New >$100 around-ear closed headphones. Pick me one. (not as easy as you think)

Time for a new alternate set.
- Around-ear. Not over-ear.
- Looks good -> cool on the head. Not dorky.
- Provides decent isolation.
- Efficient & low-impedance (<80 ohms)
- Portable. i.e. able to be carried and used portably without detriment. Short / swappable cable a major plus. The * guide below should give you an idea what I don't consider portable.
- Minimum budget: $100. Maximum budget: ~$5,000.

Current closed phones: Audio-Technica ATH-W1000X*, Sony MDR-7520, MDR-ZX700

Previously owned closed phones (a subset - may have forgotten some / not have listed older / cheaper models). i.e. those that didn't make the grade for one reason or another:
Audio-Technica - ATH-M50, ATH-W5000*, ATH-ESW9*, ATH-ESW10JPN*, ATH-ES7
Bose - AE2, OE
B&W - P5
Beyerdynamic - DT770 Premium*, T5P*
Monster Beats - Studio, Solo HD
Pioneer - HDJ-1000*
Sennheiser - HD25-1 Mk II, HD25-SP, HD280*
Shure - SRH840
Sony: MDR-7509, MDR-7506
Ultrasone - Edition 8, Edition 8 Palladium, HFI-780. Generally speaking no Ultrasones please as they're largely a waste of time for music use

* = phones I don't consider portable either for size or durability reasons

 

I notice a distinct lack of electrostatic phones from your lineup.. I though you would have tried out atleast one of em with your impressive lineup of already sampled phones..

Not a suggestion, as they're obviously not portable. Was just wondering..

I was about to suggest the beyer dynamic T5p but i see you have em listed as being too large to be considered portable..

 

Wow OP, you certainly drive a hard bargain. Looks you're asking for the prefect pair of headphones?

Anyway, my nomination is for the B&W P5. That's the best I can do given your ahem...uniquely discriminating taste. Good luck.







PS You will come back and give us a review of whatever decision you make?

 

P5 is supraaural. Also not a huge fan of the sound, though I kind of dismissed them for the supraaural aspect. The HD25-1 family remains the primary supraaural I'd consider simply because of the peerless isolation and superlight weight combined with the sonic bang for the buck (way lower than an open phone for sure, but not too bad for a superbly isolated phone considering the price)... if it wasn't hellishly uncomfortable. In fact, I've yet to find a supraaural that doesn't cause me discomfort in some way, even those with very soft pads. Should have added that to the had list.

Rather hard to walk around with the Orpheus. Or the SR-007 / Mk II. Though the SR-001 is portable but it's open (and actually, quite impractical in the end). The Orpheus is the only one I've hung onto... though not that it sees that much use these days.

Told you it wouldn't be easy...

In all honesty I'm fine with the lower end of the >$100 range or the midrange $2-400 level, as long as it meets the criteria - it doesn't have to be a flagship, especially as I don't think there is a flagship I haven't had that actually fits the bill. As long as it sounds pretty decent, I'm fine with it.

 

If you are just looking for something different/fun, try the Skullcandy Skullcrushers. The sound isn't pristine, but the subwoofers give them some novelty and are a unique aspect. Also, they don't use much power because they have an amp that takes an AA battery built in. They are cheap so you won't be too concerned with taking them places, they fold up fairly small, and if they break, which they very well might considering Skullcandy's reliability, Skullcandy will replace them for free. I know they are under your budget, and are blown away by most of what you've used, but I've had a pair for 2 years and they've served me well.

 

And therein lies the problem: find the ones that fit, and the sound is a compromise. Find ones that sound terrific, and they're designed so that they stop the circulation to your brain. This is why I'm not a huge fan of any type of headphones; and don't spend a lot of money on them.

Its hard enough just trying to find that pair that sound good. In addition, you have to find the ones that fit right all while not giving the impression you have a drawer of pocket protectors and once owned glasses held together with tape. Have you noticed the acceptance of wearing bigger headphones lately?

 

Check out the selection from Koss.

koss headphones

Anthony Dominick Benedetto likes them! :wink:

Actually, I own a pair of their PRO3AA Titanium.

Cheers!

DragonRider

 

Hmmm. Didn't really give Koss much thought.

Can anyone dig up a pic of the PRODJ200 on a (human, not foam/glass/etc) head?
The MV1 has quite a coconuthalves-y profile...