Comfortable, all-day listening headphones for iPod

ctviggen · « **on:** 3 Jan 2005, 06:20 pm »

Does anyone have recommendations for comfortable headphones for all-day listening with a new iPod? The earphones that come with the iPod are killing my ears! (These won't be for my main system, as I don't have or currently need headphones for that system.)

jgubman · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Jan 2005, 06:52 pm »

I wear my Sennheiser 600s all day long at work w/ no fatigue. Most comfortable headphones I've ever owned.

BradJudy · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Jan 2005, 07:38 pm »

While I agree that Senn HD600s are very comfortable (I own a pair), they are probably too difficult to drive for an iPod directly.

I am yet to find a pair of hard earbuds that don't cause me pain or discomfort, but I find that I can wear Etymotics with the foam plugs for long periods of time. Take a look at the ER-6i which was designed with the iPod in mind. discountheadphones.com has good prices and is an authorized dealer.

jcoat007 · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Jan 2005, 07:53 pm »

I am in the same boat with my i-pod. The earbuds kill my ears.

I just got a pair of Etymotic ER-6i's. They are comfortable but I cannot get them to sound good. I know that getting them positioned in your ear canal is a must for good sound, and I get them in as far as I can. They just sound thin and tinny with little or no bass.

I get the same result with the foam plugs.

(And yes, I have cleaned my ears

)

jgubman · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Jan 2005, 07:56 pm »

They work OK w/ an iPod, I've taken them w/ me on a plane a few times.

While certainly not at their best, they work just fine on an iPod; no clipping or distortion.

That said, yes, 600s are overkill for directly plugging into an iPod. I believe Senn's other offering further down the line are just as comfortable though...

Maybe checkout the HD515?

Levi · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Jan 2005, 08:58 pm »

Hi Bob,

I use Sony 75th Anniv Pontopia. Excellent bass response and portability. Also works as passive noise filter but not for everyone.

Levi

Quote from: ctviggen

Does anyone have recommendations for comfortable headphones for all-day listening with a new iPod? The earphones that come with the iPod are killing my ears! (These won't be for my main system, as I don't have or currently need headphones for that system.)

Tyson · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 Jan 2005, 09:38 pm »

If you want the best.....

Sensaphonics 2x-soft

ctviggen · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Jan 2005, 09:47 pm »

Thanks for all the suggestions -- now I just have to do the research! I was hoping not to use in-ear models, but perhaps I should rethink that.

Tyson · « **Reply #8 on:** 3 Jan 2005, 10:02 pm »

The problem with earbuds is their almost universally poor sound quality. The problem with most "full sized" headphones is the good sounding ones are generally difficult to drive, making them unsuitable for an Ipod. The in-ear models generally sound pretty good and are easy to drive. If you've ever worn hearing protectors in your ears, that is exactly how canalphones feel. It's an odd sensation to get used to at first, but after that I find them much more comfortable than even full sized headphones.

randog · « **Reply #9 on:** 4 Jan 2005, 12:29 am »

Tyson,

How well do you think those would work under a motorcycle helmet?

If they help to block outside noises from getting in, that is an added bonus.

Levi · « **Reply #10 on:** 4 Jan 2005, 01:11 am »

Tyson,

Actually, the Etymotic is pretty good. The only downside is it goes deep into the ear canal. It may not be for everyone.

Levi

jcoat007 · « **Reply #11 on:** 4 Jan 2005, 01:13 am »

Quote from: Tyson

If you want the best.....

Sensaphonics 2x-soft

Any idea how much these are?

Tyson · « **Reply #12 on:** 4 Jan 2005, 02:03 am »

Randog, they are flush with the ear, so they will work better with a helmet than anything else I can think of. The attenuate between 20 to 25 db of outside noise.

Levi, the Etymotics are quite good for the $$. I owned the ER-6 and the ER-4 before getting the Shure E5, and then the Sensaphonics. The 2x-soft is pricey, but it is also unquestionably better for fit, comfort, and sound quality.

jcoat007, they are $750, plus the cost of custom earmolds from an audiologist (Sensaphonics can usually recommend someone close to you). I paid $50 for my molds, and that cost included any re-molds I might have to do in order to get a "perfect" fit.

Johnny · « **Reply #13 on:** 19 Jan 2005, 03:01 pm »

Anyone tried the B&O (Bang and Olufsen) A8 headphones for $160?
I'm trying to find time to get downtown and try them at the B&O store in Boston, assuming they let you audition them

Andrikos · « **Reply #14 on:** 19 Jan 2005, 03:32 pm »

Let me recommend the Sony MDR-EX71. The were recommended to me in this thread ( http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=13235 ) by Jackman.
I bought them from Amazon ( http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000092YQW/qid=1096472489/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/102-2841786-2224948?v=glance&s=pc&n=507846 )
for the measly sum of $31. Great buy! Their bass is very surprising and they isolate like a mother (perhaps TOO much

).
Highly recommended.

TheChairGuy · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 Jan 2005, 03:46 pm »

I own the Westone UM-2's...they sound good, feel fine and lock out lots of noise on plane trips. They are also very sensitive, so you don't need a powerful headphone amp to drive them. They are better known in the pro audio field, but they also make hearing aids...so comfort is very good. I have no comfort issues even on planes (where I primarily use them) where your ear canals are constantly being pressured and de-pressurized.

www.westone.com

I bought mine from a dealer in Cincinatti on ebay for $275.00....but the single driver UM1 is $99.00 online (I haven't checked around for better outside of the Westone webstore price)

sleepkyng · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 Jan 2005, 05:04 pm »

B&O A8s are really expensive and not good for the money.

I'm not much of an earbud or canalphone guy but i like the Sennheiser mx500's which, for 15 bucks are pretty swank!

cheers

Andrikos · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 Jan 2005, 05:15 pm »

sleepkyng.
I had the MX500's you speak of (two pairs).
They were good, but the Sony's (yep! Sony!) are much better...

I also have the Senn 580's so I do like Sennheiser.

Jay S · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 Jan 2005, 11:05 pm »

I use the Shure E3c with my iPod. It has a nice smooth full sound, plus it blocks out ambient noise due to its in-ear design (works great on the plane). In contrast to the Ety, it certainly doesn't sound thin and bright. But, it isn't the ultimate in speed and dynamics. Do a search on ebay.com to smoke out great prices from vendors (not private parties).

QIOMD · « **Reply #19 on:** 25 Feb 2005, 09:47 pm »

These are nice for work as 1) they are comfortable for hours and 2) they have an auto-shut off feature when you take them off.

I do use a headphone amp between the 271's and my pod, as the phones take a bit of driving.