2. speakers
  3. 1363737537

Portable Travel Headphone Advice Please

I travel a lot and like to listen to music through headphones on planes and at the hotels where I stay. At home I use a pair of AKG K702's and I love them. Finding a headphone that travels well and sounds great has been a challenge. I recently bought some Beyer Dynamic DT1350 headphones and used them for two weeks. Now I am returning them. They sound pretty good but somehow unsatisfying. Too analytical and rather hollow (as in cave-sounding). They are also not very comfortable for long plane rides. I am considering the Bose QuietComfort 15's. The reviews are strong and they also cancel the noise. I have heard my friend's and they sound decent. I'm just not sure they are as good as they could be. In other words, I'd like to hear opinions on what you like best for this application. I have a budget of around $300 but am willing to go more to get what I want. I'm setting my ceiling at $600 for the headphones I can be happy with for a long time. Please share your recommendations. Pretty please and thanks!
128x128snackeyp
rlwainwright
1,904 posts
 
Go to Head-fi.org for more informed opinions...

-RW-
noble100's avatar
noble100
2,419 posts
 
Snackeyp,

I would suggest the Phiaton ms400 headphones for your needs. I bought these for use with my laptop and I'm very impressed with them. They're over-ear types that eliminates outside noise well even though they're not technically noise cancelling types. Very balanced sound from bottom to top with no particular emphasis in any frequency ranges.

Best part is they're just over $100 on Amazon right now (I paid $150 for mine). They come with an 1/8th inch plug but also include an adapter for 1/4 inch connections and a carrying case. Only downside I've found is the cord may be too short for some uses. They're very comfortable and are black carbon fiber with either black or red soft leather headband and earcups. Audio Technica has some good models, too
I agree with Rlwainwright that Head-fi is a good site for your needs.
Tim
nealrm
68 posts
 
I have the Phiaton MS500s and a Fiio E11 headphone amp and couldn't be happier. Works great for hotel rooms. The MS500s are apparently discontinued, so you can probably pick up a great deal on Amazon or Ebay. List was $300.

If you use an iPhone(iPod) with the E11, pick up the Fiio line-out cable too. Plugs into the iPhone 4 30-pin connector and grabs the signal just after the D/A before the not-so-good iPhone amp.
More to discover