What Headphones?

[toasty]

Sennheiser Orpheus headphones are stunningly good, especially with the dedicated valve amp.

A tad pricey though.

[Number 8]

OP, do you need the noise-cancelling function? Are they going to be used in noisy environments (e.g. plane, underground tubes etc)? If not, why pay for the additional technology (they would also require charging or batteries for this function)?

IMHO Bose are a bit overpriced/overrated , but they do make great sounding headphones and are an instantly recognisable "quality" marque (this matters to some). Unless you are quite the audiophile like me then Bose headphones are a good choice.

As with anything audio related it's VERY subjective. I would only ever buy headphones that I can try (or have done some serious research on, which is required for in-ear types) and Bose allow people to try their products quite conveniently (they do a 30-day trial/money back period) and good access in highstreet stores etc.

It also makes a big difference what mp3 player you're using AND the quality of the mp3 file itself.

[Strangely Brown]

andy_s said:

I like my Grados

Another vote for Grados here.

[slomax]

Strangely Brown said:

andy_s said:

I like my Grados

Another vote for Grados here.

And another.

Exactly the same as mine. The 125i's are truly AMAZING. The 80's are good, but the 125's have a better bass and it seems to be more controlled overall. It depends what you are going to be listening to them through to be honest.

[koolchris99]

I've got A8's ,

I'm not an audio junkie but the look and sound nice,

[clonmult]

toasty said:

Sennheiser Orpheus headphones are stunningly good, especially with the dedicated valve amp.

A tad pricey though.

I thought they were distinctly average when I heard them years back. Unless they've improved dramatically since they were released, they're overhyped, underperforming ear warmers.

I compared them to my Stax Lambda Pros, with the SRD-X energiser that I had at the time - the Stax absolutely, comprehensively sounded better than the Orpheus. A friend that was with me at the time totally agreed, although he has since gone on to be a high-end audio reviewer.

Headphones are ultimately down to personal preference, what one person likes may not be to the taste of another.

[Animal]

Mr Trophy said:

Neil H said:

Sennheisers all day long.

Bose and B&O are brands with little substance.

What model Sir?

Sennheiser HD465s for me!

[clonmult]

Neil H said:

Sennheisers all day long.

Bose and B&O are brands with little substance.

Totally agree with Bose and B&O, although I did finally hear some B&Os a few months back that actually sounded genuinely good. Was mildly surprised ....

My opinion of Bose has rarely been that good, and when a colleague came into the office with his newly delivered iPod and a pair of new Bose in-ear 'phones, I just had to have a listed. For £80 (or however much he paid) they were diabolical. Heck, even for £20 they would have been overpriced.

[alfa pint]

Animal said:

Mr Trophy said:

Neil H said:

Sennheisers all day long.

Bose and B&O are brands with little substance.

What model Sir?

Sennheiser HD465s for me!

Sennheiser stuff is incredibly good value for money. I use the in ear buds and they're absolutely brilliant. My dad, who worked in the music biz, also swore by sennheiser kit - microphones and head phones.

I really wanted some of the skull candy kit, but it sounded st in comparison.

[toasty]

clonmult said:

toasty said:

Sennheiser Orpheus headphones are stunningly good, especially with the dedicated valve amp.

A tad pricey though.

I thought they were distinctly average when I heard them years back. Unless they've improved dramatically since they were released, they're overhyped, underperforming ear warmers.

I compared them to my Stax Lambda Pros, with the SRD-X energiser that I had at the time - the Stax absolutely, comprehensively sounded better than the Orpheus. A friend that was with me at the time totally agreed, although he has since gone on to be a high-end audio reviewer.

Headphones are ultimately down to personal preference, what one person likes may not be to the taste of another.

Fair point, I'd only heard them at an audio show a long while back and they were several leagues ahead of anything I'd heard.

Then again, I've never listened to the Stax headphones which may well be above and beyond the Orpheus.

One day, maybe.

[clonmult]

toasty said:

clonmult said:

toasty said:

Sennheiser Orpheus headphones are stunningly good, especially with the dedicated valve amp.

A tad pricey though.

I thought they were distinctly average when I heard them years back. Unless they've improved dramatically since they were released, they're overhyped, underperforming ear warmers.

I compared them to my Stax Lambda Pros, with the SRD-X energiser that I had at the time - the Stax absolutely, comprehensively sounded better than the Orpheus. A friend that was with me at the time totally agreed, although he has since gone on to be a high-end audio reviewer.

Headphones are ultimately down to personal preference, what one person likes may not be to the taste of another.

Fair point, I'd only heard them at an audio show a long while back and they were several leagues ahead of anything I'd heard.

Then again, I've never listened to the Stax headphones which may well be above and beyond the Orpheus.

One day, maybe.

I also only listened to them at a show - others were coming away impressed. The main memory of the Orpheus was of something sounding very cloudy, but then the Stax' were (are?) truly legendary and amongst the best headphones you could buy regardless of price.

I just wish I hadn't sold mine, I found that I hadn't used them for a few years .... during which time I'd been mainly listed to MP3 players, iPods, MD players, etc.

Connected the Stax up to the old turntable (Linn Sondek). I'd forgotten how truly awesome music can sound. Then I connected the iPod. Bland. Utterly bland.

