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A quick ? about headphones...
#64701 10/16/04 10:21 AM
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ZeN Offline OP
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Ok, maybe not so quick - first a quick hello... It’s been a long time since I've been on here - Life caught up with me and has been nipping at my heels for about 10 months now. I must be getting slower at running from life as I get older

Anyway, on to the question…

I just bought an iriver H140 HD MP3 player (http://www.iriveramerica.com/products/H140.aspx) and the headphones that come with it are the little round ear bud gigs - and every time I have used headphones like them I get a headache. In fact, every time I have used ANY pair of headphones I get a headache. Something about the way it pins my ear to my head, or who knows what...

Anyone have good experience with or some kind of recommendation as to what earphones, ear buds, or otherwise I might want to try?

I'm all ears

-ZeN

Re: A quick ? about headphones...
#64702 10/16/04 11:22 AM
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How much are you willing to spend?

For the budget class, the clear leaders (in my book) are the Sennheiser HD-497s. These, for about $50-60 USD are pretty capable, and they sound much clearer than their HD-500's which retail for 1.5x the price. Some also think that the Grados in that price range are good, but they are too harsh for me until you move up really high in their lines. Up at about $80-100, if you are able to find the old Sony MDR-V6, they are an incredible find. Be sure it's a V6, not a V600, though. The V600 is a disgrace (again, in my opinion), and many people often mistakingly call the V6 lacking in bass and treble because they are really referring to the 600. The bass clarity and tightness in these headphones beats that of any I've heard before. It's all boring from then on up until you hit around $350, at which point you can get the Etymotic Research ER-4s (don't go for the p or b models, though). These are generally regarded as one of the top 5 headphones, regardless of price (#1 being the impossible to find $12k Sennheiser Orpheus).

Hope this helps.. If you give us a budget range, we could probably help a bit more .


Re: A quick ? about headphones...
#64703 10/16/04 01:43 PM
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I agree with the HD 497s at their price point they are hard to beat.I also had the HD500s and to me they sound like crap.I got rid of those and now have the HD570s and am pretty pleased with them.I run the 570s off of a Creek Obh11 headphone amp.


Rick


"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

Re: A quick ? about headphones...
#64704 10/16/04 04:55 PM
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If you're going to be using these on a commute (train/bus NOT car! ), then I recommend the Sennheiser PX250 noise cencelling. They work really well with the noise cancelling on, sound great, etc. However, they sound terrible without the noise cancelling on. They're closed, so you won't bother people around you, until you start singing along.

I've also got the Sennheiser 570s, and I love 'em. My wife objects, because the sound comes through loud and clear to her when I'm wearing them, so that's a little downside.


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: A quick ? about headphones...
#64705 10/16/04 05:03 PM
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I get the same thing from the wife while useing the 570s.She complains that she can still hear the music.O'well thats the only down side as far as I can tell.


Rick


"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

Re: A quick ? about headphones...
#64706 10/16/04 06:34 PM
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ZeN Offline OP
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Thanks for the replies... I suppose cost hadn’t crossed my mind

Anything within reason really, say, under $200? They will primarily be used at work and while exercising. Maybe 2 different sets are in order?

-ZeN

Re: A quick ? about headphones...
#64707 10/16/04 07:04 PM
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Get the PX250s. You won't be able to hear anything. If you work in a noisy/annoying office like I have occasion to, they're a lifesaver. "No, I can't get the phone. I didn't hear it." "Ah, I finally don't have to listen to the hold music playing (volutarily!!) through someone's speakerphone." "No, I don't have to listen to my coworker who should be getting me something to do selling ink jet cartridges to some shmoe off the street."

Oops, sorry, a little frustrated with work there...


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: A quick ? about headphones...
#64708 10/16/04 08:43 PM
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This is a good place to check out some different headphones.


Rick


"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity." Sigmund Freud

Re: A quick ? about headphones...
#64709 10/16/04 08:55 PM
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ZeN Offline OP
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Rik! You're my hero!

Thanks all... Where would one find these? I went by BestBuy and they got nuttin, haven't hit Fry's yet - I'll get there on the way home.

Is this an "easier on the internet" thing?

-ZeN

Re: A quick ? about headphones...
#64710 10/16/04 08:56 PM
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Yup.


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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