This thread serves as a Q&A section for all new/existing audiophiles seeking advice on their next headphone purchase!

The rules are simple, no flaming/bashing and try not to spam (posting irrelevant post).
You may ask us any headphone/earphone related question, and we will gladly assist you. Don't be shy!

When asking, please remember to STATE YOUR BUDGET. Better if you give exact numbers... "not so expensive la" is not considered a budget

Other info such as the following will also be helpful to get faster and more accurate responses:
- Your rig (mp3 players, amps, sound card etc)
- What type of usage (movies/ gaming/ music etc)
- File format used in your source (i.e. flac, mp3 etc)
- Genre of music you listen to (classical, jazz, metal, etc)
- Headphone/ earphone type (closed, open, circumaural, IEM etc)
- Other requirements (if any) (mic, volume control, 5.1ch, 7.1ch etc)

Possible reference sites for reviews:

Headfonia
In Ear Matters
Head-Fi
Headphones / IEM by WhatHIFI ratings
CNet IEM reviews
InnerFi

From previous thread
Multi IEM review - 214 IEMs reviewed (ljokerl @ Head-Fi)
Shootout - 82 portable headphones reviewed (ljokerl @ Head-Fi)
How to choose the perfect pair of headphones/earphones (lifehacker.com)
To Amp, Or Not to Amp? (inearmatters.net)
Portable amp roundup! 56 portable amps reviewed and compared (Skylab @ Head-fi)
Custom IEM Resource Thread - Summary Reviews, Info, Custom IEM Manufacturers (average_joe @ Head-Fi)
IEM List (inearmatters.net)
Concise multi-IEM comparison (inearmatetrs.net)
12 Earbuds compared (swbf2cheater @ Head-Fi)
Audio Glossary

This post has been edited by noobandroid: Oct 24 2012, 10:09 PM

Some audio terms used in this thread and their meaning:

Circumaural headphones:
Sometimes called full size headphones, these are made in a circular fashion that surround the ear completely.

Closed back:
Closed back (or sealed) headphones are designed to reduce the effect of external noise on your listening and also to keep the noise made by the headphone drivers from leaking out and disturbing people around you.

Ear Bud:
Ear bud headphones are small in size and are placed directly outside the ear canal.

In Ear Monitors (IEM):
In Ear Monitors (IEM) also known as Ear Canal Headphones (ECH's). These earphones are placed into the ear canal and effectively seal your ear with their small rubberised ear-tip sleeve (can also come with various tips). They are small, lightweight and very portable.

Noise cancelling headphones:
Noise cancelling headphones reduce the perceived noise from outside with the clever use of small microphones located inside the earpiece and active electronics within the headset. The basic principle is that the noise signal for the outside world is inverted and then summed with the signal from the audio source. The result is that the ambient noise from outside is effectively cancelled out, which lets you enjoy your music.

Open back headphones:
Open back headphones (sometimes referred to as vented) are designed to allow sound out through the back of the earcup. This design gives a character to the sound that is often described as having an open soundstage, or natural. One reason for this is that there are less reflections than a closed back (or sealed) design.

Supra aural:
Supra aural headphones have pads that sit on top of the ears, rather than around them.

NOISE CANCELLATION DOES NOT EQUAL TO NOISE ISOLATION, get the facts straight:
Noise cancellation works by cancelling out constant noise from outside surroundings, like machine sound or motor sound, or jet plane turbine sound, you will still hear people talking, baby crying, car passing by, people beside you blasting music while break dancing, a couple quarreling etc. Noise isolation is for silence from surrounding sound regardless what it is.

Noise cancellation is a premium priced technology, and the reason behind it is it uses to external mic for left and right to obtain the constant noise, and the headphone produces a counter noise wave to cancel out the noise, so you don't hear machine sounds. BOSE claimed to be the first to create NC headphones, so they might get patent fee from it, who knows.. Expect something around RM1k for a NC headphone

This post has been edited by noobandroid: Aug 7 2012, 05:22 PM

Repost from previous thread.

My Rig: Ipod / Iphone
- Type of usage: Music
- File format: mp3
- Music genre: all, but mostly trance / house / edm
- Budget: 100 to 300
- Headphone/ earphone type: earphone, prefer in ear
- Other requirements (if any): prefer to have something with extra bass kick.

Currently, my options are JVC HA-FX101, JVC HA-FX40, AiAiAi Pipes, A-Jays Three... Any other options????

Thank you for your advise!

- My Rig: Mp3, Laptop
- Type of usage: Music, Movies
- File format: mp3,mp4
- Music genre: any
- Budget: Less than Rm300
- Headphone/ earphone type: Over-ear headphones
- Other requirements (if any): Good noise cancelling, comfortable and durable..

