Nice headphones? Worth getting?

[cg0def]

The Bose-In-Ear headphones are IMO the single worst product that Bose makes. The sound is awful, the isolation is terrible, the comfort is painful and the build quality is terrible.

For $100 you can find some much more preferable options, including the Shure E3's.

I wish that was true. The sad truth is that ALL Bose products distort sound and there is more bass then there should be. I've owned quite a few of their products and still do and if you want naturally sounding music Bose is not for you. Also Bose does not really play nice with equipment that is higher end than it. ( but that's not really a problem with the apple build in hardware )

As far as the original question goes, I'm assuming that you want the headphones for use with a notebook. Canals have shorter cords and they tend to be a little bit uncomfortable for notebook use ( at least for me ). But macbook has decent enough hardware and you will get improved sound with headphones in the mid to high range even with mp3s.

 

[marbles]

I have Bose speakers and they are overpriced for what you actually get ( i fell for hype a few years back before learning a bit !) , I'd imagine the headphones are too(overpriced).

http://www.sennheiser.co.uk/uk/icm.nsf/root/products_sennheiser_headphones

http://www.gradolabs.com/frameset_main.htm

Most guys I know use Sennheisers or Grado's depending on situation (studio-dj etc)

In answer to the original question ,.. nah , I wouldn't bother spending good money on headphones to listen average quality recordings, as someone else said: "crap in crap out"
- true that.

low bit rate - spend no more than 30£ sterling (second hand) or just use the ones with your iPod!

If you improve the quality of your recordings you will definitely improve the amount of enjoyment you get from listening to music, nothing better (to me ) than putting on some class music and sitting in my big chair, shutting my eyes and being transported into the music for a while,you don't really get that 'experience' with shoddy headphones/speakers and low bit rate recordings.

~m

 

[LERsince1991]

I go for nothing other than Sennheiser, I have 3 Pairs; Sport, DJ (and general usage) and wireless.

Just got the Sennheiser HD205 (I think) from amazon for £17.99 with free del. RRP is £35+ and they're awesome headphones. Just need to be loosened up a bit so I put them over a box for a bit when I'm not using them, keeps them comfortable

Edit: Thought I'd include what my other equipment is. Play audio off an iPod Classic or my laptop or mixer. My library is all MP3 and is normally 256Kb or above, depends how much I like the music. A lot is in 320 eventhough some people say its a waste of space but I love it. Paired with my HD205's I hear everything how it should be heared and I can tell you now. I can't help but get into the music and hear every beat, every background note and harmony's