the K240s but its not portable at all.

Garrett