Slashdot Mirror
Headphones in Corporate Culture?
TheGreatOrangePeel asks: "In an ever increasing sea of white-earbuds in my office, I broke from the mainstream and recently purchased the iAudio X5 to help pass the downtime I experience behind cube walls. I've got a decent set of headphones, but recently I've discovered that being able to hear the rap-tap on the cube frame is sometimes a problem even with the volume cranked way down and considering how my current headphones are about ready for retirement anyway, I thought I would start shopping around for a new set. The problem is that most of mid priced headphones out there are designed to block out real world noise. The Sennheiser PX100 look like they may fit what I'm looking for, but I question the durability of folding headphones and I thought I would see what my peers on Slashdot prefer. What I'm looking for is a set of headphones with (1) good sound in a wide variety of music (2) in the $30-$99 range that (3) will let me hear the warnings of imminent attack at work by co-workers, and the alerts at my monthly LAN parties from allied gamers."
They are AWESOME. I use them everyday for my subway commute and they filter out nearly all of the noise. I can play music at a much lower volume, so I can what I need to AND not damage my ears.
Normally they retail for about $200, but PC Mall has them for the incredibly low price of $110 (after you add them to your cart). That's slightly above your range, but it's totally worth it.
one of the people where I work has a mirror (similar to the one you would see on a bike) attached to her monitor..
I've been using the Bose QuietComfort II for nearly two years now (I'm working in a noisy environment) mainly for its noise cancelling ability, and I'm very satisfied with it. Of course, it's expensive, but in my opinion, it was well worth the price.
-- javaDragon is an instance of JavaDragon.
He explicitly said he wanted headphones that did NOT block out all ambient noise.
It's only an insult if it's not true.
Grado SR-60s are the way to go for your requirements. They are, hands down, the best headphones available under $100. The only drawback is that they are open stage, so you can hear sounds around you, which is not so good for a metro or bus ride. But it sounds like that's an advantage rather than a drawback in your case. SR-60s will run you about $80 USD shipped. Oh, and don't succumb to the temptation to get the SR-80s just because they've got a higher model number. The 60s are far better for non-amp-driven listening.
Based on what you've told us, we're playing this song because it features basic rock song structures, acoustic sonority, prominent rap-tap on the cube frame and extensive vamping.
I have a pair of what are probably Radio Shack foam-padded old-school jobs that probably didn't even cost $20. They're sufficiently hearable and they don't block out outside noise.
Jeez, why make it so damn complicated. Who needs to show off their headphones at work?
Terrorists can attack freedom, but only Congress can destroy it.
Oh, sorry, I had my noise cancelling glasses on. Anyway, most (all?) noise cancelling headphones have an off switch which puts them into normal headphone mode.
I have a pair of senheizer HD-220s or somesuch (they're from the 200 series but I can't remember the specific number because they are at work where I am not).
They are semi-open back. They block out most ambient noise just by putting them on - the general chatter fades out. Talking in the next cube, rap-tap-tapping and the phone doesn't go.
Turn on some music and bam - nearly everything is gone. I play the music quietly all day and I don't have a problem. I can hear when people are talking to me or tapping on the cube, so it is cool.
I drink to make other people interesting!
The PX100's are a great choice for small, inexpensive, open cans. Also consider the Grado SR60s if you're willing to spend a bit more money.
Try here for more choices.
They sound decent, are between $20-40, and they let in ambient noise at low levels. You're set!
No TiVo and no caffeine make me something something...
My tactic is to leave one ear bud out and hidden away under my shirt. I've managed to convince everyone in the office that it is a hearing aid. Now even in the odd chance that I don't hear someone they just chalk it up to my bad hearing.
Not too expensive, they have good low-end, they're pretty comfortable, and you really can hear through them. The only real problem I have is the headband tends to collapse when I take them off, and sometimes my hair gets caught in there (ow). Also they're not the sturdiest headphones ever, but hey, they're made to be light and portable.
I have a pair of Sennheiser PX 100's, and they are great. They are quite durable, although they might not look that way. Mine have been through a lot and are still in perfect condition. They come with a case which is a pain to use, but protects them very well. Most of the parts on them can be replaced if need be, and they come with a two year warranty. I say go for the PX 100's.
I blame geof's speakers.
