Over-ear passive headphones? £200 ish?

[Big Aura]

I’m in the market for new headphones and would welcome some ideas (and what I want may not be possible…)

I live in London and commute by Tube and work in an open-plan office. I’ve got a trusty pair of Shure 115s that I’ve had for ages. They’re fine to listen to, offer great outside noise blocking, but are a pain to take out and re-insert (especially when ordering my morning coffee as I despise people who don’t say thank you properly! Or when phone rings etc.). I also have AKG 451s, but they sound terrible (flabby and let in too much external noise).

For that reason, I’m looking for some proper over-ear headphones. The obvious thing would be to consider active noise cancelling. I think they work great for noise cancelling, but don’t actually like how the Bose headphones sound. I also don't like being reliant on a further set of batteries in the headphones.

Are there any decent over-ear headphones with really excellent passive noise blocking (think office hum, and tube screech/rattle)? I'm using Google Play music over a laptop and a Samsung S5.

Max budget is £200, so considering:

Sennheiser Momentum Over-ear

B&O Beosound H6 (the blue ones are available for £179)

Anything else? Thanks

 

[Big Aura]

sorry - meant to say also that lighter/comfortable phones are preferred as I'll be on the move. Foldability is useful, but less of a concern as I'll have my trusty backpack with me most of the time.

 

[cleggton]

I was looking to solve the exact same problem. Was struggling to audition much. I tried the B&W P3/5/7 in the apple store but wasn't sold. I also tried the Sennheiser momentum on and over ear.

But I eventually plumped for the fidellio M1 (Mk1) as everones favourite online store had them at a massive discount since the mk11 model was released. I have to say I am very happy with them and certainly compare favourably with the others I auditioned. They also seem pretty sensitive so good with just your phone (rather than a seperate amp, the P7 for example was muddy without an external headphone amp)

These are on-ears, rather than over ears, but if portability is a consideration, that is the way I would be going. For sound isolation they do everything I need (Keep out office and train noise) but don't completely deafen me to the outside world like my IEMs.

 

[Big Aura]

thanks, will take a look, but not sure on-ears will work for me. My AKGs are very poor at isolating external noise, so I only use them at my desk. I've tried the Over and On-ear Momentum variants, and over win (handsdown).

the noise of a train is very muted to the deafening roar of the Bakerloo line, sadly. The chap next to me last night had Momentums on. A real shame you're cannot speak to other humans on pain of death on TfL!

 

[iceman16]

I would suggest Senn. momentum over ear if foldability is not an issue

 

[BenLaw]

B&w are excellent at noise isolation. I had the P3s. However, the sound may not be what you are after; I tired of mine and got rid. I now use the v-moda xs which sound superb but let in much more noise. I've not really checked but I'm assuming they let out more too, although I've never had any funny looks.

 

[eggontoast]

The Marshall Monitor might fit the bill. They have good isolation, I've used them on a plane to good effect, they are foldable too.

 

[JoelSim]

I would be very reluctant to spend £200 on some headphones that were mainly to be used on the tube that weren't noise-cancelling. Tubes are incredibly noisy and it is better with buds that block your ears. You will always hear lots of rumble and noise through normal over-ears.

A thought on NC is the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC9. 3 levels of NC or off if you want. Very good headphones. Or for less the ANC70.

 

[Big Aura]

thanks all. I really like B&W stuff. Unlike this esteemed publication, I rate the P5 over the P3. (Priced out on P7, but not tried P5-2). The on-ear nature leaves me slightly concerned, but will try them.

Marshall - will give them a go too, although I am a bit dubious - they just scream "name-borrowing tie-in" - like Ferrari branded everything.

Audio Technica - look MASSIVE! Can only find them at Argos, so not sure where I'd try them out. I'm not keen on looking like a helicopter pilot... Not well reviewed here (although blindly following 5star ratings on here have left me with a TV that I don't much care for, and I'm not sure how they rate AKG450s as they do...).