Looking for a decent pair of headphones.

[Lady Jane]

Something compatible for PC use. Currently, I'm using an old pair of Sennheiser. Over the ears preferred.

[BMWGUYinCO]

Hey LJ,
This might help you get started:

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews...sets,5499.html

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by BMWGUYinCO

Hey LJ,
This might help you get started:

Thank you! I should also mention that I'm looking for wired cans not wireless.

[KevinC]

Sony MDR7506. The standard and only $80 on sale. I’ve had mine since last century, still spectacular.

Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone https://a.co/d/hKBDuSO

[Dang3r]

I would like to add the Razer Kraken (Lizard Edition )or the Creative #GH0320 HS-810 SB Blaze
You could give me a call to ensure its overall quality

[lens]

I use the Steelseries Artis Pro + GameDAC, great headphones.

Only downside is the wired portion.

But if you want, they have a wireless one.

[BMWCCA1]

Usual question in audio circles: What's your budget and what are you listening to?

[SoCalDodgy]

Gotcha on the wired--are you looking at gaming? music listening? web calls and need a mic?

I second lens's recommendation for the Arctis Pro's for gaming or web calls. I have the wireless version. While cheaper, the wired version is still fairly expensive, but I can wear them for hours, they sound great and make it very easy to tweak sound based on what you're doing. I have used them for a couple years now, and zero complaints.

If using them exclusively for music, especially if you were relatively happy with your Sennheiser's, I'd suggest you consider Grado's. They are old-school looking, but sound great. I have a pair of the SR80's which sound great.

Best of luck!

[Lady Jane]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

Usual question in audio circles: What's your budget and what are you listening to?

I'm not concerned about budget. Just compatibility i.e impedance and sensitivity.

=SoCalDodgy;Gotcha on the wired--are you looking at gaming? music listening? web calls and need a mic?

No gaming, no mic required. Just music sampling when I'm not on speakers.

[SoCalDodgy]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

No gaming, no mic required. Just music sampling when I'm not on speakers.

Yep, I'd recommend looking at the Grado's, then. The look is certainly old-school and could be off-putting to some, but they have a nice range and have a good price/value ratio in my opinion.

Good luck!

[Lady Jane]

I've added those on the short list:

[Artemis]

"Best over-ear headphones 2023: wired and wireless over-ears for every budget - The 20 best over-ear headphones for portable and home use" (Feb 2023):
https://www.whathifi.com/best-buys/h...ear-headphones

"The best over-ear headphones you can buy" (Feb 2023):
https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-over-ear-headphones/

Recently, upon recommendation by a family member, I got my daughter a pair of Sony WH-1000XM5. Released in 2022.

She loves those. Likely one of the best 'Active Noise Cancellation' headphones currently available. Also practical for traveling by plane and train: you're in your own aural comfort zone - most outside noise is digitally filtered away. Increasingly spotting over-ear headphones in shopping streets.

I am aware that you noted 'not wireless', but you could change your mind fairly quickly once you start exploring. And a detachable audio cable is included to plug into the 3.5mm audio jack (hence, you can always choose wireless / not wireless).

Only recurring point of criticism that you may read in reviews: ear cans "cannot" be folded 90° when resting those around the neck when you take those off - but those reviewers (likely parroting what they read elsewhere) apparently don't realize that all it takes is to simply turn the headphones the other way around if you want to rest those around the neck with 90° folding instead of inclined.

Review: here ("Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones are basically perfect" (Oct 2022))

If you're more into Apple: Apple AirPods Max (beware: wireless only - no 3.5mm audio jack):

Review: here ("AirPods Max review: Stunning sound and performance mean I'm keeping the $550 headphones" (Dec 2020))

Comparison by an audio engineer:

Trivia: automatic English translation of a press article about a Belgian university hospital smartly using 'Active Noise Cancellation' headphones for privacy reasons when visiting hospital patients: here (Feb 2023) and here (Aug 2022).

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by Lady Jane

I've added those on the short list:

Attachment 3111683

Please note that an 'open back headphone' may 'disturb' others within near vicinity.

Headphones featuring closed back are more discreet (music, telephone conversations, etc.).

[br438]

Originally Posted by SoCalDodgy

Yep, I'd recommend looking at the Grado's, then. The look is certainly old-school and could be off-putting to some, but they have a nice range and have a good price/value ratio in my opinion.

Good luck!

I second the Grados (if you're not travelling with them). There is a range, and they all offer something special. You can dig into hifi reviews to see what matches up with what you prefer (and what impedance you need).

