fjs Posted August 26, 2024 Posted August 26, 2024 Hi everyone, I’m after recommendations for a pair of headphones for portable use. So my requirements are noise isolating not noise cancelling, wired or Bluetooth either will do, over ear obviously, closed back, fairly compact. I already own a pair of shure aonic 50 which are good for home use which I use wired but a little bulky for travel. My budget is under $1000. They will be used with my hiby daps as well as the fiio dm13 when it is released in australia so balanced cable is an advantage but not absolutely necessary. Good sound quality is a must. Thanks in advance.
Neo Posted August 26, 2024 Posted August 26, 2024 Why not head into Minidisc in Chatswood and have a play with vast collection of headphones there and be your own judge. One of the best places to get an actual answer. Neo
fjs Posted August 26, 2024 Author Posted August 26, 2024 That would be desirable and I have bought headphones from both minidisc and addicted to audio online in the past but unfortunately it’s a 3 hour drive to Sydney and I’m getting a bit long in the tooth for that. I generally use portable gear when sitting in my local coffee cafes basically being an aimless flaneur. I now buy most of my gear online because of distance and rely on recommendations and reviews, not the best way but unfortunately the only way.
Neo Posted August 26, 2024 Posted August 26, 2024 Then call Minidisc and speak to Wing or Lachlan and they will be more than willing to advise, narrowing the list of considerations Neo
Neo Posted August 28, 2024 Posted August 28, 2024 Something that I tried briefly at Minidisc today, sound nice and are closed back. Neo
fjs Posted August 28, 2024 Author Posted August 28, 2024 28 minutes ago, Neo said: Something that I tried briefly at Minidisc today, sound nice and are closed back. Neo Thanks for the info. I live too far out in the bush so have no chance to see these headphones. I have no doubt that the sound quality would be perfect for my needs. I own a pair of sennheiser hd 600 and they are extremely comfortable and the headphones hug the profile of one’s head so a low profile while wearing. I believe, however, that the 620s don’t have the same low profile as the 600 and stick out much more because of the shape of the earpads so perhaps not quite so easy to carry around in a backpack. I would be interested in your thoughts as this is the only way I can get an idea. For your info I own shure aonic 50, focal elegia, Kennerton m12s, oppo pm3, sivga all closed back but all, except maybe the oppo, a little too bulky to carry around.
Neo Posted August 28, 2024 Posted August 28, 2024 Nice classic Sennheiser sound signature with angled 150ohm drivers. No idea how well they will block out noise as I was in a pretty quiet environment. Have a chat to either Lachlan or Wing for more information as it was only brief as I was there for another matter. Neo
Neo Posted August 28, 2024 Posted August 28, 2024 Also they are just been released by Sennheiser and they are not continuation of another line but as separate headphone altogether Neo
cazzesman Posted August 30, 2024 Posted August 30, 2024 (edited) I have some Sony XM5. isolation is terrific. Bluetooth or cable. Great sound for the price. Https://www.amazon.com.au/Sony-WH-1000XM5-Cancelling-Headphones-Multipoint/dp/B09ZFD9CBB/ref=asc_df_B09ZFD9CBB/?tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=463551586990&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6979122294049075210&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9112784&hvtargid=pla-1656392921222&mcid=82a2c67b2852341c9e33c2f5be3581c9&th=1 Regards Cazzesman Edited August 30, 2024 by cazzesman 2
POV Posted August 31, 2024 Posted August 31, 2024 I don't know about 'best' but I use Focal Celestee for th epurposes you describe and I love them. Excellent isolation, very comfortable and excellent (if a little 'enclosed') sound quality. Not sure you'll get them under $1k but could go close.
fjs Posted August 31, 2024 Author Posted August 31, 2024 Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I’m thinking that what I’m after doesn’t exist. I own the focal elegia which are very similar in size to the Celeste but for me they are just too bulky to carry around in a backpack. Whilst I haven’t seen the Sony xm5 when I look at pictures they also seem quite bulky and the same for sennheiser 620. They are all excellent headphones with decent noise isolation but just a bit bulky to cart around. I do use the Sony wf1000x4 earbuds but sometimes I just want wired headphones. I’m thinking about audio technica msr7b which appear to be less bulky but difficult to tell without seeing them. No hurry I’ll just keep looking.
