Great, reasonably priced headphones

[The Nur]

Unfortunately I have just picked up my trusty Sony Groove in-ear headphones and they have had it. After 8 or so years of use they have finally given in to wear and tear and a new set is required.

Has anybody got any recommendations? I am looking for the maximum I can get in terms of sounds quality and bass. My price range goes up to about £50. Not really fussy on the style, I would prefer in-ear ones but am more than willing to give something else a try if anybody has any ideas.

Unfortunately I haven't really got much of a clue when it comes to buying audio stuff, I just know what I like the sound of

I have been looking on Amazon at these below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-CX-400-II-Preci...

And these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-CX-870-Ear-Cana...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scosche-IDR600-Increased-I...

Not saying specifically that it must be one of the above as, like I said, I haven't got much of an idea of what I'm after. I picked the ones above as they are from brands that I recognise and have liked when I have heard the sort of sound quality they provide.

Somebody please point me in the right direction as I am lost without my music on the move.

So I hand it over to you, any suggestions?

Any and all replies are greatly appreciated

[shirt]

grado sr60's would be my choice, £60ish. sound quality is amazing at that price point but note they are open back which may not be ideal for you.

[The Nur]

shirt said:

grado sr60's would be my choice, £60ish. sound quality is amazing at that price point but note they are open back which may not be ideal for you.

They do have great reviews and I am open to suggestions so thanks for the feedback. Much appreciated.

My problem with open back is that the fashion victims in college all walk around with disconnected skullcandy stuff on and I'd rather not fit in with that crowd. Although I suppose I don't have to wear them in college...

[shirt]

the aural benefit is worth looking a bit nobbish. the main problem is that sound leaks everywhere so you will get more odd looks and public transport complainants simply because they can hear your music. i used to use mine with a CMOY amplifer [google it, they are great] and my ipod as a desktop stereo when i got to work.

[The Nur]

Hmm, some interesting ideas here. Thanks for the input.

At the moment I am more swayed towards the Sennheisers if I am honest, just because I prefer the convenience of bud type headphones.

Although having read some reviews for the Grados I'm definitely going to try to find somewhere I can try a pair out before I invest in a set. Would there be anywhere that might offer this sort of service?

Am I likely to find some in a home cinema emporium or similar?

[Finlandia]

For high quality bass and overall sound, Hippo VB are very hard to beat at your price point.

ETA have a look at the sticky up top ^

Edited by Finlandia on Thursday 10th March 06:57

[shirt]

ring your local hifi shops to see if they stock grados, they will let you test them. only trouble will be they'll charge the rrp which is around £95. mine were £60 from eBay about 6yrs ago.

[The Nur]

shirt said:

ring your local hifi shops to see if they stock grados, they will let you test them. only trouble will be they'll charge the rrp which is around £95. mine were £60 from eBay about 6yrs ago.

Cheers for the input but the Grados are looking to be about £80 and that is a bit over what I am looking to spend at the moment (I'm a student )

I think I shall be sticking with the buds for now.

Anybody got any recommendations other than the Sennheisers?

[Stu R]

Klipsch S4 are the best in-ear headphones I've had the pleasure of at <50 sheets, and there's not that many I've yet to try. Mainly used in the gym and occasionally on a plane if I've forgotten my super fancy ones.

Sennheiser are great too, but I replaced my CX400s with Klipsch after the cable and ear bud began parting company, I haven't looked back. Much nicer sound, and probably the best fit I've found on an in-ear one as they're quite ovular instead of round.

[The Nur]

Stu R said:

Klipsch S4 are the best in-ear headphones I've had the pleasure of at <50 sheets, and there's not that many I've yet to try. Mainly used in the gym and occasionally on a plane if I've forgotten my super fancy ones.

Sennheiser are great too, but I replaced my CX400s with Klipsch after the cable and ear bud began parting company, I haven't looked back. Much nicer sound, and probably the best fit I've found on an in-ear one as they're quite ovular instead of round.

Good reviews on sound quality but some qualms on build quality apparently? How do you rate yours?

[Stu R]

The Nur said:

Good reviews on sound quality but some qualms on build quality apparently? How do you rate yours?

Better than Sennheiser. I own 2 pairs of klipsch and 2 pairs of Sennheisers. Both pairs of Sennys sounded decent, performed well for their price, and did a reasonable job of isolating noise. Both of them ultimately failed at the point where the cable joins the ear bud. I also noticed they're VERY sensitive to impact or rubbing of the cable - they do an excellent job of channeling it up the cable and amplifying the 'thud' to your ear. Not great when you're on the treadmill or cross trainer, but it's not that big a deal.

The Klipsch I own are the cheap and cheerful, Sennheiser CX300 rivalling S2s. They're about 20 quid, sound much better, isolate the noise a hell of a lot better than the sennheisers, are more comfortable and my only complaint is the earbud part is quite long and protruding, thus aren't as comfortable to sleep in - I know, before you ask They've been utterly faultless, despite having been through the washer while still attached to my iPhone (the phone didn't make it, the earbuds still work fine to this day).

I also own a pair of the S4s, they're amazing for the 40 quid I paid, and sound almost as good as some much higher end ones I've got (I know, I own a lot of headphones and earphones!). Quality is again better than the Sennheiser, I've not got a bad word to say about them really. Definitely recommend them for <50 quid. I don't dislike Sennheisers, I've been reasonably impressed with them prior to failing, but the Klipsch are better to my ears. They fit better, the soft rubber bits last longer and are much more comfortable, and they isolate the noise way better - no cable 'thumps' either.

I'd also recommend Shure, but I've heard a few of theirs also like to separate where the bud and cable meet. I've only tried their really high end ones and I rate them very highly, but I don't know much about any of them below about £100.

Hope that colossal amount of waffle helps

[The Nur]

Stu R said:

Hope that colossal amount of waffle helps

Honestly, that is phenomenal. Thanks very much

I think I will let this thread run on for a few days (if it does) and see what the general consensus is before I jump in.

As much as it pains me to be without music in my day to day, I would rather get the most out of my purchase.

Although, when all is said and done, my last set of Sony Groove headphones (circa 2002-3 vintage) had great sound quality (lacking slightly in low end response but you cant have it all), were really hard wearing and did a truly excellent job for the £36 or whatever they were new. I think I shall keep them as the second choice for the moment unless I am overwhelmed by peoples opinions.

To be honest I would like to try something else. I realise that Sony can't be the be all and end all of headphones, I am hoping that whatever I do end up buying I am going to be pleasantly surprised by the sound quality as that is what it is all about

Cheers for your input to those who have been kind enough to post and also to those who haven't posted yet

Please keep your recommendations coming! Also if you have the same opinions as have been given above, please feel free to second them, I really do value your thoughts on the matter!

[The Nur]

I couldn't wait any more and went for the Sennheiser-CX-870s. I haven't got a good set of speakers so it is headphones only at the moment. I only have crappy sets so I took the plunge, delivery tomorrow before one from amazon!

Very excited now!

Thanks once again to those who contributed, even if I didn't go with your suggestions