Headphones for commuting, being in public, etc
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Forum Name: Tech Talk
Forum Description: Discuss musical instruments, equipment, hi-fi, speakers, vinyl, gadgets,etc.
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Topic: Headphones for commuting, being in public, etc
Posted By: stonebeard
Subject: Headphones for commuting, being in public, etc
Date Posted: March 27 2010 at 17:46
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As an aspiring musician who would prefer not to sound-rape his hearing with earbuds from now on, what are some good headphones to have while out and about. I have a pair of Sennheiser HD280s for stereo/home use, but honestly people who wear these kinds of things out and about look either shut-in and antisocial, or kind of mentally challenged. I know there are kinds like Skullcandy, that look not horrible (and also look like they'd be worn by screamo fans who shouldn't care about the sound quality of their garbage music) but I've also heard they're not good enough to justify their price. I'm looking for: -Durability (it's not going to short out on me in a year or so or in cold weather, as I walk outside a lot) -Comfort but most importantly -All around sound quality -Something that doesn't look like a space helmet (after all, I'd wear my Sennheisers if I didn't care about that) Ideally, in the $30-50 range, but higher is not necessarily written off. Thanks for any answers.  ------------- http://soundcloud.com/drewagler" rel="nofollow - My soundcloud. Please give feedback if you want! |
Replies:
Posted By: Triceratopsoil
Date Posted: April 05 2010 at 10:57
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Sonys are usually good http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/ProductDetailDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=128035&navigationPath=46881n100128n100323 - http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/ProductDetailDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=128035&navigationPath=46881n100128n100323 or better yet http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/ProductDetailDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=119994&navigationPath=46881n100128n100155 - http://www.sonystyle.ca/commerce/servlet/ProductDetailDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=119994&navigationPath=46881n100128n100155 |
Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: April 05 2010 at 11:29
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I use Sennheiser HD202's for just about everything. They're still semi-space helmet style, but ah well. http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-202-Headphones/dp/B000065BP9/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1270484955&sr=1-1 - http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-202-Headphones/dp/B000065BP9/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1270484955&sr=1-1 ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: April 05 2010 at 11:38
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I've got a pair of Sony earbuds that Consumer Reports recommended, I think they are Sony MDR-ED21LP. Surprisingly good bass for earbuds. I got them from buy.com for really cheap. Currently going for about $11.
------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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Posted By: SaltyJon
Date Posted: April 05 2010 at 11:41
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To elaborate on mine a bit, they've got a pretty natural sound. They're comfortable, as most Sennheisers seem to be, and I've worn mine every day outside in the winter here at State College (They can double as earmuffs). They seem to be fine with the weather, whether hot or cold. I haven't had any problems with them, and if you happen to be around 10 feet tall you'll still have enough cord to keep an mp3 player in your pocket. The headphones come with a belt clip for excess cord, though.
------------- http://www.last.fm/user/Salty_Jon" rel="nofollow">
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Posted By: Mr ProgFreak
Date Posted: April 06 2010 at 01:24
http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/home_en.nsf/root/private_headphones_sport-line-cx-380?Open&path=private_headphones_mp3_classic-line - http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/home_en.nsf/root/private_headphones_sport-line-cx-380?Open&path=private_headphones_mp3_classic-line  I strongly recommend these for outdoor listening ... first of all, they filter out a lot of the surrounding noise by design (since they fit in your ear canal), secondly they're water and sweat resistant. And thirdly, they don't drain the batteries less than big headsets, since due to the closer proximity to the ear they don't need to be as loud. Sound quality is excellent, and whether they damage your ear or not depends on the volume that you set, not on the proximity to the speakers to the ear. If the latter was the case, you should be perfectly safe at any rock concert ...  ------------- https://tagyourmusic.org/users/Mike" rel="nofollow - https://tagyourmusic.org/users/Mike |
Posted By: The Wrinkler
Date Posted: April 06 2010 at 01:55
| Koss Porta Pros, yea they look old and vintage (i like the way they look) but they sound smooth, and good bass too. they're cheap and a favorite to audiophiles. |
Posted By: Marty McFly
Date Posted: April 06 2010 at 03:23
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Koss Porta Pro aren't bad, but there's another problem. Yeah, they cost about $40 here in Czech Republic, but half of people with headphones are wearing them, so this is something I don't want. Another thing - filtering noise from the street is good thing for music listening, but I wondered if this is good thing at all. Because with some headphones, you can hear music well and still hear car sounds, tram sounds, people shouting at you, car horns, policeman shouting to stop at once ... you name it. I sometimes don't even look left-right when crossing a street, I just listen. Beware of silent cars then :-) ------------- There's a point where "avant-garde" and "experimental" becomes "terrible" and "pointless," -Andyman1125 on Lulu  Even my |
Posted By: Mr ProgFreak
Date Posted: April 06 2010 at 05:01
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^ you shouldn't wear headphones in these situations at all ... I usually take one of them out when I'm not in a purely pedestrian area.
