Headphone advice for a newcomer

[duaplex]

Hi GUys

Just wondered over from the Homecinema forums to pop a question to you good people. So any help would be much appreciated 🙂

I would like a pair of headphones to travel with and also use at home (setup below) so i narrowed it down to 3 pairs of headsets with one being an in ear set. They are as follows.

1. SR80i

2. SR325i

3. Klipsch X10i

Now i realise that the SR325i is probably a no brainer here, but are they ncecessarily going to perform better in my situation where i want to use an ipod (Mp3 320Mhz) on my travels and use my Lx83 at home for Lossless Audio listening.

And finally, do the x10i, offer any competition to the over head ear phones.

Thank you in advance

 

[Lee H]

Hi,

I can't comment on the others, but I've got the X10i's. To my ears they're a joy. I use ALAC on my iPhone with them. Extremely comfortable too. I bought these to be my "sunlounger" phones and I was going to use my bigger Bose ones still in the office. Since getting the X10i's they have become my earphone of choice in all locations.

Isolation is pretty good, and I'll be adding some custom gels next month to take it up a notch. They're not as big on the bass as some others, but it sounds way more natural that way. Don't get me wrong, they're not lacking, but I had Sennheisers for years and its a different presentation. They're the first pair I've owned where I am hearing stuff in the recordings that I haven't heard before.

 

[Andrew Everard]

All the headphones mentioned by the OP are in our September issue 'megatest' of over 40 pairs of headphones. With subscribers now, available in the shops/to download on Wednesday.

 

[duaplex]

Alright thats one for the x10i.

Andrew - I will be looking forward to that as I buy all editions and as you know base my choices on the reviews. Could you give me a hint perhaps 🙂 I need to get a pair tomorrow!

 

[Andrew Everard]

Could you give me a hint perhaps 🙂 I need to get a pair tomorrow!

Beyond saying that all the headphones you mention do equally well, I'm not sure I can. 😉

 

[duaplex]

I knew you was going to say that 🙂

 

[bay24]

:cheer:

Hi, In my opinion both the Grados you mention will trounce the x10 for sound quality but it is probably more about where you will use them most. The Grado are open backed and so leak a lot of sound so they are not good for out and about use unless it is quiet out and there is know one close to get annoyed by your music. That's why I have the x 10 and got rid of my grados. I had a listen to the Bose quiet comfort 15 the other day and was very impressed but they are quite expensive.

God that was a long and badly constructed scentance, apologies!

 

[bay24]

Hi,
In my opinion both the Grados you mention will trounce the x10 for sound quality but it is probably more about where you will use them most. The Grado are open backed and so leak a lot of sound so they are not good for out and about use unless it is quiet out and there is know one close to get annoyed by your music. That's why I have the x 10 and got rid of my grados.
I had a listen to the Bose quiet comfort 15 the other day and was very impressed but they are quite expensive.

 

[duaplex]

Hey that's ok, no need to apologise, I understood that perfectly and ironically didn't even notice! 😉

The Bose QuietComfort 15 is something I looked at too. Its certainly one of the headphones to consider. Having said that the P5 is another sure contender and is apparently good at isolation too, however they say leather will make you sweat badly on the ears and prove to be uncomfortable.

I am starting to see why people own 2 pairs of headsets, one like the x10 for being on the move and another for private listening like the Grado.

Is it too much to ask for both 🙂

thanks for the input Bay24

 

[eggontoast]

I am starting to see why people own 2 pairs of headsets, one like the x10 for being on the move and another for private listening like the Grado. Is it too much to ask for both

Why only two sets !

It is difficult to recommend headphones without knowing what type of music you listen to.

Grado's are OK if you like there overly bright, bass shy sound (especially the SR325i). But personally I never found my RS2i's a good all round headphone, sure they sounded good with some types of music but others were unlistenable. Hence I sold them and purchased something far better even with there second hand price, Grado headphones are seriously overpriced in the UK. If you do go down that route though there are some dealers who will ship them to you from Brooklyn and save you a shed load of money. At $ prices they become more palatable.

