What kind of big headphone should I buy?

March 5, 2005 10:15 PM

So I have decided I need new headphones for use with my iPod and occasionally on my computer. I'm looking for big, art-school style headphones that are ear-enveloping and comfortable to wear, and also happen to sound awesome. I have the Sony MDR-V600s, but they are unsatisfactory for a variety of reasons. What I really want to know is: do any of y'all know of some big, nice headphones I can buy for less than or equal to $100?

Additionally, my old iPod (a 2G one) had its headphone jack broken by the weight of my Sony headphones' cord, so I am looking to avoid a repeat of that situation. Is this problem not going to occur on my newer iPod (4G), since its design is more sensible, or are there some big headphones that don't also have 3 pound cords?

posted by scrim to Technology (10 answers total)

What you want, my friend, is the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro. They're nice and big, they've got great sound for portable players, and you can pick them up for $100.
posted by Jairus at 10:20 PM on March 5, 2005

Yeah - either those or the Sennheiser HD515. Compared to the 280Pro, they'll offer less isolation (which has both advantages and disadvantages), probably more comfortable, same price. I'd expect them to be better sounding, too (simply because open designs tend to sound better than sealed ones).

Also - someone is bound to recomment the Grado SR-80's, which, while they might sound great, probably aren't as comfortable as either of the Sennheisers.
posted by kickingtheground at 10:36 PM on March 5, 2005

The HD515s are great, but I wouldn't recommend them for portable listening, especially if you're going to be on a bus or around other people.
posted by Jairus at 10:40 PM on March 5, 2005

I wouldn't recommend the Grados for portable use -- they're just too open, allowing a lot of the sound escape from the phones and let a lot of the ambient sound in. Plus the cord is decidedly non-portable (heavy gauge, not coiled, not terribly bendy either).

I say this as a very happy owner of SR-80s: great for at home, absolutely unusable for not-home.
posted by nathan_teske at 10:43 PM on March 5, 2005

Actually - take that back. Newegg has the HD555 for $99. That's probably the best deal you'll find. If you don't need isolation - these are the ones to buy.
posted by kickingtheground at 10:43 PM on March 5, 2005

I've always tried to stay away from studio monitor headphones for listening to portables and computers, because I think they're to flat and to hard to power to to be really enjoyable. When I listen to a bad source (computers, mp3s), I want something that will make it sound better then it is, not expose its flaws.

I have a pair of Grado SR60s that sound fantastic on portables without an amp, and cost ~$70. Some people are put off by their styling (or lack their of), but for me, that's a selling point.

You might also dig through the buying guides and catalog at headphone.com, or read some of the reviews and posts at head-fi.
posted by cosmonaught at 10:44 PM on March 5, 2005

Nathan_teske has a point about the Grados being loud... I guess I'm just inconsiderate.
posted by cosmonaught at 10:46 PM on March 5, 2005

This is the third time I've mentioned them on AskMe, but for good reason: Sony MDR-V6. Don't let its similarity in name to the MDR-V600 fool you. They're fantastic headphones that are extremely durable, can fold up and can be stuck in a pouch for travel, and sound awesome plugged into anything. The cord is heavy, though. Sennheiser cables may be lighter. The HD280 mentioned above is in about the same class as the MDR-V6.
posted by zsazsa at 8:37 AM on March 6, 2005

Gonna second the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro. I have them and love them.
posted by swank6 at 10:30 AM on March 6, 2005

Another vote for the Grados SR-60s. They're lousy at keeping sound out (or in), but they sure sound great in a quiet environment. And I find them comfortable to the point that I forget I'm wearing them. I heart my grados.

The cord probably won't break your iPod (I have had no problem with mine), but it is, as mentioned, decidedly not very flexible or lightweight.
posted by terceiro at 11:15 AM on March 6, 2005