Needed: Headphone recommendations

mulderxcoltrane · February 11th, 2013, 06:54 AM

Hi folks,

The more jazz I get/listen to, to more I realize I need a good pair of headphones.

Uses: Primarily at work/in the office & occasional flying

Budget: They can't break the bank, but I'm willing to spend a little more than cheap-o Wal-Mart ones in order to get long-term use

Any help? (Amazon links would help since I live in the middle of nowhere (45 mins from a Best Buy)

slowshoes · February 11th, 2013, 08:02 AM

I really like my Denon 5000's - the sound is warm and nicely detailed, particularly when listening to music with acoustic instrumentation. Great for jazz or any music that has alot of detail, not as good for rock/metal.

chazro · February 11th, 2013, 01:05 PM

Headfi.org - the greatest site for all things related to headphones!

Vaughan · February 14th, 2013, 03:34 AM

I'm not sure what breaks the bank - but let me say this.... I've owned three different sets of headphones over the last two years. Why so many? Because I kept trying not to break the bank. First set was $25. Horrid, after a few weeks I knew I could not go on. Second set was $50. I thought they were much better - Sony brand. After six months and the newness had worn off - as well as the improvement over the cheap set becoming a distant memory, I knew they were rubbish too.

NEVER EVER BUY SONY. Sorry, I've had nothing but bad experiences. A personal thing.

So in the end I got these:

Shure SRH940 Professional Reference Headphones

I don't know if they break your bank or not, but they're the real deal. There are better headphones out there, but they cost more. You can spend whatever you want on headphones!

The downside to these is that the faithfully reproduce the source, and to the nth degree. If there is a lot of compression in the music you're listening to, these headphones will show it up. Some even dislike them because they're too faithful. If clipping had occurred on a digital file - or the loudness wars had hit your CD - then these headphones will sure let you know something is wrong. They are unforgiving.

But they also sound terrific. As with everything, you get what you pay for. But buying cheap headphones got me nothing but cheap headphones.

February 11th, 2013, 06:54 AM	#1
mulderxcoltrane Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 53	Needed: Headphone recommendations Hi folks, The more jazz I get/listen to, to more I realize I need a good pair of headphones. Uses: Primarily at work/in the office & occasional flying Budget: They can't break the bank, but I'm willing to spend a little more than cheap-o Wal-Mart ones in order to get long-term use Any help? (Amazon links would help since I live in the middle of nowhere (45 mins from a Best Buy)

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February 11th, 2013, 08:02 AM	#2
slowshoes Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 841	I really like my Denon 5000's - the sound is warm and nicely detailed, particularly when listening to music with acoustic instrumentation. Great for jazz or any music that has alot of detail, not as good for rock/metal.

February 11th, 2013, 01:05 PM	#3
chazro Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 318	Headfi.org - the greatest site for all things related to headphones!

February 14th, 2013, 03:34 AM	#4
Vaughan Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 1,485	I'm not sure what breaks the bank - but let me say this.... I've owned three different sets of headphones over the last two years. Why so many? Because I kept trying not to break the bank. First set was $25. Horrid, after a few weeks I knew I could not go on. Second set was $50. I thought they were much better - Sony brand. After six months and the newness had worn off - as well as the improvement over the cheap set becoming a distant memory, I knew they were rubbish too. NEVER EVER BUY SONY. Sorry, I've had nothing but bad experiences. A personal thing. So in the end I got these: Shure SRH940 Professional Reference Headphones I don't know if they break your bank or not, but they're the real deal. There are better headphones out there, but they cost more. You can spend whatever you want on headphones! The downside to these is that the faithfully reproduce the source, and to the nth degree. If there is a lot of compression in the music you're listening to, these headphones will show it up. Some even dislike them because they're too faithful. If clipping had occurred on a digital file - or the loudness wars had hit your CD - then these headphones will sure let you know something is wrong. They are unforgiving. But they also sound terrific. As with everything, you get what you pay for. But buying cheap headphones got me nothing but cheap headphones.