Headphones

I wear headphones a lot. Phone calls, news videos, fun stuff. They never seem to last more than a couple of months, I'm looking at bare wires at the plug into my laptop now. Any suggestion on a better brand, type, that will hold up better? Yeah, I'm guilty of buying cheap ones, but realize I need to step up a bit. Thanks, hive.

Sennheiser is bordering into what I call the Audiophile Stupidity Zone, but they make some decently-priced good-quality headphones in the $30-$100 range. It sounds like what's killing your headphones is that you're bending or stretching your wires too much, so look for a model with fabric-covered wiring.

I've had wonderful experience with SkullCandy headphones, as well as their warranty claim process. I had a set in which one channel stopped working intermittently. All I had to do was fill out the claim form on their website and send them back. Lifetime warranty FTW.

I've hear good things about Grado Headphones.

Are Koss Headphones made in the USA? Their headquarters is located in Milwaukee.

RossD wrote: Are Koss Headphones made in the USA? Their headquarters are located in Milwaukee.

I don't know, but I absolutely love their Porta-Pros: http://www.amazon.com/Koss-PortaPro-Headphones-with-Case/dp/B00001P4ZH/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375885800&sr=8-1&keywords=koss+portapro

About $35, they sound fantastic, are among the most comfortable lightweight over-the-ear headphones I've found, and they have a lifetime warranty. They look a little goofy, but that's only because they got the design right in the 80s and there's been no reason to change since then. They have a long-standing reputation as one of the best lightweight budget headphones among audiophiles, I first heard about them from a serious Golden Ear type back in 1992. I think I'm on my third pair now, and I'll never buy anything else.

I've NEVER had good luck with Koss stuff. Maybe it's just me.

These were my go-to when I was a videographer, but that was before the internet was invented.

Some good suggestions here.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/recommend-headphones100/53739/page1/

RossD wrote: I've hear good things about Grado Headphones.

I live in my Grado 325i's. When you spend 10 hours a day staring a computer they are fine. I would not go running with them or even really walk.

The SR60's that they sell are realitivly cheap ~80$ and they last for years. Plus you can rewire them pretty easy which is what kills most headphones as opposed to the drivers going bad.

Koss headphones have a pretty awesome warranty.

If it's mostly the wires that you keep killing... get one with a replaceable wire.

I've been mostly happy with my Sennheiser HD202's - only $30. Methinks I want something a little better, but it's handled travelling pretty well. I'd say it's solidly better than your throwaway stuff (iPod buds, etc.) but I wouldn't quite call it hi-fi.

Sennheiser's HD280 Pro and 380 Pro are a solid step up from the HD202s. However, I'm currently desiring Sennheiser Momentums or PSB M4U 1s.

For earbud headphones, check out the Nuforce NE-600X. Flat wire to prevent tangles, good sound, only $23 on Amazon or $30 with a mic for phone calls.

In reply to pinchvalve:

I, too, have been very happy with my Sony MDR-7506 headphones. They have outstanding audio quality, and are very comfortable. I carry them back and forth to work in my backpack (riding my bicycle) and they haven't sustained any damage yet.

My kids used to go through headphones like crazy in their teens. They resisted the Koss headphones I bought them because they weren't the cool ones, but I never paid for another set after that. The warranty is awesome.

I found a set of Beats headphones last week in a parking lot. They were in a carry case along with a new I pod. I resisted listening to them because I figured they must be awfully good to cost $329

Zomby Woof wrote: I found a set of Beats headphones last week in a parking lot. They were in a carry case along with a new I pod. I resisted listening to them because I figured they must be awfully good to cost $329

Go right ahead, they're not that great. You can get better stuff without even going into the 3-digits.

Yes, but they won't be associated with Dr. Dre, so there's no way they're any good

Off topic, but here's a lesson for you guys. Use a simple password on your device, unless it's important. I was able to figure out the password on the I Pod, and pull a contact number out of it. It was the kid's mom. You've never seen a happier 9yr old kid, than one who had lost his Christmas/birthday presents, thought they were gone forever, and got them back. The mom was pretty happy too ($$$ Duh). I wouldn't have been able to do it without the contact info.

For cheap and comfortable multi-hour use I have Sony MDR-J10. Been using these for years.

For my immersive audiophile listening experience I use Audio Technica ATH-M50. I waited until there was a good deal on them and paid about $80. Best headphones I've ever put on my head for the money.

Zomby Woof wrote: Yes, but they won't be associated with Dr. Dre, so there's no way they're any good Off topic, but here's a lesson for you guys. Use a simple password on your device, unless it's important. I was able to figure out the password on the I Pod, and pull a contact number out of it. It was the kid's mom. You've never seen a happier 9yr old kid, than one who had lost his Christmas/birthday presents, thought they were gone forever, and got them back. The mom was pretty happy too ($$$ Duh). I wouldn't have been able to do it without the contact info.

Your a good guy, so was it 1234 or password?

4 digit or swipe code, greasy fingerprints..... not too hard to figure out.

nepa03focus wrote: so was it 1234 or password?

That was my first try. It was 2580, right down the middle.

wearymicrobe wrote: The SR60's that they sell are realitivly cheap ~80$ and they last for years. Plus you can rewire them pretty easy which is what kills most headphones as opposed to the drivers going bad.

I have a pair of SR60s at work, they sound good, aren't too expensive in case they go for a walk and seem to be holding up rather well.

The MDR-7506s are a classic. I'd suggest their close cousin, the MDR-V6, though, which is externally identical but costs a little less and has sound that's tuned a little bit less for pure accuracy and a little more for general music listening and the like. They sound great, are comfortable for hours on end, and their build quality makes it hard not to resort to cliched comparisons with military vehicles. Metal where it counts, high-quality plastic where it doesn't, and solid wiring.

Walk into an edit bay or take a look at the TV news cameraman's head and chances are you'll see a pair of these. There are pairs that have been in daily use for ten or twenty years and are still going strong, and the only thing that wears out are the ear pads, which are a piece of cake to find replacements for thanks to these headphones' immense popularity. You can even get high-end aftermarket pads that cost almost as much as the headphones themselves.

about a year ago someone started a similar thread here on GRM

I picked up my akg k240s... they are "semi open"... i heard things i'd never heard before on music i'd been listening to for a decade or two...

also picked up some sennheiser cx150 for under $20... for when I wanted to block out noise... not as nice sounding but they each have their use.

Zomby Woof wrote: Yes, but they won't be associated with Dr. Dre, so there's no way they're any good Off topic, but here's a lesson for you guys. Use a simple password on your device, unless it's important. I was able to figure out the password on the I Pod, and pull a contact number out of it. It was the kid's mom. You've never seen a happier 9yr old kid, than one who had lost his Christmas/birthday presents, thought they were gone forever, and got them back. The mom was pretty happy too ($$$ Duh). I wouldn't have been able to do it without the contact info.

Who the hell buys a 9 year old a pair of 300 dollar headphones and a goddamn ipod?

I'm pretty impressed with the sound and how durable my Monoprice headphones are, especially for the money.

At just over 10 bucks, very few berks would be given if I killed or lost them.

Edit: Cord is also fabric covered, and has survived a prolonged puppy chew session without failure.