looking for some comfortable,high quality head phones;the kind that go over the ears.

[RAV TUX]

I have been thinking about getting the Razer Barracuda (http://www.razerzone.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=38), what would you suggest?

I am looking for the highest quality audio sound specifically for music...via headphones.

I have already got an excellent sound card.

I don't want ear buds that go in the ear, or the kind that clip to the ear or the kind that smash the ears...I want the kind that go over the ears without smashing them.
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[jppaynesr]

I love my Bose Quiet Comfort 2. I think you can still get them. The new QC3 is on the ear, but the QC2 is over the ear.

[manmower]

The Razer seems gimmicky. I would be looking at hifi brands such as AKG, Beyerdynamic, Sennheiser... Maybe Ultrasone or Equation Audio. Depends on what you are willing to spend of course but they all have both affordable and high end models.

Bose seems to be generally regarded as not bad, but a tad overpriced. Never heard them myself though.

Excellent resource right here: Head-Fi (http://www.head-fi.org/).

(Sorry about your wallet). :)

[RAV TUX]

The AKG's K 701 (http://www.akg.com/personal/cproducts/powerslave,id,911,pcategory,3,nodeid,11,_language, EN.html) headphone seems pretty sweet.

http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=44603&d=1190951382
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[manmower]

That AKG will definitely be in another league than the Razer in terms of detail, soundstage and instrument separation. It might not be your thing if you're a basshead though. And when looking at such high end phones you should always consider that they might not sound their best straight out of your soundcard. If you're listening through a hifi receiver or amplifier hooked up to your soundcard you should be fine for most headphones though.

[a12ctic]

Sennheiser HD650. Theres no competition.

[RAV TUX]

the Creative Aurvana X-Fi® Headphones (http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=437&subcategory=439&product=16975) are put out by the same people as my sound card so there would be compatibility, they also appear to be pretty aweet also.

http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=44604&d=1190952374

[a12ctic]

creative = rebranded chinese crap.

[RAV TUX]

That AKG will definitely be in another league than the Razer in terms of detail, soundstage and instrument separation. It might not be your thing if you're a basshead though. And when looking at such high end phones you should always consider that they might not sound their best straight out of your soundcard. If you're listening through a hifi receiver or amplifier hooked up to your soundcard you should be fine for most headphones though.will the AKG work with any computer?

[multifaceted]

Bose has always impressed me regardless of what I am using them with. Be it an iPod, my computer or a diskman, the audio output is amazing! I would imagine the sound quality would be spectacular with a high end sound card.

[manmower]

will the AKG work with any computer?

Sure, they'll work. I don't know how good the headphone output on your soundcard is though, so you might not be getting the full experience. Head-Fi probably has some info on your soundcard. Typically the higher end headphones are designed with hifi amps in mind, or even a dedicated headphone amplifier. Most of 'em will sound fine out of anything, but even better out of an amp.

a12ctic mentioned another great model there, definitely also worth looking into.

[stijngysemans]

I recently bought myself a sennheiser HD-25. Attention, this is an expensive piece of hardware and it is a closed on-ear headphone so it may not suit your requirments BUT this is the best headphone I've ever had: impressive, clear sound,light weight and superb sound isolation from the outside world.

On-ear headphones are actually better when you want to listen a long time to music, because they don't start to weight that much.

I use them for audioproductions (amateur) and for listening to music. Sometimes I use them for more than three hours long. They work great on my ipod, my dell laptop and my deskop pc with an nForce audio chipset.

I do not recommend bose at all. I've tested them and it lacks build quality and sound.

You really should give it a try and test it out in your nearby hifi-store!

[n3tfury]

I have been thinking about getting the Razer Barracuda (http://www.razerzone.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=38), what would you suggest?

I am looking for the highest quality audio sound specifically for music...via headphones.

I have already got an excellent sound card.

