I Need headphones that dont constantly go bad within a few months... Iam tired of spending 40$ to 50$ every 3 months because one ear bud goes bad, at this point price isn't an issue I just want quality any recommendations?
1
I need headphones...
Started by The_Neverending_Loop, Jul 12 2011 08:57 AM
16 replies to this topic
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#2 Members - Reputation: 1675
Posted 12 July 2011 - 09:05 AM
My bet maybe not the best sound, but the best ergonomics ever: very long cord, it completely covers (my) ears, so it's the most comfortable headphones I've had so far. I use it every day (including hitting, beating the shit out of it) for maybe 10 years now.
#3 Senior Moderators - Reputation: 1740
Posted 12 July 2011 - 09:30 AM
Sennheiser has a wide range of price/quality headphones options available, and I used a pair for about six years (until the ear cushions broke down from head sweat saturation ... the sound was still fine). Their customer support seems good, from my limited interaction with it; I screwed up the cable once, and they sent me a replacement immediately and for free.
#4 Members - Reputation: 1006
Posted 12 July 2011 - 09:39 AM
I owned a pair of Shure e4c's for about 9 years of active use. They had the best sound quality of any headphones I'd ever personally heard. When they finally died, I bought a pair of Sennheisers that I'm pretty happy with, but I pine for the better sound quality of the Shures. I moved to regular headphones instead of the Shure in-ear phones because I tended to produce a bunch of ear wax when my ears were constantly stimulated by shoving the Shures in there, which was pretty gross. Also, the Shures set me back about $230, the Sennheisers only about $100.
Cnet (http://reviews.cnet.com/Shure_E4c/4505-7877_7-31429517.html) said the e4c's were, at the time they reviewed them, "simply the best in-ear headphones we've ever heard."
I believe the current model equivalent of my e4c's is this: http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE425-V-High-Definition-MicroDriver-Detachable/dp/B003NSBKSM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1310484933&sr=8-2 (though I think you can get the actual e4c's or other earlier models at a steep discount now).
These are the Sennheisers I use at work: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD448-Closed-Circumaural-Headphone/dp/B002DGTGO0/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1310485040&sr=1-1
Cnet (http://reviews.cnet.com/Shure_E4c/4505-7877_7-31429517.html) said the e4c's were, at the time they reviewed them, "simply the best in-ear headphones we've ever heard."
I believe the current model equivalent of my e4c's is this: http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE425-V-High-Definition-MicroDriver-Detachable/dp/B003NSBKSM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1310484933&sr=8-2 (though I think you can get the actual e4c's or other earlier models at a steep discount now).
These are the Sennheisers I use at work: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD448-Closed-Circumaural-Headphone/dp/B002DGTGO0/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1310485040&sr=1-1
~BenDilts( void );LucidChart: Online Flow Chart Software [Instant Demo]
#5 Members - Reputation: 3283
Posted 12 July 2011 - 10:12 AM
I cant wear in ear headphones because they cause me headaches almost right away, I currently use a set of Sennheiser over ear headphones and am rather impressed.
At home I had a set of Sony wireless headphones and I have to say they were appallingly bad. On clearance, I recently picked up a set of Turtle Beach XForce X41 wireless headphones and the wireless and sound quality is suprising good, especially when running over toslink. Unfortunately, they are a bit of a pain in the ass, as the Xbox has move on to HDMI, which makes hooking up to optical requiring a 3rd party cable.
At home I had a set of Sony wireless headphones and I have to say they were appallingly bad. On clearance, I recently picked up a set of Turtle Beach XForce X41 wireless headphones and the wireless and sound quality is suprising good, especially when running over toslink. Unfortunately, they are a bit of a pain in the ass, as the Xbox has move on to HDMI, which makes hooking up to optical requiring a 3rd party cable.
#6 Moderators - Reputation: 1754
Posted 12 July 2011 - 12:55 PM
I have been using various Sennheisers for many years now, and I've always been very happy with them. Excellent quality even after years of constant use, comfortable to wear and mostly affordable prices (unless you go with the really highend models).
Just keep in mind that most high quality headphones will need a break-in period before they reach their final frequency response, especially when testing and comparing phones that came right out of the box.
Just keep in mind that most high quality headphones will need a break-in period before they reach their final frequency response, especially when testing and comparing phones that came right out of the box.
#7 Members - Reputation: 2369
Posted 12 July 2011 - 05:02 PM
I'll just leave this here.
