over 9 years ago from Chris Frees, Designer at Ambidextrous
I'm looking to get an upgrade from my Apple headphones. I'd like to get some over the ear headphones that aren't to expensive. So I'm not interested in paying $400. So what do you all use? Any recommendations?
Audio Technica ATH-M50
I have been through numerous different headphones and the Audio Technica ATH-M50 rule them all. Great sound for the price and they are designed for comfort.
Great review on them here: http://youtu.be/Krdb8lceRoI
I was able to get them for $80 was really disappointed by everything. With an amp they sound okay, but the lack of a sound stage and it's uncomfortable use after 2-3 hours made me sell it. They just weren't the upgrade I was expecting when going into the $100 range.
I own these as well and I love them - sometimes I forget I'm even wearing headphones because they are so light and fitting.
Sennheiser makes great headphones for audiophiles. I have the 280's myself and they survived a year in my backpack in Hong Kong so I can attest to the solid build quality. Only issue is if you have glasses (like me) then wearing them for extended periods may be uncomfortable.
I love them, although they are open so I'm not sure if you/those around you would also love them.
Kinda ugly, but they're amazing reference monitors.
I'd second these for sound quality, replacable parts and general toughness
To answer the topic: I use Bower & Wilkins' P5 headphones. They got me through most work days for the last 18 months.
Since you're looking at lower-cost, and I see you're in the United States, I suggest looking at JLab. They make low-cost headphones with pretty good sound & build quality (flat ribbon cords are a blessing). Amazing customer service.
+1 for jlab. unbeatable quality for the price.
I've been using the Shure SE215-CL ($99) for the last three years. The shape fits very comfortable in the ear so wearing them all day long is possible (usually in-ears get really painful).
I use those with my band, they isolate yourself from the world!
From one of the Amazon reviews:
"Technically, these are "sound isolating" earphones and I don't know how that's different from "noise cancellation" but the one thing is true: these earbuds keep the outside noise out and music in. I drove over to my half-deaf grandmother's house just to test this. She likes to get up close and shout all holy-hell about if you'd like to eat. Cue Shure earbuds and stand in shock as grandmother is transformed into David Bowie singing "Ziggy Stardust" and holding a spatula."
I laughed.
I have the Beats Studio Pros, friend works at BestBuy and gave me the best discount!
Had the Bayerdynamic DT 990 for some time. Pretty good for their price.
But since I destroy my headphones relatively often I use the EarPods again.
Parrot Zik: Noise-Cancelling + Bluetooth
Everything on my desk is wireless, so I wanted my newest headphones to be too. Couldn't be happier. Also managed to find mine for $90.
I'm like Mr. Rogers, I have a set of walking phones and a set of working phones, and I change them out when I get to my desk in the morning.
Walking: Harmon Kardon BT
PROS - Wireless so every-time I use them it's like the future - Have AAC, APT-x so they actually sound good wireless - Super comfy for 1-2 hours - Highly durable so far - Easy to recharge and work with a wired cable when the battery is drained
CONS - Not really all day comfortable - Heavyish - Have a delay with iPad Mini for some reason so you have to plug them in to watch video, not a problem with the Mac - Annoying to transfer from device to device
Working: AKG K701
PROS - Most comfortable headphone ever made - Lightweight and breath so they are okay on hot days - Amazing Sound! - Can wear in the office and still hear when someone calls my name
CONS - Cable needs an adapter for 3.5mm - Too Delicate and large for portable use - Vented, so they will annoy others if you crank the volume to 11, and they don't block environmental noise.
I have a few for different situations. Overall, amps and DAC's change EVERYTHING:
Bicycle Commuting: Apple Earbuds
Office:Ultrasone Pro 900
You have buds in when riding? That would terrify me.
It's pretty common in SF to see people riding around with earbuds in at least. They're not noise canceling so you can still hear the outside world. Just adds a little music to your commute :D
I swear by the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO, 80 Ohms.
