Headphones

[dirichlet]

I hope this isn't the wrong place to ask but...

So my headphones have broke, and by that I mean they only play through one ear (unless you shake them vigourously, in which case they last ten minutes max and you have to keep your head dead still). That doesn't bother me much for PC use, but unfortunately I also use the same headphones for my EP (and I don't like playing without headphones). Christmas is coming up, and my dad keeps pestering me on what he should buy me. Put two and two together and I might as well get a decent pair (the last cost £5).

Let's say the budget is £50. Although I will also use these for my PC I don't care too much about that, what matters is that they sound good through my EP, which is a Yamaha P-60 if that helps. What headphones should I ask my dad to get me?

[jlh]

One I would recommend is the Audio-Technica ATH-M30.   Probably don't want to get a headphone that boosts high and low ends if you will use it for your EP.  This AT model is flat, crisp and binaural and is rated 4.5/5 by many review sites.  Price range is about  £30-45.  For more money, I would recommend getting some sound-cancelling headphones to cut out ambient noise.

Best,
Josh

[richard black]

Yes, AT makes a wide range of decent headphones. Personally I wouldn't recommend noise-cancelling ones though, I find they don't work very well and have annoying side-effects. And need batteries, and weigh more.... The ultimate in noise-excluding listening is a pair of Etymotic in-ear phones, which block out more noise than some industrial earplugs and also produce very good sound quality, but they're expensive.

[jlh]

Yes, AT makes a wide range of decent headphones. Personally I wouldn't recommend noise-cancelling ones though, I find they don't work very well and have annoying side-effects. And need batteries, and weigh more.... The ultimate in noise-excluding listening is a pair of Etymotic in-ear phones, which block out more noise than some industrial earplugs and also produce very good sound quality, but they're expensive.

To be honest, I have never tried noise-cancelling headphones.. I think the concept is great though, especially for those who must practice while others in the house are watching TV or there is other noise that might distract from effective practice at the piano.

Best,
Josh

[getitdone1]

I have a pair of Grado SR80i headphones.  They are "open back" for a more "open" sound.  Allows you to hear noises in the house/room while using them.  American made and about 100.00.

Also have a pair of Ultrasone HFI 780 headphones.  They are "closed back" with a more "in the head sound."  Forget exactly but they were more than twice the price of the Grado.

I switch back and forth between them. 

For sparkling highs I go with the Grado but they do well otherwise too.

For super dynamic music and strong base I go with the Ultrasone.

For comfort I go with the Grado.

For a lot more money you might realize a 10-20% improvement.  I'm happy for now but will get the itch for pricey ones one of these days.

Headphones are an absolute must for quality sound while not bothering others in the house.

Don