Logo really makes all the difference. And no need to buy from the top of the line.
Logo really makes all the difference. And no need to buy from the top of the line.
#10 Members - Reputation: 280
Posted 12 July 2011 - 09:57 PM
My bet maybe not the best sound, but the best ergonomics ever: very long cord, it completely covers (my) ears, so it's the most comfortable headphones I've had so far. I use it every day (including hitting, beating the shit out of it) for maybe 10 years now.
I also have a pair of those and I'm extremely happy with them. Very comfortable and great sound quality in my opinion. They have taken quite a few hits in the maybe 6-8 years I've had them, but I'll admit I avoid putting pressure on the point where the cable meets the actual headphones. These days I normally use my wireless headphones though. The freedom they provide outweights the reduced quality and comfort.
#11 Members - Reputation: 454
Posted 13 July 2011 - 04:53 AM
I've had two pairs of Sennheisers too, around the $150 range. They're excellent, but in both cases the cord got damaged after about 6-9 months which broke the microphone. It works when you put pressure on the part where the cord connects with the headphones, but it's a hassle.
They do have excellent sound and to this day they both still work (that's 3 years) except for the microphones.
They do have excellent sound and to this day they both still work (that's 3 years) except for the microphones.
#12 Members - Reputation: 102
Posted 13 July 2011 - 06:55 AM
Just do me a favour and don't follow the trend of these Dr. Dre Beats Headphones. In my opinion, they are, just like the iPhone more a trend than pure quality. If you want good quality for a fair price have a look at Sennheisers or at my favourite Shure Studio Headphones SRH840. Absolutely Top!
Xaser
Xaser
#13 Members - Reputation: 127
Posted 13 July 2011 - 08:18 AM
Sennheiser HD600
Used for about 6 years. Had to replace the cable once (about $25 but they are not hard-wired so it's simple to replace)
Also the earpads and foam inserts are also made to be replaceable, haven't replaced mine yet but they are about due.
Note they are open so if you are playing at medium to loud volume it will be audible to those around you.
Etymotic ER-4P
About 2 years. Still on my first pair of flanges, washing occaisionally with warm water.
Filters are replaceable.
Note they are sealed: though you have a couple flange/foam size options, depending on the size/shape of your ear canal it may be hard to get a seal. Without a seal you will not get a good response characteristic.
Used for about 6 years. Had to replace the cable once (about $25 but they are not hard-wired so it's simple to replace)
Also the earpads and foam inserts are also made to be replaceable, haven't replaced mine yet but they are about due.
Note they are open so if you are playing at medium to loud volume it will be audible to those around you.
Etymotic ER-4P
About 2 years. Still on my first pair of flanges, washing occaisionally with warm water.
Filters are replaceable.
Note they are sealed: though you have a couple flange/foam size options, depending on the size/shape of your ear canal it may be hard to get a seal. Without a seal you will not get a good response characteristic.
#15 Members - Reputation: 478
Posted 13 July 2011 - 10:00 AM
I use a pair of Sony earbuds I picked up at walmart for around $15. They've lasted me over a year so far and sound great.
??? maybe Iam doing something wrong then... cause the ones I buy (which are actually sony most of the time) are more expensive and last me a fraction of that time.
From everyones opinion though It looks like Sennheiser are definetly the way to go.
#16 GDNet+ - Reputation: 1858
Posted 13 July 2011 - 02:34 PM
Be very careful of buying cheap brands (especially Sennheiser) as there are a huge number of counterfeits. I've bought two sets of earphones through Amazon Marketplace and had to send them back as they're very clearly cheap knock-offs and not the real thing (though I have also bought the genuine article for roughly the same price).Sometimes Ebay has some good stuff on there for a reasonable price. Did you check there?
As you can probably guess from the need to keep buying earphones they don't tend to last very long, sadly. I've got a set of Genius HP-02 LIVE earphones that set me back £10 and have been going for years. The sound quality isn't great (a little heavy on the bass) but very respectable for the price.
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#17 GDNet+ - Reputation: 1200
Posted 13 July 2011 - 02:44 PM
I use a pair of Sony earbuds I picked up at walmart for around $15. They've lasted me over a year so far and sound great.
??? maybe Iam doing something wrong then... cause the ones I buy (which are actually sony most of the time) are more expensive and last me a fraction of that time.
From everyones opinion though It looks like Sennheiser are definetly the way to go.
I don't know what you're doing wrong, but I have had no problems. My Sony earbuds.
