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

mod close before i had chance

most of them are so outdated

300 will not get you NC headphones, just get normal headphone will block out external sound

since you said earbud, options will be AKG, blox, final audio

i from KK and trust me when i say you cant find any good ones here, been playing headphones for over a year, none found here, except sennheiser mid tiers, out of your budget

they go in thousands, normally i get from walabies, or e1 akg, or lennox (all semenanjung people)

This post has been edited by noobandroid: Aug 9 2012, 12:26 PM

hippo series, like the hippo white

Beyerdynamic XP1 but no vol control


This post has been edited by noobandroid: Aug 17 2012, 02:53 PM

lol u want find again? =.=!

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Added on August 17, 2012, 3:20 pmit is at that price range, there are 3 variations, xp1 xp2 and xp3

This post has been edited by noobandroid: Aug 17 2012, 03:20 PM

well, for a 5.1 or 7.1 etc etc on a headphone is less likely physical, most are sampled to 5.1 only, and those are gaming gear branded headphones, SQ wise not as elite as audiophile grade like shure or beyer or senn, to meet your req, maybe razer or CMStorm those brand

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Added on August 17, 2012, 3:50 pmhttp://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=2457585

This post has been edited by noobandroid: Aug 17 2012, 03:50 PM

hm.. xba-1, never heard it, but they say is the best among xba series from sony, not sure how true is the statement

beats look like shit

not those famous brand, just beats, in the top of the shitlist

you just answered your own question

not specialized for gaming , bt still can work as one, less all the gimmick like 5.1 effect and stuff

sq performance better, but positioning and surround less

sound quality, audiophile headphones are meant for music, so they have better sound

if want game and music together usage, might can consider grado, sennheiser or beyerdynamic

grado ms1i for a bright sound
beyer dt440 for a warm mid sound with slight treble and bass
sennhesier maybe the basic ones like dt231

something like that, you can go jaben to benchmark them