I need a set of full over the whole ear headphones. My only requirement is a long cord. My Koss Pro 4As went to the happy hunting ground. Don't need noise canceling or other bells and whistles, just good sound reproduction and a long cord. I don't have much mobility and need the headphones because I don't sleep much and don't want to disturb the family. Ideas, suggestions, ones to avoid? I'm in US. John
I have no limits for this. I will not be paying for them so - just good sound. I watch a lot of movies upconverted for my HD TV and truthfully I could live with a POS if it lets me move around in this chair with a long cord. How about inline volume control? too many choices? John
i feel for ya - my radio shack/koss midsize phones are on thier way out. Nova 71's. had them for about 8 years now. 2nd best set of ear goggles ive ever had and i only paid about 40$ for them. cord long enuff to bend down and get records out without yanking them off. just wish they would have had a left side cord instead of a split cord. much easier for guitar quietness.
Well since there's no price limit: Sennheiser HE90 system (aka the Orpheus): Msrp (a couple years back): $14,900 Sony MDR-R10: $6500 or so, plus a good amp Stax Omega 2 + srm-007: $4500 Grado PS 1: $1500 or so, plus a good amp Grado HP1/2/3: $1500 or so, plus a good amp A bit more reasonable: Grado RS1: msrp $699 plus a good amp Alessandro MS2: msrp $299, amp optional Grado SR225: msrp $199, amp optional Denon AH-D2000: msrp $350, street $250. Alessandro MS1: msrp $99, amp optional Grado SR60: msrp $69, amp optional Koss KSC-75: msrp $20 I highly suggest the SR60 or MS1. They're not particularly expensive, and they're truely money well spent. They sound better than headphones costing many times more (like the akg k701. bleh.). They aren't super comfortable for some people, but a quick visit to the sennheiser site can fix that, a pair of HD414 pads. The other issue is that they're open, so don't even think about taking them out doors; people around you will hear it just as well as you can. Avoid: Skullcandy, Bose, sony mdr-v150.
I personally use a pair of Sennheiser HD555s which I have found to be stunning. Have had them for about 3 years now, and they still sound great. The lead is pretty long, especially by headphone standards, so that isn't a problem either.
You can always get an extension lead. It might degrade the sound a little, but I doubt if you'd notice. I'd say the Grado SR60 from that list. The cables are pretty long on Grados, and the sound quality will be a pretty big step up. There isn't really a lot of point paying more unless you have a good system to go with it. They are open though, so they won't be much use if you're in the same room as the people you're trying not to disturb!
not to jack the thread but what is wrong with skullcandy headphones? cuz I was looking to get a pair.
Sennheiser +1, the Grados are nice but like mentioned they aren't the most comfortable headphone out of the box. If you need a closed headphone I'd add the Sennheiser hd280 to the list, they sound great and isolate noise like none other (not noise canceling just good isolation).
I really like my Sennheiser HD 280 Pros. I've never spent more than $99 on a pair of headphones, so have no idea how much better the more expensive ones could be.
I know the sound qualtiy is pretty poor, but how about a pair of wireless headphones as mobility is an important factor?
I'd recommend Grados, but some people find them uncomforateble. I don't, I have the sr-80 which sounded a bit fuller deep down to me. I run them off a £30 amp - BT928 and they sing nicely
I have a pair if Senny 515's and some Skullcandy G.I. headphones. I'll tell you straight on the off that the Sennheiser have a better sound to them, and are great for listening to your high end stereo, and uncompressed WAV and FLAC music. HOWEVER, I really can't take the Senny's outside without looking like a bit of an anorak. The Skullcandies on the other hand, aren't for the audiophile, but for someone who is looking for an advancement on their £15 in-ear ipod headphones, they are alright. The bass response is hardly perfect, but for everyday listening to your 7mb LAME encoded MP3's, they're more than sufficient. A very good accessory for an MP3 player, where you probably store your MP3s. The major plus point of Skullcandies though, is that providing you're dressed correctly, they can make you look pretty cool. I've set somewhat of a trend at my college, and having seen my green yellow and red rasta headphones, everyone is customising their headphones.
I'm not talking from a style point of view. I'm talking purely sound quality. Sure skull candy might be stylish, but that's not what I look for when I buy headphones, and it shouldn't be the first thing to look for either. The sound quality compared to a good pair of headphones, as you have discovered, is pretty mediocre. That's why I like JVC's cheaper earphones like the Marshmallow, Air-cushion, and most of all, the FX55. They sound much nicer, they're in the same pricerange, but they're not extremely stylish. Not a problem for me..
Get a set of decent 1.5" - 2" drivers and a set of Ear defenders. Drill a hole in the bottom of each cup for the wire, and pop the drivers in the cups, cutting around padding as required. Remember to leave the lop foam layer intact, so the sound isn't too sharp. You can make the wire as long as you need to then. Bingo. One pair of Good quality Ghetto Headphones. Works best with comfy Ear defenders.
