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Headphones hunting

Blogs > NB
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NB
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
Netherlands12045 Posts
June 10 2011 23:27 GMT
#1
Nothing much, just a couple of extra cash im willing to spend to improve my current laptop set.

I have razer abysuss + razer lycosa + AKG DJ81 atm and i could replace 1 of these... considering the fact that abysuss works fine for me as an rts mouse its either the lycosa or my headphone is being replace.

I know i know that i should get a mech keyboard instead of the shitty razer stuff but its hard to find mech keyboard from waterloo Canada k? Also i just got this rzer for not even a year yet...

So i came down to my headphone: AKG81dj is THE BEST headphone you could ever dream of at 75$ price range... It has perfect noise isolation, good sound quality and light for anysort of traveling experience. I have used this baby for 2 years now and i have no regret buying it except the fact that its a bit small for my giant azn head... Time fixed everything though, because its small, the clamp force make it easier to stay on my head if im on a bus of something. Credit to my friend Patrick, a 'pros' audiophile, for introducing me to this babe. Unfortunately after 2 years, the cable start losing after enduring my pull out while holding the cord, the bud start falling out after years of head sweat i put on it...

I decided to get a new headphone! Cash acquired: 200$. Price range: <150$.
Me and my friend Patrick after hours chatting on facebook have nailed down to the
Audio-Technica - ATH-M50S
[image loading]

unfortunately after few reviews i have read on the internet, they said the headphone is not that great on noise cancellation. So i will go with some alter native option:

Shure - SRH440
Shure - SRH550DJ
or Shure - SRH750DJ

Now Patrick told me he has no experience AT ALL in Shure's line of headphones so i will need you guys help on this. I know they produced some awesome earplug but are their headphones any good? This weekend i will go try all these 4 out myself but i really want to know your thoughts first :D.

*
Im daed. Follow me @TL_NB
Risen
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States7927 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 23:52:57
June 10 2011 23:40 GMT
#2
Having worn my M50s on an airplane I will vouch that they don't have the best noise cancellation. They are very good dampeners, though! I can't hear anything when I'm wearing them with sufficient volume. Someone could be yelling for me downstairs and I won't hear a thing, haha.

I would most definitely recommend them for ANYTHING except airplanes. Not sure why you would need noise cancellation for anything else. I get the feeling that noise cancellation is just one of those tags companies use to drive the price of a headphone up.

Edit: What do you need noise cancellation for anywho? Do you fly a lot? O_0

Double edit: By not the best noise cancellation I mean they don't technically have noise cancellation. They just have really good isolation.
Pufftrees Everyday>its like a rifter that just used X-Factor/Liquid'Nony: I hope no one lip read XD/Holyflare>it's like policy lynching but better/Resident Los Angeles bachelor
NB
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
Netherlands12045 Posts
June 10 2011 23:52 GMT
#3
On June 11 2011 08:40 Risen wrote:
Having worn my M50s on an airplane I will vouch that they don't have the best noise cancellation. They are very good dampeners, though! I can't hear anything when I'm wearing them with sufficient volume. Someone could be yelling for me downstairs and I won't hear a thing, haha.

I would most definitely recommend them for ANYTHING except airplanes. Not sure why you would need noise cancellation for anything else. I get the feeling that noise cancellation is just one of those tags companies use to drive the price of a headphone up.

Edit: What do you need noise cancellation for anywho? Do you fly a lot? O_0


its a personal thing, it helps me concentrate of works/study. Like the current akg im having even if music not on, i cant hear people alks at normal volume behind my back. 2 days ago there were a storm in middle of the night and my roomate was yelling at me behind my back to close the window and i have no clue at all.

To me noise cancellation and comfort goes first, then sound quality.
Im daed. Follow me @TL_NB
Risen
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States7927 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 23:55:56
June 10 2011 23:54 GMT
#4
On June 11 2011 08:52 NB wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 11 2011 08:40 Risen wrote:
Having worn my M50s on an airplane I will vouch that they don't have the best noise cancellation. They are very good dampeners, though! I can't hear anything when I'm wearing them with sufficient volume. Someone could be yelling for me downstairs and I won't hear a thing, haha.

