New headphones suggestions?


Recommended Posts

Right, I'm back with another headphones thread.

My Skullcandy Terje Nine headphones broke today when my brother was using them. The left side has literally snapped. The only thing holding it is the wire, but surprisingly, it still works. I'm not planning to use it anymore, though. I'm set on getting a new pair, but this time, my preferences are more strict than the last time:

  • I'd prefer them to come from Play.com, as my parents only really trust that site, but they also trust Amazon.co.uk, so that's an option! I'd like to stay away from eBay, though.
  • My budget is ?35.
  • They have to be very durable (i.e. not break easily).
  • I don't mind the make.
  • They have to be great quality, like the Terje Nines.
  • They've gotta have some bass in them. The TN was lacking a bit in that department.
  • I don't want too much audio leakage. The TN was brilliant on this front.
  • Not too big! I had a size issue with the TN.
  • I'd prefer them to be in black, but I'm open to other colours!
  • They must not have a noise limit.
  • Cord size doesn't matter. I've still got the extension from the TN.
  • I'd prefer that they not be in-ear headphones, because they usually hurt for me, but I will consider them if they're comfortable.

Actually, that's a big list, isn't it?:DD Sorry, but I want to get a really good pair this time round. Something that will last for ages; preferably at least a year.

Thanks to anyone in advance who is willing to take some time out to help me here!:))

Edited by MightyJordan
Link to comment
https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/642021-new-headphones-suggestions/
Share on other sites

Not many good choices on that site :p If your parents don't trust a site then tell them to get PayPal and set up your credit card on there and you can get PayPal to issue you a one-time-use credit card number for purchasing online. It will link to you credit card just once and then if someone ever tries to use that specific credit card number (the one PayPal generates) again, then it won't work. PayPal is the best! When I bought my headphones and my brothers, I went to local electronics stores and got a close look and tested some and then bought them for cheap online. It's the best way to do things in my opinion. You definitely can't limit yourself to one website and expect to be happy with selections/purchases every time, no offense :).

My parents both have PayPal accounts. They both use eBay (me as well, but using their cards). I don't have a credit card. I'm only 16! :p

I'm not phasing out eBay completely, but I am a bit skeptical using it, as I've been fleeced a few times before.

Amazon would also probably be a choice for me. My dad has an account with them, and I have been allowed to buy a couple of games off they before. The problem is that they're usually more expensive than Play.com. Plus, they charge for postage, and I don't like that. :p

I am intrigued by the Sennheiser CX400s. They've been recommended by The Gadget Show, so that's a good start. Unfortunately, it's only available on PlayTrade at the moment, but at ?22.99 which is a good price!

Sennheiser PX200

Weird coincidence! I'm looking at them as well. They sound very good. I've looked at a few other sites, and it's got really good ratings. It's ?24.99 on Play.com, but unfortunately, it's out of stock, so that's probably a sign that it must be very good!:DD

Here they are on Play.com.

BTW, Kevlar-reinforced cable?! A bit OTT, isn't it?:pp

Ohh, thank you, those Sennheiser's were exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to see in here, xD. I think I'll probably be buying a pair of those now. :happy:

On those reinforced cables... I have been known to chew my headphone wires, might come in handy. :laugh:

Edited by Ollie C

OK, I've narrowed it down to 6 pairs of headphones, all of them by Sennheiser! :D I'll list them one by one by price with the features they've got listed on the site:

1. Sennheiser PX 40 Mini-Headphones - ?11.99 (RRP ?14.99)b>

587378m.jpg

  • Ideal for use with portable audio sources such as MP3 or CD players
  • Optimised for rock and pop music
  • Excellent sound reproduction with wide dynamics
  • Bass tube for rich, full bass
  • Ultra-lightweight diaphragm ensures powerful sound
  • Cable with convenient volume control
  • Lightweight and comfortable for music on the move
  • Connection cable made from highly conductive OFC copper
  • 2-year guarantee

The PX 40 are open, dynamic, supra-aural mini headphones for portable players. They are fitted with a convenient in-line volume control.

