What is the best headphone for the iPod?

kwondo

GF got me the 10 GB iPod for X-mas. I want to get a good headphones for it. I'm not crazy about earbuds. I tend to fidget too much, like the nose bridge of uncomfortable glasses. I would like to buy a nice headphones but want it to be relatively small in size for comfort. What are you Hi-Fi audiophiles w/ iPod club members use? <img src="graemlins/hmmm.gif" border="0" alt="[Hmmm]" />

ghost_user_name

Sennheiser HD 200





Or if you want more bass the HD 270´s







They are both very light and comfortable. Wear mine all the time (HD200)



[ 01-06-2003: Message edited by: Anders the White ]</p>

hassan i sabbah

Anders, those are THE EXACT SAME ONES I've got.



Damn good choice, sir. They really, genuinely took my iPodding to the next level. I put them on them on for my cycle commute, set to 'shuffle' and get to My Place of Labour relaxed and ready. For me they're the perfect iPod headphones. The drivers are the same as in more expensive Sennheisers, only the enclosures are different (someone told me.)



Anyway, I payed £39 for mine and they sound approximately 10,000 X better than the earbuds, which I always found uncomfortable. And I'd have to crank up the volume to an ear-damaging, battery-depleting level on the earbuds to get the bass you get off the HD 200s. And they keep your ears warm when if you're on a bike.



I have my 'phones ready for my new Pod.



I've always like you Anders.

chych

Pity no earbuds, because the <a href="http://www.etymotic.com/product_list/product_list_product.asp?audience_category_id=1&pr oduct_type_id=2&product_number=ER-4S" target="_blank">Etymotic ER-4</a> are pratically legendary (I use the 4s with my iPod)... though they are canalphones, not really earbuds (there's a cheaper model too, the ER-6).



If you want small size, I'd go for the Koss KSC-35 or 55s, which are clip on type. Visit <a href="http://www.head-fi.org"; target="_blank">www.head-fi.org</a> which is a site where high end headphones are discussed and <a href="http://www.headphone.com"; target="_blank">www.headphone.com</a> for more stuff.



[ 01-06-2003: Message edited by: chych ]</p>

ibrowse

I'd probably say a $499 jacket

audiopollution

[quote]Originally posted by chych:

<strong>Pity no earbuds, because the <a href="http://www.etymotic.com/product_list/product_list_product.asp?audience_category_id=1&pr oduct_type_id=2&product_number=ER-4S" target="_blank">Etymotic ER-4</a> are pratically legendary (I use the 4s with my iPod)... though they are canalphones, not really earbuds (there's a cheaper model too, the ER-6).

</strong><hr></blockquote>



The ER-4's are great earphones, but I always feel like I'm putting in hearing aids ... and I have enough grey hair at 31 to remind me that I'm getting older, I don't need the added reminder that one day I may lose my hearing.



I've switched over to using the Bang & Olufsen A8's, and although they're sometimes a pain in the ass to put on, the sound really is nice.







(And you've gotta agree ... they look soooooo good. )



[ 01-07-2003: Message edited by: audiopollution ]</p>

luca

Geez, took forever to find a pair, but I just managed to order a pair of the Sennheiser HD270s from Amazon. Couldn't find the HD200s though. I wonder how much less those would have cost?



Well, whatever, I might eventually post on how they sound once I get them.

rosettastoned

In my opinion, one of the best headphone companies out there is Grado. Considering both price and quality, my choice would be the Grado SR80's.







<a href="http://www.gradolabs.com/product_pages/sr80.htm"; target="_blank">http://www.gradolabs.com/product_pages/sr80.htm</a>;



The Sennheiser's are great headphones, but I still think that any full-enclosure headphone makes me feel like I'm listening to music in a cave. Also, if you want good Sennheisers, go for the 500 series, not the 200 series. They're easily my second choice.



Same goes for the Bose Noise-Cancelling headphones. A good percentage of clarity is lost on any non-open-air headphones.



I've used both Sennheiser and Bose, and I still prefer my Grados. You can usually find them at any high-end audio dealer. They make look a little old-school, but the sound will surprise you... Best range in a headphone I've heard yet.



Here's a list of <a href="http://www.audioreview.com/HTP_2750crx.aspx"; target="_blank">Top Headphone picks from AudioReview.com</a>. As you can see, between Sennheiser and Grado, you can't go wrong.



Good luck! Let us know what you buy!



------------

RosettaStoned

ghost_user_name

I use a pair of Sony MDR-7506 Studio Monitor headphones. You can find them online for often right around $100. Sony makes a wide range of 'monitor' headphones, but it has been discussed here at length over the fact that the MDR-7506 has the most accurate reproduction of sound of the entire line.



I got roo a pair of the <a href="http://www.bang-olufsen.com/"; target="_blank">Bang & Olufsen</a> A8s for her birthday last year... they're really nice, but with most B&O products, you do pay more for that.



I can't recommend the MDR-7506 enough. Keeps my ears warm in the winter too.

luca

I heard the Grados are very uncomfortable, which drove me away. Also, I strongly considered the Sennheiser HD497, but a number of reviews on Amazon said that it squeezes your head too much if you have a big head (which I do). So I settled on the HD270s. Personally I think that comfort contributes to the overall experience just as much as sound quality does, so I'd rather have one that compromises on sound if it means it'll be comfortable instead of one that is uncomfortable but sounds better. I'm not THAT discriminating either... otherwise, I would have probably done a bit more research and bought something more expensive. I am into good sound, for sure, but I don't quibble over minor differences.

satchmo

I'm not into the big honking ones Senheiser ones, but don't find the earbuds very comfortable.

The B&O ones have the style but is pretty pricey.



What about the "in the ear" style headphones? I'm not even sure they're still around. These kind of just sit in your ear angled your ear is not completely plugged.