Headphone reccomendations

[bsee]

We tried both the QC-2 and QC-3 for Lisa and kept the QC-3.  The QC-2 completely encloses the ear and creates a more significant sense of pressure.  I noticed it but wasn't bothered by it, she couldn't deal with it.  Admittedly, she ruptured both eardrums in a diving mishap several years ago and has never been able to equalize pressure as well since.  The QC-3 still gives her a feeling of pressure, but the fact that the ear isn't entirely enclosed makes it more tolerable.
 
There wasn't much difference to me in comfort or sonic performance between the two.  Noise cancellation isn't 100%, so the complete ear coverage of the QC-2 might be a little better in an environment with random noise.  The cancellation is primarily about things like engine noise and such, not people talking in the next cubicle.
 
In terms of size, the difference is pretty big.  With the QC-3, She wears them in her office when the kids are screaming in the pool next door, or even if she's sleeping in the afternoon.  
 
The only knock on the Bose headphones is that they only work in noise canceling mode.  Some other noise canceling models work as regular headphones if you don't power them up.  Not so with the Bose.  I use a set of the Sennheiser PXC-250 for travel when noise cancellation matters to me, but I don't think I'd pick them for practicing through.  The Bose might be better if that's your purpose.

[lbpesq]

Bob:
 
You use the Sennheisers over the Bose for travel?  What do you find better about the Sennheisers, if I may ask?  Currently, for planes I use some $20 earbuds from Radio Shack that I believe Flax turned me on to.  They are actually quite good for the purpose, comfortable, have a mute button on the cord, and at $20 you can't go wrong.  They even come with a neat little carry case!
 
Bill, tgo

[pace]

Ive always had a pair of AKG's, but I got a newer pair of Sennheisers, and the impedance seems to be a better match for most of the stuff I plug them into....

[bsee]

The Sennheisers I use were about a $150 regular price set that I got for half that on close out.  I really wasn't up for the idea of $300 for the Bose setup.  I like that they are much more portable than the Bose.  I like that I can use them with or without the batteries/noise canceling system.  I like that the batteries live in a tube in the middle of the wire that can be clipped in a pocket somewhere so that the headset weighs very little rather than having all the weight on your head.  I like that the ear pieces are very shallow so that you can rest your head against a pillow without a large hard lump under your head.
 
I do like earbuds as well, especially something like the Koss that fit in the ear and isolate very well.  Still, the Sennheiser seemed better on the airplane.  We flew and I had my regular iPod earbuds, the Sennheisers, and the QC-3.  Both noise cancelers were more enjoyable than just the earbuds.  I couldn't detect a sonic difference to justify the price of the Bose, and the Sennheisers had a number of convenience features that appealed to me.  Using something inside the ear like the Koss, or Shure for higher quality, bothers my ears after an hour or two so that isn't the best option for my head on a five hour flight.

[lbpesq]

Bob:
 
Thanks for the review.  I think I may check out a pair of the Sennheisers (I was considering using my Amex Reward points on the Bose QC3s - but the size difference/convenience factor is important to me, especially if the sound quality is similar).
 
Bill, tgo

[bsee]

Bose used to give you a 100% money back guarantee, so they are worth checking out if you might be interested in them.  Don't know about your area, but we have a Bose factory store nearby as well to try them out.  If nothing else, the demo setup is pretty cool.  The one here had you start listening to some George Harrison tune with the occasional voice-over.  After a bit, the voice tells you to take off the headphones and there are a handful of speakers over your head cranking so that it sounds like you're sitting on a jet engine.  You would never have known otherwise.

[benson_murrensun]

I have a set of Sony MDR7506. The sound is AWESOME. The drawback is a feeling of being too enclosed, which wears on me after an hour or less.
I like to use them for bass practice with my Avalon U5 preamp/DI.

[kmh364]

2nd Flax's reco of headroom.com. Great people to deal with.  
 
I have the Shure SE-530PTH: the finest non-audiologist -required in-ear monitors (IEM's), IMHO. Of course, you can have an audiologist mold made of your ears for a truly custom fit, but they aren't required for decent fit and sound, unlike the uber-expensive Ultimate Ears, Westone's, etc. Oh yeah, IEM's offer MUCH better sound attenuation than active designs, with no added noise and sound degradation.
 
I had the Bose QC III's (XMAS gift two yrs. back). I thought they were overpriced junk. The noise reduction they offer is not dramatic, and the sound quality and fit were both not great. You could also hear the added noise the noise cancellation circuitry added as well. ALL Bose stuff is expensive in price, but mediocre in sound, AFAIC. And yes, I have other Bose stuff: WaverRadio I, SoundDock I, etc., so I'm not just poo-poo'ing Bose for nothing. FWIW, all my Bose stuff were gifts...for the cost/performance ratio their stuff offers, I wouldn't have bought any of them with my own dosh. Just my opinion as an rabid audiophile since age 13.  
 
