Post by penguinopolipitese on Mar 18, 2009 3:06:32 GMT -5
so I just bought some new headphones to replace my old ipod ones that disintegrated. I thought I'd share my experiences on the subject... there are lots of crazy expensive options for true audiophiles but I was looking for something for under $100CAD.
sennheiser cx300-II
cost:~$80CAD
details: This are the headphones I ended up with. I actually demo'd the cx300, not cx300-II. This version has a bit thicker cable and jack casing than the cx300. Also I would say bass is stronger, I might even say too strong. I found bass can overpower treble a little more than I like. If you like bass heavy stuff, these are the headphones for you. Still they are good choice for most.
I tried these against some philips noise canceling headphones. Even with noise canceling on, the sennheiser beat out the philips in terms of clarity and volume.
In addition to that I adjusted the volume limiter from around 80% to maybe 70% and walking down the street I actually had to remove one headphone because I was hearing almost nothing besides the music (in downtown toronto at noon). One bad point is that the cable movement can be heard strongly in the headphones if you move around a lot.
sennheiser cx300
cost:~$80CAD
details: I demo'd these with the SHURE and AKG. The CX300 blew the other 2 out of the water. Sound was much richer and fuller with particular note to bass. The cable on this version is a lot thinner and seemed more fragile. Still I felt this particular version performed the best all-around. Also a bit cheaper in price.
AKG K324P
cost: ~$90CAD
details: when choosing between the AKG, SHURE and SENNHEISER, this was the first one to go.
SHURE SE110/SE210
cost: ~$100CAD
details: by far the coolest looking headphones I looked at. compared to the Sennheiser bass was much weaker. Most frequencies felt more even though. I also tried the SE210s which are $160CAD and the next level up but I couldn't hear enough difference between them to warrant the extra $60. The 2 sectioned cord (on both SE110/210) was an interesting approach and they seemed a little more sturdy than most.
SONY MDR-EX32LP
cost: ~$40CAD
details: pickup up a pair of these in japan for about $20CAD. Not a bad headphone for the price. Sony tends to make very acceptable stuff and though not as noise-isolating as some of the higher end headphones, the response throughout the frequency spectrum is even. I suspect the higher end sony headphones might be pretty decent.
Maxell EB-425
cost: less than $10CAD at some drugstore.
details: only nice thing is a volume adjust switch on the cable but otherwise this was the worst pair of headphones I ever used. Avoid all Maxell headphones.
BOSE Quiet Comfort III Active Noise Canceling
cost:~$400CAD
details: bought these for someone once. pretty much the top of the line noise canceling headphone. Really nicely made, come with a case and accessories. Maybe not the best for physical activity and they take a specialized rechargeable battery that costs more than it should for a spare ($50!)... still when you wear these, it's like the world doesn't exist. These aren't completely over ear but still supposedly on par with the larger over-ear Quiet Comfort II's. Also the II's use a standard AAA battery which is a little more versatile... also note that when these are out of batteries you can't use them AT ALL.
Philips SHN2500 Active Noise Canceling
cost:~$30-10CAD
details:I bought mine at Active Surplus in Toronto for $10CAD. For the price, these have been great to have since I used to fly a lot for work. These work in 2 modes. Passive (off) or Active (on). In passive mode they work more or less like an average set of sony headphones. With active noise reduction the sound level just sounds like it got boosted a bit. For perspective, the sennheiser CX-300IIs beat these on active. Still for $10 they come close. If it weren't for the clunky control unit they might be good for every day. I've been using the same AAA battery for over a year now. Oh and the accessories that come in the package are pretty useful. The fact that they still work if the battery is dead is a plus as well...
I'd love to hear what others are using.
sennheiser cx300-II
cost:~$80CAD
details: This are the headphones I ended up with. I actually demo'd the cx300, not cx300-II. This version has a bit thicker cable and jack casing than the cx300. Also I would say bass is stronger, I might even say too strong. I found bass can overpower treble a little more than I like. If you like bass heavy stuff, these are the headphones for you. Still they are good choice for most.
I tried these against some philips noise canceling headphones. Even with noise canceling on, the sennheiser beat out the philips in terms of clarity and volume.
In addition to that I adjusted the volume limiter from around 80% to maybe 70% and walking down the street I actually had to remove one headphone because I was hearing almost nothing besides the music (in downtown toronto at noon). One bad point is that the cable movement can be heard strongly in the headphones if you move around a lot.
sennheiser cx300
cost:~$80CAD
details: I demo'd these with the SHURE and AKG. The CX300 blew the other 2 out of the water. Sound was much richer and fuller with particular note to bass. The cable on this version is a lot thinner and seemed more fragile. Still I felt this particular version performed the best all-around. Also a bit cheaper in price.
AKG K324P
cost: ~$90CAD
details: when choosing between the AKG, SHURE and SENNHEISER, this was the first one to go.
SHURE SE110/SE210
cost: ~$100CAD
details: by far the coolest looking headphones I looked at. compared to the Sennheiser bass was much weaker. Most frequencies felt more even though. I also tried the SE210s which are $160CAD and the next level up but I couldn't hear enough difference between them to warrant the extra $60. The 2 sectioned cord (on both SE110/210) was an interesting approach and they seemed a little more sturdy than most.
SONY MDR-EX32LP
cost: ~$40CAD
details: pickup up a pair of these in japan for about $20CAD. Not a bad headphone for the price. Sony tends to make very acceptable stuff and though not as noise-isolating as some of the higher end headphones, the response throughout the frequency spectrum is even. I suspect the higher end sony headphones might be pretty decent.
Maxell EB-425
cost: less than $10CAD at some drugstore.
details: only nice thing is a volume adjust switch on the cable but otherwise this was the worst pair of headphones I ever used. Avoid all Maxell headphones.
BOSE Quiet Comfort III Active Noise Canceling
cost:~$400CAD
details: bought these for someone once. pretty much the top of the line noise canceling headphone. Really nicely made, come with a case and accessories. Maybe not the best for physical activity and they take a specialized rechargeable battery that costs more than it should for a spare ($50!)... still when you wear these, it's like the world doesn't exist. These aren't completely over ear but still supposedly on par with the larger over-ear Quiet Comfort II's. Also the II's use a standard AAA battery which is a little more versatile... also note that when these are out of batteries you can't use them AT ALL.
Philips SHN2500 Active Noise Canceling
cost:~$30-10CAD
details:I bought mine at Active Surplus in Toronto for $10CAD. For the price, these have been great to have since I used to fly a lot for work. These work in 2 modes. Passive (off) or Active (on). In passive mode they work more or less like an average set of sony headphones. With active noise reduction the sound level just sounds like it got boosted a bit. For perspective, the sennheiser CX-300IIs beat these on active. Still for $10 they come close. If it weren't for the clunky control unit they might be good for every day. I've been using the same AAA battery for over a year now. Oh and the accessories that come in the package are pretty useful. The fact that they still work if the battery is dead is a plus as well...
I'd love to hear what others are using.
but i cleaned them, used them and they still work! they re a lot more comfy with their small plug in buds than the mac earphones that used to really hurt my ears.