Grado SR-60 ($69) or SR-80 ($99) models are right in your price range. They are open cans so you can hear pretty much everything around you. Realize that there is one very large downside to open headphones. This being, while you can hear everything around you, everyone around you can hear your music near perfectly and with great detail. But if that isn't an issue for you, just look for open backed headphones and you shouldn't have a problem hearing someone trying to get your attention. Usually these kinds of headphones are described as having "Poor Isolation." Good places to research are www.headphonereviews.org and www.head-fi.org.
Good Luck
-Anonymous Coward
... AND when I'm in a noisy environment, my head phones double as hearing protection. I often venture into a data center that has a lot of fan noise at hearing damaging levels. Wearing head phones over the ear plugs can quickly become uncomfortable.
- High Tech workers, please say NO to Union Carpenters, their Union sees fit to control our compensation.
Just plug a microphone in. Make sure it's sinsoid and not cartoid type, since sinsoid picks up sound in any direction.
Put on your headphones, then adjust the mic mix till you hear the desired amount of background noise.
However, I recently sold the B&O headphones because I found a similar style set with better sound (the A8s really lacked low-end response). If you can find them, I would highly recommend the Amadana PE-117 headphones (Amadana's a Japanese design company). I recently bought these in Japan (had to go to a few stores to find one that actually had them in stock. Bingo! Comfortable, and absolutely terrific sound! Dynamism has them in stock for $160 or so, but I paid about $110 for them in Japan.
I got a pair of Beyerdynamic DT231s from www.headphone.com
Great service, great price, I reccomend them.
They've lasted me 3 years of hard use and sound great. I can just make out the phone ringing with them on and music at reasonable levels.
Office chatter is completely gone. I did have to get one of the monitor mirrors...but I tend to tune out everything when in deep hack mode so it is of limited use.
Never let your fears overcome your dreams.
If you can stand them, they sound phenomenal. They're basically earplugs with speakers built in, so they block out damn near all external sound by making an airtight seal, and you can keep the volume pretty low as a result. I used them for about a month, before I decided they were too much trouble than they were worth, though. They just wouldn't stay in my ears for extended periods of time.
Some people swear by them, though, and I can see why - when they're in, they sound great. I think they just didn't fit me right or something.
superb sound, lifetime waranty
is a good pair of Open Ear headphones. Sennheiser makes some very good ones. (IMHO The Best)
I've got an older pair of their higher-end open 'phones, and I can carry on a conversation while music is playing, as long as it isn't too loud. Sound quality is incredible, too. $120 and worth every penny.
One thing to be careful of, though: Open phones are more prone to leakage the other way too. Turn it up too loud, and you might as well be running desktop speakers.
"Not one shred of evidence points to the notion that life is serious" -- Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain
You could also try some cube modding to find out when people are behind you!
The low-tech solution is to set up a rear-view mirror. But this is slashdot, so...
Write an app to lower your volume and/or play a sound when one of the following inputs are detected:
- your doorbell is pressed
- your touch-sensitive welcome mat is stood upon
- your door-mounted IR/laser beam is broken
- your cube-mounted microphone picks up an audio pattern that matches your "knock-knock" or "ahem" signature.
- your directional light sensor detects a shadow between it and a certain ceiling light above and outside of your door.
- your digital IR camera detects a body mass of close to 98.6 degrees fahrenheit standing in the doorway.
OK, so maybe ALL of these is overkill. But I haven't been snuck up on in years!!!
The Audio-Technica ATH-M40fs are studio-quality headphones that should stand up well against any comparison to Sennheiser or Grado. They don't have that excessive Bass! quality that cheaper headphones tend to emphasize, which I think is a good thing. They should be well under $100, so great bang-for-the-buck. They are not noise-cancelling, but they are closed-back (which I prefer, but open-back may be more appropriate for you).
I find that wrapping the iPod bud headphone wire over the back of my ear and letting them dangle lets me hear the music fine and still hear my surroundings.
Plantronic DSP-500s. I can't say enough about em. Great sound, deep bass if you want it, and perfect for online gaming.
It's amazing how many people think that the cheap earbuds they wear can only be heard by the wearer. Sitting 3-4 feet away, I can often understand every word being sung, at least on those songs where the singer can be understood. With 2 or 3 such people around, I get a headache from the clash of noise.
In an office setting, with open-top cubicles, sound carries an incredible distance. Try not to irritate your co-workers. Try out the headphones you like, adjust the volume to what you like, then get someone else to wear them while you sit a few feet away and listen while doing other relatively quiet tasks like reading a web page, typing a slashdot post, or playing solitaire. If you can still hear the music, maybe these aren't the right headphones for you after all.
