Headphones advice
Submitted by Ben Derecki on Wed, 2011-07-06 12:03
I'm heading to Europe in a couple of weeks and want to get a decent pair of headphones to take with me. I don't want the earbud ones, looking for a pair that goes over the head.
I can't believe the prices that some of them go for, while I'm sure the value in the sound quality is there I'm looking for something that is under the $100 mark - anyone got any recommendations? I'm happy to buy online or local.
hlokk
Posts: 4292
Date Joined: 04/04/08
I'd written up a full proper
I'd written up a full proper reply and the damn site thought it would be nice to freeze whenever I try to insert a link into text, so now its all gone....
Short answer: see here http://headphones.com.au/FAQ/
Heard good things about them, and they seem to have pretty good policies/gear/advice/etc. I've heard good things about beyerdynamic, but read their FAQ to find out what type you want.
I use in ear earphones (canalphones) and despite what they look like they're super comfortable for long periods of time. You'll tend to get better sound quality out of them compared to headphones of the same price too. They block out a lot of external sound, which is good or bad depending. For headphones, consider whether you want to block outside noise or not. Also, fit is rather important (if it wasnt obvious) or they wont be comfortable for long. Unlikely at your pricepoint but be aware some headphones will require more juice than some small sources (like an ipod or similar) can provide.
hk85
Posts: 85
Date Joined: 04/01/10
I have one of these somewhere
I have one of these somewhere and the for the price they are hard to beat IMO. Not the most travel friendly though:
http://www.minidisc.com.au/sennheiser-hd415-headphones-p-1228.html
If u want travel friendly and awesome value I'd also go these, I have one with a handsfree mic:
http://www.minidisc.com.au/sennheiser-px100ii-open-headphones-p-883.html
If u can stretch the budget u can get noise cancelling ones, but I personally don't rate the lower end of noise cancelling headphones. The REALLY good ones (that don't affect your music quality too much are pretty exy):
http://www.minidisc.com.au/sennheiser-pxc-300-noise-cancelling-headphones-p-1531.html
I'd say go for the HD415 if that is your budget.
Hope I was some help. (PS I am not a sennheiser fanboy, I just think on the budget end of the spectrum they are hard to beat when compared to other headphones at that price).
black gen
Posts: 762
Date Joined: 13/04/11
dre
dre beats
nicksapheno
Posts: 105
Date Joined: 05/10/10
iv been turned around to
iv been turned around to Bose over ear headphones, they just blow the rest out of the water
hlokk
Posts: 4292
Date Joined: 04/04/08
Have you tried many that dont
Have you tried many that dont have massive advertising budgets that you cant buy in Harvey Norman? I'm curious as to what the rest were? The general consensus with Bose gear among audiophiles is that they do make some reasonable gear (well, actually a lot say its just crap, but lets try and remove some of the anti-hype) but that it is ridiculously overpriced and you are essentially paying for brand prestige. For the same price you can usually get much better, or for the same quality you can usually buy much better. Than being said, if you walk into HN or JB-hifi then they might come out swinging well :p
hk85
Posts: 85
Date Joined: 04/01/10
My 2c: Bose have their place
My 2c: Bose have their place and I agree with hlokk yeah they do market well and definitely charge for it - especially on their 'lower end' stuff which like u said isn't that great - can you get better bang for buck? definitely. I'm not an audiophile by any means but I have friends that are, and so I have been lucky enough to sample a few headphones/plugs etc that are both off the shelf harvey norman jb specials and the more expensive shure/ultrasone/grado/ stuff and brands I can't remember. Aanyway I guess how you perceive the sound is subjective, so if you think they're worth it and awesome, then you have done well no matter what anyone says! and that pretty much applies to anything and helps when you've bought a dud and want to make yourself feel better haha.
Be wary when buying off ebay - tons of fakes floating around!! been hit a few times before, even on not so cheap ones.
Dan
Posts: 168
Date Joined: 23/02/06
jabra c820s
Get yourself a set of Jabra C820s noise reducing headphones - scored top marks in CHOICE Survey. I've got a set and they are fantastic !
http://www.choice.com.au/reviews-and-tests/technology/phones-and-mobile-devices/sound/noise-cancelling-headphones-review-2008.aspx
excellent noise reduction - especially good on planes for reducing background noise - and excellent sound quality - can get them on Ebay new for about $100, come with all the usual attachments to for plane etc
PattyT
Posts: 1025
Date Joined: 15/08/10
Seinheiser all the way
In my opinion Seinhieser are the best headphones on the market. If you can pick up a pair for under 100 go for it.. I have had a pair of HD25's for about 5 years now, they are still unbelievable!! Worth every cent..
Michael Yoni
Posts: 603
Date Joined: 02/01/11
Ben, for me noise cancelling
Ben, for me noise cancelling ones are best on a plane - you will dramatically notice the difference between those and the ones the planes hand out. I have been using them now for three years (I will do 2 interstate flights each year and one international every two for work/conferences). I have loaned them to a colleague to try for her OS trip.
I cannot advise on small portability ones but I have always only purchased Sennheiser for home use.
MY