I don't want ear buds that go in the ear, or the kind that clip to the ear or the kind that smash the ears...I want the kind that go over the ears without smashing them.

to REALLY get some good answers, go someplace where this sort of thing is their passion:

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

[bash]

If you find the AKG K 701 to expensive you can always get the smaller brother the AKG K 601. They are also top notch headphones.

And use the link n3tfury provided if you have more questions.

[ahazi]

What sort of places will you be using these headphones - there are two different types, open and closed. Open is generally better sound quality but it is as the name suggests - open with no isolation from the outside world. The other type, closed has a lot better isolation - this means that you don't hear outside noises. The downside to this however other than slightly inferior sound quality to open headphones is that the can grip to your head quite well and because of it be less comfortable. So if you are using the headphones in quiet places, and it doesn't matter if other people can hear it as well - get open, otherwise get closed headphones. As already mentioned, head-fi.org is a great resource regarding headphones. And finally, don't get any headphones which promise 5.1 sound, a quality pair of stereo ones will sound a lot better.

[n3tfury]

i agree with ahazi - stay away from "5.1" cans. get a quality set of 2 channel cans and you're set.

also, whoever recommended bose - lol. overpriced and overrated. don't go there, OP.

[c5QGz8DN]

Sennheiser HD650. Theres no competition.

Try replacing the standard cable on the HD600/650 with an Equinox Cable. You'll have no idea what your Sennheisers are capable of until you do.

[mips]

AKG
Bose
Byerdynamic
Roland RH-300
Sony MDR-7509HD (http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/DisplayModel?m=10013&p=10&sp=79&id=83173) or 7506 (Apparently these are very good and used a lot of studio applications, even saw a mod on the net to use beyer dynamic velour pads)
Sennheiser HD600 etc

I'm not a big Sony supporter but I would buy the MDR-7509HD without even thinking about it.

[matthewdhandley]

Check the specs on anything you buy. A lot of time companies will market a very nice looking, expensive pair of headphones, and trump up how much of a "great sound" it has, but if you check the specs it will have a frequency range like 45hz-16khz. No matter how much "Enhanced Bass" or "5.1 Simulated Super DTS Hyper Sound" it has, if you are missing high and low end frequencies, or you have a tiny diaphragm size, you are not going to get good sound.

Look for something with as wide of a frequency range as possible. Something between 10-40hz on the low end and 20-22khz on the high end is going to sound much better than a pair that is missing a few dozen hz on the low and a couple khz on the high.

Really the biggest reccomendation I have is to go into a store that has demonstration pairs, and actually spend some time wearing the pair you're thinking about buying. There are great sounding headphones that will be a pain in the head once you wear them for a few hours.

[Visti]

Lots of great suggestions here - I had some nice Sennheisers for a while and they treated me good. I'm gonna go a bit against the grain here, but you will really appreciate these if you're an audio aficionado - http://www.koss.com/

I use their headphones for personal and studio work and they have most everything you'll need. What you're looking for specifically is this type: Full Size Stereophones (http://www.koss.com/koss/kossweb.nsf/p?openform&pc^fs) - There's a lot of price ranges, but you usually get what you pay for in the world of audio. The UR-series is great for it's price. Something like the R80 is affordable, neutral and comfy. The freq. response on that specific model is 16-22,000 Hz, which is pretty decent.

And if you buy Koss, there's a freakin' life-time warranty. No questions asked. How the heck can you beat that?

Just offering an alternative here.

[popch]

First of all, buy 'open' phones unless you intend listening to music in noisy environments.

The Koss PortaPro gives incredible value for money. The only problem is that the pads tend to wear down after a while, and that they cost nearly as much as the whole set. Does not matter greatly as those phones easily outperform ones costing five to ten times as much. I have bought one set for my son when he just detected 'contemporary' music, and I wanted him to hear it properly. Later, I have bought a set for myself, I now have worn down two sets.

If you're feeling really extravagant, try and find a Jecklin Float (type I, the static one). The dynamic ones are not bad, either, but not in the same league.

