Looking for High-End Headphones

[FanIn80]

I'm looking for a set of decent, high-end headphones. Right now, I'm in a bit of a toss-up between these two:

Beats Pro: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B008CQWPHU
Bose QC15: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0054JJ0QW

Any thoughts one vs the other? Any other ones to suggest? With regards to the types of music I listen to, here are the album covers of the 50 most played songs in my library last week:



Also, please note that I'm looking for high-end headphones. Something in the $300-$800 range, as opposed to the $30-$80 range. Over-the-ear and noise cancelling are must-have features since I do a lot of flying.

Thanks!

[Lithium]

I don't own a pair but I have tried one out, I don't think I can sink this kind of money into a pair of headphones. $250 is my max.

http://www.amazon.ca/Sennheiser-MM-5...1827851&sr=1-3

[PsYcNeT]

The Audio-Technica ATH-W5000 website states they are 1200$ MSRP, but you can usually find them for 800-850.

They are truly an experience.

American Music Supply has them for $800 flat, and they ship to Canada.

Ditto for Zzsounds.

[silentsim]

Please don't get Beats.
Qc 15's are great for noise cancelling, but doesn't have the greatest sound signature.

I'll post back later tonight with my recommendations.

AT makes some great headphones that are quite pricey...but can be had for good deals

[CubicleGeek]

I haven't been in the high-end headphone market for a while as I'm still using my HD650's from over a decade ago. One thing to be careful about, since you're using these for travel, is some of the high end headphones and arguably all of the best one's require amplification. My HD650 sounds like garbage without an amp - not enough power to drive the thing.

Unless you own or plan to purchase a portable amp, look into that before you buy. Your laptop/iDevice will not be able to power some of the high ends - especially since you're quoting prices upwards of $800.

[calumniate]

I still really like these puppies (AKG 240S):
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-a...dio-headphones

They sound great without an amp which is the best part, so you get nice volume out of any device. Really comfortable. Apparently there is now the 240 mkII, however I've never tried them.

Best bet is to go to Long and Mcquade and try some - that's what I did!

edit: didn't see the noise cancelling requirement. I have no experience with those - sorry!

[DoubleK]

Take a look at AKG.

[FanIn80]

Nice, thanks for the tips guys! I'm going to head over to L&M or Axe on the way home from the office and check out what they have. I'm really interested in these ones now... http://www.axemusic.com/store/produc...or-Headphones/

I realize they're not noise-cancelling, but if they sound good enough and I can crank em up loud enough, then it's almost the same thing...

[calumniate]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Nice, thanks for the tips guys! I'm going to head over to L&M or Axe on the way home from the office and check out what they have. I'm really interested in these ones now... http://www.axemusic.com/store/produc...or-Headphones/

I realize they're not noise-cancelling, but if they sound good enough and I can crank em up loud enough, then it's almost the same thing...

Wow that seems like a good price for basically my most desired set of cans

They rate at 62 ohms so they should sound decent without an amp. However a portable amp like the 'total bithead' would go along very nicely

http://www.headphone.com/headphone-amps/

[blankall]

OP,

Those are the two most over-priced brands you could possibly find. There are much better value for the money out there. If you're willing to pay $350-450, you can get some really great equipment.

At that price point, the "best" often comes down to what sound you prefer. Some people want basier, some want warmer, some want clarity, etc...

I'd look here:

http://www.head-fi.org/

and here:

http://www.avforums.com/forums/blogs...phones-266567/

Get an idea of what kind of sound you are looking for. Then research specific brands/models that fit that description.

Edit:

Just saw your AKG update. That's a much much better choice. Look at the reviews and make sure it's the set for you though.

[Thor]

I just upgraded my HD555 to these, got a great deal through work.



But what I really want after hearing them a few years ago is the monster HD800, but that also means a solid amp to really get the best out of them, which means easy $2000+ pricetag.

[TorqueDog]

I tried these at the Microsoft Lync Conference last week in San Diego. I was VERY impressed.

Sennheiser Momentum - MSRP $399

[csnarpy]

I have these: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...hones/HDJ-1500
which are simply outstanding.

These are the best: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...hones/HDJ-2000

[Max Cow Disease]

What will the source of the music be, primarily? I can see dropping gajillions for a brilliant set of cans for a nice home stereo system, but not so much for the more compressed brand of music that spits out of a mobile device.

In any case, I've had a pair of QC15's since the middle of last year, and I don't have any complaints. As someone said above, not the most razor-sharp in terms of overall sound quality, but a great balance between respectable noise-cancelling and sound.

I also use a pair of Grado headphones at home quite often. They're renowned for having sound quality that vastly exceeds their price, and I've always been impressed by their precision, given what I paid ($130-150 for a pair of SR125's). However, they aren't "around the ear" (mine aren't, with the foamy covers that I have, anyway) and have significant sound leakage, so they'd be pretty useless on the road.

[Ryan Coke]

Hay max, do you use the QC's for work? I am about to get some for that purpose.

Of course for me sound quality isn't the main concern, great noise cancelling is.

[MickMcGeough]

Some good recommendations in this thread.

I've been using a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-M50s for about 2 years and they're incredible. A bit under your budget though.

[Max Cow Disease]

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

Hay max, do you use the QC's for work? I am about to get some for that purpose.

Of course for me sound quality isn't the main concern, great noise cancelling is.

Not for work. To that end I have the Bose A20 (QC's won't cut it for what I fly every day ). I'm not sure how loud your environment is exactly but I've heard of a few people converting that QC15 to work as an aviation set (on the RJ), and I understand it performs admirably enough. It's incredibly comfortable, too.

[silentsim]

Originally Posted by Ryan Coke

Hay max, do you use the QC's for work? I am about to get some for that purpose.

Of course for me sound quality isn't the main concern, great noise cancelling is.

the noise cancelling is excellent. if that is the primary purpose they are great

[FanIn80]

Thanks again for all the responses!

I went to Axe last night on the way home. They didn't have the AKG K702s in stock, and noise cancelling is a pretty big deal, so I opted for a pair of ATH-M50s instead. On the way to the office this morning, I stopped at Long & McQuade and snagged a pair of the K702s also!

So, I now have these guys for travelling http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/he...fd9/index.html
and these http://www.akg.com/site/products/pow...nguage,EN.html for the office (and also to use as a decent monitor when I'm using my iPad as my guitar amp).

Altogether, they cost me $567.99 after I got L&M to price match Axe on the K702s. I have to say I am much happier with what I got than I would have been had I went with the Beats, or even the Bose ones I listed earlier.


Edit: Also, I keep saying "noise cancelling." While noise cancelling is important when I'm flying, what's more important is "noise leakage," and that's what I was more concerned about. I want to be able to crank my sh*t without worrying about whether or not I'm bothering the person next to me.

[dammage79]

Not sure about higher end headphones but I bought a pair of Bob Marley headphones last year and have been quite happy with them. Mine were mid level but I am sure their high end ones would be awesome.