I would most definitely recommend them for ANYTHING except airplanes. Not sure why you would need noise cancellation for anything else. I get the feeling that noise cancellation is just one of those tags companies use to drive the price of a headphone up.

Edit: What do you need noise cancellation for anywho? Do you fly a lot? O_0


its a personal thing, it helps me concentrate of works/study. Like the current akg im having even if music not on, i cant hear people alks at normal volume behind my back. 2 days ago there were a storm in middle of the night and my roomate was yelling at me behind my back to close the window and i have no clue at all.

To me noise cancellation and comfort goes first, then sound quality.


Noise cancellation only really helps with constant noise. Things like car engines on long trips or airplane droning. Not for things like talking or thunderstorms :/ ((as for rain noise that is blocked simply because they do a good job blocking outside noise))

Edit: I'm pretty confident with the m50s on you wouldn't be able to hear much of anything music on or not.

My major gripe with them is that after wearing them for 4-5 hours my ears can start to hurt a little b/c I have big ears :< So I just have to adjust them
Pufftrees Everyday>its like a rifter that just used X-Factor/Liquid'Nony: I hope no one lip read XD/Holyflare>it's like policy lynching but better/Resident Los Angeles bachelor
Pug1911
Profile Joined August 2010
Canada17 Posts
June 10 2011 23:56 GMT
#5
I tried some Shure in-ear monitors years ago when they were just coming out. Definitely a premier brand.

May I suggest checking out the Klipsch S4(i) or S5(i) in-ear monitors as well. They get incredible reviews. + Show Spoiler +
The ones with an 'i' in the model have a smartphone inline control thingy, and the S5 are essentially the same earphones, but a more rugged version. Only you know how rough the life of your earphones are.

Personally I still prefer a closed over ear headphone like the Audio Technica A700 for home use. Probably quite close to your old AKGs, though I've not tried the model you're replacing.

Personally, I'm using the Klipsch Image One these days, but that's because I use it for listening on the go in addition to at home. For dedicated at home use, I would recommend the Audio Technicas.
"My shoes are too tight, but it doesn't matter, because I have forgotten how to dance."
sob3k
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
United States7572 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-11 00:02:40
June 11 2011 00:00 GMT
#6
You need to be clear if you are talking about noise cancellation or isolation, they are completely different.

Noise cancellation: an active technology that cancels out ambien noise by analyzing it and generating an inverse waveform.

Isolation: the physical blocking of outside noises in any headphone (you want closed ear headphones for best isolation).

If you are going for maximum sound quality then cancellation isn't really recommended, you shouldn't really need it unless you are goingto be using them in a really consistently noisy place (factory/plane/car). Any solid closed ear headphones should easily block out normal room noises.
In Hungry Hungry Hippos there are no such constraints—one can constantly attempt to collect marbles with one’s hippo, limited only by one’s hippo-levering capabilities.
Cragus
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
Canada144 Posts
June 11 2011 00:07 GMT
#7
The isolation on the K81 isn't really massively better than M50's (depends on the frequency of the noise)... Headphone.com actually has a nifty little tool for comparing various characteristics of headphones, including isolation:
[image loading]
(headphone.com doesnt have the 440 or 550 in their database)
Personally, I'd look into recabling the AKGs to save some money or go for IEMs if isolation is really important (I included the Monster Turbines in the chart to show how insanely isolating IEMs are by comparison to headphones).
aka Nakji/Сталкер/Reed
writer22816
Profile Blog Joined September 2008
United States5775 Posts
June 11 2011 00:25 GMT
#8
Shure SRH440 is a great closed headphone at that price. I have not tried 550 and 750. If you get SRH440 you may want to consider getting 840 pads as they are supposedly more comfortable.

