And if you're spending big money on good cans... buy an amp. You'll be pleasantly surprised. I'm running a NuForce Icon with Senn HD650s (a Woo WA6 on the way, yes!). Definitely the way forward.
Headphones for Hackers
31–40 of 188 posts
Re: Headphones for Hackers
#32My $0.02. The Bose QuietComfort 15 (over-the-ear, closed, noise canceling) are fantastic to code with. With no audio playing, low bassy sounds are entirely cancelled out unless extremely loud. Highs are reduced in volume, but still come through. Add earplugs and the highs almost go away too. Lastly, turn on some music or pink noise and you're not going to hear a thing.
Bah, real hackers make their own (passive) noise canceling headphones :) Here's mine: http://media.aeminium.org/~slug/2008/headphones/P1010608.JPG
For $18 + headphone speakers, can't beat the price. Worked so well I made two to keep at different locations and also carry one when flying. There's an instructable too http://www.instructables.com/id/Jackhammer-Headphones/
The difference to mine is that I drilled a hole to pass the wires and used hot glue to make sure there's no way sound can come through there.
Re: Headphones for Hackers
#33I tried out the "audiophile" headphones by Grado on display at a neat little audio store near MIT[1]. While the sound quality was phenomenal, they were really loud outside the headphones, meaning I wouldn't be able to wear them at a quiet workspace. Does anyone know if other audiophile headphones have that issue? [1] http://www.qaudio.com/
The term you're looking for is "open" vs. "closed" headphones. "Open" headphones are generally considered to have better sound quality for the price if you're listening in an empty quiet room, but they
a) leak sound to the room b) let sound in from the room
Re: Headphones for Hackers
#34Audio-Technica ATH M50 is one of the best closed headphone. ~$150
Re: Headphones for Hackers
#35I've been exceptionally happy with the "Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO" ($179). It has lovely padded ear cups and I wear it all day. With the sound off, it even acts as reasonable ear muffs helping to reduce distractions. The sound is great for classical and operatic works. A disclaimer -- I'm not an audiophile.
I second this: The DT770 are very comfortable to wear, and being of "closed" design both isolate yourself from the environment and prevent your sound leaking out annoying your coworkers. Currently they are my favourite headphones! Strongly recommended, sound quality is excellent.
If you want a little less isolation, the AKG K240 MKii are a good choice, but your coworkers might complain that sound leaks out (semi-open design). Their padding is fake-leather (but you can get fuzzy replacement pads) that tends to get sweaty after longer use. Sound quality is also very good.
Re: Headphones for Hackers
#36I have a variety of ear buds and cans from AKG. However when I need real silence, it's not good enough. And simply turning up the volume can be damaging to your hearing.
So get a set of proper ear muffs, they are not expensive. I use HL Leightning's (http://www.howardleight.com/ear-muffs/leightning) in combination with ear buds on low volume. The world could end and you wouldn't notice it.
Re: Headphones for Hackers
#37I swear by Sennheiser CX-300s - they are cheap, easily replaceable and work very well for my non-discerning ears.
Plenty of bass (compared to Apple earbuds at the very least) and shut out all exterior noise to the point of being dangerously approached from behind while working.
Re: Headphones for Hackers
#38My workplace has become absolutely impossible without headphones, so I recently went on a search for something better than what I had on hand, and ended up with three pairs. Specifically I wanted closed 'phones so that I don't drive my coworkers as insane as they drive me, but I didn't want noise cancellation. * Shure SRH-640. Amazing sound, but a bit heavy and annoyingly prone to creak every time I move my head a mi…
> but boy do they make my ears feel hot after a while
I love the sound of over the ear headphones. Also, I get way too hot. (I also swap shoes for sandals, Mr Rogers style, once I get to work. Can't program with hot feet.)
I alternate between Sony and Shure SE 215 earbuds when I need to work heads down. The Shure's are really effective.
Re: Headphones for Hackers
#39“Even when I'm not listening to music, people don't bother me when I'm wearing them.”
I've never found this to be true. In fact, I find it less annoying if I don't bother wearing them and deal with the interruptions rather than put mine on and have someone come up to my desk every 10 minutes.
That being said, the article is spot on. The only way to get into flow in an open office situation is to minimize ambient noise.
Re: Headphones for Hackers
#40The Pioneer HDJ headphones (http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-HDJ-2000-Reference-Professiona...) rock, as well as the less pricey Audio Technica ATH M50s (http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50-Professional-Mo...).