Buying New Headphones

Talk about computers, hardware, applications, and consumer electronics.
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Postby Skyling » 2009.07.31 (02:34)

The ones I currently have now are earbuds that were extremely cheap from Walmart, and to my surprise they've lasted quite a while, been comfortable, and have sounded pretty good. They are starting to break, however, so I'll be needing some new headphones. I'd like to get a more "serious" pair considering how often I listen to music.

I'm interested in noise-canceling headphones considering I go on long car rides a lot, but this isn't really a requirement if the headphones are good enough (I do not want to pay hundreds of dollars, keep in mind). Sound quality is the most important thing I'm looking for, with emphasis on crispness, not intense bass or anything like that. I've been suggested these in the past, but if you have any superior recommendations, please let me know. I'm not particular about in-ear / over-ear / etc. Thanks for the help.
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Postby //Zander » 2009.07.31 (02:51)

well... not paying hundreds of dolars can't get you far...
I would be guessing that you wan in ear ones.
I have had a pair of ultimate ears, and now have some jbl reference 220's. both have excelent range of frequencies including tons of bass. they make hearing outside stuff nearly impossible... almost as good as proper noise cancelling.
the jbl's are much sturdier... and sound just a bit better,
but worth well over $100 au, and the ultimate ears would be slightly less. I can't give you an acurate price range because I get these kinda things cheaper than the average guy.
but If you love good quality music, it's a good investment.
you will never want to listen to a lesser set of headphones again.

but I heard skull candy make some alright stuff for a bit cheaper, but I personally wouldn't touch them.
hope I have not made the situation weird
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Postby PALEMOON » 2009.07.31 (02:57)

you can find some perfectly serviceable Over- and In- ear headphones in the 25 - 50 dollar price range, also.

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Postby T3chno » 2009.07.31 (03:18)

I'd really recommend something from the Sony selection. My experience with Sony headphones has always been great. Long lasting and durable. The have a $50 noice cancelling one if that's what you're looking into.

It's your call.
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Postby smartalco » 2009.07.31 (04:04)

Flight wrote:I'd really recommend something from the Sony selection. My experience with Sony headphones has always been great. Long lasting and durable. The have a $50 noice cancelling one if that's what you're looking into.
Seriously, I was at that exact page 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately, I despise in-ear earbuds, and there selection outside of that is tiny, so I went with someone else.

But ya, Sony has a pretty good selection.
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Postby ToeFaceKiller » 2009.07.31 (09:03)

I recently purchased these (which happened to go on sale week after I bought them >_>). If crisp is what you're going for, I would definitely recommend these. They've got an amazing all round sound, deep lows, crisp highs, and fit comfortably in the ear. They're a little pricey, but I'm glad I got 'em.
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Postby t̷s͢uk̕a͡t͜ư » 2009.07.31 (19:54)

Skullcandy
I'm not a terribly musical person, but I love these earbuds. Very high worth / price ratio.

Also, something to keep in mind:
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/calling-bull ... 305549.php
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Postby SlappyMcGee » 2009.07.31 (21:27)

Tsukatu wrote:Skullcandy
I'm not a terribly musical person, but I love these earbuds. Very high worth / price ratio.

Also, something to keep in mind:
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/calling-bull ... 305549.php

Those are fucking better.

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Postby Adoniseppi » 2009.08.01 (01:22)

It really depends on how you're going to use them. I would suggest over ear Skull Candy headphones, which I use when I'm in my dorm. If I'm going somewhere, I just use cheap ear buds. But if you want headphones that are more portable, I would suggest the ear buds that Tsukatu recommended. Skull Candy has good sound quality. Just don't make a habit of chewing on the wire like I did, because it will ruin them.
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Postby Skyling » 2009.08.01 (04:10)

I was surprised to find that my mother had bought me these, which are working pretty well so far. The sound isn't as crisp as my old earbuds, but I think that's just because they're over-ear ones and the sound has to travel farther; my old headphones certainly couldn't have been that amazing.

The last time I tried Skullcandy headphones, it sounded like the music was traveling through eight layers of waxy cardboard. Fuck that.
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Postby blackson » 2009.08.01 (05:28)

I can't stand over ear headphone. I either want it in my ear, or wrapped around it.

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Postby 乳头的早餐谷物 » 2009.08.01 (05:32)

Are on-ear headphones ones that sit kinda flat on the outside of your ear while over-ear ones cup around the ear, or is it the other way around, or am I altogether off?
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Postby blackson » 2009.08.01 (05:57)

ortsz wrote:Are on-ear headphones ones that sit kinda flat on the outside of your ear while over-ear ones cup around the ear, or is it the other way around, or am I altogether off?
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Postby Donfuy » 2009.08.03 (22:35)

Creative EP-630
http://img.diytrade.com/cdimg/859627/96 ... phones.jpg

Awesome sound and they're very durable.
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Postby trezoid » 2009.09.13 (05:23)

sennheisers are generally considered to have the best sound quality, across the whole range, from cheap as $20 up to >$15000. They last pretty well too.

Skullcandy headphones are MASSIVELY bass heavy, and don't have great sound quality, but they last, and just keep on lasting. they are overpriced for what they are, except for the warranty.

Don't buy Bose, cause they use rubbish parts, and charge a premium.

sony produces reasonable budget headphones, but thats SUPER budget (sub $20) because after that, they are competing with sennheiser, and they just get outclassed at every point. They ARE cheap though.

My advice: Get sennheiser unless you go through headphones faster then a pair every 4 months, in which case get skullcandy for the warranty.
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Postby squibbles » 2009.09.13 (05:43)

trezoid wrote:$20 up to >$15000.
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I generally just go with Sony, but then, I've been known to do some stupid shit in the past.
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