If you're looking for the best (extremely) budget earphones at only $8, checkout this great set from Monoprice. I've really not heard better earphones until getting in the > $100 range.
You can see a couple write-ups and reviews about them on Life Hacker here and here.
Bose AE2w are great. Light and comfortable. Can switch between Bluetooth and wired easily. Charges fairly fast and lasts almost 8 hours with constant use.
http://www.amazon.com/Bose-AE2w-Bluetooth-Headphones-Black/dp/B00CD1FB26
I have the DT-770s that I got for $150 from Amazon.
I use the Sony MDR - EX50LP. I like the way they fit in well, and they have sliders to prevent tangling.
Sony MDR-7506s. Ain't no other headphones...
Pretty much a fact that the Audio Technica ATH-M50's are the best for that price. Only problem is the cord is heavy/long and a pain to deal with.
I have the Incase EC30001S Sonic Around-Ear Stereo Headphones, which I only got because they were ~50% off for $60. They're actually pretty great, very durable.
Grado SR125i
Lightweight and balanced sound, especially basses. I highly recommend it.
Sennheiser HD 25-1 II, hands down one of the best "investments" I've ever made. The price on the Sennheiser site is a bit hefty, you could probably find it quite a lot cheaper elsewhere.
The ones that I found more comfortable to use with glasses, and also the noise cancellation is pretty cool.
Used Solo2 before, but my ears started to hurt after an hour of having them on.
I got myself some Sony MDR-V55's last year and they're brilliant. Relatively cheap for the sound they make (about £70ish but you can find them cheaper).
They do have a bit of a bass-ier sound so it really depends on what you listen to and how you want it to sound.
Don't get me wrong though, I still use the Apple headphones as handsfree!
Compact, on-ear headphones with great sound quality and an open design that lets in some of the ambient noise around me (which I like).
I had another pair of these crap out on me but they replaced them - no hassle.
Etymotics are by far the best earphones I've ever used for work. Combined with their little foam inserts, you can block out 100% of surrounding noise and concentrate on the task at hand.
I just had this same issue - was looking for a pair of over ear headphones that were comfortable for long periods of time, so I could have them on at work without having to rip them off every 30 minutes.
After a ton of reviews and shopping around, just ordered the Sol Republic Master Tracks: http://solrepublic.com/shop/master-tracks-over-ear-headphones-x3.html
You can grab them on Amazon for like $120, so not too bad at all. I've heard the sound quality is just alright but that the comfort levels are through the roof. Mine arrive tomorrow so I can't wait to try them out.
I wanted a set of Bluetooth headphones but not something that would break the bank. I also wear glasses, and these are really comfortable and I can wear them for longer periods of time.
How do they sound? These didn't turn up when I was briefly looking for wireless over-ear headphones.
They're a bit of an older model but I really like them. The only problem is that they're rather snug, so if you're wearing eyeglasses with thicker temples, the combination can result in some discomfort (which I avoid by raising the temples above my ears).
At work I have Sony MDR-10RBT Wireless Headphones, they're awesome.
At home I use a Razer Kraken Pro headset for da gamez
I use these Bose earbuds: http://www.bose.com/controller?url=/shop_online/headphones/audio_headphones/in_ear_headphones/index.jsp
I always thought Bose was for business dudes on airplanes that don't care about audio quality and shop at Brookstone, but these are legit. They're comfortable to wear for long periods of time, and I like that they still let in some outside sound so I can hear what's going on around me or if someone calls my name. If you want something to block out all noise though, these are not it. I also appreciate that the input is reinforced, too many times I've bought expensive headphones, and eventually that part wears out and makes them useless.
I'm absolutely in love with my B&O Play headphones. Are they $400? Well...yes...but they've been totally worth it.
I might make some audiophiles scoff, but I've owned two sets of JVC HANC80 Noise-Cancelling Headphones (http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000KQQUQW), and never had any issues with them in terms of sound quality.
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