[Visti]

First of all, buy 'open' phones unless you intend listening to music in noisy environments.

The Koss PortaPro gives incredible value for money. The only problem is that the pads tend to wear down after a while, and that they cost nearly as much as the whole set. Does not matter greatly as those phones easily outperform ones costing five to ten times as much. I have bought one set for my son when he just detected 'contemporary' music, and I wanted him to hear it properly. Later, I have bought a set for myself, I now have worn down two sets.

If you're feeling really extravagant, try and find a Jecklin Float (type I, the static one). The dynamic ones are not bad, either, but not in the same league.

Seconded! My brother's getting some real usage out of his PortaPros and the sound is impeccable. Well, maybe not, but damn near. And quite nice to wear, too.

[PartisanEntity]

I recommend the Sony MDR V700's (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11038999). I know that they have not been received that well by the audiophile community, but I think if some people were to actually test these speakers they would be impressed.

These speakers never fail to deliver, the bass is heavy and crisp while you still hear clearly the details and higher frequencies.

Otherwise Sennheiser has an excellent reputation.

[Frak]

I love my Bose Quiet Comfort 2. I think you can still get them. The new QC3 is on the ear, but the QC2 is over the ear.
+1

[MetalMusicAddict]

I recommend the Sony MDR V700's (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11038999). I know that they have not been received that well by the audiophile community, but I think if some people were to actually test these speakers they would be impressed.

These speakers never fail to deliver, the bass is heavy and crisp while you still hear clearly the details and higher frequencies.

Otherwise Sennheiser has an excellent reputation.

These are excellent headphones for someone looking for quality on a budget. I've even seen these used in studios.

I have a older version of these and they have been great for 5 years. Coating on the foam padding is starting to flake off but oh well.

[n3tfury]

I recommend the Sony MDR V700's (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11038999). I know that they have not been received that well by the audiophile community, but I think if some people were to actually test these speakers they would be impressed.

These speakers never fail to deliver, the bass is heavy and crisp while you still hear clearly the details and higher frequencies.

Otherwise Sennheiser has an excellent reputation.

those are terrible, imo. WAY too much bass exaggeration and not the most comfortable. i made the mistake of buying a pair over a year ago just for gaming but of course tried them alongside my mdrv600s and the 600's are a much better set of cans.

[RAV TUX]

to REALLY get some good answers, go someplace where this sort of thing is their passion:

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

I trust ubuntuforum.org users, thanks for the suggestion but I am not familiar with this forum.


What sort of places will you be using these headphones - there are two different types, open and closed. Open is generally better sound quality but it is as the name suggests - open with no isolation from the outside world. The other type, closed has a lot better isolation - this means that you don't hear outside noises. The downside to this however other than slightly inferior sound quality to open headphones is that the can grip to your head quite well and because of it be less comfortable. So if you are using the headphones in quiet places, and it doesn't matter if other people can hear it as well - get open, otherwise get closed headphones. As already mentioned, head-fi.org is a great resource regarding headphones. And finally, don't get any headphones which promise 5.1 sound, a quality pair of stereo ones will sound a lot better.

I need to be able able to listen in a quiet place without disturbing those around me.

[n3tfury]

I trust ubuntuforum.org users, thanks for the suggestion but I am not familiar with this forum.



I need to be able able to listen in a quiet place without disturbing those around me.

you don't have to be familiar with it. these guys eat, sleep. and breathe headphones.

gl

[RAV TUX]

you don't have to be familiar with it. these guys eat, sleep. and breathe headphones.

gl

OK Thanks, for the recommendation I'll look into this Website a bit deeper. ;)

[n3tfury]

OK Thanks, for the recommendation I'll look into this Website a bit deeper. ;)

lol, i didn't even realize that was you that replied because you changed your icon. yes, RAV, go there, research, and let the light shine down upon your earlobes.

