Headphones...

I use the earbuds that came with my iPod Touch, and I use them only for the Touch.

As far as what's best, I have no idea. When I fly, I have a set of earbuds with roundish rubbery end bits that fit snugly in my ears and help reduce the noise of the plane.

I also own a pair of Bose over-the-ear noise-canceling headphones which I quite like, and which work well, but they are bulky for travel, and either planes have gotten quieter or my hearing has decreased, but I find I don't need them any more and the form-fitting rubber-tip earbuds are satisfactory.

Like you, I don't have my original hearing. In my case it was driving a tractor (without a cab) on a farm for some years.

 

Depends on what their applications are and what their expectations are too. If you're a total audiophile, then you'll have some preference for a particular color balance (everyone has slightly different preferences based on music choice and shapes of their pinnas). But most agree the Sennheiser HD800 is an experience (as it should since it's 3 times the price of the HD650 and is more expensive then many loudspeakers)

I take it your friends are not going to be audio snobs though...so I would first just focus on the function. Noise Cancelling is good for on the go applications: subways or airplanes where it drowns out engine noise. The sound quality, though, will not be as good as good earbuds or full sized headphones. I prefer full sized headphones and like listening to them while at the computer or laying down listening to music. I've heard that the Dr Dre Beats are bass heavy but not a bad headphone. Other headphones in that price range are Audio Technica, Sennheiser, Denon, Skullcandy (Aviator...others are pretty crappy tonally). I like Sennheiser HD598s myself (for that price range and applications without a headphone amp). Earbuds don't give as much bass or soundstage (how spacial and "live"), but can be very versatile in being used while excercising or traveling....if you can mind having them in your ears.

Amazon has pretty good prices on headphones. This site specializes in headphones and "audiophile gear" and it has better reviews. I'd check prices on Amazon, but look at reviews here:

Headphones | HeadRoom Audio

 

Here's another good site for reviews. Unlike most people, I can understand spending $400 on headphones. My wife complains about 'that bell song again' waking her up when we're driving. Yeah, while I'm wearing headphones. :rockon:

Mind you, I'm perfectly happy with something less expensive, especially when the dog chews on them. Or when my daughter borrows them, lends them to a friend, and I never see them again.

Bang for the buck, Koss Porta Pros are pretty decent, and the Creative Labs EP630 reviewed at the site above are also a good choice. If you happen to be looking for computer speakers, Harmon Kardon Soundsticks are surprisingly good. (It's too bad I can only really enjoy them when I'm home by myself.) I could spend considerably more money, but it would only mean I'd go deaf faster.


edit: Note to Bob - you should be able to find both the Porta Pros and the EP630s for around $30, max $50 if not on sale.

 

First you have to figure out when the headphones/earbuds will be used.

- If you're mixing tracks or editing music/videos, I recommend Dr. Dre Beats (over-ear style).

- If you travel a lot on an airplane or are into computer gaming, I recommend Bose Noise Canceling Headphones (over-ear headphones)

- If it's for running/exercise, a $30-40 pair of Sony earbuds are good.

- If you want a versatile but stylish pair (recreational, car, public transit) I recommend Shure or V-moda (earbuds).

- If you're looking for the best value (decent sound at unbeatable prices) I recommend Sennheiser.

Basically, over-ear headphones have the advantage of better sound for the price, but the bulk and size gets cumbersome after a short while, which is why I only recommend them for "idle" activities (such as sleeping, sitting at your computer). I personally own v-modas (pictured below). They were $80 at the Apple Store. The bass is excellent and I've had them now for 3 years. Still works.

 

I use the Sennheiser earbuds. Not the real expensive ones, but the ones that cost about 20 bucks. Excellent sound, great bass, transparent mids and highs. They have replaced my Bose headphones on airplanes as they isolate me from all external sound, not just the lows. That was a real surprise.
For around the house on ear listening I have a pair of Sennheiser PX200 collapsibles. May be the best sounding headphones per dollar I have ever heard

 

Earbuds are one of the best examples of The Power Of Marketing ever. Take the cheapest things to make and then convince everybody they're "cool" and voila - you're raking in the bucks!

As for me, if do anything but hold my head perfectly still (something I rarely do), they fall out. I'd rather have the cheapest headphones over the most expensive earbuds, thank you.

 

Maybe yours don't fit right. I have two sets. One came with my iTouch and have very nice sound and for normal around-the-house puttering they stay in fine. The other set has the silicone form-fitting thingies on them. On the airplane they block a lot of outside noise, and I can jog with them and they don't fall out unless I catch the wire while swinging my arms and pull them out.

 

Check out sennheiser around ear...280HD awesome.

 

Clearly, one size does not fit all. Even the three different rubber thingies packaged with most earbuds won't fit 100% of the ears out there.

 

Actually, I only tried the ones that came with my various i-devices (which come in one size only); I've never tried the rubber ones nor have I seen the need to.

 

I didn't like the standard-issue Apple ones, either - mostly because they kept falling out. I found other types that fit directly in the ear canal to give better sound, better noise isolation, and.....a better fit. Not that there's anything wrong with over-the-ear types; whatever works for you.

 

Linx Audio "Able Planet" NC200 noise canceling, foldable and about $50.00. Got them at Costco, sound almost as good as Bose's noise canceling. Over the ear and quite comfortable.

[ame="http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=able+planet+linx+audio+nc200b&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#q=able+planet+linx+audio+nc200b&hl=en&safe=off&client=safari&sa=X&rls=en&tbs=p_ord&tbm=shop&prmd=imvns&ei=otjJTvKwFIShiALp-qXCDw&ved=0CAoQuw0oAQ&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.,cf.osb&fp=a629c0965592e930&biw=1552&bih=733"]able planet linx audio nc200b - Google Search[/ame]

 

Which headphone amplifiers are best suited for high-impedance headphones?
High-impedance headphones require more power to deliver optimal sound, making the choice of amplifier critical. What specific amplifiers have a reputation for driving high-impedance models effectively, and are there brands that consistently excel in this area? Finding the right match ensures you’re getting the best possible sound from your headphones.

 

seriously?

 

O messages O likes O media ( not quite sure what it is yet? ) not yet

 

2011?
Lotta water under the dam since this thread was born…..

I’m middle aged and have tinnitus, so audio fidelity in my case is wasted pearls cast before dieting pigs.
HOWEVER (comma!!)
Owing to my abject failures as a father and grandfather the ladies in my life don’t do smart phones, and so I’m rolling a well-used set of G3 Apple ‘pro’ buds.
Normally I stay in the minors, but I like where the Apples are going with using their products in the OTC ‘not-a-hearing aid’ world - and their eye-watering priced buds seem to be well built.

MOST importantly….you can find them if (when) they are cast adrift or stolen by an inquisitive grandchild by using your iPhone’s ‘Where the heck is my crap?’ app.