MP3 player headphone recommendations

[NiceCupOfTea]

Looking to replace the crappy phones I've been using with my Sansa Clip+, but want something with a band and pads rather than in the ear. Not too bulky, decent sound quality, but not too expensive - say £40?

[Finlandia]

Meelectronics HT-21 and v-Jays are good and should be within budget.

[NiceCupOfTea]

These look OK:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Jays-T00062-v-JAYS-Headpho...

What about more mainstream manufacturers like Sennheiser? Not heard of either of the ones above.

[Finlandia]

Sennheiser PX100/200 are receiving favourable reviews, I haven't heard them myself though.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Any more recommendations?

[mondeoman]

Have a look through this little mine of information from Finlandia

[NiceCupOfTea]

mondeoman said:

Have a look through this little mine of information from Finlandia

Fab, thanks! Almost too much info there!

[Parabola]

Koss Porta Pro have a bit of a cult following.
Feel quite plasticy, but sound great. I have a pair for my Mac, really rich bassey sound, and they fold away nicely.


RRP £40, but can get them from Amazon for £21.49 inc delivery.

[Finlandia]

Porta Pro is a classic and for good reason, quite warm and dark sounding but very nice and unobtrusive, not for the ones who like clarity in their music.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Hmm, I've read reviews for:

Koss Porta Pro
Meelectronics HT-21
v-Jays
Sennheiser PX100 II
Sennheiser HT202
Beyerdynamic DT235
Panasonic RP-HTX7

and although most get reasonable reviews, they all seem to have problems - bass heavy, artificial sound, tiring to listen to, build quality, too bulky, etc.

I am replacing a pair of Sony in the ears (with the little loops that go round your ears). I hate the things, they fall out every few seconds, the cord pulls them out too. I have never got on with in the ears, they sound rubbish to my ears and never stay in unless you are motionless. Hence the need for some banded ones, but they need to be unobtrusive and foldable so I can stick them in a pocket, as they'll mostly be used for commuting. Looking for a natural sound, listening to all genres.

Meelectronics came close but lukewarm reviews on Amazon...

Any other thoughts?

[Finlandia]

I would say v-Jays, but then again if you come from bassy Sony, Porta Pro could be a good alternative.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Are all Sonys bassy then?

[Finlandia]

Pretty much yes, Sony are known for their warm and slightly dark sound signature.

[Toffer]

Finlandia said:

Pretty much yes, Sony are known for their warm and slightly dark sound signature.

+1...
...but SONY do make some high efficiency models that cover some of the failings of the iDevices.
I have a pair of these for use with my iPod Nano...and they are bang on budget?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-MDRXB500-Extra-Headph...

[danyeates]

Over budget, I know, but I got a set of these from a hifi store. Usually about £95-100 everywhere else! Bargain at £65!! Really pleased with them.

[StuH]

I'd put in another vote for the Koss Porta Pro's

I use mine at the gym as my IEM's - Shure 530's - tend to fall out of my ears too easily when running, and my P5's get too hot on my ears. Considering that the Pro's can be bought for approx £20 and the other two cost me around 10 times that, and run them pretty close I think that's a pretty good demonstration of the value for money you're getting. And i'm fussy.

Try and get a listen and see what you think. I haven't found another pair of phones anywhere near their price level that comes close. Partner them with a Fiio headphone amp/dac like the E7 and you're getting some serious mobile SQ for very little.

[Kermit power]

Finlandia said:

Pretty much yes, Sony are known for their warm and slightly dark sound signature.

What on earth is that supposed to mean????

[StuH]

Kermit power said:

Finlandia said:

Pretty much yes, Sony are known for their warm and slightly dark sound signature.

What on earth is that supposed to mean????

The opposite to sounding clinical, hard and bright. So easy on the ear, more lush and some would say musical at the expense of tonal accuracy and information retrieval.

Edited by StuH on Thursday 26th April 13:34

[Finlandia]

StuH said:

Kermit power said:

Finlandia said:

Pretty much yes, Sony are known for their warm and slightly dark sound signature.

What on earth is that supposed to mean????

The opposite to sounding clinical, hard and bright. So easy on the ear, more lush and some would say musical at the expense of tonal accuracy and information retrieval.

Exactly, and smack in the middle between those two opposites you will find what is called natural/neutral sound.