[RAV TUX]

lol, i didn't even realize that was you that replied because you changed your icon. yes, RAV, go there, research, and let the light shine down upon your earlobes.

Thanks, my apologies about the confusion, a change was just in order as I grew alienated from my previous avatar. ;)

[popch]

alienated from my previous avatar. ;)

Yes, these foreigners can become quite cheeky if you let them have their will. Show them who's boss around here, is what I keep saying.

[mcduck]

Seconded! My brother's getting some real usage out of his PortaPros and the sound is impeccable. Well, maybe not, but damn near. And quite nice to wear, too.

+1 for PortaPro. Pretty much impossible to get better sound with even 5 times the money these cost. And they fit in your pocket!

Besides, I love their "Koss' No*Questions*Asked Lifetime Warranty". Whatever happens to your headphones, they fix them for free.

[Visti]

Hi RAV, what did you end up getting?

[stuh84]

Its Beyer Dynamic DT100's for me, although they are more for studio monitoring than anything to be honest

[RAV TUX]

Hi RAV, what did you end up getting?

I still haven't made a decision yet.

[RageOfOrder]

I have a pair of Centrios that I bought for $100 in the Source.
It's got inline volume control and an adapter for either headphones or larger plugs
( I plug em into my guitar when I want to play at night )

Could be worth a look. The only model # I can find on it is 3308112

http://omploader.org/vNTJz/centrios.jpg

[spitball]

Alessandro or Grado :guitar:

[RAV TUX]

I have a pair of Centrios that I bought for $100 in the Source.
It's got inline volume control and an adapter for either headphones or larger plugs
( I plug em into my guitar when I want to play at night )

Could be worth a look. The only model # I can find on it is 3308112

http://omploader.org/vNTJz/centrios.jpgAwesome Thanks, I'll look into these also.

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[RAV TUX]

The AKG's K 701 (http://www.akg.com/personal/cproducts/powerslave,id,911,pcategory,3,nodeid,11,_language, EN.html) headphone seems pretty sweet.

http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=44603&d=1190951382


I think I like this one the best...
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[fwojciec]

K701s are great headphones - few things to consider before you spend money on them, though...

1) If you're planning on connecting them directly to the computer then they are going to be a huge overkill, headphones like these require a dedicated source and amplifier to work to their best potential. In fact using them with a computer might be particularly unpleasant because they will display transparently all the imperfections of poorly encoded mp3s, background noise you never knew existed and the static storm inside the computer.

2) These are open headphones which means they let sound in and out. This will be a problem if you plan on using them in a loud environment (you will hear everything that's happening around you) or if you need to use them in a quiet environment that you share with others, like in a library, because others will hear your music quite clearly.

If you're not discouraged by the above then by all means - go for it ;)

[RAV TUX]

K701s are great headphones - few things to consider before you spend money on them, though...

1) If you're planning on connecting them directly to the computer then they are going to be a huge overkill, headphones like these require a dedicated source and amplifier to work to their best potential. In fact using them with a computer might be particularly unpleasant because they will display transparently all the imperfections of poorly encoded mp3s, background noise you never knew existed and the static storm inside the computer.

2) These are open headphones which means they let sound in and out. This will be a problem if you plan on using them in a loud environment (you will hear everything that's happening around you) or if you need to use them in a quiet environment that you share with others, like in a library, because others will hear your music quite clearly.

If you're not discouraged by the above then by all means - go for it ;)Actually Thanks for the post...

both considerations that you bring up are reasonably valid...

I only want to connect to the computer so these may be overkill

I also would like for them not to let sound in or out...

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[fwojciec]

There is always a trade-off between closed and open headphones - open tend to sound better, on average, so you pay with sound quality for isolation. There are great sounding closed headphones, but the notable models start around $700 and up (ATH-W5000 (http://www.audiocubes.com/category/Headphones_Audiophile,+Hifi/product/Audio-Technica_ATH-W5000_Dynamic_Headphones.html) for example)...

