Confused - Over ear for iPhone <£100???

[cmc68]

I have been trying to narrow down my search by browsing old posts here but seem to be getting more rather than less confused .

I'm after some phones for my iPhone.

I have tried some Bose over ears at a local store and thought they were an amazing step beyond what I have (Sennheiser PX200). But on searching more there seem to be questions over VFM and build quality.

They did confirm that I think over ear would suit me best. I have some Sen in ears and can't wear them for long before they become uncomfortable. And the PX200s are V tricky to keep balanced on my ears if I move.

I have tried some Denon AH 1001 and they feel good but couldn't hear them.

Other searching has thrown up Sennheiser HD212s and Audio Technica ATH ANC7s & ES7 as being in my price range, but I have no idea of their performance or suitability.

They will be mainly used on my iPhone for music an movies, plus occasional PC use and occasionally on my Onkyo HiFi. I want over ear to give me a level of isolation (my 5 year old never stops talking!) and as I may listen in bed and not want to disturb Mrs CMC68. They are not for big travel use but I do need to walk the dog which is where the PX200s fall down. One of the things I like about the Bose and Denons is that tehy are relatively compact.

Music tastes are very varied. Bowie, White Stripes, Doves, Prodigy, Fatboy Slim, Lemon Jelly, BRMC, Chemical Brothers, William Orbit, Nick Drake and Orb. Ans that's just last week.

Oh, and when I listened to the Bose phones the maximum volume semed a little low. I have seen amps for MP3s mentioned. Is that something I should consider!!!

As per title total budget circa £100

Any wisdom, suggestions, tips greatfully rec'd

[Drubbing]

Just because a phone is over ear doesn't mean it provides much isolation.

You get open backed and closed phones in that style too. Open leak sound in and out, but sound more natural. If you like the ATs, I've heard many good things about the ES7.

But the ANC7 is a noise canceller, which is technology you pay for, when you could be just buying better sound. ANC only really is useful if you fly regularly, as it actively cancels recurrent similar freq noise.

So look for closed phones for isolation. I haven't heard enough in that price range to suggest any.

[cmc68]

Thanks for your reply. Apologies if my terminology isn't fully up to speed.

I am looking for closed back to avoid leakage disturbances and offer some passive isolation.

The over/around ear preference is simply one of comfort.

Further searching has made me rule out active noise cancellation as the sort of things I would be looking to eliminate fall in the wrong frequency ranges.

So my search is for a set of closed back, around/over ear phones that are not too bulky (hence the Bose/Denon suitability). Some durability would be a benefit too I guess (an area the Bose seem to come in for some criticism in) - the sets I'm seeing with removable (and therefore replacable) cables seem an advantage, but to be balanced with sound quality obviously . That said there are limits in what my iPhone can put out quality wise so there is a ceiling.

What I'm not clear on yet is gauging suitability for the iPhone based on the ohm rating. I understand that variances effect the volume levels etc. but not so what to look for. Could anyone direct me to some info that explains this - particularly in relation to the iPhone.

Sennheiser HD280s look interesting too, but I'm not sure of their suitability for the iPhone ohm wise.

Cheers.

Chris

[Drubbing]

Basically, anything designed for a portable will be ohm-fine, particularly in that price bracket. But around less than 100ohms is a fair guide to a phone not requiring an amp. The higher ohm, amp-demanding phones tend to be found in higher price brackets.

I still think the ES7 would suit your needs best, though I haven't heard it myself. And I wouldn't go above your budget for your usage.

FWIW my favourite headphone specialist in Aus doesn't recommend the 280 for comfort alone, and it finds a lot of customers among DJs for on/off usage and its good isolation.

[Reano]

Sennheiser 25 (outside your price but maybe close enough to make you reconsider). I have had both the HD280 and 212 and didn't rate them at all.

[cmc68]

Originally Posted by Drubbing

Basically, anything designed for a portable will be ohm-fine, particularly in that price bracket. But around less than 100ohms is a fair guide to a phone not requiring an amp. The higher ohm, amp-demanding phones tend to be found in higher price brackets.

I still think the ES7 would suit your needs best, though I haven't heard it myself. And I wouldn't go above your budget for your usage.

FWIW my favourite headphone specialist in Aus doesn't recommend the 280 for comfort alone, and it finds a lot of customers among DJs for on/off usage and its good isolation.

Thanks, that helps.

Is it as simple as double the ohm rating half the volume? I.e how significant would the difference be between a 32 ohm pair which seems to be a typical rating for sets matched to mp3 players and something like 80 ohms which looks like a more standard set?

The ES7s look like a good set. I guess the ideal scenario would be to try them out alongside the Denon and Bose models - with my iPhone - no idea where I'd be able to do that local to me though.


Reano - thanks for taking the time to reply. The 25s do look nice but a bit over my budget really.

Cheers.

Chris

[Drubbing]

Originally Posted by cmc68

Is it as simple as double the ohm rating half the volume? I.e how significant would the difference be between a 32 ohm pair which seems to be a typical rating for sets matched to mp3 players and something like 80 ohms which looks like a more standard set?

No, it's not quite that simple, sensitivity also comes into it, so a high ohm canalphone for instance may drive louder. But again, you tend to find these at in higher price ranges. And ability to go loud isn't an indicator of SQ.

That's why keep it simple and go with those meant for portables, and 32ohm is pretty typical of those. Listening is always best if you can. Bose don't make terrible products, they just charge way too much for them.

[cmc68]

Are the ES7s over (around) ear? A couple of reviews seem to suggest they are on-ear which I'm not interested in due to comfort and isolation concerns.

I think I have ruled out the Bose - seems to be too much negative feedback for comfort.

The Denon's are still on the short list but difficult to find in stock (in black) at a decent price. Or locally so I can try them out.

Sony's MDR 7506 are getting a look at the moment

[r@mside]

Creative Aurvana are pretty much the same headphone as the Denon you are looking at and can be bought for £70 or less.

Roland and Yamaha make closed supra aural headphones aimed at musicians, these will provide nice detail and mid-range but maybe at the cost of the bass proclaimed of the headphones you've previously mentioned.

EDIT: Play have got Sennheiser HD25-1 II for £109.