Headphone Suggestions

[Wishmaster]

Whos our heaphone experts here?

Although Im not a huge audiophile, I do like good quality sound.


ATM, I have a set of Sennheiser HD202s running of my Titanium HD. I really like the sound quality they provide, and have no major complaint there. However, my issue with them is that after a hour or so they start becoming a bit uncomfortable.

I use them for listening to music, and gaming. So long gaming sessions is where they start to be a bit of a bother.


At any count, I was looking into the Sennheisers 438s and 515s. Both seem to have a bit larger cups than the 202s so hoping theyll be a bit more comfy.
Anyone know anything about these sets, or can reccomend another that would be comparable?

Obviously Im looking for something that will be more comfortable that the 202 for longer period of times and soundjust as good, preferably a bit better if Im purchasing new anyway.


Also, the 515s are open vs the closed design of the 202s and 438s. I know this may sound silly, but Ive never had a set of open HPs, so not sure what to expect there. I have read they tend to leak sound more than closed, but for me thats a non-issue as these are for home use in a computer room. What other advantes are there really to open designs?
I do like the fact that at least the 202s tend to muffle ambient.

 

[Athene]

noobvious is THE headphone expert ;-D I've dropped him a line, hopefully he'll nip round over here soon!

 

[Wishmaster]

Excellent TY

 

[noobvious]

OK, open vs. closed....
Asides from the obvious, (sound can leak out and outside sounds can leak in) the biggest differences are the perceived soundstage, and bass response.

Many closed models sound much more bass heavy and well, closed in, as far as the width of the sound. It's often more noticeable with live recordings...the crowd noise and the stereo imaging usually sound more spread out,like it is surrounding you...... whereas the closed back model may sound like the music is coming from right outside of your ears (which, let's face it, it is!)

I've generalized a bit there....there are models that are exceptions to the rule, of course.

As far as comfort, whether or not you wear glasses is an issue as well. If you do, you may want something with smaller cups, that sit on the ear and don't go all the way around. Are your 202's around the ear, and simply clamp your head too hard? If it's simply a clamping issue, try stretching them out, stuff a couple books in between the pads overnight.

You might consider the Sennheiser PX100ii or PX200ii....they're smaller cups, the 100 is open and the 200 is closed, and they fold up nicely if you need to take them somewhere. I had the original PX100 a couple of years ago, and I could wear them all day long....they were light as a feather and sat on my ear and didn't interfere with my glasses.

 

[chris1neji]

I have the senheissers HD202 as with you, The sound is amazing. Have you ever watch a HD movie with ? I have the sound is amazing hell with my Big TV setup and my headphones i felt like i was at theaters.

If you want comfy i suggest you go to a BestBuy or similar store and try a few out.
Amazon.com: Sennheiser HD448 Closed Circumaural Hi-Fi Headphone: Electronics
I have tried the HD448 series ! They are comfy!
In fact its my next thing to buy on my agenda

 

[Wishmaster]

Thank Noobvious.

Yes, my 202s are over the ear, but have small ear cups. The pad actually rests on my ear lobe rather the fitting completely inside.
And no, don't wear glasses. Choose contacts instead


So Im wondering, if for gaming the open type might be better? I don't listen to that much live music recordings, as i do not have that much of it.

And Im no basshead, but like a bit of bass. I do listen to ALOT of symphonic metal, and as you may know theres alot going on in this music.
So certainly want something that makes the instuments more distinguisable rather than a jumbled mess ... if that makes sense what Im trying to say. Probably not the right term lol.


You may have a good point, I just need to do something to break these 202s in better. But I willhave alook at the PX100s as well. Thanks


@chris1neji,
Yes, as far as sound quality Im not complaining at all. Just that after long sessions they start to hurt my ears .

Ive had a few sets of heaphones over the years, usually just set I picked up at Walmart though, but these really changed my view on what HPs can sound like.
And yes, had my eye on the 448s or 515/18s. Heaphones are really a new thing for me though, as Ive not really dealt with them much, or had many.

 

[noobvious]

I've heard that the 448/449, as the top of the 4-series line, is better than the 515/18, which is the bottom of the 5-series line....but that's hearsay, I haven't tried them myself. The higher end 5-series, 555/558 and 595/598, are quite well regarded, but of course much more expensive.

I think everyone with headphones should try both open and closed....in most cases, I feel like the open give a bit more natural of a sound, if that makes any sense. A little bit of EQ can help a set of 'phones out too, if you don't go too crazy with it. A slight nudge here and there to compensate for your headphones can be very helpful.....just don't try to make them into something they're not, you know?

The original PX100's I had produced a decent amount of bass, especially given their size and being open....I haven't heard the second generation one though.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
if you are feeling wealthy enough -- try the BOSE noise cancelling ones -- absolutely MEGA - especially if using them while travelling --- |There's nothing to beat them when sitting in a Plane on a longish flight from Los Angeles to London with some wailing Babies -- perfect bliss --worth EVERY CENT.