I only own one pair of closed headphones - Sennheiser HD280 - but I wouldn't really recommend them, they isolate very well but sound only so so.

Some closed headphones that are highly regarded:

Audio-Technica ATH-A900 (http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Audio-Technica_ATH-A900_Art_Headphones.html) - these seem to be good all-rounders. You can also get a lesser version - ATH-A500 or ATH-A700. They are very popular with gamers, but are supposed to sound very good for music as well.

Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro (http://northern-america.beyerdynamic.com/cms/Headphones.68.0.html?&L=1&tx_sbproductdatabase_pi1[showUid][showUID]=44&tx_sbproductdatabase_pi1[showUid][backPID]=68&cHash=ea6cb3ee29) - they have a reputation for being bass monsters, but with somewhat receded mids and highs. The 80 ohm version would be the one to buy - avoid the 250 ohm version and DT 770 M model (which is specifically for studio use by drummers).

Beyerdynamic DT250 (http://northern-america.beyerdynamic.com/cms/Headphones.68.0.html?&L=1&tx_sbproductdatabase_pi1[showUid][showUID]=425&tx_sbproductdatabase_pi1[showUid][backPID]=68&cHash=f031682a53) - also supposed to be very good and I've read that they are extremely comfortable, which is not to be underestimated; 80ohm version would be a better choice, especially that you won't have additional amplification if you're going to use them directly out of the soundcard.

That's off the top of my head... Again, I don't own any of these headphones, but they tend to get recommended a lot on websites like head-fi.org. Many people will recommend Bose headphones, and they might be good as well, but they have a terrible reputation among audiophiles for being overhyped, overmarketed and overpriced. But then you should probably take what audiophiles say with a grain of salt ;)

[RAV TUX]

There is always a trade-off between closed and open headphones - open tend to sound better, on average, so you pay with sound quality for isolation. There are great sounding closed headphones, but the notable models start around $700 and up (ATH-W5000 (http://www.audiocubes.com/category/Headphones_Audiophile,+Hifi/product/Audio-Technica_ATH-W5000_Dynamic_Headphones.html) for example)...

I only own one pair of closed headphones - Sennheiser HD280 - but I wouldn't really recommend them, they isolate very well but sound only so so.

Some closed headphones that are highly regarded:

Audio-Technica ATH-A900 (http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Audio-Technica_ATH-A900_Art_Headphones.html) - these seem to be good all-rounders. You can also get a lesser version - ATH-A500 or ATH-A700. They are very popular with gamers, but are supposed to sound very good for music as well.

Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro (http://northern-america.beyerdynamic.com/cms/Headphones.68.0.html?&L=1&tx_sbproductdatabase_pi1%5BshowUid%5D%5BshowUID%5D =44&tx_sbproductdatabase_pi1%5BshowUid%5D%5BbackPID%5D =68&cHash=ea6cb3ee29) - they have a reputation for being bass monsters, but with somewhat receded mids and highs. The 80 ohm version would be the one to buy - avoid the 250 ohm version and DT 770 M model (which is specifically for studio use by drummers).

Beyerdynamic DT250 (http://northern-america.beyerdynamic.com/cms/Headphones.68.0.html?&L=1&tx_sbproductdatabase_pi1%5BshowUid%5D%5BshowUID%5D =425&tx_sbproductdatabase_pi1%5BshowUid%5D%5BbackPID%5D =68&cHash=f031682a53) - also supposed to be very good and I've read that they are extremely comfortable, which is not to be underestimated; 80ohm version would be a better choice, especially that you won't have additional amplification if you're going to use them directly out of the soundcard.

That's off the top of my head... Again, I don't own any of these headphones, but they tend to get recommended a lot on websites like head-fi.org. Many people will recommend Bose headphones, and they might be good as well, but they have a terrible reputation among audiophiles for being overhyped, overmarketed and overpriced. But then you should probably take what audiophiles say with a grain of salt ;)Thanks for the great information. ;)