[bellas]

I found Beyerdynamic DT 770 M as the best headphone in terms of external noise isolation (passive) by comparing factory specifications and reviews of of different headphones: ambient noise attenuation 35 dBA


http://www.beyerdynamic.de/en/broadcast-studio-video-production/products/headphonesheadsets/headphones.html?tx_sbproductdatabase_pi1[showUid][showUID]=223&tx_sbproductdatabase_pi1[showUid][backPID]=93&cHash=31870a78d0

The next close was Sennheiser HD 280 Pro with 32 dB ambient noise attenuation.

Can anyone tell me if any better isolating over-the-ear alternatives exists?

I tried DT 770 M and found it good but the problem for me is that it has not detachable audio cable, so I cannot use it for the second purpose I had in mind which is a passive noise isolator to work in a noisy library of my university (yeah, some university don't have good tradition of keeping their libraries quite and away from the busy central streets).

I felt uncomfortable with the IEMs I tried so far, so I investigate what the best circumaurals can offer.

Any suggestions of alternatives would be appreciated.

[Drubbing]

Originally Posted by bellas

I found Beyerdynamic DT 770 M as the best headphone in terms of external noise isolation (passive) by comparing factory specifications and reviews of of different headphones: ambient noise attenuation 35 dBA

The next close was Sennheiser HD 280 Pro with 32 dB ambient noise attenuation.

Can anyone tell me if any better isolating over-the-ear alternatives exists?

32db is a lot. The best IEMs will only go up to about 40, and at that level provide total silence without any music on. I think you'd be hard pushed to find an on ear that will get up there, let alone go higher than those.

Besides, the 770 is an awful lot to spend just for isolation. It's a drummer's phone, and not built for comfort. And we covered a bit of this in another thread, but even the 80ohm of that one will need amping.

THe DT250 provide good isolation (16db), which I find plenty, has a detachable cable at the speaker end and is far lighter, more portable and comfortable and doesn't need amping.

The Senn looks a better bet and doesn't need an amp.

[bellas]

16 dB is too little for me (my noise sensitivity and the city environment I live in). I checked it. I need min 32 dB passive isolation, up to 40 dB if possible,

I spotted one candidate: Monster Beats Headphones by Dr. Dre
but it is also 16dB only, as it is mentioned is this review.

[Drubbing]

Originally Posted by bellas

16 dB is too little for me (my noise sensitivity and the city environment I live in). I checked it. I need min 32 dB passive isolation, up to 40 dB if possible,

I spotted one candidate: Monster Beats Headphones by Dr. Dre
but it is also 16dB only, as it is mentioned is this review.

Well, this is the issue I have with type of product:
"The thing that hurts this product even more is the fact that Monster has made a rather infamous name for themselves by marketing their previous products as vastly superior to the competition, and pricing them exponentially higher, while only being able to display marginally better performance at best."

As I've said before about this one - you're paying for Dre's royalties, when you could be buying better sound for the less money.

[bellas]

Originally Posted by Drubbing

"The thing that hurts this product even more is the fact that Monster has made a rather infamous name for themselves by marketing their previous products as vastly superior to the competition, and pricing them exponentially higher, while only being able to display marginally better performance at best."

Apple's way. Since I was able to evaluate technically their clames, I never bought their products.

[bellas]

This what I found:

Milian Acoustics SVT Studio Reference Isolation Headphones

• 30 decibels of Circumaural Noise Reduction
• 40 mm Titanium Neodymium Drivers
• Frequency Response: 15-25000 Hz - Sensitivity: 102 db SPL @ 1 kHz
• Impedance: 60 Ohms - THD: < 0.2%
• 6 Ft. Milian Acoustics OFC Sleeved Headphone Cable

Milian Acoustics SVT Studio Reference Isolation Headphones -- 1/4" Stereo TRS Plug

Anyone has experience with those?