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[BDR]

I am looking for some recommendations on some good but not neccessarily high end, ear bud type headphones for my MP3 player (Zen NX).  I need to be able to hear the phone ring if needed by keeping the volume low (so high end phones that completely seal the ears are out).

Preferably something in the $30 to $60 range.

[Matt]

Ones that cover your whole ear but have an open design will be comfortable than buds. (and still allow you to hear outside of them)

Sennheiser 580 / 600 are amazing but a little more spendy than you mentioned.  They last forever though.

Otherwise I'd recommend going to a store where you can listen to them, and picking what sounds the best to you.  Just be careful to listen for "better", not "louder" when comparing because any phones can get loud enough.

[Phil Lee]

I have a pair of foldable open ear Sennheiser PX-100's that I use with my iPod. They are far superior to any ear buds. They cost me £30 here in the UK.

[graham131]

Sony do a fantastic pair over here in the UK for about £25

They used to be the MDR EX70LP (which i have), although I think they have now been superceeded .

Although just looking quickly Amazon America are selling them for $39.99

 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000067FCS/002-0845593-0145655?v=glance


Link for you.

Graham

[phelt]

The headphone boards at Head-Fi cover a wide range of headphones at different prices. The Philips HS900's seem to be well-liked and in your price range.

[Valissystem]

Ones that cover your whole ear but have an open design will be comfortable than buds. (and still allow you to hear outside of them)

Yes! Good advice.

Sennheiser 580 / 600 are amazing but a little more spendy than you mentioned.  They last forever though.

Yes! Really nice ones. However there are some cheaper Sennheiser models that still have good sound. I use a pair of HD457 for carrying with me. They're a good compromise for me as they fit into my laptop's backpack OK.

Otherwise I'd recommend going to a store where you can listen to them, and picking what sounds the best to you.  Just be careful to listen for "better", not "louder" when comparing because any phones can get loud enough.

Yes, good advice. You should always try and compare and hear headphones anyway - also pick a store where you can actually hear them without so much background noise that comparisons are nonsensical. (Unless of course you plan to use them in an industrial zone!!)

[LisaRCT]

Sennheiser  

[cct1]

Koss KSC-55 are also fantastic for the money--about $20.00.  They sound MUCH better than some of the Sony Streetstyle phones that are more than twice that price.  Koss KSC 35's have achieved mythlike status at headfi.org; they aren't available anymore, but the 55's have the same drivers (the senn's are popular there too--but the Koss's seem to be slightly more popular; maybe it's just my bias.).

I'd stay away from the EX's--they don't sound that great, IMHO, and more importantly, they'll give more isolation than what you want.

I'd choose between the Koss KSC 55's  and the Senn PX100s (I prefer the Koss's, but the Senn's are nice too.  If you can, try them both out before you buy).  Stay away from the Sony street style as well; they are truly awful, not to mention overrpriced  (I've got a pair I'd be willing to sell you if you want to make the same mistake I did).

[magisimo]

These might not be exactly what you're looking for, but...

Grado makes the BEST affordable headphones on the market today.  They blow away the competition, hands down.

For around $75 or so, you can get their lower end SR-60's.  They're absolutely amazing for the price and make most other headphones sound like crap.  If you can spring for the SR-125's then you'll have some of the best headphones ever made.

I'm a speaker nut... had to throw my two cents in.  

[kiwi]

I love my Sennheisers...

edit: I didn't have them beside me at the time.  I have the 535's.  While they are full sized head phones, they are quite lite and comfortable.  I love the fact that I can hear the phone ring and people who need to talk to me. (I use them at work, so this is a major benefit.)  

I personally find non-open headphones to sound slightly dead.  (Not quite the right word for the effect, but I can't think of a better one.)  But I may not have listened to the correct head phones.

[cct1]

These might not be exactly what you're looking for, but...

Grado makes the BEST affordable headphones on the market today.  They blow away the competition, hands down.

For around $75 or so, you can get their lower end SR-60's.  They're absolutely amazing for the price and make most other headphones sound like crap.  If you can spring for the SR-125's then you'll have some of the best headphones ever made.

I'm a speaker nut... had to throw my two cents in.  