Edward Burr
Having a smoking section in a restaurant is like having a peeing section in a swimming pool.
Might I point out that the earbuds are pretty unobtrusive (not to mention so ubiquitous you don't even see them any more) and not nearly as anti-social as headphones?
I obviously don't know what the mood is like where you work, so maybe it's not an issue-- but in my experience large over-the-ear headphones say "leave me alone" to your co-workers (and worse, managers.) Unless you're a sound engineer it's almost never appropriate to drown out the outside world, and even the most even-tempered boss will quickly get annoyed if they have to call your name twice to get your attention.
If you don't like sticking those things in your ears, how about a decent pair of thin and lightweight external headphones that look like a phone earpiece? A casual observer wouldn't even know you were listening to music at all.
Oh, and it's not always appropriate to buy one gadget to do everything. A good pair of $50 earbuds for work and a great pair of $50 headphones for gaming may suit your needs a lot more than a $100 pair that does both. You don't need the top of the line to listen to mp3's and game sound effects... If you need a place to start try Radio Shack, headphones are one of the few things they actually do right.
I have ended up buying about 4 pairs now just because my girlfriend, brother-in-law, girlfriends aunt, etc. all wanted a pair after they tried mine.
The ability to fold does not seem to affect the durability as the hinge is metal and quite strong.
Same headphones - just attach a cheap microphone to the audio socket as well, put it where your expect people to enter the cube and adjust your mixer settings appropriately.
When I got the green light to listen to music at work, my first choice was buds. I'm a application developer, and when we moved offices I went from a somewhat annoying (right next to the door) yet quiet (against 2 exterior walls), to a very loud (next to the network support bull pen) cubical. I used the ear buds for a while, but the ambient noise was still adiable unless I really cranked the music, which was just as distracting. I finally dug out an old set of Sony Switchback headphones. Those things are wonderful. Ambient noise gets cut way down, and they have some pretty decent sound quality. As for the cubical tapping, I figure if it's really important, they'll tap louder.
-Rick
"Most people in the U.S. wouldn't know they live in a tyrannical state if it walked up and grabbed their junk." - MyFirs
You must be surrounded by idiots.
Why is it that when you believe something it's an opinion, but when I believe something it's a manifesto?
I tried those BOSE noise cancellation headphones on an airplane recently, and after about 2 hours, my ears were really killing me. Not the outside part of the ear (lobe) but my actual eardrums.
If you're going to have the things on all day long, then think about professionals whose job requires they where headphones all day, every day - studio musicians, engineers, radio announcers, etc.
When I was in Recording School, I bought a pair of the Ubiquitous AKG K240s. At that time, most recording studios had these in large supply. They are fairly durable, comfortable, and you can listen on them a very long time. I've been using mine over 10 years and they're still in great shape.
They may look a bit dorky, and they don't fold, but they've survived my cluttered backback on many a trip. At just under $100, they fit in your price range.
One other thing that's really nice about them... they have an 1/8" jack, and come with a threaded 1/4" adapter. The threaded adapter is priceless if you're contantly plugging your headphones in and out of studio gear.
I've had a pair of MDR (the MD5 series) headphones for years, and they do a fair job of filtering noise while still allowing you to hear things like the tap-tap or the shuffle-stop. I know Sony's on the fscker-company list right now because of DRM and DVD wars, but they make a nice affordable set of headphones. Heck, you can always take them back if they don't work for you - might as well try a variety.
&laz;
when it rains, it gets real soggy. when it pours, i'm under the tap just _waiting_ for the joy
My wife and I have each have a pair of the PX-100s. We've had them for something around 2 years, and have had absolutely no problems with them. You question the robustness of the folding design. These units seem to be extremely solid. Plus, the case they fit in is also quite solid.
We both carry them in our computer bags, just toss them in and go...
They sound great, but don't require more power than a typical laptop or portable audio device. I haven't felt like I needed an amp.
They let you hear a lot of the surrounding sound, particularly if you adjust them to cover more or less of your ears. The only problem I've had is that about once a month whem I'm putting them on, I'll brush the foam ear-pads, and them come off. That's absolutely the only complaint I have, if those stayed on a litter better, I'd be happy.
I also have a pair of Grado SR-60s, which are not at all as portable and also not as comfortable. The ear cans press on the ears pretty hard, and the temples of my glasses get pressed into my head, so I can only wear them for a bit. They also really could use an amp.
I'm just purchasing an Etymiotic, the less expensive ones. Found them for around $80. They would not at all be suitable for you, they are heavy isolation, something around 25dB. I'm largely getting them because I wanted something a little bit less bulky, particularly for when I'm walking around and traveling and the like.
