This is a bit of a spammy article but I'll throw in my two cents: I want a set of very durable earbuds with microphone. VERY DURABLE. I want the Toughbook of earbuds. I want the cord to look like an orange outdoor extension cord, as thick as my thumb. For some reason earbuds which get stuffed in my bag are always damaged within days, the wires are simply too flimsy. (Yes, I know everyone else has developed elaborate wrapping systems to try to protect their earbuds. I prefer buying more durable ones in the first place.) Anyone make such a thing?
Headphones for Hackers
91–100 of 188 posts
Re: Headphones for Hackers
#92This is a bit of a spammy article but I'll throw in my two cents: I want a set of very durable earbuds with microphone. VERY DURABLE. I want the Toughbook of earbuds. I want the cord to look like an orange outdoor extension cord, as thick as my thumb. For some reason earbuds which get stuffed in my bag are always damaged within days, the wires are simply too flimsy. (Yes, I know everyone else has developed elaborate…
It doesn't fit your description, but the Etymotic hf2 has stood up to normal use just fine for me. Maybe I'm more careful with it than you want to be, I don't know.
Re: Headphones for Hackers
#93I'm a longtime Head-fi member, first set of workplace cans were HD-280s about 10 years ago. This article is a decent start, but there are many better options in these respective price ranges. Head-fi is there to help - http://www.head-fi.org/ I've moved considerably upmarket over the years and won't talk about the rest of my setup, but my main cans now are Ultrasone Editions 8s. They're very pricey (retail $1500 for…
HD280 is the best bang for the buck. I've bought 5 pairs now for other people!
Could not agree more. No-frills styling (i.e. kinda fug but durable plastic), extremely comfortable for long periods of time, over-ear doesn't leak a lot of sound into your surroundings, nice low-end punch, and otherwise flat enough for basic multitrack mixing work.
Re: Headphones for Hackers
#94I'll add myself as a data point:
When at the Picplum office: Sennheiser HD-650's ( http://paulstamatiou.com/sennheiser-hd-650-headphones ) hooked up to a FiiO E10 USB DAC. My cofounder has HD-555's hooked up to a (much more expensive) Peachtree Audio Nova amp. These HD's are open air so you can definitely hear what we're both listening to. We might have to switch to closed once we start growing the team so we dont annoy others.
As for when I'm on the go, I have Etymotic hf3 earbuds with comply P-series foam tips. These sit very deep in the ear for maximum isolation though they can be uncomfortable to those not used to this style of earbud. You must also change the foam out every 3 months for a good fit.
Re: Headphones for Hackers
#95This is a bit of a spammy article but I'll throw in my two cents: I want a set of very durable earbuds with microphone. VERY DURABLE. I want the Toughbook of earbuds. I want the cord to look like an orange outdoor extension cord, as thick as my thumb. For some reason earbuds which get stuffed in my bag are always damaged within days, the wires are simply too flimsy. (Yes, I know everyone else has developed elaborate…
It doesn't fit your description, but the Etymotic hf2 has stood up to normal use just fine for me. Maybe I'm more careful with it than you want to be, I don't know.
...and then buy the cheapest pair of Sony earbuds that come with one of those spinny cases:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-E828LP-Fontopia-Earbuds-Windi...
Re: Headphones for Hackers
#96I've listened to Grados, various Sennheiser, etc.. and they're all fine. Good even. But there's just one thing I don't get about the "headphone scene".
I've done various things as a musician over the last 15 years, and the cans you see EVERYWHERE are the Sony MDR-7506. Period.
If it is good enough to mix and master, if it is good enough to monitor professional vocalists in the studio, it is good enough for you! These cans represent the music as it was intended to be heard. (And, subjectively, they sound fantastic.)
There seem to sometime be arguments about "reference" vs. enjoyment, and things being "too neutral" in studio cans, but I dunno. The cynical side of it seems (to me) to be a sort of hobby-justification for spending more than $99 on a pair of headphones.
Granted, taste matters and comfort matters. But arguments appealing to some kind of vague "quality"--I just don't buy it. The studio spent $50,000 on their mixing board. If they needed to spent $500 (vs. $100) on their cans, they'd do it. But they often don't.
Re: Headphones for Hackers
#97This is a bit of a spammy article but I'll throw in my two cents: I want a set of very durable earbuds with microphone. VERY DURABLE. I want the Toughbook of earbuds. I want the cord to look like an orange outdoor extension cord, as thick as my thumb. For some reason earbuds which get stuffed in my bag are always damaged within days, the wires are simply too flimsy. (Yes, I know everyone else has developed elaborate…
My Etymotics ($~300 MSRP, $~200 online), were used every day at my desk for about four years, taken home on weekends for bike rides, traveled to various locations around the world, and one wire finally gave out in Japan after five years of near-daily use. Etymotic repaired and updated them for $50. My typical packing method is to just wind them around my iPod.
Re: Headphones for Hackers
#98I'm surprised that no one has mentioned Etymotic. They're earbuds, but they sound pretty great. However, I have heard that to sound their best they need an amp. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003YTTN9I/ref=oh_o06_s00_i...
I've had my ER4's for eight years now. They're the only headphone I've heard that sounds almost exactly like my beloved NHT 2.5i speakers. After listening to the Etymotics, virtually all other headphones sound wildly inaccurate, and the ones which claim to have great bass response just sound muddy and distorted.
Re: Headphones for Hackers
#99Let me put in a word for the MB Quart QP805HS. I bought one off of eBay on a lark for $80, and when I got it I was absolutely blown away by the sound -- it beat the pants off my Sennheiser HD-590.
The QP805 is a closed-back design, and despite the 300Ω rating, plays just fine off a laptop or iPod. It's reasonably comfortable, with good isolation.
They show up on eBay from time to time (I see a couple there now). If you want amazing sound for less than $100, I don't know anything better.
Re: Headphones for Hackers
#100I've listened to Grados, various Sennheiser, etc.. and they're all fine. Good even. But there's just one thing I don't get about the "headphone scene". I've done various things as a musician over the last 15 years, and the cans you see EVERYWHERE are the Sony MDR-7506. Period. If it is good enough to mix and master, if it is good enough to monitor professional vocalists in the studio, it is good enough for you! These…
If you don't want to give money to Sony, the Sennheiser HD-280 is nearly identical. Same sized ear pads, nearly identical bandwidth/specs, same coiled cord, same price. Made in Ireland for some odd reason.