 

[bay24]

Hey that's ok, no need to apologise, I understood that perfectly and ironically didn't even notice! 😉 The Bose QuietComfort 15 is something I looked at too. Its certainly one of the headphones to consider. Having said that the P5 is another sure contender and is apparently good at isolation too, however they say leather will make you sweat badly on the ears and prove to be uncomfortable. I am starting to see why people own 2 pairs of headsets, one like the x10 for being on the move and another for private listening like the Grado. Is it too much to ask for both 🙂 thanks for the input Bay24

I did almost add in my last post that if you had budget for the 325i then why not get the 80i and the x10! From what I have read here the 80i are very good. I am in a similar situation, I loved the Grados but they were not practical as I do most of my listening out and about. I do like the x10 but feel like I would get better sound from on/over ear phones, they just need to sound as good as the grados, not be huge, and not leak sound!

I also got a chance to listen to the P5 at the same time I heard the quiet comfort 15 and I found the P5 quite ordinary. I used my iPhone with lossless files and there just wasn't much life to the sound. They do look beautiful and I found them very comfortable to wear though. Another to think about would be the Goldring ns1000, not quite as detailed as the grados but a nice full sound.

 

[Lee H]

I am starting to see why people own 2 pairs of headsets, one like the x10 for being on the move and another for private listening like the Grado. Is it too much to ask for both

Why only two sets !

It is difficult to recommend headphones without knowing what type of music you listen to.

Grado's are OK if you like there overly bright, bass shy sound (especially the SR325i). But personally I never found my RS2i's a good all round headphone, sure they sounded good with some types of music but others were unlistenable. Hence I sold them and purchased something far better even with there second hand price, Grado headphones are seriously overpriced in the UK. If you do go down that route though there are some dealers who will ship them to you from Brooklyn and save you a shed load of money. At $ prices they become more palatable.

Bear in mind that you may get hit for import duty on them too when doing your calculations

 

[Lee H]

I am starting to see why people own 2 pairs of headsets, one like the x10 for being on the move and another for private listening like the Grado. Is it too much to ask for both

That's the truth! I have a few pairs, and each gets a different use.

 

[Lee H]

Another to think about would be the Goldring ns1000, not quite as detailed as the grados but a nice full sound.

Great sound. Probably the best sound per pound, but I found them to be quite leaky so had to send them back.

 

[eggontoast]

Bear in mind that you may get hit for import duty on them too when doing your calculations

Not if you go to the right dealer 😉

 

[bay24]

Bear in mind that you may get hit for import duty on them too when doing your calculations

Not if you go to the right dealer 😉

Would it be breaking any house rules letting us know which one?!
I have seen a seller out of Broklyn on eBay who seems to sell alot at good prices.

 

[eggontoast]

Bear in mind that you may get hit for import duty on them too when doing your calculations

Not if you go to the right dealer 😉

Would it be breaking any house rules letting us know which one?! I have seen a seller out of Broklyn on eBay who seems to sell alot at good prices.

It is probably not a good idea to post the sellers name on here as it a federal offence 😉 but you should have enough info to go on.

 

[duaplex]

OK guys here is the update. After much consideration i came to realise that you are all correct on this section of the forum and I would indeed be buying two sets.

So I have purchased the x10i for everyday ipod use and they are incredible!! Exactly what the review promised on here. Now after a break and to recoup my finances I will be buying a second pair, purely for home use and with my AV. See i figured that comfort is probaby paramount and noise isolation when on the move is best....Can you imagine having ear can's on holiday in a hot climate!

Advice was awesome, so thanks to all!

 

[Anonymous]

Well done, a wise decision. I am just eyeing up a new pair of IEMs myself (the ACS T1s). Enjoy your holidays!

 

[duaplex]

the ACS T1s look the part for sure, I would love to be able to hear what they sound like. I didnt think in ear could be more expensive, but you just proved me wrong!

Just looking at the pictures and im loving the design!

 

[Anonymous]

Well you should check out the legendary JH Audio JH-16 Pros then, that's well over a grand of ear heaven!