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Topic: Need advice on headphones for mp3 player (Read 6321 times) previous topic - next topic
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Need advice on headphones for mp3 player

mp3 player: Sandisk Sansa Fuze

I am looking for headphones, preferably over the ears rather than
ear buds.

I have some questions about what I can use for headphones with
these as far as power needed:
Will the size of the mp3 player make a difference in what
headphones I can power?
Do I need to look at other things like impedance or
sensitivity?

From what I understand headphones can be hard on the hearing.
How does a person avoid hearing damage. When I listen while
riding on transit there is often a need to turn up the volume
because of the outside noise?

Thanks

Need advice on headphones for mp3 player

Reply #1 –
The fuze can drive any common pair of headphones, although if the impedance is very high the volume can be quite low.  Things in the 16 to 60 Ohm range will probably work best.

If you are worried about hearing loss, then IEMs make the most sense, since they isolate you from your surroundings allowing for low volume.  You can also get over ear style ones that do this, but they tend to be quite large (e.g. HD-280 ).

Need advice on headphones for mp3 player

Reply #2 –
You can try the Audio-Technica ATH-ES7.

Need advice on headphones for mp3 player

Reply #3 –
Quote from: JFS on
When I listen while
riding on transit there is often a need to turn up the volume
because of the outside noise?

I tried the Bose QuietComfort 15 the other day. Active Noise Cancelling is quite amazing when you've never tried it before. It is said to work particularly well on the kind of lower-frequency repetitive noise you get while commuting. Unfortunately the demonstration booth was playing a marketing speech, not music, so I can't attest to their musical performance; I read that they're not bad, but not great either.

Need advice on headphones for mp3 player

Reply #4 –
Quote
From what I understand headphones can be hard on the hearing.
How does a person avoid hearing damage. When I listen while
riding on transit there is often a need to turn up the volume
because of the outside noise?


Its true...turning up headphones too loud can harm hearing in the long run.  If you're riding public transportation, then you probably want isolating earbuds to block out noise...Sennheiser CX300 should work without breaking the bank.  I had good luck with similar items while mowing lawns.  This will be your most convenient option.
foobar2000, FLAC, and qAAC -V90
It just works people!

Need advice on headphones for mp3 player

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Meeko on
Quote
From what I understand headphones can be hard on the hearing.
How does a person avoid hearing damage. When I listen while
riding on transit there is often a need to turn up the volume
because of the outside noise?


Its true...turning up headphones too loud can harm hearing in the long run.  If you're riding public transportation, then you probably want isolating earbuds to block out noise...Sennheiser CX300 should work without breaking the bank.  I had good luck with similar items while mowing lawns.  This will be your most convenient option.


Agreed, agreed!  IMO, it is better to have something that passively blocks out the noise rather than something trying to be fancy and messing with the audio signal to filter out the noise.

I use Sennheiser CX400's and am very happy with them.  They are very comfortable and block out the noise very well.  These won't break the bank either.

Need advice on headphones for mp3 player

Reply #6 –
A recommendation for sennheiser CX300 from me too. If you turn it up just slightly loud your worst problem is that you can't hear the traffic.

Need advice on headphones for mp3 player

Reply #7 –
Sennheiser PX100. They're excellent sounding, and I probably wouldn't have my HD580's if it wasn't for accidentally standing and breaking my PX100's having owned them for 4 years.

Need advice on headphones for mp3 player

Reply #8 –
Thanks for the replies. I was unsure about ear buds because my ear openings are small.
In my left ear I have a hard time to push in a cue tip.
Would the ear buds recommended be a problem for me?
Thanks