Any recommendations? Thanks so much

Hisound Audio PoPo, Hippo VB, Dunu Trident.
Dang, I would sell my Atrio to you if it wasn't for the condition it's in.

Bass + Budget RM 300 IEM:

[+] Audio-Technica ATH-CKS55
[+] Final Audio Design Adagio II
[+] Sony MDR-XB30EX

I dont think you can find over-ear headphones with noise cancelling function on the market for below RM300

Over-ear + Comfort + Durable + Budget RM300 headphones:

[+] Audio-Technica ATH-XS5
[+] Denon AH-D310
[+] JVC HA-S600

Go go JVC FXD80!

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Added on August 7, 2012, 5:00 pmThe legendary Futuresonic Atrios! Bass king!

This post has been edited by phillip88: Aug 7 2012, 05:00 PM

- My Rig: Ipod, Ipad and Samsung Galaxy 2
- Type of usage: Music, Movies, Calls (Phone & Skype)
- File format: mp3, avi and calls
- Music genre: any
- Budget: Less than Rm300
- Headphone/ earphone type: prefer in-ear
- Other requirements (if any): comfortable, easily stored and durable..

Spotted these in Challenger in Singapore.
- ATH-CKM500is and ATH-CK313i (For Apple products)
- ATH-CKM300is (says for Samartphone) -not sure of compatibility

Looking for a earphone to replace both for music use as well as a hands-free for the phone. currently carrying 2 sets.

Thanks for the input.

Android/iPhone + Multipurpose + Budget RM300 IEM:

[+] Audio-Technica ATH-CK313iS
[+] Audio-Technica ATH-CKS55iS

"iS Series" by Audio-Technica it mic and remote will works on Android or iPhone, conversion cable will be included to switch between both type of phones

TS: can copy paste some of the previous thread contents? having a link to the previous thread(s) would be nice too, thanks!

=edit=
to note, should do before thread close, as you can reply to the previous TS on his post, and you can directly copy your quote and just edit off additional quote tags/outdated contents etc

This post has been edited by Quazacolt: Aug 7 2012, 09:45 PM

My Rig: Laptop/psp
- Type of usage: Music, movies
- File format: mp3 198kb+ / flac
- Music genre: mostly denpa, trance, classical
- Budget: 100 to 200
- Headphone/ earphone type: headphone, prefer cover all ear
- Other requirements (if any): volume control, no wire hassle (easy to store)

any recommendation or I should up my budget?

mod close before i had chance

hardworking abit do manual work lo

most of them are so outdated

My rig : hisound rocoo ba music player ... samsung ace
File format : mp3 , wma ( 128kbps or above )., wav (1411 kbps)
Music generus : any
Usage : music
Overear headphones
Comfort .... isolation .... solid bass ..... emphasize vocal .... warm sound and good soundstage effect
Budget... less than 550

My Rig: pc, ideos x5
-Type of usage : music
-File format: MP3,m4a
-Music genre: mostly bass songs
-Budget: 300+-
-Headphone type: headphones

- My Rig: S3, Laptop,3DS
- Type of usage: Music, Movies , Game
- File format: mp3,mp4,flac
- Music genre: all
- Budget: Less than Rm300
- Headphone/ earphone type: IEM
- Other requirements (if any): Good Bass and Durable

Do you really mean noise cancellation or isolation

http://www.tecca.com/basics/headphones-101...ise-cancelling/

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Added on August 7, 2012, 11:38 pmMunitio Billets With inline mic for your Galaxy

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Added on August 7, 2012, 11:45 pmAKG K540

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Added on August 7, 2012, 11:51 pmAKG K512mk2

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Added on August 7, 2012, 11:52 pmMunitio Billets With inline mic for your Galaxy



This post has been edited by E1 - AKG: Aug 7 2012, 11:52 PM

Comfort + Isolation + Bass + Good SQ + Over-ear + Budget RM550 headphones:

[+] Audio-Technica ATH-A500X
[+] Audio-Technica ATH-WS70

Bass + Budget RM3XX headphones:

[+] Audio-Technica ATH-WS55
[+] Audio-Technica ATH-XS5
[+] JVC HA-M5X
[+] Sony MDR-XB500

Bass + Durability + Budget RM300 IEM:

[+] Audio-Technica ATH-CKS55 (solid bass)
[+] Audio-Technica ATH-CKM300 (balanced)
[+] Final Audio Design Adagio II (bass)
[+] Sony MDR-XB30EX (extra bass + flat cable)

If I need a ba iem which is better than se 535
Budjet around 2k??