Neo Posted August 31, 2024 Posted August 31, 2024 https://www.minidisc.com.au/audio-technica-ath-wp900-maple-headphone
fjs Posted August 31, 2024 Author Posted August 31, 2024 16 minutes ago, Neo said: https://www.minidisc.com.au/audio-technica-ath-wp900-maple-headphone I’ve read about these some time ago and they are tempting. Whilst I mentioned that my budget is under $1000 I was hoping not to spend that amount. If you know of a used pair for sale let me know
Neo Posted August 31, 2024 Posted August 31, 2024 I would just get them for the sheer beauty of the wood, obviously headphones aspect is the cherry on the cake. Portable and have decent isolation. Headphones like that have a following and people hang on to them. Neo
Addicted to music Posted September 1, 2024 Posted September 1, 2024 On 30/08/2024 at 6:26 PM, cazzesman said: I have some Sony XM5. isolation is terrific. Bluetooth or cable. Great sound for the price. Https://www.amazon.com.au/Sony-WH-1000XM5-Cancelling-Headphones-Multipoint/dp/B09ZFD9CBB/ref=asc_df_B09ZFD9CBB/?tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=463551586990&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6979122294049075210&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9112784&hvtargid=pla-1656392921222&mcid=82a2c67b2852341c9e33c2f5be3581c9&th=1 Regards Cazzesman the best in noise cancellation, a must on a long haul flight, now the boss knows why its a must on a plane after she used it. 2
Mightygrey Posted September 2, 2024 Posted September 2, 2024 Sennheiser HD 25 or Beyerdynamic DT1350 both isolate well, fold up, and are virtually indestructible.
cazzesman Posted October 27, 2024 Posted October 27, 2024 I recently purchased 2 items here on SNA. Mark Levinson 5909 headphones https://www.marklevinson.com/products/headphones/NO5909-.html and Fiio M23 DAP https://www.fiio.com/newsinfo/907019.html Wow what a combo. The cup fitting is so good on the 5909 I have stopped using the ANC when out walking. It is now hardwired from M23 to 5909 (non active mode). The M23 does all the heavy lifting. Bluetooth is impressive but the hardwire is just better. I use the ML cable which is a 3.5 to USB-C 5059 input. I have some custom EQ set. I convert everything to DSD and use the Hifi Boost Mode. Glorious. What is even better is setting the M23 to Desktop mode. Plug the USB-C cable into the power input slot and power the device from you PC rather than the internal battery. The M23 has two USB-C inputs. One does Power/Data Transfer. The 2nd is the Power/Charging/Desktop. Spectacular sound. This combo has really given me an appreciation as to how good headphones can be. Happy listening you lot. Regards Cazzesman 2
fjs Posted October 29, 2024 Author Posted October 29, 2024 On 27/10/2024 at 11:49 AM, cazzesman said: I recently purchased 2 items here on SNA. Mark Levinson 5909 headphones https://www.marklevinson.com/products/headphones/NO5909-.html and Fiio M23 DAP https://www.fiio.com/newsinfo/907019.html Wow what a combo. The cup fitting is so good on the 5909 I have stopped using the ANC when out walking. It is now hardwired from M23 to 5909 (non active mode). The M23 does all the heavy lifting. Bluetooth is impressive but the hardwire is just better. I use the ML cable which is a 3.5 to USB-C 5059 input. I have some custom EQ set. I convert everything to DSD and use the Hifi Boost Mode. Glorious. What is even better is setting the M23 to Desktop mode. Plug the USB-C cable into the power input slot and power the device from you PC rather than the internal battery. The M23 has two USB-C inputs. One does Power/Data Transfer. The 2nd is the Power/Charging/Desktop. Spectacular sound. This combo has really given me an appreciation as to how good headphones can be. Happy listening you lot. Regards Cazzesman Nice combo and both are excellent products. As for me, in the end I bought a pair of B&O H6 anniversary model used. The H6 is wired, very light, folds flat and goes very nicely in my backpack. The sound is perhaps slightly coloured but is a very pleasant listen. Never thought I would buy B&o but very impressed. Sound isolation is excellent and the earpads are real leather and oh so soft. Usually use an Ibasso dx160, hiby r6 or a hiby r3 pro as the source and just a great pleasant listen and they look cool to boot.
Recommended Posts