2. Sennheiser HD202 Stereo Headphones - ?13.99 (RRP ?19.99)

607971m.jpg

  • Closed, supra-aural, dynamic hi-fi stereo headphones
  • For DJs, ideal for both mobile sources and home mini hi-fi systems
  • Good attenuation of ambient noise
  • Earcups can be removed from the headband
  • Specially designed damping perforation ensures powerful bass response
  • Lightweight diaphragm material with "turbine" embossing for extremely low bass
  • Powerful neodymium magnets and lightweight diaphragms for high sound levels
  • Powerful bass and increased signal levels for modern rhythm-driven music
  • Clips to the belt: cord take-up for adjusting the cable length when listening on the move
  • Extremely comfortable to wear due to ultra-lightweight design, even for extended listening
  • Rugged outdoor design with extremely flexible headband
  • 3m highly conductive OFC copper cable
  • Replaceable leatherette ear pads
  • 2 year guarantee

The HD 202 closed, dynamic hi-fi stereo headphones are the ideal partner for DJs and powerful modern music, providing good insulation against ambient noise and a vivid, crisp bass response. The rugged lightweight headphones have a secure fit and can be used for both mobile sources and home (mini) hi-fi systems. When out and about, a convenient cord take-up lets you adjust the headphone cable to the required length3. Sennheiser PX 100 Mini-Headphones Black - ?17.99 (RRP ?29.99)l]

587384m.jpg

  • Dynamic stereo mini headphones
  • Great for travel and outdoor use with mobile sources such as CD, MD or MP3 players
  • Fold and flip: registered design allows the ear cups to be turned through 90? and fold the headphones closed (headphones will lock in open and closed positions)
  • 1.4 m Kevlar-reinforced OFC copper cable with 3.5 mm stereo jack plug
  • Fits into the shirt pocket: rugged transport case with cord take-up (145 x 75 x 27 mm)
  • Excellent sound quality for mobile audio sources
  • High-resolution sound due to Sennheiser "Duofol" diaphragms with spiral embossing (reduces and spreads eigenforms)
  • Strong Neodymium magnets for extremely low distortion
  • High efficiency and powerful reproduction
  • Balanced and detailed sound image for all types of music
  • Crisp and fast bass response due to system "twin damping" with 80ppi polyurethane and special perforated elements
  • Special baffle (based on the legendary HD 414) ensures very balanced sound
  • Lightweight: only 60 g without cable
  • Comfortable: headband with split padding
  • Rugged and durable: robust steel headband with metal joints, steel-reinforced headband ends, connection to the ear cups tested for durability
  • Easily replaceable ear pads and headband padding (ear cups and headband can be replaced by your dealer)
  • 2-year guarantee
  • Received a 5 star rating in What Hi-Fi Sound And Vision magazine

The PX 100 is a pair of open, dynamic supra-aural mini headphones for mobile players. Their outstanding sound reproduction and foldable design make them ideal for outdoor use and travell4. Sennheiser EH 150 Headphones - ?17.99 (RRP ?29.99)/url]

607980m.jpg

  • Closed, supra-aural, dynamic hi-fi stereo headphones
  • Good attenuation of ambient noise
  • Powerful neodymium magnets and lightweight diaphragms for high sound levels
  • Extremely comfortable to wear due to ultra-lightweight design, even for extended listening
  • Rugged outdoor design with extremely flexible headband
  • 3m highly conductive OFC copper cable
  • Replaceable leatherette ear pads
  • 2 year guarantee

The EH 150 closed, dynamic hi-fi stereo headphones are the ideal partner for powerful modern music, providing good insulation against ambient noise and a vivid, crisp bass response. The rugged lightweight headphones have a secure fit and can be used for both mobile sources and home (mini) hi-fi sy5. Sennheiser HD 212 Headphones - ?24.99 (RRP ?29.99))[/url]

3385750m.jpg

  • Jack plug 3,5/6,3 mm stereo
  • Nominal impedance: 32 Ohm
  • Weight w/o cable: Cable 130 g
  • Transducer principle: Dynamic, closed
  • Ear coupling: Supra-aural
  • Cable length: 3 m
  • Frequency response (headphones): 12.....19000 Hz
  • THD: <0,2 %
  • Sound pressure level (SPL): 112 dB(SPL)

The HD 212Pro closed dynamic hi-fi stereo headphones have a balanced sound image with a slight emphasis on the bass response. DJs will like their excellent attenuation of ambient noise and the soft, comfortable e6. Sennheiser PX 200 Mini-Headphones Black - ?24.99 (RRP ?39.99)99)[/url]