Quality is brilliant too -- and you can have the volume up as much as you like without causing any distress to fellow passengers etc.

I dread it if I'm near someone wearing tiny bud earphones especially the WHITE types - aka apple etc. -- these seem to be LOUDER for the people NOT wearing them than the listener him / herself.

Bose are expensive but play some high quality WAV or FLAC music and the difference is OBVIOUS to most sets of cans.

Sennheiser brands are cheaper and a good alternative -- but over the years the BOSE for me has been worth the money.

Sometimes - although an item seems hideously expensive it can be worth it in the long run.

I also use the Sanas zip clip tiny portable player --it's about trhe size of an old fashioned "square shaped" cigarette lighter - but with a 32 GB micro SDHC card and 8 GB of internal memory --plus the ability to play FLAC directly - in combination with the Bose Cans -- unbeatable.

(Also the only music player I've seen to give menu options and setup in Icelandic too -- now that IS unusual !!).

Cheers
jimbo

 

[chris1neji]

nothing against Jimbo, but PLEASE go to a store and try out noise cancelling bose headphones, see if you can plug in your mp3 player to try them out(ask a rep in store).

Most headphones not earbuds, do just as good at doing a passive noise canceling without the constant hissing that most if not all do. Like i said check it for yourself dont rely purely on my opinion or advice.

 

[Infinite]

I quite like the Technica or Fannywang headphones

 

[boohbah]

I have a set of Beats pro headphones and i have never heard better, that is not to say there isn't better out there .
they are slightly heavy but i don't mind that too much,
the next model down ,studio beats i suspect would be ideal for weight and again the sound quality will be first rate.
plus you will look real cool!

have a look hear

Beats Pro Headphones


http://beatsbydre.com/products/Products.aspx?pid=B3808&cat=1

 

[Wishmaster]

Arent the Beats more geared towards bass heavy music? Rap, Tecno, Hiphop etc?

Although I listen to all types of music, I do not listen to those genres that much.


I'll certainly give them a look, and look into them a bit

 

[boohbah]

not necessarily ,they just happen to be favoured by those types of genre loving people , largely by the Dr Dre name,
no the upshot is the quality of sound is excellent whatever the genre, and for movies etc they are great too, there is plenty of sub when needed ,
they are quite powerful headphones , i rarely have the vol over 16 on the laptop , when you do require some loud volume they feel like they are pulsing, that is what first sold them to me when i tried them on in a store to test them , then it was a case of wearing my partner down to agree on the purchase for xmas gift heh heh!
also the quality of the pro headphones build is very very good they feel indestructible and the cable screws into the headphone also making it seem more robust,
my three year old son just a couple of days ago decided to hook the phones over the door handle and pull the cable tight, i think i stopped him before any damage was done but the effort he put in before he was stopped had no effect on them, they really are quite strong

 

[mjf]

I have an ancient pair of Sennheiser HD 530 that have just about had it but are/were extremely good. I'd buy whatever replaced them but don't know what that would be - maybe noobvious knows.
Some of the cheaper Sennheisers seem bass heavy to me with poor midrange.

 

[Wishmaster]

I would think 519/558 but Noobvious probably has a better idea.

 

[noobvious]

I have an ancient pair of Sennheiser HD 530 that have just about had it but are/were extremely good. I'd buy whatever replaced them but don't know what that would be - maybe noobvious knows.
Some of the cheaper Sennheisers seem bass heavy to me with poor midrange.

My guess would be the HD600. The old 5-series went creeping up and the last ones were the HD580 Jubilee, which was replaced by the HD600.

 

[mjf]

I bought a pair of HD202s and gave them to my son. I really didn't like them at all but then they are cheap. I think if you are serious about music you've got to pay quite a bit more money.
Do report back what you settle on.

PS: Get a load of the prices here for HD600 in Australia!
http://www.getprice.com.au/Sennheiser-HD600-Headphones.htm

Sorry Wishmaster didn't want to appear to hijack the thread

 

[pparks1]

many find the beyer dynamics to be comfy. i personally use grado myself.

 

[Wishmaster]

Seems picking a good set of heaphones, especially higher end ones, is not as simple as I first though it may be. So many diffrent styles and Sound qualities, each excellent in thier own way.
Thanks for the advice everyone, much appreciated.

The only thing I know for a fact is I want over the ear thats comfortable for long periods. Think I need to try find somewhere that will let me test a few between closed/open etc from here.

 

[noobvious]

Seems picking a good set of heaphones, especially higher end ones, is not as simple as I first though it may be. So many diffrent styles and Sound qualities, each excellent in thier own way.
Thanks for the advice everyone, much appreciated.

The only thing I know for a fact is I want over the ear thats comfortable for long periods. Think I need to try find somewhere that will let me test a few between closed/open etc from here.

Happy to try to help.....and yes, it's really not simple at all.
One popular practice is to order them from somewhere with a return policy so you can audition for a couple of weeks and then send them back.....but sometimes you end up having to pay "restocking" fees when you do that. Just a thought!