I know this is a regular topic, but could anyone recommend a modest pair of headphones to use with my iPod classic please?

All tunes have been ripped lossless for best quality.

Jono

I have a pair of Shure SE 410 and Sennheiser HD 650's. I like them both. The SHure's are portable, great for plane travel (sound isolation) while the Senn's produce a higher quality rendition of the music, a Headphone amplifier is a necessity. I trust that helps.

Hi Jono,

Not sure what you mean by modest. One thing you will need to consider is if you want to use a headphone amp or not.

Without an amp, I use Etymotic ER-6 (IEMS) or Sennheiser PX-100 with my iPod.

With an Amp, I tend to use my Sennheiser HD-580 or AKG K701.

Hope this helps.
Pat

For comfort on the move - Sennheiser PXC200s - c£40

For isolation on the move - Shure E3Cs with soft foam earpieces - c£100

For quality at home - Sennheiser HD650s with Musical Fidelity X-Can v3 headphone amp (in bedrorom) or via Supernait (in living room).

Would also like to try Audio Technica WS1000s for quality and isolation.

Chris

I found the shures lovely from a sound point of view but they were just so uncomfortable I could'nt live with them.
I opted for the bose in ears (£50)and they are a good balance of sound and comfort and much better then the Senns and fit for purpose for my Ipod needs.
Be careful if buying on line as there are lots of fakes about.
Gary

I have the Etymotic ER4s for my work system. Absolutely fantastic. Used with a 4th gen iPod and Rega Ear headphone amp. The 4p is better if driven directly off the iPod. Bit more bass and more sensitive.

They take a few days to get used to and getting them put in your ears properly (the foam pads work better for me than the silicon 'plugs') Once in though, any background noise dissapears and bass is tight and deep.

James

Hi Jono, I've been using my Shure SE530 and although I would not necessarily call them modest I can thoroughly recommend them.They come with a wide range of in ear fittings and with a little patience and care one can manage an impressive level of sound isolation with a high degree of comfort, which is great as they sound simply sublime. My other pair are Grado GS1000 which I use off my naim rig (hiline hicap). The SE 530 sounds a lot warmer more like the Sennheiser HD650's.

The best portable headphones under the 100$ bar IMO are the Sennheiser PX-100:

http://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm_frz.nsf/resour...File/px100_400px.jpg

Bye.

Whoa, careful with those HD650s. They're not really designed for iPod-type output as they are not terribly sensitive (300 ohm and 103db @ 1V). They just don't go loud enough with an iPod without an amp, and as they are an open design, they are no good when travelling. Big, too.

A better Sennheiser for iPods IMHO is the HD25-1 (Note NOT the SP model). These are 70 ohm and 120db @ 1V. They go plentry loud and as a closed design, have great noise blocking (not active cancelling) ability. I alternate between these and Shure E4C in-ear buds, depending on the circumstances. I use the HD25-1s a lot more, though. They are fairly compact and rugged for travel. It would be better if the earpieces spun 90 degrees for stowing in my laptop bag, though.

I save my HD650s for late nights with the SuperNait where they really come into their own.

For a cheap alternative, try the Grado iGrados. The are $49 and sound pretty good with the ipod. They are open ear though, so you will not be isolated from outside sounds.
I use them to work out and when I'm riding my bike (I would rather be able to hear cars etc..)
Nat

Hi Jono,

Just a word of caution : try a cheap in-ear before committing to more expensive ones. Not all ears like the "in-ear" feeling.

Philippe

Thanks everyone.

Natnc I saw the iGrados on their website and wondered if they were any good. I will see if I can get a demo of them.

Jono

I got a pair of iGrado, those came as a bonus with a local A/V magazine's 2 years subscription. They are very average, I tried them on my Headline head to head with my Grado RS-1 just for the fun of it.

They are soft sounding, totaly forgiving about whatever snit you feed them with, you won't be agressed... or involved either. I listened to two very well known CD of mine, Santana sounded like if he had abused of tequilla, and Katie Melua got stolen a few millions bicycles at least!

Bye.

quote:

Originally posted by patk:
Hi Jono,

With an Amp, I tend to use my Sennheiser HD-580 or AKG K701.

Hope this helps.
Pat

Pat,

Could you provide a view on the AKG. They are on my shortlist with the HD650s.

Mike

Hi Mike,

It's been a bit since I used them ... cat and cable incident - and they are getting recabled.

That said, I find them to be a nice all-around headphone. Very comfortable for me, and I like to use them with all types of music. They get my feet a tappin'. Which does not always happen with the 580s. I think the Cardas replacement has improved my HD580s. And I have not been able to compare the 580/Cardas with the K701.

The K701s do take a while to run in, that is for sure. I definitely prefer them over the HD580s, but I have never heard the HD650s. If you are able to compare the two, make sure the K701s are run in, otherwise they can sound thin.

I use them with a Channel Island headphone amp. I have not had a chance to hear them with a headline yet.

Not sure if this helps you. Not comfortable using all those review terms though. I go mostly off how equipment makes me feel about the music.

Pat

Pat,

Thanks for that. I narrowed my search down to Beyer Dynamics DT880s, Senn HD650s and the AKG 701s on reviews alone. I then set about trying to find some way of comparing all three. Apparently, it's impossible. Can't find a dealer in the UK who stocks all 3. I have a friend with 650s and so I tried them with my Headline. Impressive but somehow dull and uninspiring. I have decided to take a punt on the AKGs and see what happens. I believe the burn in is around 300 hours.

I'd be interested to know if anyone has tried Equinox cable with them or indeed any others.

Mike