What headphones should I be looking at?

[Dan.Scott1234]

Hi everone, please could I pick you brains about a pair of headphones for use at work (Also an external soundcard as well!)

Basically I have a Dell D610 laptop that has pretty lousy audio out on it (Unsuprisingly) and I'd like to be able to listen to music (Would be 192 MP3) from itunes through some nice headphones! I think I'd prefer over the ear as in the ears get quite uncomfortable after some time for me.

Size-wise I've tried the Bose (Don't shoot) on-ear headphones and found them both comfortable and a good overall size. I much preferred them to the Bose Around-Ear (Triport) design that are too big especially for just wearing in the office (Often with only 1 phone on 1 ear so I can listen to what others are saying with the other ear)

Music-wise it'll be a mix of dance/pop/rock so good bass response (Mid and treble important too, I'm not a complete bass fiend!)

What should I be looking at? Grado's, Sennheisers? all help appreciated!

Also, others are sat near me so I'd prefer cans that don't force the rest of the room to have to listen at the same time.

As for the source, I've seen the Creative Xmod, is this a good idea or are there better ideas for improving the output of the laptop?

Thanks for your help in advance

 

[sarbruis]

What's your budget?

If you're looking for entry-level, maybe the Grado SR-80s, which would be good for those genres listed.

As for improving sound out of your laptop, you should look into the Total BitHead, as it doubles as a USB sound card that bypasses everything onboard (and it's effortlessly plug-and-play). Headroom has them on sale for $150. You can get some velcro and stick it to your laptop. I don't know what the xmod is, so someone can probably answer better than I.

Also, if your music is from iTunes, wouldn't it be 128 AAC not 192 MP3 (unless you've re-encoded it)?

 

[LaBreaHead]

"I think I'd prefer over the ear as in the ears get quite uncomfortable after some time for me."

For listening in the office with just one 'phone, consider a decent canal phone ... no, not the kind of earbuds that come with audio players, but securely fitting earphones that insert into the ear canal and use sturdy but comfortable silicone sleeves. Many agree that standard earbuds are uncomfortable, so I have assumed that those are what you're referring to when you say "in the ears get quite uncomfortable." (My apologies if I have assumed incorrectly.)

Apparently, isolation is not a factor (although sound leakage outward is a factor), and if you're not going to be listening in stereo all the time (with one 'phone out), why invest in audiophile in-ear monitors or headphones for your purposes, right?

So, in addition to various DJ style headphones where you can flip one of the ear cups up and look like you're rocking the turntables at the office, look into such canal phones as the JVC Marshmallows, Creative EP630s, and offerings by Sennheiser and Mylar. And if you want to pay over $80, the V-Moda Vibes should be nice for your purposes, as well. I've used the Creative EP630s at my office for basically the same reasons (although usually I have both ear pieces in, but then I wait until around 4:00 to start playing music, when things have calmed down).

And welcome to Head-Fi ...

PS to Sarbruis: You can manage and play ripped MP3 tracks of higher bitrates in iTunes without having downloaded 128kbps AAC files ... maybe that's what's going on here.

__________________________
Phones (in order of purchase):
Sony MDR71, Sony MDR51, Etymotic ER6, Panasonic RP-HJ50, Shure E3C, Koss PortaPro 2, Creative EP630, Etymotic ER6i, Sennheiser PX-100, Sennheiser HD555,

Sources (in order of purchase):
2nd Generation 10GB iPod for Windows (retired)
Creative Muvo 256MB
Creative Muvo 1GB (out on loan)
Rio Carbon 5GB
Cowon iAudio 5 1GB (out on loan)
Rio Karma 20GB (low-mileage collector’s item)
Creative Zen Nano 1GB
Samsung YP-U2 512MB
4th Generation 40GB iPod (monochrome; used as home jukebox)
2nd Generation iPod Nano 4GB
Creative Zen Stone 1GB
iRiver T60 2GB

 

[Sh0eBoX]

i've heard the creative xmod isn't really all that great and it's more of just a gimmick than anything. you should be able to find a thread on here about it via the search function.

as far as headphones, it'd be good to know your budget. a <$100 that might work well is the AKG K81DJ. grados are good for rock but i'm not sure how they'd handle the dance genre. and it appears you're looking for closed-back since you mention you don't want to disturb others, so grados are out. Maybe the Sennheiser HD25-1 for <$200

 

[sarbruis]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaBreaHead /img/forum/go_quote.gif PS to Sarbruis: You can manage and play ripped MP3 tracks of higher bitrates in iTunes without having downloaded 128kbps AAC files ... maybe that's what's going on here.

Well, "from iTunes" makes me think he bought them from iTunes. I just wanted to make sure he wasn't mixed up.

And yes, I didn't see the "other the ears" bit. So don't go for the Grados.

 

[Dan.Scott1234]

Hi everyone,

Sorry I completely forgot the budget part... Tried very hard to remember everything but forgot one of the most important bits!

I'd say about £100 give or take (Can go over if it would be beneficial) so that'd be about the $180-$200 mark give or take.

Incidentally, it's all music I've ripped in iTunes not iTunes store stuff (I'd rather buy CD's than encoded music that I can't do a lot with!)

Hope that helps!

Cheers
Dan

 

[MaloS]

I'd say audio-technica A900.

 

[qazwsx]

A900 very very good with bass and highs.

 

[Sh0eBoX]

A900s are great but it looks like the OP is looking for supraaural... if you read the post he states that he found the triports to be too big for office use, and the A900 is like... almost double the size hahaha

 

[Dan.Scott1234]

I'm looking for something about the size of the Bose on-ear headphones (Sorry to keep jabbering on about Bose it's just they're the only point of reference I've got at the moment)

I may end up just going for the Bose as it is just MP3 from a laptop we're talking about (I've got an all Naim rig for hifi / home cinema at home and may one day buy phones for that also which will have a lot more criteria to fit and probably a bigger budged!

)

Still any recommendations for me to have a look at are much appreciated!
Thanks
Dan

 

[Sh0eBoX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan.Scott1234 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I may end up just going for the Bose as it is just MP3 from a laptop we're talking about (I've got an all Naim rig for hifi / home cinema at home and may one day buy phones for that also which will have a lot more criteria to fit and probably a bigger budged! ) Still any recommendations for me to have a look at are much appreciated! Thanks Dan

don't do it! i'm not totally sure what your budget is but if you're considering getting the bose triport OEs, then it should be enough to purchase the Sennheiser HD25-1s. they're fairly highly regarded around here. also are the K81DJs wihch are less than $100. i think that either of these 2, and probably many others, will be superior to the triports that you're considering

 

[Dan.Scott1234]

I've had a look at the HD-25's on a few websites and they look a good size, I notice there's a cheaper version of them also for about £60. Also a premium version with an upgraded cable for about £130.

Any other ideas for me to be looking at?

Thanks
Dan

Also any ideas on laptop sound card option (USB preferably)

 

[Icarium]

On ear? Sennheiser PX100s or Grado SR60s

PX100s are a little smaller and probably will be more comfortable over time.

 

[Dan.Scott1234]

with the SR60's as they are described as 'open' does that mean they produce a lot of noise in the room around them? (Ie. other than in my ears)

Thanks
Dan

 

[Dan.Scott1234]

how do these look?
http://www.iheadphones.co.uk/headpho...er+HD25+SP.htm