new headphones

easyfun123 · Dec 30, 2009, 09:34 AM

Hey guys I've revised my initial post to reflect all the changes thus far. To keep it much shorter and simpler:

Budget: max $70 (new headphones)
Ordering to: USA
Uses: movies on notebook (Realtek integrated audio), music on notebook and phone (Sony W810i)
Music type: many types such from rock, alternative, classical, punk, pop, techno, nu metal, to stuff that I don't even know what to call. I have mostly English music such as (looking at my last played songs) Green Day, Linkin Park, Evanescence, Robert Miles, and Rob Dougan and music in Chinese and Japanese. Not sure if that really helps. ^^
What I'm looking for:
1. Comfortable headphones (and/or headset if quality is similar and within budget) - I also wear glasses
2. Sound quality (and/or mic quality)
Preferences: not big/heavy, doesn't leak excessively to surroundings (not open, semi-open might be ok though), not a fan of cheap foam covered speakers

I've eliminated most of the circumaurals and supraaurals since I find them too big (ie. Sennheiser HD555), headphones w/ excessive bleed (ie. Grado SR-60i), uncomfortable (ie. Koss KSC-75), used (ie. Apple one) and above budget headphones.

I've narrowed it down to:
$29 Sennheiser PX100 (waiting for 2nd revision)
$39 Sennheiser PX200 (closed version of PX100 but I've heard it isn't as good or comfy, is there a lot less sound bleed/leakage?)
$89 SHURE SCL3GW (probably won't consider this since I'd rather get something for half the price if audio is nearly the same, just put it here for comparison purposes)
$61 Sennheiser RS130
$42 Denon AH-D501K
$47 Jabra GN4800 - current top choice
$49 Yuin G2A

and for IEMs:
$36 Meelectronics AI-M6 vs. $18 AI-M9
$40 Maximo IM-590

The prices are from a quick search of Google shopping and I didn't really check them, so if they're suspiciously low, let me know. Any suggestions out of these? Or a reason to consider one that I dropped?

Other questions:

Does anyone have experience w/ wireless headphones (bluetooth)? Do wireless/bluetooth headsets/headphones have markedly inferior quality to headphones at <$100? I've looked at these models specifically so far: Sony HBH-DS205 ($65), DS980 ($90), or IS800 ($100)? The first two just have a bluetooth clip, so I can always get my own headphones if the sound quality sucks.

**Mousey** · Dec 30, 2009, 07:50 PM

The only ones i'd recommend are Sennheiser CX300's but they aren't Cans which is what you're looking for from the looks of things. A really good set of In-Ear headphones though definately worth a look.

Also a quick note, I used to have a Sony Ericsson W580i and i loved it to bits, Only thing i noticed was that when i used a set of cans rather than earphones with the adapter the sound was a bit underwhelming. Not quite sure why maybe it was just me. I'd definately recommend trying a pair in a shop before buying them though, The staff will usually be alright with you testing a pair on your phone or whatever first i would've thought

Dec 30, 2009, 09:34 AM	#1
easyfun123 HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 42 Rep Power: 0	new headphones Hey guys I've revised my initial post to reflect all the changes thus far. To keep it much shorter and simpler: Budget: max $70 (new headphones) Ordering to: USA Uses: movies on notebook (Realtek integrated audio), music on notebook and phone (Sony W810i) Music type: many types such from rock, alternative, classical, punk, pop, techno, nu metal, to stuff that I don't even know what to call. I have mostly English music such as (looking at my last played songs) Green Day, Linkin Park, Evanescence, Robert Miles, and Rob Dougan and music in Chinese and Japanese. Not sure if that really helps. ^^ What I'm looking for: 1. Comfortable headphones (and/or headset if quality is similar and within budget) - I also wear glasses 2. Sound quality (and/or mic quality) Preferences: not big/heavy, doesn't leak excessively to surroundings (not open, semi-open might be ok though), not a fan of cheap foam covered speakers I've eliminated most of the circumaurals and supraaurals since I find them too big (ie. Sennheiser HD555), headphones w/ excessive bleed (ie. Grado SR-60i), uncomfortable (ie. Koss KSC-75), used (ie. Apple one) and above budget headphones. I've narrowed it down to: $29 Sennheiser PX100 (waiting for 2nd revision) $39 Sennheiser PX200 (closed version of PX100 but I've heard it isn't as good or comfy, is there a lot less sound bleed/leakage?) $89 SHURE SCL3GW (probably won't consider this since I'd rather get something for half the price if audio is nearly the same, just put it here for comparison purposes) $61 Sennheiser RS130 $42 Denon AH-D501K $47 Jabra GN4800 - current top choice $49 Yuin G2A and for IEMs: $36 Meelectronics AI-M6 vs. $18 AI-M9 $40 Maximo IM-590 The prices are from a quick search of Google shopping and I didn't really check them, so if they're suspiciously low, let me know. Any suggestions out of these? Or a reason to consider one that I dropped? Other questions: Does anyone have experience w/ wireless headphones (bluetooth)? Do wireless/bluetooth headsets/headphones have markedly inferior quality to headphones at <$100? I've looked at these models specifically so far: Sony HBH-DS205 ($65), DS980 ($90), or IS800 ($100)? The first two just have a bluetooth clip, so I can always get my own headphones if the sound quality sucks.

Dec 30, 2009, 07:50 PM	#2
Mousey Synth's Long Lost Bro Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Web Design Hell Posts: 7,185 Rep Power: 245 System Specs	Re: new headphones The only ones i'd recommend are Sennheiser CX300's but they aren't Cans which is what you're looking for from the looks of things. A really good set of In-Ear headphones though definately worth a look. Also a quick note, I used to have a Sony Ericsson W580i and i loved it to bits, Only thing i noticed was that when i used a set of cans rather than earphones with the adapter the sound was a bit underwhelming. Not quite sure why maybe it was just me. I'd definately recommend trying a pair in a shop before buying them though, The staff will usually be alright with you testing a pair on your phone or whatever first i would've thought __________________