If you get a chance, ask around, must be some of them still around. They really are an experience.

[jodypress]

I have a pair of Bose QC3's. Great sound, comfortable to wear for long periods of time and superb noise cancelling BUt and it's a big BUT, the build quality is shocking.

I always keep them in the provided case and in the 2.5 years I've had them, I've replaced the cable 3 times and had 2 sets of pads. Just after 2 years the left headphone started cutting out. I took it to Bose and they were less than useless. £300 (i paid £220 duty free at the airport) and a 1 year warranty FFS. I took them to an audio repair guy and he repaired the shocking soldering and they lasted another 6 months.

I'm ready to bin them now.

I've just bought a pair of AKG K480 NC.

http://www.akg.com/personal/K%20480%20NC,pcp_id,17...

Beautifully made and I can run them without NC and batteries. Totally recommend them.

I also have a pair of Goldring NS-1000 - http://www.whathifi.com/Review/Goldring-NS-1000-no...

£50 from http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/824...

Great sound quality.

Both of these are as good if not better than the Bose and over half the price.

[C2]

jodypress said:

I have a pair of Bose QC3's. Great sound, comfortable to wear for long periods of time and superb noise cancelling BUt and it's a big BUT, the build quality is shocking.

I always keep them in the provided case and in the 2.5 years I've had them, I've replaced the cable 3 times and had 2 sets of pads. Just after 2 years the left headphone started cutting out. I took it to Bose and they were less than useless. £300 (i paid £220 duty free at the airport) and a 1 year warranty FFS. I took them to an audio repair guy and he repaired the shocking soldering and they lasted another 6 months.

I'm ready to bin them now.

I've just bought a pair of AKG K480 NC.

http://www.akg.com/personal/K%20480%20NC,pcp_id,17...

Beautifully made and I can run them without NC and batteries. Totally recommend them.

I also have a pair of Goldring NS-1000 - http://www.whathifi.com/Review/Goldring-NS-1000-no...

£50 from http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/824...

Great sound quality.

Both of these are as good if not better than the Bose and over half the price.

Not doubting your issues, mine suffered a battery failure, but mine came with a 2 year warranty from BOSE.

Edited by C2 on Monday 25th October 15:46

[jodypress]

C2, that's interesting as Bose told me 1 year....hmmmmmm. Oh well, it's over 2 years any way now.

I went into their show room on Regent St and also spoke to them on the phone.

[722Adam]

slomax said:

Strangely Brown said:

andy_s said:

I like my Grados

Another vote for Grados here.

And another.

Exactly the same as mine. The 125i's are truly AMAZING. The 80's are good, but the 125's have a better bass and it seems to be more controlled overall. It depends what you are going to be listening to them through to be honest.

One more vote for Grado, although I could only afford the SR60i's. Still a quality set of headphones though.

[Zod]

slomax said:

Strangely Brown said:

andy_s said:

I like my Grados

Another vote for Grados here.

And another.

Exactly the same as mine. The 125i's are truly AMAZING. The 80's are good, but the 125's have a better bass and it seems to be more controlled overall. It depends what you are going to be listening to them through to be honest.

I have a pair of 325is, that I picked up in the closing down sale at that hifi shop that used to be ina basement on Tottenham Court Road. They are really very good. I dont use headphones that often, so I couldn't bring myself to spend money on the more expensive ones. I didn't allow myself to test them, because I tested the 80s, 125s, 225s and then the 325is. Each time I, much as I had been impressed by the pair before, I was aware of the improvement. I had to retry blidn to make sure I wasn't just going by the sequence and imagining the improvement.

[oilslick]

I've tried several pairs of noise-cancelling headphones, but the ones that always come on the plane with me are my Bose QC15s.

[pb1695]

Try a pair of Bowers & Wilkins P5 headphones. The most amazing crystal clear sound with wonderful pitch and although they are not noise cancelling they somehow block most of the background noise.

They are expensive but they blow away the Bose and just about every other pair of headphones I have tried.

[Hunky Dory]

007singh said:

Ok, i admit it, i have a pair of Bose ones the OP linked to. I got them whilst in the US a few years ago, and paid slightly less than the advertised price.

I can say that I travel for work a lot, and having used them weekly for around a year on flights (mix of european short haul and trans atlantic) I would say they were worth every penny. I really appreciate them when I take them off (more for noise cancel ability, but they still sound pretty good too!)

Would I buy them again, definately if I was travelling. If not, and I did not want the noice cancel functions, then I would spend my money on something more dedicated to sound quality.

My god! Are you actually me?!

Bought mine for substantial long haul flying and paid about £200. They are worth every penny IMO. I accept the audio quality may not be as good as the very best, (I wouldnt have normally spent this much on headphones, so take others word for it) but if you spend any time in an environment where the NC is needed, you aren't going to notice that last 5-10% of sound quality anyway.

The first time you are sat next to a screaming baby / shouting person, you'll be glad you bought them, and on a flight, you arrive feeling a million times less fatigued than if you'd had to use the crappy airline jobbys at full volume, just to hear anything!

[sneijder]

I'm on my phone posting this, but search for the PH user 'Finlandia' he makes threads reviewing headphones.

Whatever you buy, get some KOSS Porta Pro too, bang-for-buck-tactic.