587389m.jpg

  • Dynamic stereo mini headphones
  • Great for travel and outdoor use with mobile sources such as CD, MD or MP3 players
  • Fold and flip: registered design allows the ear cups to be turned through 90? and fold the headphones closed (headphones will lock in open and closed positions)
  • 1.4 m Kevlar-reinforced OFC copper cable with 3.5 mm stereo jack plug
  • Fits into the shirt pocket: rugged transport case with cord take-up (145 x 75 x 27 mm)
  • Ideal for use in coaches, trains etc.: soft ring ear pads with improved fit and closed ear cups ensure excellent passive attenuation of ambient noise (15 to 25 dB for frequencies above
  • 1,200 Hz)
  • For all types of modern music: detailed sound reproduction with a slight emphasis on the bass
  • High-resolution sound due to Sennheiser "Duofol" diaphragms with spiral embossing (reduces and spreads eigenforms)
  • Strong Neodymium magnets for extremely low distortion
  • High efficiency and powerful reproduction
  • Adaptive baffle damping (patent pending)
  • Bass tube for powerful, punchy bass
  • Lightweight: only 60 g without cable
  • Comfortable: headband with split padding
  • Rugged and durable: robust steel headband with metal joints, steel-reinforced headband ends, connection to the ear cups tested for durability
  • Easily replaceable ear pads and headband padding (ear cups and headband can be replaced by your dealer)
  • 2-year guarantee

The closed, dynamic, supra-aural PX 200 mini headphones are an ideal choice for mobile audio sources. Their excellent isolation lets you enjoy music without being disturbed or disturbing others. Folded and packed into their rugged transport case, these headphones will accompany you anywhere.

Personally, the first one I might strike off the shortlist would probably be pair #4, the EH 150s. It's currently got a 3* rating from users on Play.com. I'd then strike off #1, the PX 40s. They haven't been reviewed at all, so I'm not too sure about them.

Still, I'd like to hear your opinions! Would it still be the PX 200s all the way? I think after looking at all of these, I might end up going for the PX 200s. They're the most expensive, but they've got the most praise, and not just from users of Play.com. They're also currently out of stock, so that might be a sign that they're rea:Dy good! :D

I've gone and ordered the PX 200s! They're out of stock on Play.com, but I've ordered them anyway. I've gotta use my old Sony Ericsson in ear phones for now.

BTW, I saw the PX 200s on Amazon, but Amazon don't have any in stock, and the cheapest one from a good seller costs more than Play.com with delivery added on, so I'm willing to wait.

No luck at all. I checked on Kelkoo, and they've got the cheapest down as ?27.94 (not counting eBay or Amazon Marketplace). They haven't got Play.com's price on there, but it looks like that's the cheapest.

  • 2 weeks later...
They're still out of stock! This is a bloody joke! That's it, I'm gonna cancel the order and look for something different.

Can anyone else think of something better?

Sony MDR-EX85. Penny Under budget and sound absolutely lovely.

Would beat all the Senn's imo. The trouble with most you picked is that they are bigger headphones so I would recommend a amplifier for them to reach their potential.

Right, I've gone and ordered the Skullcandy Hesh headphones in Black. ?2 more than the Sennheisers, but better ratings from users (nine 5* ratings, and two 4*), and more powerful drivers. These ones have 50mm drivers! They look better as well!

3431948m.jpgPaint it Black!>:DD

Sony MDR-EX85. Penny Under budget and sound absolutely lovely.

Would beat all the Senn's imo. The trouble with most you picked is that they are bigger headphones so I would recommend a amplifier for them to reach their potential.

Sorry, I can't find those on Play.com. I'm not too sure about Sony headphones anyway. I was looking at some others on there, and most of them have got average or poor rating. It seems that the Skullcandy ones are getting the higher ratings out of everyone else.

BTW, I'm not fully up onto headphones. I can judge the quality of a set, but that's it.:DD

Right, I've gone and ordered the Skullcandy Hesh headphones in Black. ?2 more than the Sennheisers, but better ratings from users (nine 5* ratings, and two 4*), and more powerful drivers. These ones have 50mm drivers! They look better as well!

3431948m.jpgPaint it Black!>:DD

Sorry, I can't find those on Play.com. I'm not too sure about Sony headphones anyway. I was looking at some others on there, and most of them have got average or poor rating. It seems that the Skullcandy ones are getting the higher ratings out of everyone else.

