[sephka]

I'm kind of getting frustrated here. I've searched, trialed, and bought, and I still haven't found a pair of sealed headphones that fit the bill. So i'm making a newbe post. SOMEONE has to know what I want. Here's the criteria:

Sennheiser sound (somewhat neutral)
Sealed (critical, must block a lot of sound)
Comfortable (also critical)
Not gigantic (Like HD280)
Under $200
Not Etys (don't want things in my ear)

FYI, these will be used with an unamped Nomad Jukebox 3. I've tried the PX200 and HD280. I've also tried the KSC-50, but they're not sealed. I was kind of eying the HD212 pro as a possible solution (I like the earcups) or something from Beyerdynamic (250-80 or DT 231,) but they seem to have a more Grado sound. Any other solutions are welcome, thanks etc.

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Unfortunately, the HD 212 is far from neutral - it has too much bass, relative to the mids and highs. The Beyers are on the warm side of neutral, as well - and the DT231 doesn't block out much if any sound.

What you're looking for, based on your criteria, doesn't currently exist.

 

[Mike Scarpitti]

Quote:

Originally posted by sephka I'm kind of getting frustrated here. I've searched, trialed, and bought, and I still haven't found a pair of sealed headphones that fit the bill. So i'm making a newbe post. SOMEONE has to know what I want. Here's the criteria: Sennheiser sound (somewhat neutral) Sealed (critical, must block a lot of sound) Comfortable (also critical) Not gigantic (Like HD280) Under $200 Not Etys (don't want things in my ear) FYI, these will be used with an unamped Nomad Jukebox 3. I've tried the PX200 and HD280. I've also tried the KSC-50, but they're not sealed. I was kind of eying the HD212 pro as a possible solution (I like the earcups) or something from Beyerdynamic (250-80 or DT 231,) but they seem to have a more Grado sound. Any other solutions are welcome, thanks etc.

Not sure you can get that for under $200.

 

[apropos]

Ultrasone HFI 650 Trackmaster from Jan (Meier-Audio) are the perfect match for you! They are $160 shipped.

Apropos

P.S. I love them!

 

[erikzen]

Sennheiser PX200 is your best bet.

Sennheiser sound - well not exactly HD 600s but nothing is overblown and has a sweet midrange. You could say there is a slight veil that is lifted with an amp, but an amp is not necessary.

Sealed - although these are supra- not circum-aural. I've used them in fairly noisy environments and

Very comfortable

Very small

About $50 bucks

Well, you can stick them in your ears if you want to but that is not how they are designed to operate.

 

[maler23]

From what I've researched, I would put in another vote for the Ultrasone 650's.

disclaimer: I've never heard them, but i've done some research.

Here's two good links that have the Ultrasones mentioned

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showt...threadid=21917

and here's Jan Meier's(of Meier audio fame) review here:

http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showt...ight=ultrasone

I just bought the HD280's and I'm already wondering if I should have just gone for the Ultrasones. But we'll see.

Good luck!

 

[Rizumu]

The Ultrasone HFI-650 Trackmaster fits the bill for all but these two:

Comfortable (also critical)*
Not gigantic (Like HD280)

*may or may not fit the bill for you. Comfort is relative. I didn't like the comfort much.

 

[apropos]

sephka,

regarding comfort:

The dimentions of the inner earcaps (the empty space, where your ears are supposed to go) measures as follows:

length: 2.5 inches
width: 2 inches
(the inner caps are ovally shaped to fit your ears best)

so, if you can, please measure your ears and see if they would fit! plus, beyer pads can provide additional comfort, if stock pleather does not work out for you.

regarding "gigantic looks:

here are the outer dimentions of the headphones, which I personally don't consider to be gigantic:

legth: 3 3/4 inch
width: 3.5
thickness: varies, reaching about 1.5 inches in the center

(the outer caps are also ovally shaped)

hope this helps,

let me know if you have any questions:

A.

P.S. What do you mean by gigantic?

 

[Snufkin]

Another vote for the HFI-650Trackmaster.
Durable, portable, comfortable, lots of isolation, very balanced and detailed sound

 

[miroslav]

Their (dis)comfort is disputable in a way that only tough boys and girls can tolerate it.

 

[Rizumu]

Quote:

Originally posted by miroslav Their (dis)comfort is disputable in a way that only tough boys and girls can tolerate it.

I'm a wimp.

*puts on Grados with soft, fluffy vwap pads*

 

[Snufkin]

Pfft, uncomfortable.

On a scale of fluffy pillows to a guy in prison named Bubba, I'd rank the Ultrasones as pretty damn comfy.

 

[miroslav]

On a more serious side, I never felt the comfort issue was too much of a trouble for me. After a months long ongoing affair with these babies I honestly pay no attention to sweating or that slight pressure on brinks of my ears and on top of my head. I found it v e r y tolerable after some time. The problem occures when a person insists the comfort factor is "critical". Those couple of people whose decision to go with 650s I have contributed to have always been warned about 650s, IMO, being "reasonably comfortable". As much as I love them, I had to be honest and could never go beyond that statement. Compared to my retired Sennheiser eH2200, Ultrasones lack quite a lot in comfort (but dominate in any other aspect).

Fortunately, none of those people gave up from 650s due to their (dis)comfort, so I still sleep well.

 

[erikzen]

I have to recind my recommendation and will go along with the HFI 650. Given your budget you would be "underbuying" if you got the PX200s. Definitely doesn't have the sound of a full size headphone.

 

[sephka]

Ahem. Net is finally back up. Anywho, I own the PX200. And i absolutely hate how the HD280 looks. It's much goofier looking than the HD600, and that's saying a lot. Can anyone clarify if the HFI 650 does indeed have the same headband? If so, my search is going to have to continue. And i thought I finally found a solution...