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College Headphone Recommendations? (Digital?)

C

Compuwiz

Limp Gawd
Joined
Jun 16, 2003
Messages
277
Im off to college, looking at getting some nice headphones. I dont know much about who makes good brands (besides Grado and Sennheiser, then again, from what I have gathered...those are top of the line? What about Sony brand?

What qualities should I look for?
And, do they make "Digital" headphones? (ie: that use the SPDIF jack?)

Thanks,
 
How much are you willing to spend? Also, do you want a closed or open headphone?
 
Sennheiser HD497s (my pair was $50 refurbished about 13 months ago) are a great first good pair of headphones, but the fact that they are open (the sound leaks) may bother those near you.

They are amazingly comfy which, to me, is the most important aspect I look for in a pair of headphones.
 
Depends on how much you like music, and how much you want to shell out.

If your rich, just splurge and get the Sennheiser HD650's for like $380US.

I personally have a Sennheiser HD590 and its been Amazing! Now they are up to the HD595, but I have never listened to these. If you want to spend about 200$ then check out the HD590(595) or Sennheiser HD580. Most people recommend an external amp with the HD580's, although with the HD590's you can get by without one.

Another good company that impressed me was BeyerDynamic, a german audio company. Ive seen people around here recommend the DT770 pro's. I almost went with the DT990 pro's instead of the HD590's.

As always, check your local audio stores, and your professional audio stores. Sometimes they may have some good speacials on headphones. (like this). I think im going up there tommorw to pick one up.

All in all though, I would not recommend spending less then 100$. If you keep the headphones for more then a week, then the extra little bit of money you spend will start to pay off really well. There is nothing worse then getting a 40$ headphone, finding out you really don't like it, then getting the 150$ one you should have got in the first place ^_^.

I have also listened to the cheaper AKG and Sony headphones, and I was not impressed mainly because of the design. The beyer and Sennheiser headphones are just SOOO much better on my head.

Oh, and think of whether you want to get open ear or closed ear (swamp effect...?)... What would you prefer? Do you need to block out outside noise? or do you want a little more "open" sound?

~Hope this helps

Edit: As always, if you have a chance to listen to them, do that first obviously.
 
First off, I am going to get a nice set of headphones, not some cheap $40 pair from WalMart. Then again, I dont want to spend 300 or so. I would not have a problem spending $100-$150, or maybe a little higher. I strongly believe in the "you get what you pay for."

Yes I listen to audio alot. I just bought an old 2002 5GB iPod off of my company bulletin board for $60 today - great deal I think, plus with the dorm situation keeping things small to save space helps (even though I will probably get the Logitech 2300s at a later point in time). I also want some phones that have decent to good bass.

I also want some phones that would be good with games and movies. My roomate has 1TB of movies. Any thought on those surround sound phones, or is that simulated surround sound?

[IMGhttp://www.spearitsound.com/beyer/DT990PRO.jpg[/IMG]
I would prefer a closed headphone to block out some sound. But, I do not want something that big. Do either of the headphones you mentioned come with noise cancelling? Which brings me to another point -- is noice canceling really that effective? "Can reduce up to 14db..." is that a significant decrease in background ambient noise?

This pair looks interesting:
[IMGhttp://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm_eng.nsf/resources/F87B7EB599CBC469C1256FC60033494E/$File/PX300_view.jpg[/IMG]
Sennheiser PXC 300 buy them here for $127
Any input on those? Sennheiser claims for 80% noise reduction...realistic?

No one said anything about Digital headphones that use the SPDIF port--do they exist?
 
you'll suck the battery of an iPod pretty quick if you use a set of cans with big drivers. I had some Grado SR-60's and they were without a doubt some of the best headphones I've ever had. My Sennheiser HD 555's have a bit more bass and their trebel is a bit less forward but the Grado's weren't bright, just forward. My friend has in the ear Shure E3c's and swears by them and their noise dampening. I have never seen digital headphones. Those would have a hell of a lot of electronics in them, including a tiny amp, DAC, and would probably be mondo expensive.
 
I was lucky enough to just pick up a BeyerDynamic DT990 Pro for 130$ new. So again, check out your local audio dealers, they may have some good specials.
 
But keep in mind space is a big thing also. I do not want the headphones that are HUGE on the side of your head, just something right over the ear, or covering just the outside of the ear.
 
I have Sennheiser HD555s that I like. They work for everything, music, gaming, whatever and they arent to expensive. I got these and ive pretty much stopped using my speakers.
 
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