For IEMs, Etymotic MC5 has really great isolation but maybe there are better choices depending on what music you listen to.
8/4/12 never forget, never forgive.
kainzero
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United States5211 Posts
June 11 2011 00:26 GMT
#9
On June 11 2011 08:27 NB wrote:Me and my friend Patrick after hours chatting on facebook have nailed down to the Audio-Technica - ATH-M50S

unfortunately after few reviews i have read on the internet, they said the headphone is not that great on noise cancellation. So i will go with some alter native option:

If you can find a store to test them out then please do so, otherwise relying on internet views kinda skews your thinking and makes you believe things you may not really be able to hear, it will color your review immensely.

It's what I learned after buying DT880s the other week.
NB
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
Netherlands12045 Posts
June 11 2011 01:05 GMT
#10
yeah, i definitely was talking about noise isolation... i was born b4 the cancellation technique came out so :3...

anyway, thanks cragus for such useful website :D. I personally like full-sized headphone than IEMs. I have used IEMs a ton back in highschool where i have to hide stuff in class but NO MORE!!!!!!!! hehehehehe.

gona check the store tmr if i got kicked out of TL open early and the bus run on time :3
Im daed. Follow me @TL_NB
mizU
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
United States12125 Posts
June 11 2011 01:12 GMT
#11
I have a set of headphones that I got pretty cheap, around $60 IIRC.

Shure SRH240s, circumaural, fullsized, great noise isolation especially when wearing HuK style or with earphones underneath.

Amazing for the budget, I'd assume the higher up Shure's are awesome as well. ^^
if happy ever afters did exist <3 @watamizu_
jcroisdale
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
United States1543 Posts
June 11 2011 01:36 GMT
#12
Get the m50's
"I think bringing a toddler to a movie theater is a terrible idea. They are too young to understand what is happening it would be like giving your toddler acid. Bad idea." - Sinensis
[Fin]Vittu
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Canada507 Posts
June 11 2011 01:45 GMT
#13
On June 11 2011 09:26 kainzero wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 11 2011 08:27 NB wrote:Me and my friend Patrick after hours chatting on facebook have nailed down to the Audio-Technica - ATH-M50S

unfortunately after few reviews i have read on the internet, they said the headphone is not that great on noise cancellation. So i will go with some alter native option:

If you can find a store to test them out then please do so, otherwise relying on internet views kinda skews your thinking and makes you believe things you may not really be able to hear, it will color your review immensely.

It's what I learned after buying DT880s the other week.



how are the DT880s, i'm debating between those or the 990s.

The "Finnish Metal Terran"
Risen
Profile Blog Joined March 2010
United States7927 Posts
June 11 2011 02:18 GMT
#14
On June 11 2011 10:36 jcroisdale wrote:
Get the m50's


if you want noise isolation I definitely recommend these. I'm not sure you'll find anything better at that price point. And as I said earlier their isolation is fantastic
Pufftrees Everyday>its like a rifter that just used X-Factor/Liquid'Nony: I hope no one lip read XD/Holyflare>it's like policy lynching but better/Resident Los Angeles bachelor
G_Wen
Profile Joined September 2009
Canada525 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-11 03:04:06
June 11 2011 03:01 GMT
#15
On June 11 2011 09:25 writer22816 wrote:
Shure SRH440 is a great closed headphone at that price. I have not tried 550 and 750. If you get SRH440 you may want to consider getting 840 pads as they are supposedly more comfortable.

For IEMs, Etymotic MC5 has really great isolation but maybe there are better choices depending on what music you listen to.

I have the 840s but I wouldn't say that they're much better than any other headphone. The most comfortable ones I've ever felt were the DT880s.

If you're interested I might sell my 840s to you for a good price. Also ask your audiophile friend if he has any second hand headphones. I usually buy them used from my audiophile friends so that I save some money and get a good idea of exactly what I'm going to be buying before I pay money for it.

I'm also on Waterloo campus btw.
ESV Mapmaking Team
NB
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
Netherlands12045 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-11 03:09:04
June 11 2011 03:07 GMT
#16
so the m50s straight cable is 159$ and come with 20$ gift card... Deal?

