Non-leaky headphones

[Lee H]

So my NS1000's arrive yesterday, threw open the box with delight. Fought the battery compartment for 10 minutes, then tried it again on the right side . Connected the lead, plugged in 'em in, put 'em on, and everyone in the room enjoyed what I was listening too. They leaked somewhat. Eventually, my wife said, "If you wore those next to me I'd punch you." So sadly, they'll be going back.

Finding somewhere with a range of cans to compare/audition seems to be really difficult, so I'd like some suggestions please. They'll be for in the office and on flights. Will mainly be plugged into an iPhone via a little Fiio E5 and I'd like them to be either noise cancelling or shut out most background noise. I don't like stuffing things in my ears like a Babel fish, so on or over ear.

Any thoughts?

 

[GeoffreyW]

Just as well you didn't opt for Grados, then! I'm auditioning the Goldring NS1000s, and my wife, sitting 3 feet to my left, finds them quite acceptable, compared to my SR80s. You should find them louder with them switched on (with the blue light on), so you can lower the volume. Also they have improved with about 30 hours running in, as well, so don't be too hasty.

 

[Lee H]

They sounded really good, I can't fault them for that. But they are leaky. I work in an open plan office so I can't see them being too popular. I think I really need something that doesn't leak.

 

[idc]

Of my headphones the least sound leak is from the Sennheiser PX200, then AKG K271 MkII, then vintage Pioneer SE305, then AKG K44 baby of the range. There is no such thing as totally leakless on or over ear headphones, you need to go IEM for that, but even then some IMEs can leak as well.

 

[Lee H]

Thanks idc. I have the PXC-250's now and it was those I was looking to replace.

 

[BenLaw]

The new edition of WHF has a group test of on ear headphones. I have the B & W P5 which are superb at not letting sound in or out. I demoed them with a couple of friends using an iPhone. At max volume (which I couldn't cope with for very long) my friends could hear nothing. Great sound as well.

 

[matengawhat]

my girl friend would say the quietest i have ever owned are the sennheiser hd280s, then my denon ahd 2000s all my others leak badly like you have mentioned the goldrings my others are all open back and a no go for bedroom listening which is a big shame as i love my grado ps1000s but i might as well have speakers, great for the lounge but nowhere else

 

[neilmistry]

I agree the Goldrings leak and my wife doesn't like to be near me when they are on, so I'm looking for another pair. Do the Audio Technical ATES55's leak much? I work over the road from a Superfi store, but not sure if they would let me test them.

 

[Lee H]

They should let you test, but they might not be run in yet. Let us know what you think.

 

[neilmistry]

I tried a pair of AKG450's in the Superfi (reduced by £50 to £50) and I couldn't hear any leakage. However, I've not found any positive reviews for them. As a comparison, I did try a pair of the Goldring NR1000's, and they sounded just a little bit more leaky than the AKG's. However, it was in a shop, with background noise.

 

[Lee H]

I haven't tried those. Sent my Goldrings back to Play on Saturday and got the refund today, they even kicked in a bit towards my postage was unexpected but nice

 

[neilmistry]

I've been using my Goldrings recently, and the sound is improving nicely. I wore them on the train last week, and didn't get any odd looks so guess they weren't leaking too much. I think they are only a problem in very quiet environments.