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I've been following this thread and find the bulk of these options too expensive for what I am needing. I've just purchased an iPad2 and wanting some ear buds in the $50-75 range. I need something durable. Would like to block out sound as much as possible.

Advice?

I see the following have a good rating on Amazon and are under $30:

JBuds J2 Premium Hi-Fi Noise-Isolating Earbuds
Sennheiser CX300-B In-Ear Stereo Headphone

For $50 I would say go for a pair of refurb Monters Turbines. Then spend 7 bucks on some Sony hybrid tips.

http://www.monstercable.com/outletstore/linelist.asp

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+...62716626&skuId=9228356&st=sony tips&cp=1&lp=1
 
For $50 I would say go for a pair of refurb Monters Turbines. Then spend 7 bucks on some Sony hybrid tips.

http://www.monstercable.com/outletstore/linelist.asp

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Sony+-+...62716626&skuId=9228356&st=sony tips&cp=1&lp=1
Good suggestion and thanks for it.

Come to find out the family gave me a set of Ultimate Ears 500vi just after posting my question. I'm burning them in now.

BTW, here's a great site for that:
http://www.jlabaudio.com/burn.php

Anyone else have these?
 
300x300.aspx


Pairs quite nicely with the iPad & iPhone. Still in the affordable range at $100.
 
Anyone been pleasantly surprised with any $50-$75 models?

Yes. I use the Sennheiser PX 100-II headphones with my iPad. For the money, they can't be beat. In addition to excellent sound their great advantages are portability (They fold into a tiny package that can literally be put in a pocket) and comfort (They can be worn for hours without discomfort or toasted ears.)

If you want a bit more sound isolation and are willing to break the $75 limit, the PX 200-II model is a closed (over the ear) design. I gave my musician brother-in-law a pair for his birthday and he raves about them.

Should be noted, however, that these are not bass heavy boomers. Sennheiser prides itself on accurate sound reproduction of complex musical genres. If you're looking for headphones to rattle your rib cage, try something else. But it you want to hear subtle aspects of your music in a highly portable pair of headphones, you can't do better than these.

If earbuds are your preference and you want true sound isolation, try the Shure 115. And if you're willing to spend a bit more, consider the Shure 215. I often use these on a plane and will be happily listening to music when we crash into that mountain. I'll be oblivious.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-10...HVEK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1309101924&sr=8-3

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PX...1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1309102503&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE115-BLU-Isolating-Earphones-Microspeaker/dp/B001TDKML4

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SE215-F...4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1309102626&sr=1-4
 
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I have the B&W P5's as well and as someone that has worked in broadcasting/Recording Studios most of my adult life (the past 30 years) and depends heavily on good headphones for my living, these are about as good as ANY headphone I have ever worn...jawdropping true to life sound, brain-rattling bass, comfortable, solidly built and beautiful to look at...the B&W P5's are as good as portable audio headphones get...they are truly "professional grade"...
I also have Shure E5's that I use when I need "in-ear" and I do have Bose QC3's that I use on airplanes and I have Altec Lansing/Plantronics Backbeat 906's for Stereo Bluetooth, but the P5's are head and shoulders above any I've ever worn...
 
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I've been looking at good headphones for a while, reading threads like this and tons of reviews, and I think I'm sold - inasmuch as you can be without listening to them - on the B&W P5s. I'm wondering if any of you knows of a place I can actually test them in advance. Or perhaps - as I've never had to - has some experience with returns through Buy.com or Amazon.com if I find them not to my liking?
 
After reading all these positive comments here and reading various professional and consumer reviews around the net I'm tempted to pick up a pair of B&W P5's myself. Until now I've been using a relatively cheap pair of Sony headphones at home and a pretty good pair of Senheiser PX-200's on the go.

I'm thinking about getting the P5's primarily for home use and also possibly for on the go use. I think I need to take a trip to one of my local Apple stores for a test drive first. It's annoying that they can be picked up for $300 in the States but here in the UK they cost roughly the equivalent of $400. If anyone knows of a place in the UK local or online where they sell for less then £250 please let me know.
 
After reading all these positive comments here and reading various professional and consumer reviews around the net I'm tempted to pick up a pair of B&W P5's myself. Until now I've been using a relatively cheap pair of Sony headphones at home and a pretty good pair of Senheiser PX-200's on the go.

I'm thinking about getting the P5's primarily for home use and also possibly for on the go use. I think I need to take a trip to one of my local Apple stores for a test drive first. It's annoying that they can be picked up for $300 in the States but here in the UK they cost roughly the equivalent of $400. If anyone knows of a place in the UK local or online where they sell for less then £250 please let me know.

Can't help you on the cheaper P5 point, but my advice is BUY THEM!! I was hesitant over the price initially, but I have had zero buyers regret. They're simply phenomenal. I've got a set of Klipsch X10i's for those occasions that I need something lighter weight/pocketable, but I use the P5's whenever possible. Bowers & Wilkins did an amazing job with them.
 
After reading all these positive comments here and reading various professional and consumer reviews around the net I'm tempted to pick up a pair of B&W P5's myself. Until now I've been using a relatively cheap pair of Sony headphones at home and a pretty good pair of Senheiser PX-200's on the go.

I'm thinking about getting the P5's primarily for home use and also possibly for on the go use. I think I need to take a trip to one of my local Apple stores for a test drive first. It's annoying that they can be picked up for $300 in the States but here in the UK they cost roughly the equivalent of $400. If anyone knows of a place in the UK local or online where they sell for less then £250 please let me know.

