Portable Headphone Recommendation

[Ste_S]

I'm after headphone recommendations from the age just before Apple killed the phone headphone socket, and everyone made wired portable headphones to use with phones. So closed back, shortish cable and somewhat portable. What was good back then? Or were they all as the modern bluetooth equivalents are now, mid-bass mud cannons?

For use with DAPs and Walkman/Discmans (Minidisc and CD).

 

[staticV3]

Do you have a budget you'd like to stick to?

 

[jcarys]

Well, when I was running around NYC with my Discman strapped to my hand, I used whatever cheap a$$ wired headphones were included in the box.

In the modern world, we have things like TruthEar IEMs, which are pretty close in price considering inflation, and make that old stuff sound like garbage.

 

[jkim]

If you don't like IEMs, try to find the Beats Solo2 Wired. Of course, discontinued but occasionally comes up for sale. It has extremely smooth frequency response. Somewhat mid-bass focused but accepts EQ very well throughout the entire frequency spectrum with no distortion.

 

[bequietjk]

If you want to get super 90s with the walkman and all maybe start with the KSC75

 

[solderdude]

When it needs to be closed back the Koss thingies won't work.

For this kind of work (closed on-ear) I have (and use) a DT1350 and T51(i or p version)
When they can be open ... Koss
or... when sound quality is not the most important factor but price and retro looks are perhaps the Snowsky (FiiO sub-brand) Wind

 

[Ste_S]

Do you have a budget you'd like to stick to?

I suppose not more than a new pair of Sennheiser HD25, say £130? They’d be the closest new equivalents, I guess.

 

[FearlessPhotog]

My all time favorite wired portable on ear closed backs were the Beyerdynamic DT1350s, great isolation, great sound and built well, I used those until the earpads fell apart, also had first generation Sennheiser Momentums that didn't sound as good but were super comfortable and more circumaural than most portables. Big negative to the Momentum, eventually the dye in the pads started coming off and leavintg stains all over the place, not something I've experienced with any other headphone. V-Moda used to be a popular player in this segment too, but I never owned any of those. These days I do just use WH-1000XM4s because they're convenient.

 

[Curupira]

When it needs to be closed back the Koss thingies won't work.

For this kind of work (closed on-ear) I have (and use) a DT1350 and T51(i or p version)
When they can be open ... Koss
or... when sound quality is not the most important factor but price and retro looks are perhaps the Snowsky (FiiO sub-brand) Wind

I wanted to like the Wind, but with those peaks I'd just fear hearing loss.

 

[bequietjk]

Ever since Tyll(InnerFidelity) did his review on the DT1350 years ago I have wanted a pair. Years went by and they became harder and harder to get and eventually disappeared from the market. Should have grabbed them.

 

[bequietjk]

And on-ear is by far my favorite headphone type it's just really hard to come by because the market seems to swing either IEM or over the ear.

 

[Soandso]

Ever since Tyll(InnerFidelity) did his review on the DT1350 years ago I have wanted a pair....

These are still sourced in good condition from Japan and currently being listed on USA eB*y asking around US$190.

 

[solderdude]

Had to replace the cable (the plastic sheathing hardened and broke apart), headband padding and pads (twice) already but is still my favorite portable headphone (with a little EQ).