I'm looking for a headphone, not earphone, for my usage. New user here who never use a headphone before, only using iPod stock earphone.

Application: Listen to music, FLAC file format. Genre mostly pop. A bit of rock. Web chat via instant messaging. Note: A mic is optional for the web chat. The headphone will be plugged into the on board audio of my laptop.

Budget: GBP 50 (i.e. MYR 300 at the exchange rate of GBP 1 = MYR 6, being a bit more conservative). Planning to get it from Amazon UK.

Brand: Any brand should be fine, e.g. Sony, Sennheiser, Philips, Bose etc.

Generally, I only need a value headphone with reasonable balance between bass and treble. Also, it must be comfortable over long period of use. Gold plated connector is preferable.

This post has been edited by SFX: Oct 7 2009, 07:07 AM

I'm looking for a headphone, not earphone, for my usage. New user here who never use a headphone before, only using iPod stock earphone.

Application: Listen to music, FLAC file format. Genre mostly pop (and its variant). A bit of rock. Web chat via instant messaging. Computer games. Movies. The headphone will be plugged into the on board audio of my laptop (i.e. 3.5mm jack).

Budget: GBP 50 (i.e. MYR 300 at the exchange rate of GBP 1 = MYR 6, being a bit more conservative). Planning to get it from Amazon UK. Top up for another 10-20 GBP is fine as well.

Brand: Any brand should be fine, e.g. Sony, Sennheiser, Philips, Bose etc.

Generally, I only need a value headphone with reasonable balance between bass and treble.
Also, it must be comfortable over long period of use. Want it to enclose my ears (i.e. circumaural) and doesn't hurt my ear that much after prolonged usage. Gold plated connector is preferable.
Indoor usage. Don't plan to use it outdoor.

What I have in mind:
Sennheiser HD 428
Sennheiser HD 485
Audio Technica ATH-M40fs

Any more suggestions?

Questions:
1. What are monitoring headphones and how does it compares to any other headphones?
2. In open type headphones like the HD 485, how much does the sound leaks out to the surrounding?

Thanks.

This post has been edited by SFX: Jan 13 2010, 10:56 AM