<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by papasan:
unfortunatly this is a judgment call and no one can tell you what the best headphones for you are. they all sound different depending on the listener and the sounds being reproduced. go listen to them =).
though i can tell you reputable companies...sony, sennheiser and akg are all good companies. from the few headphones i've heard i would lean towards sennheiser from this bunch,<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I agree with the brands that Pappasan recommended. I would also add Koss as a good brand.
All these guys make cheap, as well as professional grade headphones. Do some research before purchsing a specific model.
Just like flashlights, there are different types, or styles (not brands) of headphones. I used to know the different style names, (super aurial, bi-aurial? something like that) when I used to devour each new copy of Audiophile and Stereo Review, but the names fail me now, but I will describe the types:
- Headphones that form a sound barrier around your ear. Recording artists and dj's might use this kind. Keep unwanted sound out of your ear, and keep the sound you want inside your headphones. I am sure there are other brands, but I think of AKG when thinking of this type. These are BIG, full sized headphones that cover the ear, and usually have a cushon that seals around your ear. Not for jogging or mobil use, these are strictly for hooking up to your stereo at home. If someone speakes to you while wearing this headphone, you probably will not hear them.
- Headphones that have a thin foam covering, but still cover most of the ear. These allow outside sound to enter the ear, and some of your music to be heard by others. These are usually very light weight, and good for when you need to hear outside sounds. Other people might find them annoying if they are too close to you. I think of Sennheiser when I think of this kind, although almost everyone has them. You could use them with a walkman, but you might not.
Koss, I believe makes a nice hybred of the two.
- All kinds of very lightweight headphones that you get when buying a walkman, or a knock off. Half dollar sized "phones" on each ear. Weigh about an ounce or two.
- The ones the size of half a penny that fit into your ear. I never liked these.
- A unique one by Koss. It works like an earplug, very tiny, it fits inside your eardrum, but the material is made of the foam that earplugs are made of. I have a pair, and so do others that ride on my vanpool. These guys sound great, they keep all the unwanted sound out (like an earplug), and keep your music privite, so your neighbor sitting next to you does not hear that annoying high hat cymbol. You can actually sleep with these, as they feel just like a pair of ear plugs.
Hope that helped!