In short, the Sennheisers are great, I'm very happy with them. I don't think you will have any problems with the folding mechanism. They fold easily and are quite portable.
Sean
Before you all go apeshit I just want to let you know that these cans were produced in Sony's pre-evil stage. Sony first made them in 1985 and hasn't seen fit to make any changes since (even brand new models come with the same manual from '85).
They're earmuff style, but they do allow enough ambient noise in that you won't miss much. Just be sure to avoid the MDR-V600s/700s/800s which look almost identical but are a classic example of how quality has slipped at Sony since the 80s.
I had a bit of trouble finding them until I checked Froogle
Am I the only one here who finds this article terribly appropo given Penny-Arcade's recent rants about guerilla marketing? blah balh blah. tin foil hat. blah blha blah.
I would disagree with this. I also was looing for high quality headphones awhile ago, and Grado came up in many audiophile circles. The difference between the SR 60's and the SR 80's is that the SR 80's have a better bass response. Emphasise the word "response". This means that if the sound mix on a cd has a lot of low frequencies, it will reproduce them accurately, not "BASS BOOST" them a la Sony. Don't get me wrong, the SR 60's are a great set of phones, but there is a noticable difference in sound quality.
"Every time a bell rings, a Dell laptop bursts into flame."
I just thought I'd throw in my $0.02. A month or so ago, I bought a pair of Sennheisser HD-515s. They sound to me like just what you are looking for. They are open-ear, so outside noises are audible. They are comfortable (the biggest selling point, for me). I can usually wear them for several hours, with glasses, and they are still bearable to wear. They also sound pretty good, and they were about $80 online (with shipping). If you are an audiophile, there is a higher quality model, the HD-555 that sound better, I guess. I think that's about 20 bucks more. They've served me well, so far.
Shriver
And a thousand thousand slimy things
Lived on; and so did I.
Seriously, how can people really miss this: "(3) will let me hear the warnings of imminent attack at work by co-workers, and the alerts at my monthly LAN parties from allied gamers.". Mostly everyone here recommends headset that will block out all ambient sounds!
I have a pair of PX-100Ws (white) and they rock. Amazing bass for headphones. (White was what they had at Best Buy that day.)
I use them on a daily basis for hours at a time.
At reasonable volumes or quiet songs you can hear people around you fine.
I don't know what that guy was complaining about the case being difficult was about. It takes me all of 15 seconds to put them in the case while being careful.
Another thing I have to comment on is the cord. I don't know what the hell it's made of but it's very kink and twist resistant yet very supple. After being used a lot most headphone cords develop little near-permanent bends in them that cause them to tickle your face when wearing them and other annoying crap. These don't!
I highly recommend them. I wear them 5 days a week for most of the day and at LAN parties. They're comfortable, sound amazing and aren't excessively overpriced.
Question everything
I have a previous generation of this model (the HD-470), and it's excellent. I suspect the new one will fit your needs.
1. It's open-air, so you can hear approaching bosses & coworkers.
2. It's got surprisingly good bass response for an open-air design.
3. It's got a long cord (3m), so it can reach the computer under the desk if need be.
4. Lightweight and comfortable to wear for a couple of hours at a stretch.
Suggestion: Buy a couple of pairs of replacement ear foams, as they will eventually wear out from use.
Chip H.
I have the Sennheiser RS 110 model in my lab. Wireless, and open stage so I can still hear people. I have a mirror on the computer monitor, but can usually hear people walk up if I want to (read: volume isn't hella loud). Cost me $80 or so, and I can walk to the john and still hear my music, if I want to. Battery life is pretty good too. I use them almost every [work] day for a few hours and have to replace the batteries about every 2 months or so.
Great sound, excellent bass response.
There are only 10 kinds of people in this world... those who understand binary and those who don't
Sennheiser HD433 that sounds great and is a bargain. Open back, so ambient noise intrudes with volume down. Around 30 bucks, I think.
I can't speak for the other models, but the Grados are only uncomfortable in their shipped shape. You will not break the headband if you flex it to make it wider, and the headphones will be infinitely more comfortable with a normal-sized head after a little bending than before. Regarding portability, the Grado headphones are bulky but damn near bombproof. I have bicycled in the rain with them around my neck and listened to them as soon as I was back indoors. I have thrown them into my backpack between books, and after the foam on the earpieces relaxed back to its normal shape they were ready to go again. I have caught the cord on a door and ripped the earcups clean off of the headband and simply snapped it all back together. Comfort is not a concern if you take the appropriate measures, and if you have sufficient space to transport them they are plenty sturdy to travel.
