Headphones

[richardfinegold]

I wonder how many Foumites here use headphones as their primary source of home listening. I suspect that this largely a generational phenomenon, that most of us over 40 years of age listen primarily to a traditional set up most of the time.
I listen to cans primarily when I take Public Transportation. I used to listen in Hotel rooms but since that that would exclude my wife I now use my Nu Force Cube. Occasionally when I have insomnia I listen to the mp3 music on my phone with ear buds so as not to disturb my sleeping wife.
Besides the "hole in the head" phenomenon, I don't like headphones because I find earbuds and over the ear wear both uncomfortable. I have many friends that think an iPod, with the supplied Apple Ear Buds, represent all the hi Fi they will ever need.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Yes, I, too, find headphones uncomfortable - and I prefer to hear sound "out there" rather than muffled inside my head. But they're occasionally useful socially, and can give much better detail than some CD players I have access to. On Public Transport, I prefer to read or watch the scenery (or, very occasionally, chat with people) than to half-listen to Music.

[gurnemanz]

Yes, I, too, find headphones uncomfortable - and I prefer to hear sound "out there" rather than muffled inside my head.

It is a drawback for me that the sound is not just inside the head but strangely behind the head.

[johnb]

I've been using Sennheiser HD600 headphones for over ten years and they are extremely comfortable to wear and very enjoyable to listen to. They are still in production and replacement parts are available from online specialists (over the years I have replaced the headband padding and the ear paddings).

Having said that, it isn't that often that I use them.

[Richard Tarleton]

I've been using Sennheiser HD600 headphones for over ten years and they are extremely comfortable to wear and very enjoyable to listen to. They are still in production and replacement parts are available from online specialists (over the years I have replaced the headband padding and the ear paddings).

Having said that, it isn't that often that I use them.

I bought HD545s ages ago so that I could listen to music while my wife was studying. Then I used them for 3 year OU language course so she did not have to listen. Don't use them at all these days. They were plagued by a loose connection.

[johnb]

Richard, the connecting lead on the HD600 is vulnerable to being inadvertently mistreated but replacement Sennheiser leads (certainly for the HD600) are easily obtainable. One of the beauties of the HD600 (besides them being extremely comfortable and extremely enjoyable to listen to) is that all the parts are replaceable.

[Dave2002]

I listen to cans primarily when I take Public Transportation.

Many years ago, when I lived in CA, I bought a portable unit - (was it a cassette unit? May have had FM radio too ...) - for use on the bus into work. I discovered very quickly that the noise on the bus completely drowned out most of the classical music I wanted to listen to, so I returned it to the store.

Since then I have found that some (mostly larger) headphones do better re noise isolation, which is good for the listener, and also good for others nearby, so I do sometimes use headphones on trains - but not often.

Headphones make sense if I wake up early, or in the middle of the night, and I don't want to disturb anyone else. I am aware of problems with headphones, and I don't like listening for long periods. Sometimes though, they can give a very realistic effect. Listening to R4 for example, I sometimes turn to see what a sound was - then realise that it was from the headphones, rather than outside.

I suspect that one should not listen on headphones for more than 1 hour per day. Mine are Beyerdynamic and Sennheiser.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

It is a drawback for me that the sound is not just inside the head but strangely behind the head.

I have a cold.

I should also add that I find headphones very useful for studying Music, blocking out external noise. I use "proper" "cans" - never those things that you stick in your ears; this has always seemed unhygienic to me!

[Richard Tarleton]

Richard, the connecting lead on the HD600 is vulnerable to being inadvertently mistreated but replacement Sennheiser leads (certainly for the HD600) are easily obtainable. One of the beauties of the HD600 (besides them being extremely comfortable and extremely enjoyable to listen to) is that all the parts are replaceable.

That sounds an improvement - the leads on the 545s appear to be moulded in, the specialist hifi shop said they'd be expensive to repair. They're certainly beautifully comfortable.

I never listen to music outdoors or on the move.

[Belgrove]

I have Bose noise cancellation headphones which are very comfortable to wear for long periods and have become indispensable for air travel. Indeed, just wearing them on a flight, even without music, makes for a more pleasant experience - better than the airline headphones too. Rarely use them at home though.

[johnb]

That sounds an improvement - the leads on the 545s appear to be moulded in, the specialist hifi shop said they'd be expensive to repair. They're certainly beautifully comfortable.

I never listen to music outdoors or on the move.

Richard, replacement leads for the HD545s cost £23.29 from: http://headphonespares.sennheiser.co...dphones/hd-545

It seems to be the same lead that is used for the HD600s. If so, you just pull out the old connectors and push in the new. The connectors are pretty firmly lodged, so you would probably need to grip the old connectors with a pair of pliers, then gently remove them.

As for the expertise of your specialist hifi shop: no comment.

[Richard Tarleton]

Thanks for that John! I'll give the place a wide berth in future. No names no etc......

[MrGongGong]

Since then I have found that some (mostly larger) headphones do better re noise isolation, which is good for the listener, and also good for others nearby, so I do sometimes use headphones on trains - but not often.

I'm sure folks are aware that some headphones are "Open" and some "Closed" ?
Isolating noise might be one reason to use closed ones

Personally i'm not a great fan of the ubiquitous Sennheisers, the cheaper models are rather badly built
AKG / Bayer make much better models that are more robust and last longer IMV

[richardfinegold]

I have Bose noise cancellation headphones which are very comfortable to wear for long periods and have become indispensable for air travel. Indeed, just wearing them on a flight, even without music, makes for a more pleasant experience - better than the airline headphones too. Rarely use them at home though.

I used to have pair of those that I think one of my kids "borrowed". They aren't the last word in Headphone HiFi but they did make it possible to listen to music on a plane

[richardfinegold]

I'm sure folks are aware that some headphones are "Open" and some "Closed" ?
Isolating noise might be one reason to use closed ones

Personally i'm not a great fan of the ubiquitous Sennheisers, the cheaper models are rather badly built
AKG / Bayer make much better models that are more robust and last longer IMV

I have a pair of Grado phones, that are open. Since they don't screen others from the music I never use them.