Need headphones for open-office with excellent passive isolation

B

Biges

[H]ard|Gawd
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
1,475
Hi!

I need comfortable headphones with good passive sound isolation for use in open office to minimize voice distractions. Combination with active noise-cancelling can be also useful, but I know this type of technology is not intended to filter human voice. The sound quality is not that important, as the headphones are goind to be plugged into a crappy integrated sound card anyway.

So far I consider Sennheiser HD380 and Extreme Isolation EX-29, HD380 has the advantage I can buy it locally.

Do you have any other recommendations?

Thanks
 
Most closed cans should serve you well. Check out:
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-DT770-PRO-250-ohm/dp/B0006NL5SM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308930398&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: Beyerdynamic DT 770-PRO Headphones: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31LAQBPAziL.@@AMEPARAM@@31LAQBPAziL[/ame]
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-A700-Audio-Technica-Headphones/dp/B000E9VKUQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308930379&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: Audio Technica ATH-A700 Headphones: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ANJf2%2BEoL.@@AMEPARAM@@41ANJf2%2BEoL[/ame]
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AHD2000-Performance-Over-Ear-Headphones/dp/B000MVEC0Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1308930425&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: Denon AHD2000 High Performance Over-Ear Headphones: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41IOqzB4-sL.@@AMEPARAM@@41IOqzB4-sL[/ame]
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/AKG-K271MKII-Closed-Circumaural-Headphones/dp/B0016MOC28/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1308930456&sr=8-3"]Amazon.com: AKG K271MKII Closed Back Circumaural Headphones: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41UHNYwDLIL.@@AMEPARAM@@41UHNYwDLIL[/ame]
 
I bought Beyer DT770 specifically for work and can vouch for their comfort. They keep the noise out well, but the main reason I went with them was the velour earpads. I don't think anything with leather/pleather pads will do, even in a cool office you'll sweat around your ears if you have to wear them 4-5 hours straight.
 
I was going to say that the DT770's would require a amp, however just to see how they would sound I hooked mine up to the on-board sound card on my Asus P5Q Deluxe. Results are amazing... I think they would be the better set of cans between the hd380's and the DT770's.
I compared the DT770pro 80ohm and HD380's side by side at guitar center the day I was looking for new headphones. To say the least I walked out with the DT770's. Comfort and build quality both blew away the hd380. I'm very happy with the DT770's :D
 
I run them unamped out of Cowon S9 pmp. playing all genres of music. Never heard them amped to be honest. The sound is decent. I bought them to have a comfy pair of cans that keep the office noise out, and in that respect I am very satisfied with them. I don't pay attention to the sound quality while I am working anyway.
 
Why not IEMs? etymotics and ultimate ears both provide really good isolation.
 
Comfort really depends on the IEMs and what material they use when in your ear. I don't think I've been able to keep my sleek audios in my ear for more then 1-2 hours without getting uncomfortable. It also comes down to a good seal in order to get both good bass and good sound isolation. Ware them improperly or use the wrong size foam/silicone and the same can happen.

Some companies also allow you to send a mold in of your ear to have the IEM's molded to perfectly fit your ear. Bad news is that the ones that I saw like this can cost well over $500 with some dipping into a grand or more. This may have changed since I haven't been to head-fi for a good 2-3 years. I like my wallet a little more then some of those poor souls there :p
 
I have some Ultimate Ears TripleFi10s. They sound pretty good(remind me of my Beyers with less bass) and they're comfy for IEMs, but not that comfy to wear for hours upon hours. Of course it depends on your ear canal and what not, but...for me Cans > IEMs.

The only reason I have IEMs in the first place is portability...and my UEs have a mic for my phone too. For comfort and sq, Cans are usually superior.
 
The HD 380 are monitor phones. If you want boomy bass, look elsewhere. Otherwise, they should isolate sound very well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top