Advice needed.

SirDoss · 07-01-2008, 2:59 PM

I've been using a set of Sennheiser PX100's with my Creative Zen mp3 player. I've been very happy with these but unfortunately they have now broke so it is now time to replace.

Rather than just go for the same again I thought I would browse around and see if I can get even better for my money. They are mainly for use on my mp3 player and I may occasionaly plug into the TV at night although I do have a fairly cheap set for that purpose. After browsing around here is my list that I have come up with:-

1. Grado i-Grado - £34.90 (read a review that says it is the same driver as a more expensive model and sounds almost the same)
2. Koss Porta Pro - £20.67 (great reviews but I'm wondering if they are any better than the PX100's)
3. Beyerdynamic DT 231 - £26.99 (read a few good comments)
4. Sennheiser HD485 - £34.95 (read a few good comments but also read that it is a bit heavy on the bass and also wondering if they are too big to wear out).

This gives you an idea of what I've been looking at. As you can see there are a couple of bigger sets on there, I figured that if going bigger gives better sound then I don't mind going down that route as long as they are not over the top and don't look too ridiculous outside. Also money is tight and I don't really want to go over £40 as the wife will kill me. Anyway, any help will be appreciated as I'm just waiting to order a pair.

NicolasB · 07-01-2008, 4:15 PM

At that price I would go for the DT231's. They were fairly good value even at £40, and extremely comfy to wear for long periods of time....

SirDoss · 07-01-2008, 4:28 PM

Yeah, they do seem good for the money. Do you reckon they would be better sound quality than the i-Grado? I've also just come across Goldring DR100's for £36. Are they any good? Anyone else want to chip in before I make my mind up, I am open to other suggestions.

Broosta · 07-01-2008, 6:10 PM

Maybe AKG K518 DJs(£38)? But they are said to have a 'good' bass so if you're not wanting bass then maybe not.

The Senn PX100 that you had are generally thought of as one of the best in that budget and said to have a good solid bass.

I have the Senn PX200 as I didn't do my research properly

and thought they would be just like PX100 but closed. They are not overwhelmingly anything to my ears and they are certainly bass light. I suppose I would say stay away as they are fairly universally hated by those in the know.

asimm · 07-01-2008, 8:34 PM

You don't say what your budget is but here's my suggestion. After many years with the PX100s (two sets) I decided to give the Shures a go. I purchased the S110s and have to say that it is a remarkable change. The noise cancelling is incredible, the detail is fantastic and teh bass is good. The bass will take some getting used to after the PX100s but after using the Shures I now think that the PX100s are too bass heavy at the expense of the mid and high frequencies.
If you get chance give them a test (and make sure you fit them well and have the right fitting).

SirDoss · 07-01-2008, 10:35 PM

Thanks for the reply asimm. I did say that I didn't really want to go over £40 as I shouldn't really be spending much money on gadgets at the moment (baby on the way) and the wife will kill me. To be honest if I could get away with nearer to the £30 mark it will make my life easier.
I have just taken a look at the Shures but they throw up another dilemma. Firstly they take me slightly over my budget, they come up at around £46. Secondly I've just read a review which has praised them for the money but has then advised that you can get the much better SE210 for a bit more money. These infact come out at £59. I know this sounds strange but even if I go over my budget and get my ass kicked, I'll still be bugged by the thought that the better model came in at only £14 more and I just didn't go all out on them. The point is that there's no way I can spend £59 but knowing about the difference won't allow me to go for the SE110's, make sense? Probably not!!!
Ok, my next question is, how do the models I've listed compare to the Shures? I'm just wondering if maybe I should hang fire for a while and save some money (although I have a feeling with baby stuff due, it'll take a while).

mattski73 · 08-01-2008, 11:29 AM

Although i love the iGrado's for a mere £25 i'm going to have a go on the new Denon AH D301's available from ebay.com

i spoke to a representative from Denon UK and teh UK price will be £39.99, so you'll be getting a bargain. From my experience with the Denon AH D1000's the Denon's are sweet sounding but a little shy on the bass. However what new +1 versions (D1000 old, D1001 new etc) i don't know, but i'm more than willing to find out. Care to join me?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=018

Quote:

1. Grado i-Grado - £34.90 (read a review that says it is the same driver as a more expensive model and sounds almost the same)

Thye sound almost the same, utter pigs garbage

*insomniak123* · 08-01-2008, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirDoss

Thanks for the reply asimm. I did say that I didn't really want to go over £40 as I shouldn't really be spending much money on gadgets at the moment (baby on the way) and the wife will kill me. To be honest if I could get away with nearer to the £30 mark it will make my life easier.
I have just taken a look at the Shures but they throw up another dilemma. Firstly they take me slightly over my budget, they come up at around £46. Secondly I've just read a review which has praised them for the money but has then advised that you can get the much better SE210 for a bit more money. These infact come out at £59. I know this sounds strange but even if I go over my budget and get my ass kicked, I'll still be bugged by the thought that the better model came in at only £14 more and I just didn't go all out on them. The point is that there's no way I can spend £59 but knowing about the difference won't allow me to go for the SE110's, make sense? Probably not!!!
Ok, my next question is, how do the models I've listed compare to the Shures? I'm just wondering if maybe I should hang fire for a while and save some money (although I have a feeling with baby stuff due, it'll take a while).

the older Shure E2C's were around until recently discontinued in favour of the SE range, they can be had for £36 if you can find them, I got mine last year and are a splendid set of plugs. price seems to have gone up now (£50) but a cracking set if you can find them for £36 go for it

SirDoss · 08-01-2008, 1:20 PM

Thanks for the replies Mattski and Insomniak, I shall investigate your suggestions.

SirDoss · 08-01-2008, 8:51 PM

The E2C's are coming up above my budget. Are the i-Grado's really not that good? I'm starting to think I should forget the bigger sets as I didn't really think about the long leads they come with which makes for them being a pain to cart around with my mp3 player. It really does have to be the best set for under £40.

asimm · 08-01-2008, 10:56 PM

Sorry - missed the £40 in your original message. I didn't go for the 210s as many reviewers don't rate them - What Hi Fi among them. I would go for the S110s. If you paid x for your Ipod then y for Headphones that will probably outlast it should are worth it.
Understand about baby on the way - have one myself. If you need a line then use the - just think of the money I will be saving not going to the pub/cinema/restaurant etc for the first 0-6 months! Congratulations and good luck.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirDoss

Thanks for the reply asimm. I did say that I didn't really want to go over £40 as I shouldn't really be spending much money on gadgets at the moment (baby on the way) and the wife will kill me. To be honest if I could get away with nearer to the £30 mark it will make my life easier.
I have just taken a look at the Shures but they throw up another dilemma. Firstly they take me slightly over my budget, they come up at around £46. Secondly I've just read a review which has praised them for the money but has then advised that you can get the much better SE210 for a bit more money. These infact come out at £59. I know this sounds strange but even if I go over my budget and get my ass kicked, I'll still be bugged by the thought that the better model came in at only £14 more and I just didn't go all out on them. The point is that there's no way I can spend £59 but knowing about the difference won't allow me to go for the SE110's, make sense? Probably not!!!
Ok, my next question is, how do the models I've listed compare to the Shures? I'm just wondering if maybe I should hang fire for a while and save some money (although I have a feeling with baby stuff due, it'll take a while).

SirDoss · 08-01-2008, 11:40 PM

Cheers Asimm. I am actually back on to the 110's as I've just discovered that Amazon are offering them for £39.99 but are out of stock at the moment, I'm just wondering how long I'd have to wait. My other choice is the UE metro.fi 2. Although Mattski didn't mention them on this post, I have noticed he's raving about them on other posts and his website and I've read other good things, they're £38 on Amazon......hmmmm dilemma, which ones. I deffinately think it's between these two.

SirDoss · 09-01-2008, 7:10 PM

Well after browsing around on Mattski's website (highly recomended), I found him raving about the i-Grado's. Being as they were one of the sets I was originally interested in I decided to bite the bullet and go for them. I ordered a pair of Amazon for £30 delivered, they've just dispatched them so I am really looking forward to getting my hands on these. If anyones interested I'll gladly post my thoughts on these.

doublej · 10-01-2008, 11:19 PM

so what do you think of them ???

I'd gladly get sr 60 oir 80 if you could get a decent price in the UK.

out of interest - if i wanted closed back - does anything do close to the same sound ?>
#

SirDoss · 11-01-2008, 12:17 AM

They're great. I'm no audio expert so I can't talk technical. What I can tell you though is that they walk over my PX100's, the sound is much fuller, more bass and depth yet still very clear, it's just there. How these compare to the SR60's I couldn't say as I haven't heard them but they use the same driver and I read a review by someone who has both sets and he claimed they sounded pretty much the same, it's just different build quality. All I can deffinately say is that if you are on a small budget, then you can't go wrong with these. PX100's - £25 Richer Sounds, I-Grado's - £30 (delivered) Amazon.