Headphones

[o.pwuaioc]

Hey all, I know this isn't technically game related, but I thought it might get some solid advice here. I'm in the market for new headphones. Up until now, I've only had crappy < $10 headphones, usually buds, IEMs, or if we go back far enough, those crappy headphones that came with portable tape (and later CD) players. I want to avoid these.

I may actually be in the market for two pairs, depending on what's best. So, what I'm looking for:

Pair 1

Budget: $50-$120ish range, but hoping for the best bang for the buck
Source: mostly my desktop; I'm not opposed to getting an amp, but I don't think I need it
Isolation: Excellent isolation. I really enjoy this.
Preferred music: I listen to everything from Art Blakely to Vibrasphere, but I do appreciate a crispness to trance/psytrance/trip hop, which I love to listen to late at night, when I'd be wearing the headphones the most.

A couple other things: these things have to be comfortable. I'm more about comfort than I am about sound, since I want to wear these things for hours or while laying down in bed or something.

I don't need a microphone, since I'm not an online gamer.

Pair 2

A comfortable pair of headphones for jogging, preferably IEM unless there's just no way to get rid of that thumping from the cord hitting me.

I listen to a lot of house, pop, and harder rock while running, so not too concerned about neutrals.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

[8bit]

For your at home pair I'd recommend looking at some Sennheisers. I've always thought they present a great value for something that delivers USA "engineered" technology. These from Amazon for $90 have great reviews and look super comfy!

Then for the jogging headphones, I've recently been considering going wireless myself as I am tired of tangled cords. Based on a little research a couple weeks back I was leaning towards these Plantronics which seem to have good reviews at a good price.

Hope that gives you some good ideas!

[Exhuminator]

Yeah you can't go wrong with the Sennheiser HD-280 PROs. I had a pair and they were excellent. (I only parted with them as a gift to my brother when he started DJ'ing.)

[isiolia]

I've been happy with my Audio-Technica ATH-M50s. The M50x is a little more expensive ($150 range), but has a removable cable and stuff. They frequently make it onto "best headphone" lists around the web.

For cheap, I also have the Monoprice DJ heaphones which are awesome bang for the buck, but are a little on the small side if you have a large head.

[ninjainspandex]

I use these Motorola SD-10 Bluetooth headphones for working out

The sound quality is nothing to write home about but they are comfortable and sweatproof, very affordable and they have great range. I can leave my phone in the locker at the gym and walk anywhere inside and be in range, and it has buttons on the side that I can pause and skip, adjust volume and answer phone calls.

[o.pwuaioc]

Heh, funny that the first two headphones are for the 280 Pro and M50, both of which I was considering against each other, along with Sennheiser's 558 and 598. I actually like the look of the 558 best of the four (598 would beat it out, but beige? really?), but the lower price of the 280 Pro is very tempting.

For the price, though, they have to really be comfortable. How long are you guys wearing yours for? Any cramping? Any discomfort when lying down?

Also, I see reviews about Sennheisers not being able to bass and treble well, rather excelling at middles and "soundscape", which I'm not sure I'm sold on (although the couple binaural songs I've listened to were pretty damn neat).

@8bit/ninjainspandex, I don't know why I never considered bluetooth before. Doy! Thanks for the recommendations.

[BogusMeatFactory]

I have two pairs of sennheisers, one wired and one wireless for when I do work around the house. The wireless have the foam earpieces, because from my experience the other foam-leathery earpieces tend to flake when you sweat. The wireless ones are a little over 4 years old and still work like a charm and offer awesome sound quality. The wired ones are 2 years old and also offer a an awesome sound experience.

They are great in terms of price and you get an excellent quality and I feel they are the best offering for that ratio.

As for headphones to wear while working out... that is tough. Like I said, sweat can make the earpieces flake and rub off. If you use the foam earpieces, you also run a much higher risk of ear infections, as there are tons of funky bacteria in headphones, so you just need to take care of them. So if you want a good workout set of headphones, find yourself a nice quality of earbuds. Sure you lose sound quality, but trust me, having big cans for working out lead to a lot of funky side effects.

[o.pwuaioc]

I have two pairs of sennheisers, one wired and one wireless for when I do work around the house. The wireless have the foam earpieces, because from my experience the other foam-leathery earpieces tend to flake when you sweat. The wireless ones are a little over 4 years old and still work like a charm and offer awesome sound quality. The wired ones are 2 years old and also offer a an awesome sound experience.

They are great in terms of price and you get an excellent quality and I feel they are the best offering for that ratio.

As for headphones to wear while working out... that is tough. Like I said, sweat can make the earpieces flake and rub off. If you use the foam earpieces, you also run a much higher risk of ear infections, as there are tons of funky bacteria in headphones, so you just need to take care of them. So if you want a good workout set of headphones, find yourself a nice quality of earbuds. Sure you lose sound quality, but trust me, having big cans for working out lead to a lot of funky side effects.

I was hoping for two pairs, one for working out, and one for relaxing. I'm thinking you're right and getting bluetooth IEMs/buds for working out, but the cans are for rest and relaxation.

Which Sennheisers do you have? Is the wired one comfy?

[BogusMeatFactory]

My wired sennheisers are the HD-201 and are very comfy. I have big, whacky shaped ears which makes having headphones kinda uncomfy. I love them. The quality isn't as good as my wireless hdr 120s, but they still are very high quality and very comfy!

[ExedExes]

For earbuds, this particular set from Panasonic on Amazon, #1 best seller in headphones on the site. Nice price and you can choose a color.