Any Recommendations for On Ear Headphones?

[vitalsignsrn]

Hello....I'm looking for on ear headphones.

I want good sound & closed cups as I plan on using them for multiple purposes (most likely in public & I don't want them to leak too much). I know with on ear they will leak, but I don't blast my music at 100% volume, more around 50% or less. I listen to all genres of music but usually reserve my deep, thumping music for the gym. However, when I want to throwback to the good old days ( ) I listen to AC/DC & Disco (70's-80's).

I want a compact size. A lot of the compact ones don't fold, which annoying as sh**. But for good sound, I may over look that. I have tried over ear but I look ridiculous & feel like Minnie Mouse (all ears)! They don't feel comfortable because I'm very short & so is my neck. They end up resting on my shoulders. So compact, small-ish cups is what I need.

I don't want to spend too much, maybe $250 or less. I know headphones can get quite pricey. I don't plan on replacing these for a while so of course durability is a factor. A minor detail as I'm not that rough with my things & all of these come with some form of a carrying pouch.

Here is what I tried so far:

Senheiser Momentum....Sounded good. The Beats sounded better for $50 cheaper. I like the classy look of these. Most expensive of the group.

Beats Solo 2... I know I know...they got great reviews! Good sound I thought. Bigger than the original Solo & have a slick look.

Bose Sound True.... They sounded good. I thought they were pretty flimsy & felt much cheaper than their price tag commanded.

Have not tried these yet as no one in Toronto has them for me to try. I will have to head south of the border to listen to them. The V Moda ones.

V Moda XS... Very cool looking & have had great reviews. No one here has them, although I can order from either a place from British Columbia or on Amazon. I know the Best Buy in Buffalo has them so I can always pop in to try em on when I go shopping again. They fold up almost to nothing.

Anyone have experience with any of these or any others I might want to look at?

Thanks,



Edited to add: I need the volume/mic port as well.

[Rusty888]

Whilst I have never gone for on ear phones. I find that sennheiser has never let me down. Their cheaper pairs (sub 100) are overpriced but the top end range are great.

[Kingair]

I have a Bose QC15

Love it especially on my long flights . . . but there is a new model out now or recently

[vitalsignsrn]

Thanks guys...
Marc, I was on the Bose website & the new one is the Quiet Comfort 25. They are still big. I know the older noise cancelling phones are on clearance but was unable to listen to it as it wasn't set up. I might have to pop in to a Bose store.

[locutus49]

I use some Sony ear buds, but the ones with a clip to hold them in place in your ears.

[landroverking]

The Beat or Bose.

[SearChart]

I've used Bose for years, the only downside are the leather pads imo, the rest is fine.
If you can swing it I'd go for Bowers & Wilkins.

[daveathall]

Bowers & Wilkins P3, even Apple sell them.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/H8...fs=s%3DpriceHL

A little more than you wanted to pay though.

Nice video bottom right on the link.

[Rogdogg]

I have Bowers & Wilkins P5 and I really like them, however, when I bought them they were 300 sp a little over your budget. They're very good and absolute quality

Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk

[kaseri]

Bowers Wilkins P7

[BNA/LION]

My Wife and I got the Bose in ear headphones for music/gym and they can be used for your cel phone too. The are comfortable and the sound is great. Came with a zipper carrying case to protect and store them in. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/bose-ie2...1&kpid=1114791

For travel and other than the gym: Bose QuietComfort 15 Acoustic Noise Cancelling Headphones They are over the ear and smaller too, no Mickey Mouse ears... http://www.bestbuy.com/site/bose-qui...=1218106625357

[GermanyMatt]

I agree that Sennheiser are a good choice for the money.

[Laszlo]

Originally Posted by GermanyMatt

I agree that Sennheiser are a good choice for the money.

Agree.

The Grado's are spectacular too. Judy, my best advice is to invest in the right ones... just like watches. You'll appreciate them so much more and they'll last a lot longer too.

www.gradolabs.com

[Snow-Dweller]

Bose QC15. Fantastic.

