best headphones question

forgottenhero1 · Post by **forgottenhero1** » Sun May 14, 2006 2:25 pm

I just bought a pair of headphones for 4.99 and was wondering why the price was so low, i found out when i brought them home. When i plug in the headphones to listen to music, the headphones are so loud on the outside. For exampe with my old headphones you couldn't hear my music when the volume was on 95% but for this one you can hear what im listening to at 35%(no exageration). Can someone recommend me a quieter and better headphone set. There are two headphones set that look quite interesting. How is the radioshack wireless headphone set? and the sony streetstyle?

Dr. Derpface, J.D. · Post by **Dr. Derpface, J.D.** » Sun May 14, 2006 3:03 pm

Sony MDR-V600.

Picked mine up for $100 at Best Buy several years ago, but you can get them for $70 on Amazon. I've been completely satisfied with them every day that they've been in use. You can have the volume at near painful levels, and there's almost zero leakage to the outside. To the listener, theyre fairly quiet just putting them on. Add some music at a reasonable level, and the outside world disappears.

No matter what you decide to buy, stay away from anything Radio Shack branded. Nothing but overpriced, cheaply made CRAP.

forgottenhero1 · Post by **forgottenhero1** » Sun May 14, 2006 4:23 pm

thank you for the advice. I dont really need noise cancelling headphones just ones that are quiet on the outside. one i get $70 i'll buy the one your talking about but do the sony $20 "street style" have any sound leakage or noisy to the outside world?

Joe88 · Post by **Joe88** » Sun May 14, 2006 4:38 pm

http://www.compuplus.com/i-Sony-Street- ... d-697.html

forgottenhero1 · Post by **forgottenhero1** » Sun May 14, 2006 5:43 pm

Joe88, if you own these headphones(or anyone else) i have a question. Are they confortable and how is the sound leakage?

Willen · Post by **Willen** » Sun May 14, 2006 9:06 pm

There are essentially 2 types of headphones, Closed-type and Open-type. Larger studio-style headphones like the Sony MDR-V600 are closed-type, which don't leak as much sound outward and also block incoming external sounds better. But they are much larger, heavier, and usually more expensive. Virtually all portable headphones are open-types that will leak sound to varying levels and let in more outside sounds. The design does allow for lighter and smaller headphones while producing better bass and overall sound.

The shape of the earpieces will also make a big difference in how much sound is leaked out/let in. The more expensive and larger headphones have "earcup" style earpieces that enclose your ears, whereas the smaller lighter types have flat "on-ear" pieces that may, or may not, make good contact with your ears depending on the shape and design.

In-the-ear type headphones (earphones) are generally of the open-type, but due to their design and the fact that they enter into the ear and usually channel more of the sound in, they leak less sound than traditional on-ear headphones. The downsides are comfort issues (some people don't like stuff in their ears) and increased potential of hearing damage since the design focuses more sound into your ears. They are usually more portable since these are the smallest types.

As to whether the headphones linked are comfortable, I've used them and they are good (sound and comfort), but not my "style". The behind the neck band is good for people who wear hats, but I own a lower end model that came with a CD Walkman and when I lean back in my chair, the neckband hits the top of the backrest.

I own and use currently (rating):
-Sony MDR-V900 Studio Monitors (9),
-Sony MDR-NC5 noise cancelling (7),
-Sony MDR-G051 street-style that came with my CD player (6, I use this for monitoring my video camera sound),
-Sony MDR-E575 Fontopia earphones (7, really old, wire jacket is shredding but still works!),
-Sony PSP headphones x2, white and black ones (5),
-and the cheapie set that came with my Sony Clie PDA that has surprisingly good sound (6).

And this doesn't include all the supplied headphones for all the portable players I've owned over the years and a really old set of Sony vertical in-the-ear headphones I got for free that are very uncomfortable to me, but have good sound quality.

Willen · Post by **Willen** » Sun May 14, 2006 9:10 pm

Oh and to clarify, my ratings are for sound quality, not sound leakage. I will say that the V900s are the best at keeping sound in (and out). I'll have to test the streetstyle ones and get back to you.

Dr. Derpface, J.D. · Post by **Dr. Derpface, J.D.** » Sun May 14, 2006 9:19 pm

To add to that, the V900's and the V600's share the same body style. However, the 900's have larger drivers and sound a good deal better. V900 if you can afford $200 for headphones, V600 if you don't. Either way, both are a closed design, block outside sound quite well, are quite comfortable for extended use. Either one will serve you well.

forgottenhero1 · Post by **forgottenhero1** » Tue May 16, 2006 5:05 pm

well basically all i want are headphones with very little to no sound leakage with the "behind the head"(street style) design for under $40. If you have headphones in mind please share your thoughts.

xnamkcor · Post by **xnamkcor** » Wed May 17, 2006 5:34 pm

My Phillips earbuds work fine with little leakage. You only need them at a low volume to hear it clearly. If you are the type to turn up the volume to 100% because it is "cool" or makes you "hardcare", don't use these, and also, don't breed.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... 5364664036