 

I almost posted something identical to this--I agree with the above 100%.  The grado's can't be considered portable, but if it's for just around the house, these would be by far and away you're best choice--you're getting into audiophile territory with these.  Incredible for the price.  My only concern is wether you'd be able to hear a phone--they are open, but are relatively large, so although sound leaks out, not as much as you'd think leaks in.  But if it were me, I'd say to heck with the phone, go with the grados--they are my favorite set of cans for my ipod.

[jam]

I say Sennheiser PX100 for quiet room at $40 or PX200 for outside at $50.  You said you need to hear phone ring, so PX100 would be better.  Moreover, PX100 sounds better than PX200.  

SR60 would be better quality, but PX is more portable.  My 2 cents.

[crowfan]

It's interesting that someone posted this question, as I am in the market for a pair myself....

But I'm looking for ones that are big and comfy, and sound great -- I don't necessarily car about hearing anything else, cause most of the time I'm using them in bed at night before going to sleep. Are the above suggestions good for my needs too, or does this open-headphone thing allow other sounds in too easily for what I want?

Thanks, and sorry to slightly veer this topic away from the original poster,  

crow

[Matt]

Grado makes the BEST affordable headphones on the market today.  They blow away the competition, hands down

Quite a while ago I got a pair of Senn HD600's.  They were crazy expensive, but I've never regretted it.  They produce the best sound I've ever heard.

I heard so many people say that Grado was the way to go that I had to get a pair of SR-80's just to compare.  I was totally dissapointed.  They were better than $20 cheapie's, but didn't even hold a candle to the Senn's in terms of sound quality (across all genres), sound stage, or comfort.

That's just my experience though.  So many people recommend Grado that they must produce sound that lots of people like.  Also, maybe it's not fair to compare such different price points. (but in general, I prefer open-air ear surrounding designs which Grado doesn't make)

[jam]

I agree that HD600 is the best.  I love mine.  But, it requires headphones amp.  Moreover, HD650 is coming out soon.  

[kiwi]

I think that the best option is to bring a CD to an audio store and listen to some music on a bunch of different headphones.  You will want them to be both comfortable and have the sound that you like.  As with speakers and electronics.  When you are looking at upper end systems, frequently one cannot be characterized as being "better" than the other.  Often, they are equally good, but have different "personalities."  i.e. one sounds more laid back, the other is quick and aggressive.  Neither of these might be better or worse, but you might find that you personally like one more than the other.


crowfan ~ I use the Senn's at work... where people are talking and there is a big copier/printer in the same room.  I don't have a problem with the outside noise.  I only notice people talkgin when they are right near me, and/or they are talking extremely loudly.  I don't even here the big canon copier/printer...  (i've tried to listen,  both with it on and off and really can't hear it)

The other thing that I like about the open air headphones is that your ears don't get hot and sweaty.

I just noticed that they [senn] have noise canceling headphones.  Has anyone had any experience with them? (either from senn or others, are they worth it?)

[Valissystem]

The other thing that I like about the open air headphones is that your ears don't get hot and sweaty.

Yes, absolutely important to me.

Also when talking about Sennheisers, the build quality is great. I only replaced my old set this year - 18+ years after my first pair!

[kiwi]

Quite a while ago I got a pair of Senn HD600's.  They were crazy expensive, but I've never regretted it.  They produce the best sound I've ever heard.

Dang... I really want the HD600's.  And I can't really justify gettin a new pair, as mine are working just fine.  Just like I can't justify a new iPod  

c'est la vie.

kiwi

[GrumpyNick]

I just noticed that they [senn] have noise canceling headphones.  Has anyone had any experience with them? (either from senn or others, are they worth it?)

My wife bought me a pair of the Bose QuietComfort® Acoustic Noise Cancelling® Headphones a couple of years ago. They're very comfortable, sound fantastic to my ears (but I'm no audiophile) and came into their own when used on a long haul flight earlier this year. I used them to listen to the in-flight entertainment and they completely drowned out the external noises.

I use Sony MDR-EX71 'phones with my ipod and they're pretty good too.

Nick

[sirshambling]

I used a pair of Senn 600s for years but recently treated myself to the new Beyerdynamic DT880 - didn't think anything would be better than I was used to but these are just superb. Clarity, soundstage, comfort the lot.

Still use my Senn 100 for the Ipod though.