Which headphones ?

[MorneDJ]

Yeah, I know tastes differ, however I have found that I spend hours per day in front of my PC .. some times up to 20 hours. So I sit alot. I know best would be to go and test different headphones, and I just do not have that time lately, and when I have a bit of time, I spend it with the family. Else I just sleep. But I ordered Gert's headamp, but only have some wireless Senns as well as some PC Senns I bought ages ago. The wireless Senns I use when I watch TV, and personally I think they are great, but I find that if I wear them for more than a few hour at a time my ears starts to hurt. Same with my PC headphones.

I am really looking for something really comfortable, something I can wear all day listening to music/drowning out the boring co-workers questions. Quality of the music is important, but comfort is more important to me. Testing headphones does not work, as most feel brilliant when you test them in the shop, yet after a few hours it starts to hurt somewhere.

I have read most the topics here, and a few more, so I am leaning towards the AKG K601/701. Anything else I might want to look at? Senns HD650 ?

[Scrat]

I have the same conundrum. Currently sitting with a pair of Senns HD515 at work. They're ok for office use, since you usually dont concentrate on the music that much while working So I decided to take a step up and get some good cans for home. I was doing some browsing, and came across... some Audio Technica's at an awesome price!!

http://more.take2.co.za/moreusa-audio-technica-ath-ad700-open-air-dynamic-audiophile-headphones-b000cms0xu.html

The reviews are very very favourable, so I took the plunge and ordered a pair from the Take2 import shop. Bit of a gamble as I could not audition these, but I like what I have read. And of course, it might be a month or two before they arrive, but hey, I'm a patient guy.... NOT  Its like counting the sleeps before christmas....

The comfort factor is also important to me, and these babies apparently do extremely well in that department.

[Robert_E]

In an office open backed headphones annoy everybody else. Any circum-aural ones for me are more comfortable than supra-aural or heaphones that rest on your ears. I don't know the AKG's but I use the HD380 Senns at work all day and they work well for me.

[GradoMan]

I am really looking for something really comfortable, something I can wear all day

If it's comfort you after, look into the Beyerdynamic DT 800\900 series.

I use the HD380 Senns at work all day and they work well for me.

I impulsively got a pair last week for my travels.  Great cans, but not so friendly to eyeglass wearers or at least I can't wear my current pair of glasses with these as they really wrench down around the ears.

[Crankshaft]

These cost a bit more, but are basically the closed (office-friendly) version of the AD-700's

http://more.take2.co.za/moreusa-audio-technica-ath-a700-headphones-b000e9vkuq.html

I recently ordered a bought a pair of JVC's from Take2.  Great sound, super comfortable and sealed - late-night rock sessions without disturbing the family.

http://more.take2.co.za/moreusa-jvc-harx700-high-grade-full-size-headphone-b0013owpv4.html

Crank

[GearSlave]

These cost a bit more, but are basically the closed (office-friendly) version of the AD-700's

http://more.take2.co.za/moreusa-audio-technica-ath-a700-headphones-b000e9vkuq.html

Wow, those look brilliant for the price!

[MorneDJ]

Hmm, thanks for the input. Which would be preferable in terms of sound quality. Open or closed back. Our office is not that noisy, mainly the sounds of PC fans, a soft radio in background and the sound of typing. Every now and then people will talk on a phone, but not intrusively loud.

[GearSlave]

Our office is not that noisy, mainly the sounds of PC fans, a soft radio in background and the sound of typing. Every now and then people will talk on a phone, but not intrusively loud.

You guys don't talk to each other?! I'd go mad...

[BigWoodenSpoon]

You guys don't talk to each other?! I'd go mad...

So your office is dead quiet then 

[GearSlave]

So your office is dead quiet then 

Am I that transparent

[BigWoodenSpoon]

Hmm, thanks for the input. Which would be preferable in terms of sound quality.

IMO open or closed wont effect the quality of the sound but perhaps the experience. I've got open and closed cans, both offer a different experience for different surroundings but the sound quality is not compromised provided they are decent cans. ITO comfort, 'open' wins generally speaking. One pair I've got are entry level Senn HD 201's - closed but still comfortable for up to an hour and bang-for-buck very good sound

[dotVIBE]

I'm thinking of getting a pair of these uber pimp ones....

[Crankshaft]

Generally speaking, open 'phones offer better sound quality.  

Open-back headphones can sound just as loud on the outside.  Turning the volume up to drown-out your co-workers, will also have them waving their arms at you to 'turn it down!'

Although the isolation of closed-back is nice, it can leave you feeling quite cut-off from your surroundings.  

[BigWoodenSpoon]

Although the isolation of closed-back is nice, it can leave you feeling quite cut-off from your surroundings.  

Thats the point 

[Mike M]

In an office open backed headphones annoy everybody else. Any circum-aural ones for me are more comfortable than supra-aural or heaphones that rest on your ears. I don't know the AKG's but I use the HD380 Senns at work all day and they work well for me.

I also have a set of HD380 Senns for travelling and which I thoroughly enjoy. I am not sure how comfortable they will be after more than a few hours as I have never worn them for more that 2 hours continuous.

Regards
M