Full sized headphones

[leowyatt]

I have tried to get along with in ear headphones and after buying the latest pair of skull candy ones which just won't stay in my ears I've decided to go full size.

Budget isn't great but I've found some Sen HD201 which are rated highly so basically I'd like the best full-sized ones I can get for the least moolah ;D

[Burble]

As an alternative, have you considered getting some custom made sleeves? I have a pair because I could never get in the ear earphones that didn't fall out, and the sleeves are fantastic. Very comfortable, perfect fit and they also block out more outside noise.

Mine came from Audio Relief (http://www.audiorelief.co.uk/).

[leowyatt]

:shocked: they are a bit too steep price-wise for me fella :)

[divine]

As an alternative, have you considered getting some custom made sleeves? I have a pair because I could never get in the ear earphones that didn't fall out, and the sleeves are fantastic. Very comfortable, perfect fit and they also block out more outside noise.

Mine came from Audio Relief (http://www.audiorelief.co.uk/).

Bit over the top for what i'm guessing are probably £15-£30 earphones being SkullCandy...

I found a huge improvement though when I got my Shure SE210s with the expanding foam buds rather than silicon, far more comfortable.

Over ear wise, make sure you get some that fit over your ear if possible not on top of your ear, else they will squash it and hurt after a while.

[leowyatt]

The SkullCandy ones have been donated to Kitten anyway.

Might see if I can find some foam expanding buds.

[leowyatt]

My ears are strange :'(

[Stan_Lite]

I have problems keeping the damn things in my ears too. I had a pair of Sony bud type things which were OK but I've lost them. I might give the Shure ones a try.


Over ear wise, make sure you get some that fit over your ear if possible not on top of your ear, else they will squash it and hurt after a while.

I'll second this. I wanted a pair of headphones with a microphone for various uses, including gaming and Skype etc. I got a pair of Sennheiser PC166s which sit on top of my ears. They become uncomfortable after about 10 minutes and painful after about half an hour.
I replaced them with a pair of Sennheiser PC350s which fit over my ears and I can wear them for hours without any problem.

[NokkonWud]

My dad has had no problem with his Shure ones falling out because of the expanding foam pieces, have a look at those, the sound is excellent too.

[divine]

The SE210s are probably the pick of the lower bunch, though not cheap at £65 (last I looked)

The 110s don't tend to get hugely favourable reviews and i'm not sure if they include the foam buds, the 310s tend to suffer in reviews due to being a lot more expensive than the 210s yet still only single driver so the sound quality isn't greatly increased for that expense.

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/reviews/entry/shure-se210-sound-isolating-earphones/

[Mark]

I have the same problem. I've been through half a dozen in-ear types and none of them works. The closest I've got is some Sennheisers that have over-the-ear clips on them but even they're not great.

I have a couple of pairs of Bose QuietComfort headphones now (I really couldn't give a damn if audiophiles hate them, so please don't bother) but they're the exact opposite of cheap. :(

[Wryel]

Another one for the SE210s, I bought a pack of foam sleeves and change them when they get dirty.

[Flibster]

As an alternative, have you considered getting some custom made sleeves? I have a pair because I could never get in the ear earphones that didn't fall out, and the sleeves are fantastic. Very comfortable, perfect fit and they also block out more outside noise.

Mine came from Audio Relief (http://www.audiorelief.co.uk/).

I have custom sleeves and full customs now. Very happy with the fit on both - still running in the full customs at the moment, but the sleeves I have for my E3C's and my SE530's are superb.

Audio Relief gets them made by ACS (www.hearingprotection.co.uk)

For cans - I've got some Sennheiser HD650 *replacing some broken HD580 - I'm sure that the 580's sounded better though* and I've got a cheap set of Goldring DR150 that, despite being made from recycled milk cartons, sound pretty good. Kim is mainly using them now.

[divine]

Another one for the SE210s, I bought a pack of foam sleeves and change them when they get dirty.

I hope you don't mean you change them as in keep getting new ones, cos you can wash them (and even have them dry within an hour or two) :p

[Flibster]

Go with the black olives for the Shure's. They are much better than the plain yellow ones.

[divine]

I don't think Shure even supply the yellow ones any more.

[Flibster]

I don't think Shure even supply the yellow ones any more.

You can still get them though.

[leowyatt]

So far then the recommendations are;

Goldring DR150 or SE210

[Burble]

SE210 would be my preference.