------------- https://tagyourmusic.org/users/Mike" rel="nofollow - https://tagyourmusic.org/users/Mike |
Posted By: Marty McFly
Date Posted: April 06 2010 at 07:11
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I currently wear these:
And they have interesting attribute - when I concentrate on music, I can listen it well, very well, but I also hear perfectly noise/sounds around me - also when I want to. Without changing volume. They're quite open and people say that they provide quite good music experience. Who knows, I like them. ------------- There's a point where "avant-garde" and "experimental" becomes "terrible" and "pointless," -Andyman1125 on Lulu Even my |
Posted By: Slartibartfast
Date Posted: April 06 2010 at 07:15
Closed ear noise canceling headphones and a blindfold is best. Beep, beeeep, scrreeeech, bump, aaaaaaahhh!!!  ------------- Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...
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Mr ProgFreak wrote:Posted By: Marty McFly
Date Posted: April 06 2010 at 07:42
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Mike, I was wondering about your earphones and unfortunately, these are the ones that I'm not able to wear. Simply reason, they don't hold in my ear :-D I have too small ears, even I hear very well. I'm carrying these Koss to city because they're small, but at home, where I listen 75% of music, I use those that are in my signature, big headphones with closed environment. ------------- There's a point where "avant-garde" and "experimental" becomes "terrible" and "pointless," -Andyman1125 on Lulu Even my |
Posted By: Mr ProgFreak
Date Posted: April 06 2010 at 12:59
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^ that's odd ... they come with three differently sized pads.
------------- https://tagyourmusic.org/users/Mike" rel="nofollow - https://tagyourmusic.org/users/Mike |
Posted By: Rottenhat
Date Posted: April 09 2010 at 11:54
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Marty McFly: Dindn't like the Portapros at alll. I was disappointed with the sound of these, they did't quite match the hype. Same thing with Grado SR80's that everybody seems to like but me :) Couldn't stand them, gave them away to my brother.
Stonebeard: I would recommend Sennheiser SP25-II. A bit heavy in the bass and a bit weak in the treble range, but quite enjoyable. Discreet looking too. Vinyl pads can get a bit sweaty, and they give a bit of pressure on the ears because of the headband. Good sound isolation too, they are DJ headphones after all. They seem to be quite robust.
I use them at work, mostly for the good sound insulation, so I don't have to hear the awful c**p my co-employee plays :)
(I guess he is glad too that I use headphones, for the same reason) :) ------------- Language is a virus from outer space. -William S. Burroughs |
Posted By: The Wrinkler
Date Posted: April 10 2010 at 01:24
But if you want to start playing with the big boys and do at home listening, i suggest a pair of grados (sr60 or sr80) I find them suitable for prog  . seeing that image of you're porta pros makes me miss mine  I should send mine in...
