[djloche]

While I agree with the general sentiment expressed (people buy poor quality headphones that leak music and proceed to seemingly obliviously blast their music for all to hear), please consider investigating higher quality headphones & their tech.

From a well known audiophile guide to headphones:

"In general it's best to avoid products made by Skullcandy, Bose, Beats, or Monster unless otherwise specified...These companies spend a lot of money on advertising and looks rather than quality. That isn't to say these companies haven't put out headphones worth buying, the Monster Turbine Coppers are actually fantastic IEMs, it's just that a lot of the time you're paying a premium for the name."

The same guide recommends the following in the $300-500 budget range: IEMs: Westone UM3X, Sennheiser IE8, Shure SE535, Audio Technica CK100

Open: Sennheiser HD600, Sony MDR-SA5000, AKG K601, Sennheiser HD650

Closed: Audio Technica ATH-ES10, Denon D5000, Ultrasone Pro 900

Box stores like Best Buy are consumer goods stores. If you want to buy a mid or high end DSLR, you won't find it inside a Best Buy location. If you want to buy mid or high end headphones, you won't find them inside a Best Buy location. If you want to buy a mid to high end computer monitor, you won't find it inside a Best Buy location. I suspect this is true for many, many niches.

[gammarator]

Here's the guide in question: http://www.head-fi.org/a/headphone-buying-guide

[jmspring]

Head-fi is a great resource.

I tend to run IEMs myself, my target being good fit, good sound, and blocking background noise.

I started with Shure E2Cs and moved on to Westones. With IEMs, it really comes down to preference of fit and sound signature. Westones are my preferred between the two, though going for the higher end, while sounding great, I can't quite justify...

[gadders]

TBH, until they stop making disposable, easily broken headphones with non-repairable connectors, I'm not going to pay over £10 for them.

I have signed up for this KickStarter project though: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/legendary/earbuds-time-t...

NB: I'm not an audiophile - most of my listening is podcasts.

[joelhooks]

I've had the same pair of mid-range Shure's for 4 years. I take appropriate care of my gear though.

[oblique63]

I also recommend checking out the [semi-open] Beyerdynamic DT 880 pros (~$300). They're really crisp, with great clear bass reproduction, and have an amazingly 'analytical' sound with their wide soundstage.

Absolutely one of the best pair of headphones you could get if you do any sort of audio mixing work, but they're really nice for casual listening as well.

[malandrew]

IMHO, the DT880s are overrated for the price. You are better off getting similarly priced Sennheisers.

I got them because they were closed, and I expected to be able to use them in public without outside sound leaking in. In practice, they let in about as much sound as the open Grado HP-1s that I used to have.

The HP-1s are much more analytical and accurate for mixing work. (yes, I know that they now cost a lot more than $300, but they didn't cost that much more when I first bought them back in 2003).

For public listening, nothing beats Etymotic ER-4P IEM with foam tips. They block out -40dB of sound with no noise canceling technology, so there is no distortion. I don't know of any other IEMs that block out that much noise (there may be other ones today, but back when I bought them they blocked out the most noise).

As far as best sound, I think the AKG K-1000s were the best sound (and a bargain at their original MSRP), but the requirement to use full-size speaker amps to drive them was tedious.

[oblique63]

Unfortunately it's a bit hard to find places that let you try out high-end headphones around here, so I'm sure there are plenty of other comprable headphones. Which Sennheisers would you recommend that are comprable to the 880s? I know of the HD650s, but I didn't have anywhere to try them out, and a lot of reviews I came across mentioned that they were a little on the warm-side and better suited for smooth music (I work with Metal). Plus, I got my 880s for about $270, and the best deal on 650s I could find was still close to $500, which was out of my price range at the time...

[malandrew]

The 595s, 600s and 650s are all great. Personally I'd go with a 600 or 650 bought used off another head-fi member who happen to be the first user. Both can be had used in like new condition for around $300. Keep an eye on the for sale forums there. The market for them is pretty liquid and it shouldn't take more than a week to find one in great condition.

Both the sennheisers and the DT880 benefit from an amplifier. A decent small desktop amplifier can be had for $150-200. Go ahead and buy the amp used on head-fi. They don't really depreciate in value with use like headphones and can be sold later for the same price.

An awesome headphone rig with used components can be had for about $500 total ($300 on the headphones and $200 on the amp). Beyond that point it really is subject to diminishing returns and gets highly subjective and bikesheddy. This is coming from someone that sold his Grados and AKG for more than $3000 for both. As I said, I now just have IEMs, but when I buy another headphone again, my plan is to get the HD-650s used from a first owner or if I'm feeling particularly giddy and very flush with cash maybe the HD-800 used from a first owner that can be had for a $1000 if you keep your eyes peeled for them. Either way, I intend it to be my last headphone purchase, because it's easy to get caught up in the equipment and forget about the music.

Also, I wouldn't mix with any closed headphones, metal or otherwise, except maybe those two top of line sony models that are both discontinued. I never mixed myself, but everyone I know who did stuck with open headphones in a quiet room or studio monitors for serious audio work.

[gouranga]

> amazingly 'analytical' sound with their wide soundstage.

You sound like a HiFi journo.

Techie here:

Sennheiser HD-25 II's here. Paid 35GBP new (on offer one fine day). I can run the cable over with my desk chair 100 times a day for 8 years and they still work like the day they were bought...

[oblique63]

I guess that's because I'm also a musician and do a lot of audio mixing work. I figured since we were on the subject of 'quality' that would imply having good sound, which for me means a pair of headphones that lets me clearly analyze what's going on in a busy mix.

but hey, for basic every-day usage, I like my $15 JVC Marshmallows just fine. I havent tried your HD-25s, but Sennheiser does make some good 'bang-for-your-buck' products, and I especially like their PX 200s (except for that silly volume control they have).

[lemming]

I have used the HD-25s since my DJing days, they're fantastic IMO.