I hate headphones! So please recommend some to me.

[chebby]

Yesterday afternoon the missus was using her (my) old Grado SR60s - non 'i' versions - plugged straight into the iMac whilst she caught up on a load of stuff on iPlayer (Dr Who episodes, Doctor Who Confidentials and Archers omnibus etc) so, in order not to disturb her, I used my Sennheiser HD595s from the Beresford all afternoon.

It reminded me why I can't stand headphones. The sound was good but the ear surrounds dig in and my ears got warm and all that plastic is 'creaky'.

Also the HD595s are very sensitive to tiny volume changes and I was having to leap for the volume on the Beresford every time I changed programme.

I like to turn the volume to almost zero then gradually bring it up until the sound is 'full' but I can still hear someone speaking in the same room at normal conversational levels (or hear the front door knocking or the telephone.)

I plan to listen to the new B&W MM-1 PC speakers this week (they have built in h/phone amp too) and I would like to have suggestions for lightweight/open backed/good quality/comfortable/cool headphones that can be worn for reasonably long periods (say a few hours with occasional breaks for tea etc.) without them getting too warm. They should not creak when I move my head and should not sit over the ear.

I would also like the new headphones to be much less 'sensitive' to small volume changes.

I have a pair of virtually unused Sennheiser PX 100 phones in my laptop bag but - despite being comfortable - their lead is very short and although quality is ok they are a bit 'basic'.

Maybe another pair of SR60s would be a good idea but I have already had to fix this pair twice (supergluing both earpieces back onto their metal 'stalks' and glueing the circular bit in the middle - with SR60 written on it - back on) so I consider their build quality a bit suspect.

Thanks.

 

[plastic penguin]

Play.com have Goldring NS1000 at a discounted (silly price) rate. Not heard them but are highly rated.

 

[chebby]

Thanks PP.

Looking at the WHF review it mentions that they are noise cancelling.

I would prefer open phones where I can hear things like someone trying to talk to me or the telephone ringing or someone knocking on the front door.

Looking at the WHF headphone reviews section (around £100 ish) it would seem the Grado SR60i is the only set that comes anywhere near matching my requirements. I really thought there was far more choice nowadays.

I will just have to keep the superglue handy!

I will borrow the wife's old SR60s when I try out the B&W MM-1 later this week.

 

[Anonymous]

i really like the audio technica 'phones. I have a pair of the open air phones - only one of the cheaper models, but nevertheless I think a natural sound and supremely comfortable.

 

[Anonymous]

Why not seize the chance of a bit of marital one-up-manship and try the SR80i or even the SR325is !

 

[chebby]

doug_g_boyd:

Why not seize the chance of a bit of marital one-up-manship and try the SR80i or even the SR325is !

My missus would neither know nor care if my headphones were better or worse in sound quality and I don't like headphones enough to spend any more than I need to for a decent quality and comfortable pair.

She needed some headphones so I had a look around and found the old 595s and SR60s in the cupboard. She preferred the look of and feel of the SR60s (after I had mended them.)

 

[chebby]

jrwight:i really like the audio technica 'phones. I have a pair of the open air phones - only one of the cheaper models, but nevertheless I think a natural sound and supremely comfortable.

I will look at what's available and prices. Thanks. Forgot that AT did headphones.

 

[Anonymous]

Koss porta-pro. Light to wear, very balanced sound. Excellent value. Grado 325 also very nice and comfortable (the higher models get quite a bit heavier).

 

[Audiofoolius]

Audio Technica makes some great open air headphones too. The ATH-AD500 f.i. fits just in your budget. They are extremely comfortable but do have a very detailed treble. So if you like that kind of sound they may be a suitable headphone for you Chebby.

Edit: somehow I didn't notice that the Audio Technica's were already recommended.

 

[chebby]

Kevin1:Koss porta-pro. Light to wear, very balanced sound. Excellent value. Grado 325 also very nice and comfortable (the higher models get quite a bit heavier).

I tried a pair of Koss Pro 4AA in about 1979 (I still have the scars) which is why I bought these instead...

I wish they still made them! (I often used to forget I was wearing them.)

 

[Anonymous]

The B&O headphones are good. A bit down on comfort if you have a big head, though.

 

[John Duncan]

Tarquinh:The B&O headphones are good. A bit down on comfort if you have a big head, though.

 

[chebby]

Tarquinh:The B&O headphones are good. A bit down on comfort if you have a big head, though.

Claudine Beaumont (in a Daily Telegraph review) reckons they were too close fitting even for her [small] head.

 

[matengawhat]

i know you said open backed but the Denon AH-D2000 i hve come to really like and very very comfortable

 

[shooter]

Try.

http://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/

or

http://www.iheadphones.co.uk/

Personally i use SR60's with the imac and find them fairly comfortable but they are a snug fit for my big bonce.

I'm also interested in the MM1's your trying out this week. I've been toying with the idea of a dedicated headphone amp for some time as i do a lot of listening (as i am now) whilst i'm at the desk. They seem to be a quality product at a reasonable price so i'm interested in your feedback.

 

[bigboss]

chebby:

Thanks PP.

Looking at the WHF review it mentions that they are noise cancelling.

I would prefer open phones where I can hear things like someone trying to talk to me or the telephone ringing or someone knocking on the front door.

You can switch the noise cancelling off if you want. They would still work. For the price, the Goldring NS1000 is excellent.

 

[bay24]

bigboss:chebby:

Thanks PP.

Looking at the WHF review it mentions that they are noise cancelling.

I would prefer open phones where I can hear things like someone trying to talk to me or the telephone ringing or someone knocking on the front door.

You can switch the noise cancelling off if you want. They would still work. For the price, the Goldring NS1000 is excellent.

I have the grados and the goldring phones and I think sound quality wise the grados are better in terms of detail and musicality (whatever that means). Saying that I use the goldrings almost exclusively due the noise cancelling as I do most of my listening on public transport. I have recently been using them at home with academic talks playing and even with the noise cancelling off I could hear very little in the room (my partner was listening to the hifi) so not sure they would be for you Chebby. Oh they also creek if you move alot....