For the money, I traded 'em in for the Shures and added the HeadRoom Total Bithead Amp and case. With my iPod, it makes a super portable sound system.
 
http://www.headphone.com/products/packaged-systems/shure-se530-with-headroom-total-bithead-and-gigabag.php
 
I'd also recommend the AKG-701's if you want over the ear cans that are top shelf.
 
Ck out this site for heaphone freaks:
http://www.head-fi.org/
 
Cheers,
 
Kevin

[lbpesq]

Kevin:
 
What's the HeadRoom Total Bithead Amp for?  Isn't the typical ipod loud enough?
 
Bill, tgo

[flaxattack]

i have the akg 701s for sale
used for a little while- i dont like things on my ears- in em is ok on em nah
these are killer cans and i have used these direct from the soundboard for playing bass. these were my choice after the etymotics...
if interested email me for a price

[jacko]

I've been using sennheiser hd215 headphones for a while and I've found them to be incredibly comfortable if a little bulky for travelling. The sound quality is excellent - very rich bass tones and no fizzing in the upper registers -just a very musical headphone.  
 
Graeme

[kmh364]

Bill:
 
The amp is for better sound...same benefit as adding an excellent hi-powered amp to any audio chain. Since the cheap op-amp headphone amp circuit on most devices ist sheisse, the bithead allows an easy load for the device headphone out and gives plenty of current to drive even difficult can loads. And yes, you can get plenty of (deafening) volume out of the thing. FWIW, the beiggest benefits to the bithead (or any HQ outboard amp) are lower bass extension, more bass weight and increased headroom. The bithead also has a patented crosstalk circuit in it to improve the imaging and soundstage. While it won't eliminate the problem, it helps to minimize the in-your-head artificial soundstage that alll phones suffer from. This has all resulted in a MUCH improved listening experience for yours truly. I've always had good phones (mostly AKG), but never really enjoyed them as the overly analytical sound coupled with the above-mentioned imaging/soundstage issues (not to mention the cloesd-in feeling of even light cans) has always made me a non-fan of headphones. The sound quality, noise reduction, comfort and relative stealth of the IEM's coupled with my ipod, total bithead and case combo have converted me over. Oh yeah, they could be used for stage use...like Westone's. Finally, even though the amp can crank with any phones, the substantial noise attenuation coupled with the awesome sound has resulted in a marked DECREASE in the volume necessary to enjoy the music.
 
Flax:
 
I agree. I used to prefer cans on my ears to in-ear devices. After I got the SE-530's, I did a 180. FWIW, AKG has a new version out now as well: 702's. I don't know if they are an improvement or not, though. I would love either, I just don't wanna walk around or sit at Starbucks/Barnes & Noble with cans on my head, LOL!
 
Cheers,
 
Kevin
 
(Message edited by kmh364 on November 19, 2008)

[lbpesq]

I took the plunge and ordered a pair of the SE-530PTH phones off of ebay for a good price.  I have to fly cross country next month, so I'll get to put them to the test.
 
Bill, tgo

[kmh364]

Bill TGO:
 
I'd recommend playing the h*ll out of the IEM's. Like everything else audio, especially anything with transducers (i.e., moving parts, energy converters in this case), break-in is critical to proper sound. I recommend plugging them into ur iPod (or other portable music source) at a decent volume and just let them play. You don't wanna crank 'em too loud in order to avoid driver damage, but noraml listening volume is fine....use music with plenty of bass and dynamic range. It may take upwards of 20-30hrs of playtime in order to break-in. Bass response will markedly improve once broken-in...I had to use the bass booster eq with the iPod until the two woofers in each phone broke-in.
 
Of course, I'd still recommend the airhead/bithead (or better) amp and the case from HeadRoom. Everything fits nice in the case, and the bithead increases iPod battery life due to the easy head-out load, at the expense of disposable battery life (4 AAA) in the bithead. I use those lithium eveready's (I get 'em from amazon to save money)...they last a lot longer than regular batteries. I think the airhead has a rechargeable battery capability, but the bithead has a USb that allows you to bypass the inferior DAC's in your computer/laptop for MUCH better sound from your MP3's, etc. The bithead will also power itself from the usb, saving the on-board batteries. Just my $0.02.
 
Cheers,
 
Kevin

[flaxattack]

you heading to ny bill?