Need advice on headphones for mp3 player

Reply #9 –
I am not sure.  I can tell you that I am not a fan of earbuds or anything else that goes in my ear.  Not to sound too gross but my ears produce more wax then they are plugged with earbuds or IEMs.  This means that I can put the earbuds/IEMs in my ears, get up, take two steps, and they pop out.  So I can't recommend those.  I can recommend a few over-the-ear models though.  The Bose QuietComfort II's carry a high price and are rather large but they always work well for me.  The quality may not be as good as the over-the-ear Senheiser models I have (none of this was measured with blind testing mind you) but the noise reduction technology works pretty well.  I can ride on the public transit without hearing much at all but the music.  I suggest you take your player into the Bose store to try it out.  That is what I did with my iPod 5 (nor almost 6) years ago when I purchased my QuietComfort II headphones.  I also have a pair of Philips HN 110 headphones.  They set me back my $30.44 from Amazon and are my go-to pair for everyday headphones.  I feel that more noise comes through with the Philips headphones but take that with a grain of salt as it is just a feeling.  My roommate has a pair of MDR-NC7's that are also noise canceling.  He liked them a lot and I think that the noise canceling features is about on par with the Philips model.  Again, this wasn't measured or tested by me so don't take it as a fact.  They won't break the bank either as they can be purchased for less than $40 from Amazon.com ($49.99 from other stores).

You can likely test the Sony headphones if you have a SonyStyle store near you and you can test the QuietComfort II or QuietComfort 15 models (I don't think they sell the QuietComfort II's anymore).  The QuietComfort 3 models are more expensive and they sit on top of your ears.  I don't like this design, that is why I turn to my Philips as they fit comfortably around my ears.  I don't like headphones that sit on top of my ears and ones that go in my ears.  The ones that sit on top of my ears tend to hurt after a few hours and they have trouble staying on.

Need advice on headphones for mp3 player

Reply #10 –
Quote from: JFS on
I was unsure about ear buds because my ear openings are small.

Me too. I bought the Sennheiser CX400 anyway - I've worn them one day, now they're collecting dust. I just can't make them fit comfortably.

Need advice on headphones for mp3 player

Reply #11 –
Has anyone tried LX18 Noise Canceling Headphones? They can be had for $49.95, and the sellers says that it is comparable to the Plane Quiet Solitude and the Bose QCII. I was considering this for mayself as an alternative in-ear phones. I am using Sony's MDR-NC22, which work very well while on the plane or sitting still. But if you touch the cable in-ears tend to make noises, or they can be pulled out when you move. So light and comfortable over-the-head phones would be better.

Need advice on headphones for mp3 player

Reply #12 –
I've never tried noise-cancelling phones personally, however I have heard they do work well with the low-rumbling sounds, like those of airplane engines.  People swear by them, but I wonder at what cost?  Noise-cancelling phones are often larger and require a power source (AA or AAA batteries to make the signal work).  Is that something the OP is willing to take on if that's an option he's looking at?  I understand earbuds aren't for everyone, however, they are the simplest when it comes to blocking noise and convenience when size matters.

Just my two pennies again.
foobar2000, FLAC, and qAAC -V90
It just works people!

Need advice on headphones for mp3 player

Reply #13 –
The Koss PortaPro are inexpensive ($29) and sound absolutely incredible. Read reviews if you don't believe me.

Need advice on headphones for mp3 player

Reply #14 –
Quote from: loophole on
The Koss PortaPro are inexpensive ($29) and sound absolutely incredible. Read reviews if you don't believe me.


Another vote for the Koss PortraPro here.

I owned several Senn's MXxxx and a pair of PX100 - whose main weakness is their flimsy cords. Although the PX100's sound terrific, the Portapro's do it so for nearly a third of their price.

EDIT: they surely must be one of the best value-for-money pair of headphones around
• Listen to the music, not the media it's on
• The older, the 'lossier'

Need advice on headphones for mp3 player

Reply #15 –
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...3&Tpk=rx900

Those are what i use for most of my listening, Tho I advise you get a FiiO e3 or e5 to amp the volume/power

http://www.dealextreme.com/search.dx/search.fiio

or a faster option (Dx is a bit slow to ship sometimes)

http://mp4nation.net/catalog/index.php?mai...products_id=230

the above is a good place to get this kinda stuff

I LOVE THIS COMBO, if your wanting to move around alot, Koss porat pro's and Koss KSC75 are great as well.

http://mp4nation.net/catalog/index.php?mai...products_id=281

lots of good choices, check head-fi forums for more info on any headphones your considering(search the forums for what your looking at)

Need advice on headphones for mp3 player

Reply #16 –
I also recommend IEMs for noisy environments. I use these:

Westone UM1

They come with multiple tips and the tips are designed to be compressed before you insert them so they should fit any ear. They expand after inserted to fit your ear canal snugly, and so block external sound.

This company also makes higher end models, including custom fit.

Many performers use something similar these days on stage.