BTW, I'm not fully up onto headphones. I can judge the quality of a set, but that's it.:DD

http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronic...earchtype=genre

They have the same drivers as the much pricier EX-91. I've owned both and the EX-85 Sounds like it more than fits your needs. I wouldn't take much notice of ratings for headphones, you could get them and think they are ****.

Plus the Skull Candys are a full-size headphone so will be rather quiet when listening out of a portable.

No thanks, they're right out. I can't stand in-ear headphones. They hurt. I don't think the Skullcandy set will be quiet. I used to have the Skullcandy Terje Nine before. They were full-size, and still very loud! I'm after a full-size set anyway, for minimal audio leakage, and to keep background noise out. I know in-ear headphones can do these tasks better, but they're very uncomfortable for me.

I have a pair of Sennheiser PX250's same as the PX200's but with an in-line noise cancelling gizmo.

It does make them sound a lot better, but gets on my nerves sometimes. (I've got enough other crap to carry in my pockets as it is)

I also have a pair of Sennheiser CX 300's and can tell you right now, they **** all over the PX250's in terms of loudness and bass. (Just tested right now to make sure)

I don't like in-ear earphones like the iPod ones, because they hurt my ears after a little while, but these little beauties don't hurt at all, they have very soft silicone inserts, that come in 3 sizes. And they block out outside noise really well too.

Turns out Play.com are doing a great deal on the silver ones right now too.

