Headphones

To commemorate me getting hold of my Audio-Technica ATH-ANC7, I thought I'd make a thread for people to post what they use for in-ear audio. The Audio-Technica are excellent headphones, fantastic accuracy and brilliant detail. For the same money I might have gone for Grados but i needed the noise cancellation for travelling......and general opinion seems to suggest that the Audio-Technicas are the best noise cancelling headphones there are around (i'm not a fan of in-ear).

So....in the circumstances when the audiophiles here are torn away from their expensive rigs and forced to listen to portable audio (or in case you just like heaphone sound) , which headphones/earphones do you use?

Hi psychotropic,

Thanks for starting this thread :-)

I use the Grado RS60s for late hours, critical listening and find them absolutely delightful with the genres I listen to.

Of course, if you've handled these you'll know they are too clunky and cumbersome for outdoor/ travel use. Also, much of the sound 'bleeds' through and there is a risk of disturbing co-passengers at higher volumes. In fact, I sometimes flip the phones 'outside in', the non-padded side is clearer on the treble detail!

My other phones are Sennheisers buds that came bundled with the non-defunct iRiver H340 series. Not sure which make, but they blow the stock iPoo (TM) buds to smithereens.

Persiflage

Hi,
Have a sennheiser (will update the model no later if its still visible) bought in 1999. I guess they would be called On ear headphones if i am not mistaken. Very big and ugly but sounded great in my old system(Rotel/ B&W).Are almost in tatters now.
What is the headphone to buy here locally in a budget of 10K Max? Can u try the headphones with ur HIFI? In UK they are reluctant to even let u try them on !!!!!! Have seen the usual suspects(sony,technics,phillips etc) at Rhythm House, mumbai but didn't get down to hearing them.
Thanks in advance
Regards

I use these:
Creative EP-630

I paid Rs. 1,200 but I hear they can be had for as low as 900 bucks. They can be easily stuffed into a shirt pocket and mainly they meet my primary need: isolation from the outside world that is not based on noise-cancellation circuitry.

Good sound for lo-fi sources like the mp3s on my laptop.

Locally available is the issue. I haven't seen any really great headphones available in India (apart from the Sennheiser models). Got my audio-technica set picked up in New York. Have someone bring them down, they're simple to carry and don't consume too much suitcase space. And for your budget of 10k INR (232 USD) there are lots of options including the Grados....or if you want noise-cancellation and/or travel use these Audio-Technica's are probably unbeatable....

Now Sennheiser has set up some distribution networks in India, although I don't know what models they are selling. There's a very basic Sennheiser one for around 2500 bucks which I heard recently, which is superb for a basic pair, but I don't have the model number, I can find out and post it.

Oh yes I have the EP-630s as well....came free with my Dell laptop.....very nice for MP3 players and stuff.....not a patch on the audio-technicas though....but that maybe to some extent because i just prefer the headphones to in-ear phones.....

Hi,

I use a MS-1 bought last year from Alessandro (free w/w shipping, for $99), and a Denon AH-D2000 bought this year (for $203+sh) from a head-fi.org member.
Music is via Corda Move portable amp or direct from iBook/Macbook apple lossless files.
I dont think I will upgrade in the near future!!

Rgds,

I have following:

1> Headphones: SONY MDR - v6


Current US price $77

1. A headset system designed for audio professionals
2. 40 mm drivers deliver accurate sound throughout the frequency range
3. Circum-aural design keeps ears comfortable
4. 10-foot long (3 meters) oxygen-free copper cord keeps down noise
5. Copper-Clad Aluminum Wire (CCAW) Voice Coil enhances movement of PET diaphragm

Type: Circum-aural, Dynamic closed
Driver Unit: 40mm Diameter, CCAW
Impedance: 63 ohms
Sensitivity: 106dB/mW
Rated Power: 0.3 W
Power Handling Capacity: 1.0 W
Frequency Response: 5 - 30,000Hz
Cord: Single-sided, 10 feet (3.0m)
Plug: Stereo UniMatch Plug
Weight: 7.8 ounces (220g), without cord

Step up to a higher level of quality sound. The MDRV6 headphones boost a 40 MM Diameter Driver for Deep, Accurate Bass, a flexible folding design for easy portability and a very comfortable fit. PRODUCT FEATURES: 40 MM Diameter Driver for Deep, Accurate Bass; Circum-Aural Design Reduces Outside Noise; Folding Design for Easy Portability; Oxygen-Free Copper Litz Cord for Low Noise; Stereo UniMatch Plug for Indoor and Outdoor Use; Wide, Padded Headband for Long-Lasting Comfort [www.amazon.com]

2>Canalphone: Shure E2C

Current US price $68

1. Sound Isolating in-ear design - Hear only what you want to hear
2. Portable and lightweight design - weighing only one-ounce
3. Personal fit kit to contour to your ear size
4. Built in High-Energy in-ear speaker technology
5. Enriched studio quality sound used by Musicians worldwide

Type: In-ear, isolating
Open ear: No
Headband: None (cables pass behind your ears)
Transducer type: Dynamic high-energy
Diaphragm: Information not available
Terminal: Gold-plated .125-inch minijack plug
Includes .25-inch adapter: No
Cord length: 62 inches
Cord type: Dual-ear
Nominal impedance: 16 ohms
Sensitivity: 105 dB SPL/mw
Frequency response: Information not available
Batteries: None
Item weight: 1 ounce

Shure's E2c in-ear headphones are tiny, lightweight, and designed to sonically outperform most ear-bud-style headphones. The E2c's unique, relatively affordable design comes from Shure's years of collaborating with professional musicians. With high-energy drivers in distinctive enclosures, the E2c produces high-quality sound with excellent isolation from background noise.
The E2c's speakers are constructed with studio-grade components, producing exceptional audio clarity. Their in-ear design, using supplied flex sleeves, naturally blocks background noise. This permits lower listening volumes in loud environments--critical in safeguarding your hearing during performance or other activities. No batteries or extra equipment are needed for sound isolation.

Because every ear is different, E2c earphones come with 3 pairs (small, medium, large) of flex sleeves and 3 pairs (small, medium, large) ultra-soft flex sleeves to ensure a personalized fit. These disposable foam sleeves gently compress to fit in the ear canal. Once in the ear, the foam expands to form a tight seal. Once tightly sealed, the sleeves hold the earphones firmly in place.

The E2c's cables pass behind the ear--out of sight and out of the way for comfort and discretion. Weighing only 1 ounce, the E2c is lightweight and comfortable enough for any portable listening application. The set comes with a soft, stylish, compact, and zippered carrying case, which allows for an easy, tangle-free way to store your earphones. [www.amazon.com]

Grado a Nice One...
But a bit more than to afford...

I got
Goldring - DR-100 - Rs.5000 &
iLuv - i222 - Rs.10,000...

iLuv - i222 are great for Bluetooth cum Noise Cancellation Head Phones...
They are wireless and have bluetooth connectivity for your phone...
I seriously liked the iLuv...

Have a Sennheiser HD650. Building a pair of replacement cables for it. The stock cables are absolutely terrible. Currently it runs off my tube preamp but getting a Darkvoice 337 dedicated headphone amp soon .

Someone is selling a pair of Stax headphones in the market for Rs 18000. If anyone is planning in getting into serious headphone listening. That is an excellent device to start with. Its a steal at that price.