Yet another headphone thread

MannishBoy wrote:

My wonderful wife got me a Sennheiser PC360 headset for my birthday, due to some kind of snafu on an Amazon wishlist. For some reason, something I'd had in a wish list to help me remember a model number just in case, showed as being added to the list in April. I think she even paid more than they originally costs due to them being a discontinued model. I think they'd been replaced by either the 363D or the G4ME One or G4ME Zeros.

I think the 363D comes with a USB adapter, but might also work as analog? Not sure about the other two.

I hate to return a gift like this, but it might actually save her money to update to one of the newer sets. Anybody kept up with these and have an opinion? Don't like the white versions, but I think they also have black, just not necessarily on Amazon.

OK, decided to return the PC 360, as the G4ME One's looked like a near identical headset, and Amazon has the One's for $190 vs the $310 she paid for the PC 360s.

However, I'm still thinking about possibilities. The PC 363Ds are an option for the same money, plus if you order them from Sennheiser, they throw in AC4. Or, even for a bit less, there's the Beyerdynamic MMX 300, which NCIX has for the $260 range. Don't like that they don't have a mute button for the mic, but otherwise they sound great.

Or, just got with a regular set of quality headphones and get an add on mic, or maybe the V-Moda cable replacement with mic.

What would you guys do with a limit of about $300? Primary use would be PC, but might use with a new gen console down the road.

I love my XP Sevens. Turtle Beach doesn't seem to get a lot of love around here, though.

http://www.turtlebeach.com/product-d...

The easily connect to PC, consoles, and mobile phones. Sound quality is great. Albeit, I'm not an audiophile.

EverythingsTentative wrote:

I love my XP Sevens. Turtle Beach doesn't seem to get a lot of love around here, though.

http://www.turtlebeach.com/product-d...

The easily connect to PC, consoles, and mobile phones. Sound quality is great. Albeit, I'm not an audiophile.

I've had Turtle Beach, and while they're OK, I'm looking for a higher end set this time. I never really liked the sturdiness of the TB's I have, and the sound was actually worse than my Razer Carcharias set that I'm still using on my PC.

I will say that yours look nicer than my X41s by a good stretch. I'll keep them in mind. But it's kind of like the Astros, I think I like some of the electronics better than the headphones themselves.

I decided to go with the Corsair Raptor H5. It has both analog and USB inputs, which is good for me since I have no free USB ports at the moment and don't really want to buy a hub AND a headset. It also says it can reproduce 5.1 positional audio with the USB input, though I've yet to use any headset that really did that very well, much less a discount one.

We'll see how it works out this weekend.

BadKen wrote:

I decided to go with the Corsair Raptor H5. It has both analog and USB inputs, which is good for me since I have no free USB ports at the moment and don't really want to buy a hub AND a headset. It also says it can reproduce 5.1 positional audio with the USB input, though I've yet to use any headset that really did that very well, much less a discount one.

We'll see how it works out this weekend.

While I like the sound, I was frustrated by the lack of driver support with my Corsair DS1's. The sound kept swapping sides every time I'd activate the headphones, and you'd not really know it had happened unless you used the Windows sound test or got all the way into a shooter and realized you were disoriented.

They were a bit bass weak, too, but that was less of a deal to me than them never fixing my problem, even though it was reported by quite a few people on their boards. Even when they kept releasing drivers with new headsets that were basically the same thing chipset wise.

So they're on my bad list Also still not up to cheapish audiophile type headphones if my DS1's were any indication.

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Another thing I'm looking for are headphones with a big enough ear cup that they're outside my ear lobes. I really like the round cups on my Razer Carcharias, as that's much more comfortable to me than phones that rub the edges of my ears. That's why the Beyerdynamics look nice, if pricey. Large round ear cups.

Well, anything remotely audiophile is going to be $200ish, maybe a little less, and that's way more than I can afford right now.

Also, I'm confused... I looked into the Corsairs in the first place because you suggested it!

MannishBoy[/url]]You might look at the Corsairs, though. If you get the analog version, they're not too bad on price.

BadKen wrote:

Well, anything remotely audiophile is going to be $200ish, maybe a little less, and that's way more than I can afford right now.

Also, I'm confused... I looked into the Corsairs in the first place because you suggested it!

MannishBoy[/url]]You might look at the Corsairs, though. If you get the analog version, they're not too bad on price.