Audio-Technica has introduced a straight-cable version, ATH-M50s, of its flagship ATH-M50 headphones. Designed to provide an exceptionally natural response for professional monitoring/mixing, the headphones feature a closed-back, collapsible design with 45 mm neodymium drivers, circumaural ear pieces (180 swivel) and luxuriously padded ear cushions. A straight cable at the left earpiece terminates to a gold-plated mini-plug with included screw-on " adapter.

Audio-Technicas sophisticated driver technology and superior components deliver exceptional power handling and very high SPL capabilities while maintaining clarity of sound throughout their extended range, with deep, accurate bass and outstanding high-frequency extension. The headphones feature proprietary large-aperture drivers with neodymium magnet systems for ultra-efficient signal transfer.

SKU: #299326
Model: #ATH-M50S



On June 11 2011 12:01 G_Wen wrote:

I'm also on Waterloo campus btw.

im going down town tmr at 2ish to check out/buy it, wana come?
Im daed. Follow me @TL_NB
TheSubtleArt
Profile Joined May 2011
Canada2527 Posts
June 11 2011 03:17 GMT
#17
IMO this is the best website to browse and ask for an opinion. http://www.head-fi.org/

Dodge arrows
Blisse
Profile Blog Joined July 2010
Canada3710 Posts
June 11 2011 03:18 GMT
#18
If you want noise cancelling, it might be better to go passive and get a good pair of in-ears. They'll isolate noise a lot better than around the ear headphones. If not, you'll want some of Sennheiser's travel series of headphones, but those cost over $250. There's really no good noise cancelling options at lower ranges, unless you want to try some Bose stuff, at which point the price is perfectly fine because you're paying for the noise cancelling, not the sound. But it'd be best to try out a few things before buying.

Shures aren't that good at noise cancellation. Get in ear or a true noise cancelling if you need it. The M50 is perfectly fine for regular noise, like every other closed headphone, as long as you're playing music in them.

For travelling headphones, you should be looking for the best durability and noise isolation anyways. I don't think you should ever expect to have the peace and quiet to listen to your music analytically while travelling, so lossy sources and forgiving headphones work best as well.
There is no one like you in the universe.
fusefuse
Profile Blog Joined February 2011
Estonia4644 Posts
June 11 2011 03:24 GMT
#19
ive got Sony MDR-V6's which are around the 100$ range, cancel noise damn well, have a rather flat response curve (good) and are comfy even for 8+ hours of usage
nifty if you're really into sound quality
Liquipedia@jkursk
NB
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
Netherlands12045 Posts
June 11 2011 04:08 GMT
#20
On June 11 2011 12:18 Blisse wrote:
If you want noise cancelling, it might be better to go passive and get a good pair of in-ears. They'll isolate noise a lot better than around the ear headphones. If not, you'll want some of Sennheiser's travel series of headphones, but those cost over $250. There's really no good noise cancelling options at lower ranges, unless you want to try some Bose stuff, at which point the price is perfectly fine because you're paying for the noise cancelling, not the sound. But it'd be best to try out a few things before buying.

Shures aren't that good at noise cancellation. Get in ear or a true noise cancelling if you need it. The M50 is perfectly fine for regular noise, like every other closed headphone, as long as you're playing music in them.

For travelling headphones, you should be looking for the best durability and noise isolation anyways. I don't think you should ever expect to have the peace and quiet to listen to your music analytically while travelling, so lossy sources and forgiving headphones work best as well.

i have played around with IEMs for 4 years in high school and they have a lots of problem: they dont last long, they get dirty/lost easily. Plus after 4 years using in ear stuff, i start to noticed that my ears will have problem if i try to use them too much. The air pressure from using inear is really harmful for ur ear.

So i switched to full size and love how they feel: surround and light (no air pressure on ears). I dont think i will go back to inear anytime soon despite the fact that its mid summer and my room is hot as a hell hole. Worst case i will buy 2 pairs of headphone: 1 open for travel and 1 closed but no IEMs stuff.

Currently looking into Headphone.com stat page... suprisingly my current headphone AKG81DJ which worth 69 bucks according to amazone beat almost everything below 160 o.O... lighter, better sound range, better isolation... I hope what ever i buy tmr wont be a down grade x(.
Im daed. Follow me @TL_NB
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