I'll be your candy shop of infinite deliciousity if you'll be my discotheque of endless rump-shaking.
I, for one, welcome our floating, invisible, cold-blooded, eavesdropping overlords.
I got the PXC250 though. Compared to the Bose noise canceling headphones, they're pretty cheap, and they won't hurt your ears nearly as much. (Plus, they collapse in on themselves making it possible to carry them in your pocket.) I've had these for over a year and the active noise cancelling really does work. The unit will get rid of the low rumbling noises (air conditioners, motors, etc) but doesn't touch most other sounds (like keyboards.) You'll end up listening to your music at a lower volume with the noise cancelling on than off, and you can hear things around you in your environment. I'd recommend waiting a bit to get a pair of headphones with this feature.
Sony MDR-EX51LP
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000779RZU/
Bought these around Christmas for $19. About the same quality as the original ipod buds, but with noiseproofing. Comes with 3 different size earbud attachments to fit different size ears.
Mine just went through the laundry and after drying it out for 24 hours, still works.
you basically want some open air cans. troll around head-fi.org for a while and you'll definitely find some. also, check out headroom (headphones.com or something, im not sure, google it). they have great, mostly unbiased reviews of all the headphones they sell. you're sure to find something for yourself.
Koss Porta-Pro. $30. You can still hear everything around you, the foam pads are cushy and won't make your ears sweat, and the quality is better than anything shy of the Grado SR-60 or the $100 Sennheisers.
"Sometimes a woman is a kind of religion, she can save your soul & set you free from all your sins" - Bad Examples
If only I weren't so lazy.
Get these--great audio quality, and open design. http://www.koss.com/koss/kossweb.nsf/p?openform&pc ^sc^KSC75
I just got (like three days ago) the Plantronics 590A headphones. They are bluetooth and do not cancel ambient noise. They are spectacular! The kit comes with the base station charger (about 10 hours per charge), a bluetooth dongle, a USB charger, AC charger and an optional headphone cable for in-flight use; with this cable inserted, the bluetooth radio is disabled.
You can pair it with your cell phone or PC and use the dongle at the same time. When an call comes in, the music is canceled and the headphones switch to the phone.
The sound quality is amazing!
Jamey Kirby
Best headphones under $100, hands down. If you'd don't believe me, STOP ASKING FOR HEADPHONE ADVICE ON SLASHDOT and go listen to a pair.
The KSC75 are possibly the best 50$ (they cost like 20$) headphones you can get, followed by the Grado's which are just a bit over 50$ if I recall correctly. In fact, the KSC75 actually sound better than the Bose Triports. good luck!
Suppose your cubicle had a push button which would mix an alert sound into your headphones.
Shouldn't be hard to cob together. Read it through the parallel port, use the appropriate API to make a sound.
Then get yourself some decent headphones that block the noise out, and keep the sounds in.
SUPER Durable (yaaah they fold but), excellent audio clarity...
Froogle Results...
http://www.andrewsmcmeel.com/godsdebris/
I've had a pair of folding Sennheiser head phones for almost 2 years. I use them nearly every day, and keep them folded up in my jacket pocket when not using them. They are strong and high quality, not flimsy junk. The quality is amazing (even better with ALAC format). Great bass, beats the hell out of buds anyday.
Having a smoking section in a restaurant is like having a peeing section in a swimming pool.
The peeing section is a lot warmer than the smoking section.
(Links at the bottom)
I've been using a cheap pair of Sony behind-the-ear's at work for a while. Easy to put on, decent sound (little muddy), cheap, and doesn't look like my other phones. At home it's Sennheiser HD497's, incredible sound (good alternative to Grado SR-60's I hear). The 497's are about 60-70, and they're open design so you can basic hear everything around you not muffled at all. Same with the sony behind-the-ears, you can still hear around you and you can simply pause the music to hear people.
I tried the Sennheiser PXC-250's, same physical design as the 100's but with active noise cancelling. Even with the noise canceling *off*, the phone physically blocked out a lot of noise (surprisingly). Good for music, bad for coworkers.