[Danny83]

Aedle vk1 s

[GolfPunk]

I've just bought Bose QC15, they are outstanding

[Dr. Robert]

I have one word for you........................GRADO

[Welshwatchman]

I currently run Klipsch X1 and Senn. 800 so it's either in or over ear for me.

You've mentioned the obvious "on ear" 'phones but these AKG are pretty well regarded and almost untouchable for the price (currently as low as £49 in the UK)

http://www.trustedreviews.com/akg-k451-review

[Challenger Deep]

I like Bose over ear head phones. As it was mentioned, the leather pads can be "iffy." I notice that when i wear them for an hour or so when i play the guitar, plugged into the amplifier that the can get hot due to the perspiration i create from playing but that is about all. I have to take them off and blow into the cup to cool them down. The only reason for that is because i get hot playing guitar, not a defect of any sort to he headphone. On a regular day, sitting at the computer or with the iPod, they are great.

I would recommend anything by Bose but i have always wanted to try Sennheiser and those will be my next set.

[lig]

Big fan of IEMs vs. over the ear headphones.

For bargain over the ears - the old school Sony MDR7506s sound pretty good. Only about $100ish.

Very happy with my latest set of IEMs: 1964 Ears V3s Triple drivers with good sound isolation.

[watchdog507]

My wife swears by Bose noise cancelling over ear monitors. She's on her second set and uses them every night and on airplanes.

[watchdog507]

On another note, I prefer in ear phones. I use Westone R4's Great sound and easy to fit. They also offer custom fit options.

[vitalsignsrn]

Thanks gentlemen for your opinions. :-) I had forgotten to mention I have a set of IEM ...Westone W20 that I like a lot. But sometimes they're a pain in the a$$ & I miss the headphones.

Going up another $50 or so isn't a big deal. I have a few home pages to check. :-)

[uscmatt99]

I love the vmoda xs. They are just small enough for my 5 year old to borrow, fit my adult head perfectly, and are very comfy for an on-ear. Sound is fantastically neutral and rich compared to the usual heavily marketed players. Quite compact when folded too.

[Mfrankel2]

OK, at the risk of incurring the wrath of all the purists and audiophiles, I'm going out on a limb and going with the beats solo. They do run a bit "bass heavy" but I find with anything but techno.club music the sound comes across nicely. I"m a bit hard on my stuff so I really appreciate the durability of the beats as well as the ability to use them on calls (if the phone happens to ring while working out) and easily swap out the chord. Folding & the neoprene case are also a plus

[kilyung]

I've had on-ear, over-ear, and in-ear. For sound isolation (and better audio fidelity), nothing beats a custom fit IEM.

[Rogdogg]

If you don't mind going up the extra $50 to $300 ish, I would recommend taking a look at the B&W P5. I love mine and they are a joy to hold. The sound is really good but there are probably better depending on what you look for, although maybe not for the price. However, what I also love is the construction of them. There is not a bit of plastic in site, they are all metal and leather and feel and look superb. I haven't tried the P7's but they are over-ear and a lot more pricey. Good luck with your search

Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk

[Lion]

Originally Posted by daveathall

Bowers & Wilkins P3, even Apple sell them.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/H8...fs=s%3DpriceHL

A little more than you wanted to pay though.

Nice video bottom right on the link.

Originally Posted by Rogdogg

I have Bowers & Wilkins P5 and I really like them, however, when I bought them they were 300 sp a little over your budget. They're very good and absolute quality

Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk

Judy, I have the B & W P5's and they sound fantastic so check them out.....but remember they do need to be played and broken in for them to sound their best!!!

[vitalsignsrn]

Just checked out the B & W's...they look sharp! I'll have to check out the audio specific shops to see if they have any for review. I never even thought to look at Apples website for headphones. LOL I'm glad I asked!

Now on to the Grado & AKG websites. ;-)

Mike, LMAO...those IEM's match your Rolex perfectly. LOL I would love a pair of custom IEM's but too much moolah.

Thanks Leo for that tidbit about breaking them in, I forgot about that. ;-)

[vitalsignsrn]

Originally Posted by Danny83

Aedle vk1 s

A bit higher price wise than I was looking. But for those that don't mind the price tag, they look gorgeous & worth checking out.