http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronic...es/Product.html

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Posts

    • I'm still on Windows 10 22H2 because I didn't want to deal with all the issues in Windows 11, so I waited almost a week before installing the latest Patch Tuesday update (KB5094127), I went ahead and did it, and it was a huge mistake—ever since then, my File Explorer has seen a performance drop of about 30% when transferring large files... Once again, Microsoft has outdone itself! This update cannot be uninstalled, either through the Control Panel (via Settings) or by accessing Advanced Startup Options. The only possible alternative would be to use system restore points, but I’d have to reinstall all app and driver updates (and there’s no guarantee it would work). Or there’s the “nuclear option” of a in-place repair without losing files or apps, but even then, all my customizations would be lost! Microsoft just can’t help but mess everything up! Way to go, Microsoft! But I still don’t want your c****y Windows 11!
    • Microsoft: Windows 11 could finally solve a major issue across AMD, Nvidia, and Intel GPUs by Sayan Sen While Microsoft has been trying to improve it, Windows 11 is definitely not flawless, as even today some issues are taking a year to publicly acknowledge. However, one area of trouble that may finally see much better results soon is graphics driver crashes. Work on graphics driver timeouts, also called Timeout and Detection Recovery (TDR), is not new as the latest WDDM 3.2 also has specific improvements regarding it. Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) version 3.2 is supported on Windows 11 24H2 and 25H2. However, with the upcoming version 26H2, TDR crash diagnosis could go to the next level as Microsoft is introducing a new DirectX 12 API feature called "DirectX Dump Files". Similar to how system memory dump files work when a system crashes or freezes or encounters any such major issue, DirectX Dump Files (DDF) will essentially record a snapshot of the GPU execution right at the moment a graphics-related crash or hang or freeze occurs, so that developers can better understand and diagnoze these TDR and timeout detection errors. The dump will be available as a .dxdmp file for analysis and it will be a comprehensive dump file generated with detailed insights about the hardware, drivers, Windows, as well as the affected application. This should be another welcome change in this department. Earlier at GDC 2026, when the technology was first debuted, Microsoft had shared more details regarding it. The company had explained how DDF is designed to gather data from every layer of the graphics stack into a single file, eliminating the need for developers to manually correlate logs from multiple tools. As mentioned above, the dump can contain a lot of useful details like GPU hardware state information such as register values, shader program counters, page fault virtual addresses, shader memory data, and command buffers. Alongside that, it also captures DirectX runtime and kernel information, including D3D objects, pipeline state objects, device error data, adapter details, and CPU call stacks. Microsoft says the feature has been built around two primary use cases: retail device removals and local device removals. The former allows developers to collect crash information from end users' systems in the field, while the latter helps QA teams and developers investigate issues on test machines. Developers will also be able to include up to 2 MB of custom application data through new D3D12 APIs, providing additional context for troubleshooting. In addition, Microsoft is introducing three dump collection modes ranging from zero-overhead capture, which has no runtime performance impact on supported hardware, to higher-detail modes that collect more vendor-specific debugging data. On compatible Tier 2 hardware, zero-overhead dumps will be enabled by default, meaning developers may begin receiving useful crash diagnostics without making any code changes. The table below explains the three tiers: Tier Description NO_OVERHEAD Enables crash capture with no runtime cost and is suitable for broad deployment MEDIUM_OVERHEAD Provides a balance, capturing additional diagnostic data with moderate impact HIGH_OVERHEAD Collects the most detailed GPU and driver state available, enabling deeper investigation at the cost of higher runtime overhead In terms of availability, the company expects broader release to be around the fall of 2026, which should be right around the time when Windows 11 version 26H2 lands. Right now, DirectX Dump Files are available as a preview and currently, only AMD has the compatible AgilitySDK Developer Preview driver version 26.10.07.02. You can find the official announcement post here on Microsoft's website.
    • And with SO much better perf than the laggy mess that is Files.
    • BrowserOS 0.46.0 by Razvan Serea BrowserOS is a free, open-source Chromium-based browser that runs AI agents natively, offering a smarter, more productive browsing experience. It supports Chrome extensions and integrates AI agents to automate tasks, fill forms, and streamline workflows. Your data stays on your computer: you can use your own API keys or run local models via Ollama, making it a privacy-first alternative to tools like Perplexity, Comet, or Dia. With built-in productivity tools and app integrations, BrowserOS boosts efficiency while keeping control firmly in your hands. Being Chromium-based, BrowserOS lets you effortlessly import your bookmarks, passwords, and Chrome extensions in just a few clicks. BrowserOS works with OpenAI GPT models, Anthropic Claude, Google Gemini, and local AI models via Ollama or LMStudio. You can use your own API keys and effortlessly switch between providers. BrowserOS Agent Your AI productivity assistant that organizes and manages your browsing effortlessly Quickly list, group, or close tabs Save and resume browsing sessions Search your history and organize bookmarks Switch instantly to the tab you need BrowserOS Navigator – Automate web tasks with ease Navigate websites and search automatically Interact with pages without manual effort Handle repetitive tasks in seconds What makes BrowserOS special Feels like home - same familiar interface as Google Chrome, works with all your extensions AI agents that run on YOUR browser, not in the cloud Privacy first - bring your own keys or use local models with Ollama. Your browsing history stays on your computer Open source and community driven - see exactly what's happening under the hood MCP store to one-click install popular MCPs and use them directly in the browser bar (coming soon) Built-in AI ad blocker that works across more scenarios! BrowserOS 0.46.0 changelog: Run Claude Code & Codex right in your browser — We've extended the agent harness to bring full coding agents into BrowserOS. Claude Code and Codex now come bundled and plug straight into the assistant, so you can drive your browser with the agent — and the subscription — you already use. A brand new experience — A redesigned new tab, a calmer composer, and a rebuilt command center for switching between agents. The whole assistant is cleaner, faster to reach, and easier to live in. New MCP tools — We rebuilt the browser tool surface from the ground up — a tighter, more reliable set of tools for agents to drive the browser. Plus one-click install of BrowserOS as an MCP server into the agents you already run, with automatic URL sync. Chromium 148 — Updated to the latest Chromium base with all recent upstream fixes and security patches. Streamlined — We've pulled back a few features that weren't getting much use — Skills, Soul, and Memory — so we can focus and ship better versions of them soon. Download: BrowserOS 0.46.0 | 181.0 MB (Open Source) Download: BrowserOS for macOS | 485.0 MB Links: BrowserOS Homepage | Github | Screenshot Get alerted to all of our Software updates on Twitter at @NeowinSoftware
  • Recent Achievements

    • Week One Done
      Jordan Smith earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Reacting Well
      BizSAR earned a badge
      Reacting Well
    • First Post
      AndreaB earned a badge
      First Post
    • Week One Done
      Huge Trailer earned a badge
      Week One Done
    • Week One Done
      Classifyskilleducation earned a badge
      Week One Done
  • Popular Contributors

    1. 1
      +primortal
      591
    2. 2
      +Edouard
      187
    3. 3
      PsYcHoKiLLa
      77
    4. 4
      Michael Scrip
      75
    5. 5
      Steven P.
      67
  • Tell a friend

    Love Neowin? Tell a friend!