iPod Headphones ?

[dkg999]

I need a pair of headphones for my new iPod 80gb that are comfortable for long flights (8 hr to 21 hr flights on a pretty regular basis), work well in noisy environments like an airplane, and don't share my music with my seat-mates. I have looked at the Grado SR60 iPod headphones, and they seem to be just like my SR80's and let in a lot of background noise. AudioAdvisor has some Sennheiser noise-cancelling headphones that look good. Does anyone have any recommendations?

[beardog03]

I bought some shure E4C Earbuds that fit well, as they have many different pieces to form fit to your ears
If your into ear buds

[dkg999]

The earbuds or anything that has to fit in my ear just drives me nuts after about an hour or so. They're OK for working out or going for a walk. I need something really comfortable for the long-ass flights I wind up on! I'm looking right now at the Sennheiser PX200 noise cancelling headphones at AudioAdvisor.

[Danny Tse]

Try these....It's the JVC FX-33 for $10.00....

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/JVC-Marshmallow-Soft-Inner-Ear-Headphones-HAFX33B/sem/rpsm/oid/163598/catOid/-13225/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

I picked up 2 pairs given the members of head-fi.org are going ga-ga over these. Out of the blisterpak, they sounded quite good....kinda forward soundiing. Not exactly bright but I am hoping they will sound better after burning them in. Certainly sounded better than my Sennheiser MX500 and PX100. Good bass output.

Here're a couple of threads from head-fi.org

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=212259

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=217282

Edit: Oops! Didn't see your comment about earbuds. I also have the PX200 and it's quite good. However, you will need a good seal between the earcups and your ears to get good sound.

[Bill Ayotte]

I have a pair of E2C's with sensitive ears and haven't had an issue with annoyance. The E4c's I heard are phenomenal, just couldn't drop $400 on headphones after I bought the B&O A8's for everyday use.

[Holydoc]

The earbuds or anything that has to fit in my ear just drives me nuts after about an hour or so. They're OK for working out or going for a walk. I need something really comfortable for the long-ass flights I wind up on! I'm looking right now at the Sennheiser PX200 noise cancelling headphones at AudioAdvisor.

I know you are against them but you may want to reconsider ear canal sets. They cancel out the noise, you do not have to turn them up as high to hear, and they do emit sound to bother your seat companion. Never tried any headsets since they are so bulky to transport around.

[bknauss]

I have a pair of E2C's with sensitive ears and haven't had an issue with annoyance. The E4c's I heard are phenomenal, just couldn't drop $400 on headphones after I bought the B&O A8's for everyday use.

Another vote for E2s if you are on a budget. I listened to the E5s and they are absolutely sick. If you get Shure's, I'd definitely recommend using the ear plug sort of plugs they have. The rubber ones really bothered my ears after having them in for several hours.

Etymotics are also very highly recommended.

[BaggedLancer]

I hate to even say this name......but has anyone tried the B O S E new triport in ear? I know a few people that have them and have said very good things about them. They look relatively comfortable from the pictures and I assume you wouldn't need to turn the volume up much since they are in-ear.

[dipiazza]

The B&O A8's are definitely worth trying out. Super comfortable for long time useage. A little bit pricey though.

[tryrrthg]

I've seen a lot of good things about the AKG K26P. Good budget headphone.

http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-budget/40-80/

lots of reviews and buying guide here

http://headphone.com/

[michael_w]

Adding to Danny's comment, I've owned the JVC HA-FX55V's (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10074810&catid=) and they were alright. They cancelled out a lot of noise, and it might be weird to say but that's the main reason I didn't like them. I wanted headphones for riding my bike but at the same time didn't want to get hit by a bus. I picked them up for about $23cdn. The rubber cups are probably a lot easier on your ears than the foam, but if earbuds still bug ya stick with full size headphones.

[ledhed]

I had something like these (I believe they were the precursors, I paid the same price) and gave them to my sister to use before I got my Senn HD 465s. I was amazed after I got the Senns at just how good the Sony's were. And cheap! They are very comfortable, I used them for a trip to D.C (about a 12 hour drive) and never had any fatigue etc.

[bknauss]

I hate to even say this name......but has anyone tried the B O S E new triport in ear? I know a few people that have them and have said very good things about them. They look relatively comfortable from the pictures and I assume you wouldn't need to turn the volume up much since they are in-ear.

Can someone ban this guy? ;)

[Shizelbs]

Buy some Shures.

[dkg999]

My problem with the in-ear style is that after I have had them in my ears for 3 to 4 hours (which is an average flight for me), my ears will itch for 2 days and it's really annoying! Even using the ear-pods that came with the iPod for an hour walk will have me sticking my fingers in my ears because they itch!

For non-travel, using the Grado SR-60 iPod version of their headphone works well, especially for walking where I want to be able to hear traffic, etc. For travelling I am waiting on a set of the Sennheiser PCX-250 noise cancelling headpones to arrive.