As I have stated elsewhere, I wear headphones for a living in broadcast studios, recording studios and at home while listening to recordings of our broadcasts as well as ruffs of studio recordings and I can tell you that these P5's rival the very finest non-powered studio headphones costing much more...
I'll state again that I have yet to wear a pair of non-powered portable headphones that are:
a. as comfortable to wear
b. sound as good
c. are built as sturdily
as my B&W P5's...

Rare do the words "bang-for-the-buck apply to an item costing $300USD but it certainly does in this case...
This was the best use of $300 I've made in quite some time in the electronics field...they are worth far more to me than $300 or even $400 USD's...to me and my use of them, they are priceless...
 
I've been looking at good headphones for a while, reading threads like this and tons of reviews, and I think I'm sold - inasmuch as you can be without listening to them - on the B&W P5s. I'm wondering if any of you knows of a place I can actually test them in advance. Or perhaps - as I've never had to - has some experience with returns through Buy.com or Amazon.com if I find them not to my liking?

All Apple retail stores have the P5's for testing...one note of importance is that my P5's were a tad tight to wear for the first couple of days but after the New Zealand Sheep's leather ear-pads with memory-foam started to form to my ears and the tension of the padded headband loosened up they became very comfortable...now, mind you, I wear these headphones for well over 8 hours a day nearly everyday so YMMV in the break-in period...
Oh, one more thing...speaking of break-in, unlike many other expensive headphones, the P5's sound great right out of the box but after a few weeks they REALLY open up and sound even better (although it was hard to imagine them sounding better than they did on my first wear)...:D
 
All Apple retail stores have the P5's for testing...one note of importance is that my P5's were a tad tight to wear for the first couple of days but after the New Zealand Sheep's leather ear-pads with memory-foam started to form to my ears and the tension of the padded headband loosened up they became very comfortable...now, mind you, I wear these headphones for well over 8 hours a day nearly everyday so YMMV in the break-in period...
Oh, one more thing...speaking of break-in, unlike many other expensive headphones, the P5's sound great right out of the box but after a few weeks they REALLY open up and sound even better (although it was hard to imagine them sounding better than they did on my first wear)...:D

Thanks so much for this. Sounds like I'm headed to the Apple Store... :)
 
Well I went to the Apple store today to check out the B&W P5's. I have to say everything I've read online is true and they are an amazing set of headphones. The audio quality just blew me away. I tried the various genres of music on one of the demo iPhones ( the P5's were connected to it ) and the clarity was amazing. I can only imagine how it would sound on my own iPhone, iPad and Onkyo home cinema amp.

I almost bought them then and there but spending £250 on a pair of headphones is still holding me back. I've looked everywhere and they sell for the same price. I might wait until I know of someone coming or going to the States before I get them.

I do have one question. Do Grado, Senhieser or any of the other top brands make headphones of the same quality at the same price or lower ?
 
I switch up depending on where I am at.

iGrado's are nice for when I'm out.

31VYnZc6SPL._SL500_AA300_.jpg


If I'm at home and want isolation I go with my Shure SRH-840's

581388.jpg


Also on the go and at home i'll use my Shure E3c's with the black olive looking tips

21vIV35bM8L._SL500_AA300_.jpg


And at worst I rock the iBuds if I'm in a hurry and just need something quick to grab.
I tried the Beats, not a big fan, I think they are good for certain types of music, just not what I listen to.
 
I had a listen to both pairs of B&W P5s at the Apple Store and was impressed by the sound but disappointed by the volume. I'm sure in part it was affected by the noise of where I was, but both iPods they were connected to, and my own iPad, had to be cranked up quite a bit to get to an enjoyable level, and on the softer things - especially a capella pieces - to hear them at all.

Any thoughts from those who own them? I don't doubt they've both been very abused on that floor, but thought I'd throw the question out.
 
I personally think the P5's are plenty loud. On my Mac where i do most of my listening the volume usually around half way, give or take one or two notches depending on the recording. So that leaves plenty of room to make it louder, or softer. However I do recall a reviewer on youtube saying that he felt the headphones could be a bit louder, so maybe your not the only one! I would imagine they kept the volume to be this way to its not amplifying your sound, thus keeping it away from the natural sound signature they display.

I mentioned this in another thread but, I have 3 headphones I use on a regular basis. Sennheiser HD 555 for recording music (because they are open, I am able to hear around me and such) Bowers & Wilkins P5 for home listening, and occasionally if I am at a wifi spot. And Bose MIE2i (Earbuds) for going around town, and sleeping. I am far from a Bose supporter, but those IE2's are pretty great for around 100.
 
I've been using the B&W P5's or the Bang and Olufsen Earset 3i's. The 3i's are what I've been using the most recently.
 
I like them, they lack bass but I kinda prefer that anyway. My biggest compaint is the horribly thin cable, but the p5's have the same problem. Non issue obviously on the p5 since it's changeable.
 
I like them, they lack bass but I kinda prefer that anyway. My biggest compaint is the horribly thin cable, but the p5's have the same problem. Non issue obviously on the p5 since it's changeable.

With the exception of the Sennheiser PX100-II's, I'd never purchase a pair of headphones without a replaceable cable. It's just too easy to turn a good pair of headphones into a paperweight when the cable breaks.

On that line, I purchased an industrial strength braided cable at Radio Shack for about $17 that I've used with several pairs of headphones. I could suspend a concrete block with it.
 
Is there any Bluetooth headset that will work with Skype and Viber on iPad 2 ?
I'm lost dying to find one, if not what do you suggest ?
Thanks in advance :)
 
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