Personally, I'd got with behind the ear Koss porta pro's (KSC55's probably). They're slightly less intrusive than over-the-head phones, that series of koss's are supposed to be the best bargain phones (ie. under $30), and they're really easy to pull down to your neck when a coworker wants to talk. That's important, as at my 1 year review one of my feedback from coworkers was "he's always wearing his headphones". Programming for 8-10 hours straight in the only office in the building without a window of any kind? Heck yes. I'm still going to wear phones, but I have to be careful not to appear "unapproachable" to the higher-ups. Aww, screw it. I'm doing important work, they don't need to disturb me.
(I think it's outside the scope of the OP's requirements, but I can't say enough about the HD497's. Music sounds incredibly different listened with those compared to cheap phones, cars, computer speakers, etc. There's just a whole lot more there that you never realized. Love it, I want to listen to music all over again just in these phones.)
Sony MDR-G52LP's, $20, ok but not as good as the Koss (so I've heard). Little muddy.
Koss KSC55, ~$20, behind the ear, titanium diaphram, cheap and good
Grado SR-60's, ~$70, bigger over the head, "best under $100"-kine (open design, can hear everything)
Sennheiser HD497's, ~$70, more bigger over the head, "the other best under $100"-kine (open design, can hear everything)
*Don't pay attention to frequency response numbers, 20-20000hz. Means nothing. Go try some phones, goto the Apple store and plug your personal ipod into the bose triports and listen to something you know well. If you're not rushed, you might notice a big difference.
I do this regularly at work, i just keep a omnidirectional mic attached and unmuted while i have my headphones on...
I can actually then select levels of alertness according to my mood, by changing mic gain.
BAIN http://www.devslashzero.com
Just buy a microphone and unmute it. Then you'll get all that lovely background noise while you listen . . .
I've had my px100s for close to 2 years now, and they're still fine. I use them both at home with a small head-amp, and when I'm out and about, with various portable audio sources. They've survived roadtrips, econnomy airtravel and generally rough treatment.
;-).
I think you'd be hard pressed to find a more comfortable, well-sounding set in the same price-range. They're really light, and can be comfortably worn for 20 hours at a time (gaming anyone ?
If you're *really* worried about durability, get a pair of Koss porta-pros. They don't sound as neutral (bit too much bass IMNHO), but they come with a lifetime warranty. I think you're more likely to develop hearing dammage with the Portapros, though, due to the slight bass emphasis. Still, listen to both at a hi-fi store, and decide for yourself.
Both are reasonably priced, has decent sound and are open, so you can hear what's happening around you. I personally prefer my px100 over Koss, but listen to both. Depending on audio source, and amplifier I would have to change to head-phones 10 times the price to hear any real difference. They're miles ahead of regular cheap headphones though. I've also listened to the Grado SR 80, and I'd take my px100s over SR 80 any day.
I recommend getting a headphone amplifier for use at work, especially if you're getting the px100s or a pair "hi-fi" headphones with similarily high impendance. You have to hear the difference to believe it.
On a side note, I sadly had to give up using my px100s when I got my new mp3 playing phone; the cheap amplifier in the Sony Ericsson w800 is unable to drive them, resulting in the sound breaking up (I got similar noise every time the battery in my portable cd player was about to give out).
Check out the buyers guide at http://headphone.com/ -- I think it's very good, especially considering it's a webshop. Also stop by the forums at http://head-fi.org/ for some good reviews.
And, finally, if you've become a unlimited budget hi-fi maniac, stop by http://headamp.com/ and get a serious amp for your phones... I'd like one, but for now I'm stuck with a cheap amplifier. It's still *way* better than just plugging into line out in the back of your pc.
Apparently the cable is reinforced with kevlar... whether that is true or not I couldn't say. But they're definitely the lightest, strongest, most flexible headphone cable I have ever seen.
:)
Mine has lasted well over a year now with no sign of wear.
Practically all of my old (usually cheap) headphones developed serious problems with broken wires in the cables, but my PX100s look like they will last for freaking ever
If you're going to do that, why not attach it to a large LED display, and let everyone who wants to talk to you "Please Take a Number?" :)
Then when you feel like turning around, you just work your way down the queue. I know I'd be loads more productive if this were the case.
"Ladies and gentlemen, my killbot features Lotus Notes and a machine gun. It is the finest available."
I agree with you on the Grados in general, but I disagree about the SR80s not being worth it.
... I challenge you to find a source that will drive 32 ohm headphones that's not driven by an amplifier (a really big crystal radio?). I'm assuming you were referring to external amplifier, but as they're both 32-ohm/98-dB-SPL@1mv cans, I don't think that there's any reason why you'd want to use an amp on the 80s and not the 60s.
