Headphones - Any Recommendations?
Every serious poker player needs a good set of headphones to make it through the endless hours of variance. The craze these days seems to be Dr. Dre Monster Beat headphones. You probably see a couple pairs at any local poker room. Not really convinced they are worth the $$$. Anyone own a pair? Are they really that fantastic?
Ideally I like to spend around $200 but if I can get away with less, that is good. Really need them mainly for listening to music. If I need to spend a bit more to get superior sound, then I am open to it. Just not sure if its really more marketing than sound quality when you get into $300+ for headphones.
This is a model I am considering:
Amazon.com: Sennheiser HD555 Professional Headphones with Sound Channeling: Electronics
One other thing, does the noise reduction actually work? Are the Bose headphones any good?
Thoughts?
Ideally I like to spend around $200 but if I can get away with less, that is good. Really need them mainly for listening to music. If I need to spend a bit more to get superior sound, then I am open to it. Just not sure if its really more marketing than sound quality when you get into $300+ for headphones.
This is a model I am considering:
Amazon.com: Sennheiser HD555 Professional Headphones with Sound Channeling: Electronics
One other thing, does the noise reduction actually work? Are the Bose headphones any good?
Thoughts?
Comments
I have a pair of HD595s, along with 2 of my friends, and another has a pair of HD650s. They're great for the price, but you can hear the step up in quality when you listen to better headphones with an amp. I like that the bass is definitely there but not overpowering.
For what I listen to and what I like, the only fault I can put on them is that they aren't as good as more expensive models.
Headphones - Head-Fi.org Community
Buying Guide Headphones By Price Range - Head-Fi.org Community
Regarding the marketing vs. quality comment, I don't think it holds much water (and not to pick on Beats, but I think they'd be the closest to being overpriced because of marketing - but again, I can't comment on the quality). Sennheiser, Grado, Audio Technica etc. don't really advertise at all. The more expensive models are in fact better, and you can hear it.
How much is it worth to you though? That's a subjective question, and going to be different for everyone. I can hear the difference, but is it worth $800 to me? I can't answer that for you.
I'd say try out what you can in a store, and you'll have to decide what characteristics you like/dislike on your own. The 555s/595s are, imo, a good starting point. Good quality, high-ish price but not outrageous.
There's a forum on the website I linked in my above post for buying/selling headphones, if you want to save a few bucks. My friend with the 650s bought them from a guy on there, most people there are friendly and will supply pics and full disclosure of defects, chipped paint, rips etc.
50 Cent Officially Releases ‘Sleek By 50 Cent’ Headphones|HipHop-N-More
^Wetts says that the beats are the nutz. We all know he is right close to 101% of the time.
This was a thread I started when I was looking for a set of headphones. In the end I hit a bit of a downswing at the time, and I ended up settling for a cheaper pair of headphones. Ended up going with Shure SRH440s. They may not be the greatest sounding phones out there, and they definitely did not compare to the Bose/Beats. However I couldn't justify spending a few hundo extra at the time.
They are comfortable, and they actually cancel out noise since they sit fairly tight. When I am at work, sometimes I throw them on without the cord even plugged in, and it dulls a lot of the backround noise out.
Those sleeks look awesome. If it is truly lossless audio then those are the pair to wait for. Like any headphones biggest pain is always the wire.
Sony MDR-222KD Children's Headphones Review (pink) - Headphones - CNET Reviews
Yea this. Had them for awhile before my wife got me the QC15s for Xmas this year.
For actual sound quality, the BBD are by far the best.
The QCs are far better at noise cancellation.
Equal comfort for both.
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-electronics-BRAND-NEW-MONSTER-BEATS-by-DR-DRE-STUDIO-HEADPHONES-IPHONE-IPAD-W0QQAdIdZ262792090
Seems too good to be true. Are there any audio shops in the GTA that will let you listen to various headphones before you purchase? Don't think this is an option at Future Shop, Best Buy, etc.
I don't have headphones on at the table, but traveling (locally/flying) I currently have a pair of Shure in-ear that I love and have used for about 4 years now with no issues. Have had a pair of QCs in the past as well and they're awesome and noise cancellation. Unfortunately I somehow left them at the Bellagio 2 summers ago and haven't shelled out the cash for a new pair since.
And its not close.
The difference between an "expensive" $100 Sony noise cancelling (my first buy) and the "real expensive" QC15s is astronomical.
My suggestion: If youre serious, do it right the first time, because youre going to do it eventually anyway.
My guess is they're counterfeit, or stolen. Bay Bloor Radio has a great setup for trying out different models. Good selection of everything from the "cheap" ($150) to top of the line ($1600). If the music they have for demoing isn't what you'll be listening to, ask nicely and see if they'll let you demo with a cd you just happened to bring along with you.
this is my thinking and what I am looking for. I will have to pay a visit to Bay/Bloor to check out some models. Seems like ordering from the US is the way to go. Prices are a huge difference (almost 1/2 the price of Cda).
Beats - nicer than I thought they'd be, but can't comment on the sound quality. The stuff they had playing wasn't what I'd be listening to, would've liked to hear some actual music instead of the advertisements with soft rock thrown in sporadically. Couldn't hear any bass at all, although that's most likely just the source.
QC15s - fucking WOW. Very impressive. That is some amazing noise cancellation. I can see these being the ultimate for people who travel a lot or want/need noise cancellation. Bass was good, but again a short trial.
Bose OE Audio Headphones - Bose Headsets and Headphones
This is true to an extent with Bose headphones as well, but having tried many models they are hard to 'beat' for noise cancellation and comfort
For my next headphone purchase I'd like to try Etymotic custom fit earbuds
Etymotic Research, Inc. - High-fidelity Earphones, Headsets and Hearing Instrumentation
Etymotic Research, Inc. - CUSTOM-FIT - Custom ear molds for earphones and headsets
Are their headphones good? ... really?
Found out that Bose stands for "Buy Other Stereo Equipment", which broke my heart. Have no clue about their headphones.
I think the first question is earbuds vs over the ear headphones, and the second is value vs spoiling yourself.
It has been my experience that everything < $50 falls apart far too easily. Going for value/longevity I like the Klipsch image S5i rugged all weather earbuds in the apple store @ $139 , but Im going to spoil myself with a custom fit pair.
For value headphones, Sennheiser HD280s regularly < $100 on Amazon. Sometimes you can get lucky and get last years model for cheap when new products are unveiled. To spoil yourself, the skys the limit
EDITED: I was browsing amazon a bit and saw 'Sennheiser RS120 926 MHz Wireless RF Headphones with Charging Cradle' for $60 ... a more current model RS170 is $170. I might get a pair for myself and my dad for xmas
Shure SE535 review -- Engadget
What should I get?
I'm considering the Klipsch Image X10i
Maybe not, but they're the museums in which the renaissance masters are presented.
snark, and re-snark . . . I like it.
Fake edit: the same could be said for chips: they're just chips, but the more expensive ones are so much nicer.
I use these as my buds, work great
Sony Noise Cancelling Earbud Headphones (MDRNC33B) : Noise-Cancelling Headphones - Future Shop
Buy 1 get 1 free at futureshop this weekend.
Last time they had this sale bought a pair of Sennheiser wireless headphones R170s for the house, so sweet.