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Posted By: The Wrinkler
Date Posted: April 10 2010 at 01:27
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Oh and Rottenhat, i just realized you're post, with the Grados sr80, or any other hi-fi headphones, they require a "burn in time." They get better with at least 80 hours of burn in time, they sound MUCH better as you break them in. But if you put those kinds of headphones with an amp, that's where the really shine.
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Posted By: Takeshi Kovacs
Date Posted: April 15 2010 at 17:51
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For My Musical Commute, I'm listening through a pair of Shure SE-530s. Excellent....but not cheap.
-------------  Open the gates of the city wide....
Check out my music taste: http://www.last.fm/user/TakeshiKovacs/ |
Posted By: Marty McFly
Date Posted: April 15 2010 at 18:15
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It looks like we like to spend good money on good headphones. No more of earphones for poor old Marty.
------------- There's a point where "avant-garde" and "experimental" becomes "terrible" and "pointless," -Andyman1125 on Lulu Even my |
Posted By: Rottenhat
Date Posted: April 17 2010 at 15:14
I had a quite respectable headphone amp to drive them, but I may not have gotten to the 80 hours mark :) The problem I have with the sr80's was the pronounced treble register, it didn't just sound too loud, but also got a kind of coloured taste to it. That, and the lack of bottom, gave me a kind of listener fatigue, It sounded tinny. It is a bit of shame really because the midrange was wonderful.
The other complaint is that tjhe Grado's have a quite uncomfortable fit to the ears. I read about tips of bending the metal band to lessen the pressure on the ears but that would probably have given a even weaker bass.
I now use the Senneheiser 650's for almost all my listening, and boy, they are awesome! People seem to complain about weak treble with these, but it seems just fine to me, so that may explain my complaints about a too strong treble with the Grado's. Oh well, I guess that this a matter of taste and hearing...
------------- Language is a virus from outer space. -William S. Burroughs |
Posted By: EatThatPhonebook
Date Posted: April 26 2010 at 14:56
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mine are Sony too, MDR-XD200. There are great for going around, they're comfortable, the sound quality is fantastic... And they shouldn't cost much. These headphones changed my life.
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Posted By: The Wrinkler
Date Posted: April 26 2010 at 15:32
I wish I owned a pair of 650's  |
Posted By: Rottenhat
Date Posted: May 02 2010 at 10:57
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I wish I owned a pair of 650's [/QUOTE]  They were quite expensive, but I am doing almost all my music listening with headphones, so I thought what the heck...The Sennheisers probably got 1000's of hours of usage already...
------------- Language is a virus from outer space. -William S. Burroughs |
Posted By: charlessmall18
Date Posted: May 02 2010 at 16:35
| It's illegal to wear headphones while driving in California. Check with the Highway Patrol to find out the law in your state. |
Posted By: KnifeSkills
Date Posted: May 03 2010 at 01:31
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Well, I'm a tiny bit of an audiophile, so I might sound a bit elitist here, but in a prog forum I think I'm allowed :P Anyway, in my opinion getting a full size headphones for under 150$(for the cheapest possible experience) is kind of a bad investment. My favorite solution for portable music is IEM(In Ear Monitors) or as they are often called "canal phones". These offer a fair level of quality, great isolation(meaning less noise and no need to boost your volume too high and thus damage your ears) and they fit in your pocket with no problems. If you want a great sounding cheap IEM's you might want to consider the JVC FX66. In the US you can get them on amazon for 16$(cost around 35$ in retailers) yet they have a well balanced sound which in my opinion defeats some more expensive and popular Sennheiser phones. I use them as my spare phones and even going down from more expensive pairs I can still enjoy my music a lot. If you want to up your game a bit, you might want to try the Hippo VB. They only cost 80$, but they don't fall short from 200$ pairs which I have owned in the past. They offer deep bass without compromising the mid range or treble and come with changeable filters that change the level of bass according to your taste. Here's a great review from a great site that I really trust. http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/2009/11/crossroads-mylarone-bijou-23-quattro-hippo-vb-hippo-boom-review.php p.s charlessmall18, it's legal to wear it on one ear in California. |