I went down to my local hifi shop (you must buy Grados from an authorized distributer or else no warranty) to get the 60s and just on a lark did a 'blind test' of the 60s and 80s and I thought there was a very noticable difference in sound. I think the difference may be mostly due to the different ear ear surrounds and cushioning, although I suppose it could be the cable as well. The differences between the 60s and 80s are that the 80s have a 4-conductor cable and different foam pads, and are made in the Grado factory in Brooklyn; the 60s have a 2-conductor cable and are made on contract in either China or Taiwan, I forget which.
I'm not quite sure what you mean about "non-amp-driven" listening
At any rate, I've used the Grados with the Headwise 'cmoy' amp, and I didn't think the difference in sound quality was that dramatic at the volumes that you'd want to use in an office environment. I don't know how the amplification stages are in the OP's portable player, but the iPod gets my Grados uncomfortably loud without any distortion that I can hear.
I think the real deciding factor between the 60s and 80s is whether a person thinks they can treat them well enough and not destroy them. If you're going to throw them in a bookbag or something, or run the cord over with your desk chair -- don't get either, go down to WalMart and get a pair of whatever trash Sony is making this week. If you're ready to put a little money into something that you'll probably be able to enjoy for a few years assuming you take care of them, I think the extra money for the 80s is justified.
"Ladies and gentlemen, my killbot features Lotus Notes and a machine gun. It is the finest available."
You should know that you can buy or build an extension cable for the headphone cord. The extra length means that you can route the cable to fit your workspace, rather than having to deal with a cord which is stretched across the most annoying part of your keyboard. The extra length is also insurance against tugging the headphone cord leads loose within the plug, or (worse) within the headphone set itself. The thinner and more limply flexible the headphone cord is, the thinner and more fragile the individual copper strands within it are likely to be; minimizing wear and tear on them is common sense.
Form a loose knot with the two cables around the junction of the plug and the inline jack, and they won't pull apart. Keep the headphone cord up off the floor, and it'll be the extension cable that takes the punishment from having the desk chair's rollers pass over it. When it breaks down, either shorten it to remove the damaged part (if you're handy with a soldering iron and your time is cheap), or buy a new one.
If the longer run of the combined cables picks up buzz, look into getting a shielded extension cable (the cheap ones aren't).
In my experience, cord problems start much earlier than ear-cushion problems, though I've had those too. YMMV; I might just be a more abusive user.
I'm currently using a pair of these (Sony MDR-V250V). Picked them up for $40CND and they work well both at work and at home. Loud enough that I can hear alerts and music, quiet enough that I can hear it when a coworker needs me. (For some reason I can't hear the wife with them on, or so she claims).
These things are comfortable to wear compared to the mid-range ($60) earbuds I was using before, and they sound better.
Even spookier, the Bluetooth spec already defines an Intercom Profile for cases like this. Some headsets already support pairing to each other for use as short-range walkie talkies, such as a motorcycle driver and rider communicating between their helmets.
The trouble is, it doesn't seem widely implemented, because there's not much profit motive to do so. If there were a widely-publicized project that used these capabilities, it might spur manufacturers into supporting the odd little features...
Real Men use uncontrolled-mode claymore AP mines.
You do go through a lot of interns this way, though.
"Ladies and gentlemen, my killbot features Lotus Notes and a machine gun. It is the finest available."
The PX100s are great, they come with a hard protective case but I don't use it and they haven't broken.
The PXC250s are also good, basically PX100s with added active noise reduction. It'll filter out machine fan noise, but you'll still be able to hear people just fine.
I was somewhat embarrassed to discover that I preferred the sound of my PX100s to my full-size Sennheisers...
GCHQ Quantum Insert installed. If only our tongues were made of glass, how much more careful we would be when we speak
I looked around web review sites extensively before purchasing mine; the criterion was the best headphones for under $100. Any audiophiles know why they call headphones "cans"? All the reviewers talked about how great these "cans" were for the price.
Si la vida me da palo, yo la voy a soportar Si la vida me da palo, yo la voy a espabilar
I have a pair of Sennheiser HD580's that I use in the office. They're a bit pricey, but they are PERFECT for office use. Very comfortable, impeccable sound quality, and just enough ambient bleed to prevent me from ignoring my boss when she enters my cube. If you can spare the bucks, these are HIGHLY recommended.
