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: May 6 2013, 06:40 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

Pictorial guide to earphone and headphone types
On-Ear

Over ear / around the ear / full size / circumaural

Noise Canceling Headphones

IEM

Universal CIEM

Molded CIEM

open back headphone

closed back headphone

get yourself a RE-400 from HiFiMan which has been getting good grades at price:sound quality

could not think of any in this range, bluetooth devices are expensive and sound quality are so so only

can consider HiFiMan RE-400, HiFiMan normally don't come out with stuff, but once they come out, they came to kill the competitors (makes a statement out LOUD)

jaben dont have, but i bought it off from head-direct without even thinking of Pro : Con ratio

get from head-direct

reaching me maybe today or tomorrow, but i seriously didnt consider long to get it

i asked my "audiophile partner" mrsu and he recommend it, so i went ahead,

This post has been edited by noobandroid: May 21 2013, 02:38 PM

you can also try beyerdynamic xp3

HE-400 review in my site

perhaps you can try the beyerdynamic headphones, they are comfortable,isolates well, and sings well on modern music

dt440 should be in your price range, then comes dt770,880,990

dont forget the 600 ohms

COP has variable bass port, so you can set bass and clarity level for each usage, much more flexible than fixed sound M50

but then think of these as factors:
1. customise look
2. can add microphone by changing cable only
3. change sound by adjusting port
4. changing earpads easily

headphone is one thing, think of the cost for amplification while at it, it will give you headaches for years to come

din read he has that, lol

for portable power amp, you can try RSA amps, they carry some good ones, but of course not as good as a desktop setup

just as what i am having now, cop on velour