Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Headphones for Hackers

priceonomics.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

171–180 of 188 posts

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#171

Post by getsat »

fourk wrote: post #104
getsat wrote: post #59

Sennheiser HD 595s or Audio Technica 900s (if open air is an option).

Please don't actually buy HD 595s. The audio driver is exactly the same as the one contained within the HD 555s, the only difference besides the price tag and model label is that they just stick an (easily removable) sound dampener inside the 555s. Buy some HD 555s and mod them, you'll save yourself some money on a pair of fantastic cans. More details on the modification process can be found here: http://mikebeaucham…

Wow! I had no idea. That's an interesting business decision on their part...

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#172

Post by brandonhall »

I can't believe no one has mentioned Plantronics and their model 995H. They are wireless, double as a mic, have great sound quality and have controls for audio playback. $100 at the official site and I'm sure cheaper somewhere else.

I spent some serious time researching this topic last year and for the money this set was by far the best option. For the money, they are the best.

Wireless with built-in mic wins FTW. They aren't a set for audiophiles but the sound quality is excellent.

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#173

Post by wanderr »

mattcrest wrote: post #25

I went through a search for quality headphones that can also work for Skype calls a while back. I ended up going with what is marketed as a gaming headset. While I'm not a gamer, I've found the SteelSeries Siberia V2 to be pretty great. The pull-out mic is by far my favorite feature. http://steelseries.com/products/audio/steelseries-siberia-v2

Happy to see someone else mention steelseries. The headphones I love are the 5H V2 though. They sound great to me, but more important for long sessions is that they are fantastically comfortable. Not only do they fit completely over my ears but the foam is marvelously soft and supple, unlike anything I've seen on other headphones.

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#174

Post by finnw »

keenerd wrote: post #100
jamwt wrote: post #96

I'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.

Durable too. Mine have lasted 8 years so far.

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#175

Post by shrikant »

benjvi wrote: post #140
jellicle wrote: post #91

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…

I just bought the V-Moda remix earbuds, in large part because they seemed to get good reviews for durability. I haven't had them long enough to make my own judgement though. Also, they have a LOT of bass, which I love.

I use the JVC HA-FX1X earbuds, which has a ridiculously thick and resilient "2.0mm-thick and robust 1.2m pure copper cable (Y-type)".

http://www.amazon.co.uk/JVC-HAFX1X-Xtreme-Xplosives-Headphon...

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#176

Post by sodiumphosphate »

bokonist wrote: post #73
tzs wrote: post #70

I find that often when I wear headphones, it makes the noise of co-workers more annoying. Without the headphones, I can hear distracting conversations, but I also hear other assorted office sounds, and the wind outside. With the headphones, I hear music, but I can still hear some of the conversations, but none of the other noise. Since the conversation doesn't fit in with the music, and I'm missing the other office n…

I find with my active noise canceling phones it works best to play a white noise track in the background. The white noise track ensures that even during the gaps in the music or periods or low volume that I don't get distracted by conversations.

Excellent advice!

I just discovered this entirely by accident, because I grew tired of killing sox every time I played another audio source (and restarting it afterward).

Also, turning off the white noise is very uncomfortable once you've become accustomed to hearing it all the time.

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#177

Post by dazbradbury »

bwarp wrote: post #79

I've got a pair of Sennheiser HD-25 SP-II headphones (they are monitor headphones and spend a fair amount of time whacked into the front of a Korg Trinity). I paid 30 GBP for them in 2004. I've replaced the cable once for 20GBP after repeatedly running over it with a desk chair for 5 years and replaced the earpads once for about 10GBP. I would not swap them for anything. They run rings around headphones which are 5-1…

I've had a pair for the past 2 years, and whilst they sound good, and are portable, they're not super comfortable. HD25's just clamp too much (which is required for them to sound so good and be on-ear).

I think anyone looking to use headphones for extended periods at their desk should be looking for something extremely comfortable.

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#178

Post by losvedir »

MBlume wrote: post #33
losvedir wrote: post #19

I 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

Ah, I see. Thanks very much!
Post reply on HN