If you work in a noisy office, I would also consider a set of sound-canceling headphones. I used to work near a woman who spent all day on the phone and had the most raucous bray, er laugh, I've ever heard. I bought a set of Sony noise-canceling headphones (right about $100 if memory serves) and was amazed at what a good job they did of shutting her up so I could work. I used to leave the headphones on in "noise-canceling" mode even when I wasn't listening to music just to quiet her down. Well worth the investment, although they broke in about a year.
One final suggestion, others have remarked on the use of cube-mirrors etc to see who's sneaking up on you. I found a more subtle solution is to frame a dark print (I use space art by Ziemanski) with a glass face, and hang it jut to the side of your monitor. It looks classy, and functions as a rather large and wide-angle rear-view mirror if your cube lights are down.
I got moved into a cubicle where there is contant traffic behind me. I tried a mirror, but the angle was too small. Now I have a webcam on top of one of my monitors and I keep a little rear-view window open in the corner of the screen. At first, I expanded the image to take up the whole 2nd screen, but people were too fascinated by it and would stare at themselves as they went by. Now I keep the window to about 3 inches wide so I can view it but it is not so obvious to passers-by. Works great, and I can videochat with the GF with it, too. Also, when I'm home sick or whatever, I can RDC to my desktop and see the office. ---- To stay on topic, I use noice-cancelling headphones plugged into my desktop PC. If hearing the office was a problem, I could just send my microphone signal to the headphones. Also, you could use the motion-detection feature of most webcam softwares to alert you when someone comes up behind you.
and get moved downstairs...now I have speakers and can have tunes going all day long without a problem. I am at work so the volume doesnt need to be that loud to begin with, just something to get rid of background noise and to work to .
The phrase "more better" is acceptable English. suck it grammar Nazis
If you do have a good quality, well-powered output, the SR-80's will be fine and probably a bit more comfortable. You might want to change the pads, you might not - you'll find out when you try them (there are a few different types available). Mine are plugged directly into an RME HDSP Multiface, no amp, and they sound excellent.
2. Get Babble
3. Connect to your amp & turn wide open (*)
4. Profit
(atleast the shop where you bought the amp/pair of speakers had profit)
(*) The submitter is not responsible for any happening damages when not high enough in your business hierarchy system.
--- I am known for the ones who want to find me on the net. Is that a privacy risk or a privilege? One might wonder..
I have a pair of SR-60's, and they are indeed great.
The only drawback (besides the open-ness, which the poster was specifically asking for) is that they're uncomfortable. Yeah, even hardcore Gradophiles have to admit this.
But this is not a reason to buy something else! Buy the Grados, and then go buy some cheap replacement pads for some Sony headphones (or whatever floats your boat). You'll still be well under budget.
I'm surprised that more people on slashdot (of all places) don't mention hacking their headphones. There's even a Grado hacking underground, for the tweaker in you.
Admittedly, uber-high fidelity requires something along the lines of a high quality DAC or dedicated source components, but just below this is a very large range of very good sounding devices.
;-)
The Cowon/iAudio X5 and longer-life-battery version, the X5L is widely accepted to have the highest audio quality output of any HD-based portable music player (search Hydrogen Audio). It's a true iPod killer. In addition to mp3, it supports ogg vorbis(up to -q 10) and FLAC and a bunch of other codecs. It's got audio recording and mpeg4 video playback too. (not that I'd ever watch videos on a screen an inch by an inch, but whatever.) Hot, hot stuff.
Even the best ear buds sound ass-y compared to real headphones. I recommend kicking the earbud habit toot sweet. You just paid 300+ bucks for a sweet portable music player, don't skimp on the earphones man. I'm a big fan of AKG's line when it comes to headphones. The K240S would be a good semi-isolating design. They let enough sound in to detect approaching coworkers, and are designed to take a lot of abuse (taking them on and off, table knocks, etc.) The K501 sounds absolutely magical, but it leaks some sound out, it bothering your cube neighbors is a concern. The upside is that their fully open design allows a full natural conversation to be possible without taking them off. Whatever you do, don't get the closed K270 cans. They sound like crap and are way fatiguing due to the excessive bass, and they don't even isolate that well. For a completely isolating and highest-fidelity design, I recommend the Etypotic E4P. The E4P's are "canalphones" (as in you stick them in your ear), but their $200 audio quality is second to none short of spending $500. Then just like other people mentioned, get a mirror to see approaching coworkers. There will be no taps on the wall, as they leak no sound, and even if they did, you wouldn't hear them.
I have owned all of these headphones, but I haven't bought the X5L yet. Soon though, soon. Good luck!