I like the sound and the comfort for the price mine were ($50 on sale IIRC), and I think I posted several times about the drivers. I think the new ones use different drivers than mine did, they just never fixed mine.

But I specifically pointed out the analog thing to avoid the potential driver issues. I'd buy the analog ones if I was looking for something in that range. I like Corsair as a hardware company.

My dad's looking to replace his wireless headphones for loud yard work. Concerns, in order:

1) Ear/noise protection
2) They make sounds inside (his current has a radio built in, and a jack for other input)
3) Ability to play MP3s without wires

What I use when I'm going to be anywhere with loud noises and my headphones.

IMAGE(https://www.jaybirdsport.com/static/old/images/bbx/images/gallery/01.jpg)

JayBird BlueBud X

http://www.srstactical.com/communica...

cartoonin99 wrote:
Malor wrote:

Plantronics makes some cheap headsets, which are actually pretty good. They're surprisingly durable for the price. You can get perfectly reasonable ones on Amazon for $12. That looks the same as one I've had for a few years, and while it's definitely cheap, it's not total crap.

The $22 one looks quite a bit sturdier, though.

I will +1 on Plantronics in this price range. I have this exact one: http://www.amazon.com/Plantronics-Au...

I use it for LFD2 and have been using it for a few years with no issues, and having the additional volume control on headset has been a lifesaver. The sound quality has been just fine and the mic activates when you press it into the down position, no muss, no fuss.

As for durability, it's been great! I actually swung around in my office chair clipping the usb male, damaging the actual usb port in the front of my rig to be unusable, but the headset and plug were undamaged.

I've had a Plantronics headset for over 10 years that is still sturdy, and still in good working order. They're built to last. It's still the headset I use today. I've been through my share of in-ear headphones for music, and gaming headsets for consoles, but these Plantronics have outlasted numerous desktop computers in their time. They've been dropped, sat on, bumped and knocked, even left to gather dust for a time after a move, yet still they hang in there. I should retire them and place them in a display case.

I would like to report that I really have been impressed with Klipsch's earbud warranty service. I don't think they're any more or less durable than most of the top brands, but I've gone through two or three that end up with plug problems after a year or two of daily heavy use. But when they do break, all it takes is an email to Klipsch, and they send me another set without requiring me to send the old ones back in.

Most of these have been bought from Woot or somewhere at a deep discount. I keep buying them because they really are the most comfortable ones I've tried.

And since they don't require the old ones back, and they generally fail at the plug, I think I'm going to try to put new plugs on the old ones to keep as spares in my bag, car, etc. If only I can figure out what the second ground wire gets wired to on a TRRS plug (5 wires in a 4 terminal plug).

My current headset, the ATH-D40fs from Audio-Technica. Over the ear cups, studiophones, high quality, with many field serviceable parts. The price on the linked Amazon page is a steal. This is my second pair, the first ones sllooowwwly fell apart over 4? 5? years of constant use (in the few to many hours daily range of use).

Do note that these are the D model, bass enhanced. I've never used the ATH-M40fs, but my understanding is that they aren't as good. I use a separate microphone from Zalman.

Highly recommended, would not hesitate to purchase again.

MannishBoy wrote:

I would like to report that I really have been impressed with Klipsch's earbud warranty service. I don't think they're any more or less durable than most of the top brands, but I've gone through two or three that end up with plug problems after a year or two of daily heavy use. But when they do break, all it takes is an email to Klipsch, and they send me another set without requiring me to send the old ones back in.

Most of these have been bought from Woot or somewhere at a deep discount. I keep buying them because they really are the most comfortable ones I've tried.

And since they don't require the old ones back, and they generally fail at the plug, I think I'm going to try to put new plugs on the old ones to keep as spares in my bag, car, etc. If only I can figure out what the second ground wire gets wired to on a TRRS plug (5 wires in a 4 terminal plug).

Do you have to send the serial number? I had a pair of Klipsch earbuds that went bad because I used them while running in the rain, and I just assumed they were a loss. I have my Amazon receipt, and figure it's worth a chance at zapping them an email anyway.

TheCounselor wrote:
MannishBoy wrote:

I would like to report that I really have been impressed with Klipsch's earbud warranty service. I don't think they're any more or less durable than most of the top brands, but I've gone through two or three that end up with plug problems after a year or two of daily heavy use. But when they do break, all it takes is an email to Klipsch, and they send me another set without requiring me to send the old ones back in.