[a_mattison]

For air travel, I bought a pair of Phillips noise-cancelling headphones from Target for $40. I'm sure the noise cancelling isn't as good as the Blose headphones, but I'm quite happy with them on an airplane. There is a world of difference between having the NC on and off. I don't know the model number, but Target sells them in the Ipod section.

I'm no expert on headphone quality, but for an airplane solution these seems quite good for the price.

[a_mattison]

Link to a newer version of what I have...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4956150

[jdhdiggs]

Try www.protravelgear.com

I have the solitudes and my wife has the NC-7's. Both work and sound very good. They have other options there as well.

[dylan]

A second for the NC series. I have the 6's, and they were a steal. Since you fly a lot, I would say noise-cancelling is a must have. Its amazing how loud that engine rumble is, and how loud you need to get your headphones to overcome that sound. Gotta be bad for the ears.

[Refefer]

ewwww. Don't use sound cancelling if you can, it has been proven that they don't work very well against dynamic background noise, for example an animated conversation.

I've had great success with the Sennheiser HD280 Pros. Excellent sound, inexpensive (only $100 or so), and they're comfortable to wear. They're full wrap around and use Sound Isolation instead of canceling to achieve quietness... and it works very well. I do a lot of traveling and these things work brilliantly in every circumstance I've been in. Another perk is they're extremely easy to drive, so they're perfect for portable audio.

Here's a link to a review on them: http://www.headphone.com/products/headphones/sealed-and-noise-canceling/sennheiser-hd-280-pro.php

*EDIT* The Sennheiser's were also put in the 10 best headphones by the site: http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-application/our-10-best-headphones/

[a_mattison]

ewwww. Don't use sound cancelling if you can, it has been proven that they don't work very well against dynamic background noise, for example an animated conversation.

I've had great success with the Sennheiser HD280 Pros. Excellent sound, inexpensive (only $100 or so), and they're comfortable to wear. They're full wrap around and use Sound Isolation instead of canceling to achieve quietness... and it works very well. I do a lot of traveling and these things work brilliantly in every circumstance I've been in. Another perk is they're extremely easy to drive, so they're perfect for portable audio.

Here's a link to a review on them: http://www.headphone.com/products/headphones/sealed-and-noise-canceling/sennheiser-hd-280-pro.php

Noise cancelling doesn't do much of anything to dynamic noise. Their strength is the white noise of an airplane, which I think is what dkj999 is looking for. I have not tried sound isolating headphones like these, and wouldn't want to lug them around anyway, but I am very happy with my reletively cheap NC headphones on airplanes. They aren't the best headphones for everyday use, but are awesome on an airplane. I'm sure the headphones you point out sound good, but they don't seem like a good fit for travel.

[markmarc]

Try the Sennheiser HD477 ($75). Amazingly comfy for several hours and terrific sound for the price.

[Refefer]

Noise cancelling doesn't do much of anything to dynamic noise. Their strength is the white noise of an airplane, which I think is what dkj999 is looking for. I have not tried sound isolating headphones like these, and wouldn't want to lug them around anyway, but I am very happy with my reletively cheap NC headphones on airplanes. They aren't the best headphones for everyday use, but are awesome on an airplane. I'm sure the headphones you point out sound good, but they don't seem like a good fit for travel.

It is a good point. The only thing I have to defend their size is that they fold up fairly well for traveling purposes.

[a_mattison]

It is a good point. The only thing I have to defend their size is that they fold up fairly well for traveling purposes.

That is good. You aren't going to get too strong an argument from me since I don't have any more experience with headphones than what you have already read. There are definately going to be some tradeoffs. During my hotel workout tonight (typical hotel equipment) I decided that my headphones really don't sound that great. They are decent, yes, but not great. My trip here was great though. To me they do shine in their price range for air trips.

Now I shall step aside into my headphone ignorance....

[dkg999]

My only real headphone experience is with a series of Wally World specials that I would take to listen to the music service and air traffic control on flights, and the Grado SR80 and SR225 headphones I have at home. I listened to an associates Sennheiser PCX-250's with their iPod, and they sound pretty good and they say they overcome the engine noise on an airplane really well. I scored a really good deal on them, so I'm going to give them a try. My Grado iPhones, which are the SR60 with a behind the head band arrived today, and they sound really good and will let me hear traffic while I am out walking.

[Refefer]

Good luck! I hope they meet your needs!

[a_mattison]

My only real headphone experience is with a series of Wally World specials that I would take to listen to the music service and air traffic control on flights, and the Grado SR80 and SR225 headphones I have at home. I listened to an associates Sennheiser PCX-250's with their iPod, and they sound pretty good and they say they overcome the engine noise on an airplane really well. I scored a really good deal on them, so I'm going to give them a try. My Grado iPhones, which are the SR60 with a behind the head band arrived today, and they sound really good and will let me hear traffic while I am out walking.

They look good. Let us know what you think of them on an airplane!

-Aaron

[dkg999]

Next flight is 20+ hours to the land down under. I'll report back! You would think in this age we could get wireless internet on a flight!