Otherwise Neumann's NDH30s (open back if you're in a quiet room) and NDH20s (if you are going to be working in a noisier environment, but don't want active noise cancelling) would be a good option. ... also, the Neumann's should be a little more durable than any of the Grados.

I am generally not a fan of Sennheiser headphones... they would be for utilitarian stuff... the drummer for the session didn't bring a set of ears. but... if you try them and like them, go for it!! ... hahahaa.... Focal ... I would stay away. Unless you are in the top end of their range (monitors or headphones), you are not getting your money's worth... and even in the top end gear, there are better options out there.

I always thought I would go Grado... but I haven't. My Focal headphones' headband broke, so they are gone forever. I landed on Sony WH-1000XM3s a few years ago... I bought them for airplane trips, but ended up working on them a good bit when not using monitors or in-ears. Let us know where you land!

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by SoCalDodgy

Yep, I'd recommend looking at the Grado's, then. The look is certainly old-school and could be off-putting to some, but they have a nice range and have a good price/value ratio in my opinion.

Good luck!

Really like the sound of the Grado. Think I like the sound from on-ear better than over-ear. What is your opinion on comfort ?

[zx10guy]

I also have a set of Grados. SR100s to be exact. Bought them years ago they still please me to this day. One word of warning about Grados. If Grado hasn't changed their head band design and depending on the shape of your head, you may find the headphones to be uncomfortable; especially from extended use.

There has been many suggested fixes such as bending the headband in the middle to form more of a V. Ultimately, I replaced the ear pads with different ones. I don't remember if they were from Grado or an aftermarket company. The picture above is what I had on my SR100s. The new ones are thicker and have a cup that keeps your ear from pressing against the hard outer cover of the driver.

[BMWCCA1]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Please note that an 'open back headphone' may 'disturb' others within near vicinity.

Headphones featuring closed back are more discreet (music, telephone conversations, etc.).

Should have put the "may" in quotes. The output from the open-back design is minimal, at best. I've had the previous HD598 and 598SE for over a decade and they are my favorites out of a dozen headphones I've owned. Those include an over-the-ear Bowers&Wilkins pair that cost far more than the Sennheisers.

But I started out with over-the-ears since I was a kid—and still own my first pair of Superex ST-PRO-BV. Before buying the Sennheisers I had the advantage of a local Crutchfield store where I could try dozens of pairs of headphones in their store at their listening stations. Cans from over $1000 from several manufacturers and nothing above the Sennheisers in price impressed me more than the HD598. I had previously owned closed-back Senns for monitoring but shipped those to my daughter once I got the HD598. Honestly I only bought the HD598-SE because I never warmed to the cream-color HD598 with the "Maserati TC" inspired wood trim . And the cord and connectors on the SE offer more versatility. I'll assume the 599s are similar.

Try them first, if you can. But Sennheiser is a good and safe choice. I never understood Grados. The Senns are so light and comfortable you can forget they're on your head.

I've owned headphones longer than I've owned BMWs—and I bought my first BMW before there was a BMW Motorsport.

[Lady Jane]

I received a message from Amazon indicating that the price on the HD599 dropped by 31%. At that price, I cant go wrong. Ordered.

Thanks to all of you for your great suggestions. ♥

[Our03z4]

Originally Posted by Artemis

Recently, upon recommendation by a family member, I got my daughter a pair of Sony WH-1000XM5. Released in 2022.

Review: here ("Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones are basically perfect" (Oct 2022))

I've been using the Sony 1000 for years, xm4 I believe. By far the best headphones I've ever tried and that's saying a lot. I even use mine at work (outdoors) and they just keep going. Extremely comfortable and the battery lasts a long time. Much better than earbuds since it doesn't send BT signals through your brain as much.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

Should have put the "may" in quotes. The output from the open-back design is minimal, at best.

I regularly travel by plane and started wearing over-the-ears headphones again on my journeys.

Originally Posted by BMWCCA1

But I started out with over-the-ears since I was a kid [...]
I've owned headphones longer than I've owned BMWs—and I bought my first BMW before there was a BMW Motorsport.

Over-the-ears since the early 70s.

[Lady Jane]

They arrived early this morning. Talk about fast!

[Murf the Surf]

I bought my youngest a set of Grado's about 10 years ago. They sound great and have stood up very well. There are models for every price point from about $150 up to about $1200. And they do have a cool factor in an old school kind of way.