Need quality headphones that'll still allow me to hear my surroundings

[archcommus]

Thanks again Tiamat. I took at look at others' today and everyone seems to have CLOSED phones but on-ear as opposed to around-ear. Any good examples of these? The ES7's? Senn HD 25-SP?

 

[moonboy403]

You would probably want something that's around ear for long session listening. Moreover, make sure the drivers won't be sitting on your ears as you'll certainly have sore ears.

As I understand, the ES7 and the HD25 are both on ear can.

The D2000 is really your best bet at around $200 with minimal isolation and great bass impact. A few notable shortcomings with the D2000, IMO, are its recessed mids, occasional boominess, and sibliance/harsh highs. Overall though, it's a great bang for buck fun can.

 

[archcommus]

Thanks moonboy. I still don't really want to get a completely closed-ear phone due to bulk and the discomfort I experience with my Sony's after extended use. I am tempted to get the PortaPro's due to Tiamat's good experiences but am still unsure just because my office is very wide open and I'm close to others. So that's why I was considering closed, on-ear phones - they provide isolation but maybe not too much while still being more compact. The two examples I've listed are the only real ones I've seen so far.

 

[moonboy403]

The D2000 is one of the most comfortable in the headphone world. The reason why your Sony isn't comfortable after extended use is probably due to two reasons: 1) The amount of pressure the cups are clamping against your head, and 2) drives sitting on your ears.

The D2000 has minimal pressure on your head nor do their drivers sit on your head. The on-ear cans aren't usually comfortable for long listening sessions because of the fact that the cups clamp against your ears.

The most comfortable headphone that I've tried is definitely a vintage Lambda.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: moonboy403
I did not A/B/X them because the difference was too big for it to be placebo between amp and unamped while it was level matched with my particular rig. Unamped, the two most glaring differences for the D2000 would be their recessed mids and sloppy bass. Amping the D2000 cures those two issues considerably.

You might be surprised how much the placebo effect works, it can bridge large gaps. Nevertheless, ABX tests are difficult to implement correctly, so it was more of a curiousity thing for me than it was anything else, not everyone desires to subject themselves to it. Plus, some of the amps look cool.

In any case, I do agree the D2000 are very comfortable, although they are somewhat heavy compared to the smaller headphones including the D1001 (simply physics).

OP: I don't think you will have any problems with koss portapro or senn PCX100. Esp. in that price range. The D1001 is a good choice if you cannot spring for the D2000. Obviously, not as good, but for 85$ a great value (in my opinion). Of course, I can only comment on the headphones that i have owned or tried.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: moonboy403
The D2000 is one of the most comfortable in the headphone world. The reason why your Sony isn't comfortable after extended use is probably due to two reasons: 1) The amount of pressure the cups are clamping against your head, and 2) drives sitting on your ears.

The D2000 has minimal pressure on your head nor do their drivers sit on your head. The on-ear cans aren't usually comfortable for long listening sessions because of the fact that the cups clamp against your ears.

The most comfortable headphone that I've tried is definitely a vintage Lambda.

The AKG K271 Mark II might be one to look into as well. $140 on ebay, and $160ish on Amazon (last I looked). It would require an amp though.

The Audio-Technica's 700/800 (I forget what model is closed) I've read good things about.

The Denon D2000 with the Markl mod (look on headfi forums) would be a good alternative (cheap) and not *need* an amp.

Moonboy, how much did your W5000 cost you (and what amp and such are you using)?

 

[moonboy403]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: moonboy403
The D2000 is one of the most comfortable in the headphone world. The reason why your Sony isn't comfortable after extended use is probably due to two reasons: 1) The amount of pressure the cups are clamping against your head, and 2) drives sitting on your ears.

The D2000 has minimal pressure on your head nor do their drivers sit on your head. The on-ear cans aren't usually comfortable for long listening sessions because of the fact that the cups clamp against your ears.

The most comfortable headphone that I've tried is definitely a vintage Lambda.

The AKG K271 Mark II might be one to look into as well. $140 on ebay, and $160ish on Amazon (last I looked). It would require an amp though.

The Audio-Technica's 700/800 (I forget what model is closed) I've read good things about.

The Denon D2000 with the Markl mod (look on headfi forums) would be a good alternative (cheap) and not *need* an amp.

Moonboy, how much did your W5000 cost you (and what amp and such are you using)?

You're speaking of AT's A700/A900 models. I've owned the the A700 and I don't think it's good for the OP as it isolates somewhat decently which the OP doesn't want. Moreover, for its price, it's nowhere near the performance of the Akg K501 so it's hard to recommend it.

On the other hand, I got my W5000 for $699 - 25% live cashback last year. I'm using a Mhdt Labs Paradisea 3+ as DAC and a Singlepower Extreme with Ken Rad Vt231 and a pair of Tung Sol 5998.