[leowyatt]

ok thanks :)

[divine]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultimate-Ears-Super-fi-Studio-Headphones/dp/B000B5XU06 [edit - that's a marketplace seller but you should be able to find them elsewhere for the same sort of money if you prefer to avoid the marketplace sellers]

Ultimate Ears Super.fi 3s [those in the link above] may be worth a look for similar money, though I couldn't tell if they come with foam buds so you'd have to look at some reviews to find out. One of the amazon reviews mentions 'interchangeable buds' but they could all be silicon ones.

[Greenlizard0]

Eu bleurgh Skullcandy.

I'm not sure whether you mean you want suggestions for earphones or headphones, but I'm going to go for headphones. :)

By the price of the Goldring DR150's which are about £65 there are others that could be pondered over?

You've not said though whether you like closed or open back? Have you got a headphone amp? Are you going to be using these with a portable player or at a desk?

Have a look at the Audio Technica, Ultrasone and Beyerdynamic ranges for example.

In your budget you have the Audio Technica ATH-910, Ultrasone HFI-450, Beyerdynamic DTX900 respectively.

[leowyatt]

Not earphones people, headphones, it says so in the thread title :p ;D

I don't have an amp I'd be using with an iPod and laptop when working. I'd ideally like closed so it cuts out the noise, especially when used on a plane :)

[leowyatt]

Ideally with my hosting needing renewing, car MOTs etc I've got an upper limit of around £50.

[Greenlizard0]

Not earphones people, headphones, it says so in the thread title :p ;D

Check out the ones I've suggested, I think since you've said £50 one of those might be slightly over, but they should be around that mark.

I don't have an amp I'd be using with an iPod and laptop when working. I'd ideally like closed so it cuts out the noise, especially when used on a plane :)

If you're not driving it, then perhaps either get a portable amp, or consider one that isn't too high on the impedance numbers.

[leowyatt]

Thanks I'll have a look at the headphones you suggested :)

[Chuckles]

I've got some Grado SR60's which are totally awesome quality. They also have the advantage of making look like a pretentious muso **** when you are out :D

http://www.audioenz.co.nz/2007/images/grado_sr60.jpg

[leowyatt]

haha I'd only use them on flights or around the house, don't tend to listen to my iPod when I'm out as I drive most places.

[Greenlizard0]

What did you go for in the end chap?

[BBx]

http://www.audioenz.co.nz/2007/images/grado_sr60.jpg

Can double as earmuffs in this weather atm = win! :D

BB x

[leowyatt]

i got nothing at the moment ;D

[Dr. Z]

Grados are a love/hate thing. Very unique sound (which I personally don't like) and they on-ear rather than over-ear making them uncomfortable over long periods. They are also open-back, meaning everyone else gets just as much music as you do.

I'd look at the Beyerdynamic DT range if you're after bang-for-buck. Sennheiser are great but can be expensive. I have a pair of very cheap AKGs on loan at the moment and they are fantastic for casual listening although they lack mid-range detail and are a little "muddy" but definitely not fatigueing like the Grados would be (for me).

[Mark]

Grados are a love/hate thing. Very unique sound (which I personally don't like) and they on-ear rather than over-ear making them uncomfortable over long periods. They are also open-back, meaning everyone else gets just as much music as you do.
I'm not audiophile enough to tell the difference between two pairs of headphones unless it's an in-your-face difference. That'll be why I'm happy with Bose headphones when the majority of audiophiles would barf at the mere suggestion. However, in this case, I had the same 'hate' reaction - the on-the-ear foam pads irritated the heck out of me. I sold my SR-60s.

[Mondo]

I am a Sennhesier man, HD580 is just awesome, had it 8 years now and can't believe they still work !

[Muban]

My work ones are Sennhesiers, though I can't for the life of me remember which ones so not much help there. My home ones are Technics RP-F290s, no idea how they are rated by audiophiles but They sound as good as they did when I first bought them and they are soooo comfortable. Nice over the ear headphones that I can wear for hours and hours and they are still comfy. This of course will be of no help to you at all lol :)

I only hope whatever headphones you eventually get they make you as happy as this:
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/Muban/boatdrink/kidheadphones.jpg
I have no clue where I got this picture from but I do remember it made me smile

[Fayshun]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y128/Muban/boatdrink/kidheadphones.jpg

Quoted for amusement value.