Headphones for Hackers • Hacker News Board

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#51

Post by dgallagher » Fri, Feb 24, 2012, 6:50 PM UTC

slug wrote: post #32

dgallagher wrote: post #15

My $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 t…

That's awesome. I actually have a set of ear muffs, different brand. Compared to the Bose QC15's, they let in a lot more bass, where the noise-canceling gets rid of that. Coupling them with earplugs works really well though.

They're less comfortable to wear since they squeeze your head harder than headphones (maybe I could adjust mine by stretching the metal headband with two vice's or something), and they have a bit more weight. But for $20 instead of $300, and hack factor, you win hands down! :)

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#52

Post by mattcrest » Fri, Feb 24, 2012, 6:51 PM UTC

gkop wrote: post #49

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

Agree on the need for the mic (isn't that a big draw of iPhone buds?), but those are so bulky! I need something pocket-sized for hacking on the go. Any suggestions for high-end buds with an in-cord mic a la iPhone buds?

They are bulky for traveling. I use these at my office, and just use iPhone earbuds for when I'm on the go.

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#53

Post by tseabrooks » Fri, Feb 24, 2012, 6:52 PM UTC

I actually prefer the logitech g930 headphones for working. They provide "good enough" sound and an excellent mic for the times that I need to be on the phone with customers or in a voice chat with a remote co worker.

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#54

Post by TechNewb » Fri, Feb 24, 2012, 6:58 PM UTC

The best headphones for the price in my opinion are the Sennheiser HD 555's. They are by far the most comfortable affordable headphone. Although they are open, which means they let sounds in and out easily. But closed headphones are not usually comfortable for hours of wearing. I have the Denon 5000's, and probably use the HD 555's more often.

Don't buy Bose headphones. They are not worth the money.

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#55

Post by jasonkostempski » Fri, Feb 24, 2012, 6:59 PM UTC

Cans are too uncomfortable for me and I don't like the Apple ear buds. I like ear buds with the rubber piece that forms to your ear hole, without it a lot of low-end is lost and everyone around you hears the high-end.

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#56

Post by CrazedGeek » Fri, Feb 24, 2012, 7:00 PM UTC

I really love my Bose AE2s -- as far as I can tell, they're QC15-esque minus the active noise canceling, and they sound quite excellent.

Main reason I bought them though was comfort. It seems that there are very few pairs of headphones that don't make my ears ache after a few minutes. The AE2s are the only headphones I've ever used that feel perfect on my ears. (Granted, I haven't tried on many $100+ pair...)

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#57

Post by fotbr » Fri, Feb 24, 2012, 7:03 PM UTC

AKG all the way.

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#58

Post by shmulkey18 » Fri, Feb 24, 2012, 7:04 PM UTC

Some relatively inexpensive headphones that many folks on Head-Fi speak highly of:

Samson SR850 (very similar to/rebadge of Superlux HD668B): widely available for $50 - $60 (Superlux equivalent worth look at too: http://www.head-fi.org/t/546556/superlux-express-train)

Sony MDR-V6: $70 - $80

JVC HA RX700: $37 at Amazon

If you want to spend more, the ATH M50's are widely considered great "bang for the buck" at approximately $160.

(all prices US$)

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#59

Post by getsat » Fri, Feb 24, 2012, 7:04 PM UTC

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

Re: Headphones for Hackers

#60

Post by bradleyland » Fri, Feb 24, 2012, 7:07 PM UTC

TechNewb wrote: post #54

The best headphones for the price in my opinion are the Sennheiser HD 555's. They are by far the most comfortable affordable headphone. Although they are open, which means they let sounds in and out easily. But closed headphones are not usually comfortable for hours of wearing. I have the Denon 5000's, and probably use the HD 555's more often. Don't buy Bose headphones. They are not worth the money.

I love my HD555 heaphones too. Fortunately, I work from home, so there's no one to annoy with the sound bleed.

Generally speaking, I won't recommend Bose equipment because of the poor cost/quality ratio, but their sound cancelling headphones actually work really well for their intended purpose. I've not used a set that works better, although I think they do some kind of funky sound enhnacement, because some music just sounds strange when using them. Regardless, I consider their primary function drowning out background noise (like on a plane), and in that regard, they're unbeatable.