Most of these have been bought from Woot or somewhere at a deep discount. I keep buying them because they really are the most comfortable ones I've tried.

And since they don't require the old ones back, and they generally fail at the plug, I think I'm going to try to put new plugs on the old ones to keep as spares in my bag, car, etc. If only I can figure out what the second ground wire gets wired to on a TRRS plug (5 wires in a 4 terminal plug).

Do you have to send the serial number? I had a pair of Klipsch earbuds that went bad because I used them while running in the rain, and I just assumed they were a loss. I have my Amazon receipt, and figure it's worth a chance at zapping them an email anyway.

All they have wanted is a receipt copy from me.

Yep, they emailed me back already, and have sent out a new pair. I wasn't gonna buy Klipsch again because they broke so quickly, so that was pleasant surprise.

Nice!

Hmmm. I had one of the ear buds go out on a pair of Klipsch I bought at Woot. I paid so little for them it never occurred to me to ask for a replacement. Will have to give this a shot. Thanks for posting that MB!

I got my replacement Klipsch earbuds yesterday. They even upgraded me a step because they no longer make the model that I had. I'll be buying Klipsch in the future.

I just called JayBird about repairing my Blue Buds that suddenly stopped working. Replacement pair is in the mail. The problem I had is a known issue.

Imagine the success baby. I don't feel like embedding a picture we all have come to know so well.

TheCounselor wrote:

I got my replacement Klipsch earbuds yesterday. They even upgraded me a step because they no longer make the model that I had. I'll be buying Klipsch in the future.

Had that happen, too. I bought the short lived "gaming" IEM headset that had the S5 drivers, but when they quit making it and mine died, they sent me the real S5i's.

Hey all, I dont have a pair of open air headphones. Highest I can go is around $100 bucks. What is every bodies feelings on grado?

From what I recall reading, they can be uncomfortable to some. They tend to color the music with a warmer sound which potentially can be a negative or a positive. That could be great if you mostly just listen to rock music. They are very inexpensive, so it may be a good option. I don't think they require a headphone amp, so if you're going directly to your PC, you may be okay.

If I was shopping in that price range, I would definitely consider them a top candidate. Not sure if they would end up being uncomfortable or not on me.

edit: Nevermind, I don't have direct experience, I shouldn't be venturing an opinion. All I can do is repeat what I've read.

Well, I was definitely just throwing out an impression from what I've read. I have always been very curious about them. If you get some, let us know what you think.

Snake Oiler wrote:

Hey all, I dont have a pair of open air headphones. Highest I can go is around $100 bucks. What is every bodies feelings on grado?

I've tried Grado cans on several occasions. They sound very good, and I found them very uncomfortable. I really just wanted to take them off after about 10 minutes.

What would have once been the correct answer for these requirements (Audio Technica ATH-AD700) is now out of production. The follow-up product (ATH-AD500X) is reportedly not quite as nice, but if it's close then it is still money well spent.

I bought the Sennheiser HD595 for around $100 and they are the most comfortable (and cool in the summer) pair of headphones I have every used.

Thin J the price is right for the first edition of those, whats your experience with them? Also thanks for all the recommendations guys!

For open headphones under $100 I might lean toward the AKG K240 Studio. Though they're actually described as semi-open you would still be able to hear outside sounds just fine. They run about $70 or so.

The first Audiotechnica model I would consider from their current lineup is the AD-700X but those are over $100. Once you get up into their price range (~$140) you also end up with a ton of alternative options.

For the record, I've not actually heard the Studio model, only the MKII, but my understanding is that they're almost exactly the same headphones with minor changes like new earpads for the MKII's.

My brother has a pair in his little makeshift recording studio so I've had an hour or two here and there with them over time.

For an alternative Sennheiser has the HD 519's that are supposed to be solid and I've had good experiences with all the other Sennheiser headphones I have or have had in the past. I've never tried the 519's though.

I really really like the Sennheiser HD598's I picked up a while ago. They were on a rather steep discount at $150 though... but if you can find a used pair of 595's as suggested earlier, that's probably the way to go. I believe they're similar, the 598's are an updated version. They're super comfy, I can wear them for hours without issue.