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Best Over the Ear Headphones for Travel

post #1 of 17
1/5/11 at 3:57pm
Thread Starter 
I'll be spending some time in the sky over the next year and was wondering what the best over the ear headphoens are for Travel. So far I've looked at Bose, Beats by Dre (solo), and Sennheiser. I'm looking for an over the ear model that is collapsable and portable.

Reviews seem pretty hit or miss, would love to hear the forums thoughts.
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post #2 of 17
1/5/11 at 4:04pm
I've been content with these at my office. They fold up fairly small and don't let in much ambient noise.

For travel, though, I use canal phones/IEMs. Way better isolation and they take up less space in packing.
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post #3 of 17
1/5/11 at 4:14pm
If I have the space, I bring along my Able Planet Noise Cancelling headphones that I picked on sale for $50 (happens once or twice a year). The noise cancellation is at least 90% as good as the Bose QC15 (gf got one as a gift a few years back) but I think the sound quality on the Able Planet is a little better. Can't beat that for $50.
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post #4 of 17
1/5/11 at 4:23pm
My Bose QC 15s have been great, but they do take up lots of space when carried in its case. I leave the case at home.
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post #5 of 17
1/5/11 at 4:27pm
Thread Starter 
Totally can understand the space issues, but I've tried countless earbud models and they just don't work well with my ears - all have been either painful (feels like I'm 30 feet under water and the pressure is going to burst my ear drums), or they fall out quickly.
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post #6 of 17
1/5/11 at 4:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shasta View Post
Totally can understand the space issues, but I've tried countless earbud models and they just don't work well with my ears - all have been either painful (feels like I'm 30 feet under water and the pressure is going to burst my ear drums), or they fall out quickly.

What kind of material did those earbuds contain? I bought Ultimate Ears buds 5 years ago, and since then I`ve upgraded to a pricier model due to the satisfaction. The buds are made of silicone, and fits great. I even convinced my dad to buy them after he tested mine. He claims it`s one of his best investments, even though they were pricey.

I`d recommend to test them. If you have an iPhone, you can get a cable that suits the phone greatly with a play/pause/answer/hang up button and a microphone embedded.
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post #7 of 17
1/5/11 at 5:19pm
I use Bose... space can be an issue but they're very comfortable and reliable.
Noise cancellation is importan in flight otherwise you just have to drive the volume too high.
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post #8 of 17
1/5/11 at 5:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by shasta View Post
Totally can understand the space issues, but I've tried countless earbud models and they just don't work well with my ears - all have been either painful (feels like I'm 30 feet under water and the pressure is going to burst my ear drums), or they fall out quickly.

I feel the same way, and only use open air headphones like Grado Labs.... although that probably won't help you out as they do not travel well.
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post #9 of 17
1/5/11 at 6:01pm
I have the Bose QC15's and love them. They are a little bigger so they take up a bit of room, but they are well worth it. I use them for work and travel.
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post #10 of 17
1/5/11 at 7:27pm
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-NC40-...dp/B0002T3UQ0/ These guys have been kind to me for a long time. They fold well, and the noise cancellation is excellent.
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post #11 of 17
1/5/11 at 9:55pm
For air travel, Bose 15s.
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post #12 of 17
1/6/11 at 12:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by shasta View Post
Totally can understand the space issues, but I've tried countless earbud models and they just don't work well with my ears - all have been either painful (feels like I'm 30 feet under water and the pressure is going to burst my ear drums), or they fall out quickly.

I used to feel the same, but I was convinced to get Nu Force NE-6 and also some Comply T-400 memory foam tips that you can buy at most RadioShacks. The combination of the NE-6 and the foam tips is hands-down the best earphone setup you can buy for the money. Phenomenal sound, great isolation, and the least irritating earphones I've ever used, even more comfortable than Sennheiser or Grado over-the-ear. With the Comply foam tips, I've had them in my ears for 4 hours straight before and no fatigue at all; sometimes I even just put them in without any music to dampen environmental noise. Plus, they're small, built tough, and cheap.... I bought a second pair for back-up in case my first set gets lost. And since they sit inside your ear, you can rest your head on the side without trouble.
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post #13 of 17
1/6/11 at 1:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by speedy4500 View Post
...With the Comply foam tips, I've had them in my ears for 4 hours straight before and no fatigue at all; sometimes I even just put them in without any music to dampen environmental noise...

My fiancee got some JVC marshmallows because they're cheap and red. Her ear canals are microscopic; I had to carve the bundled foam tips down 'til they'd fit. Well, we picked up some Comply tips for the JVCs (also in red, of course), and they fit her like a dream.

I'm a convert. Comply does good stuff. They're worth a shot, particularly if you get a setup like hers; it'll set you back maybe fifty bucks total for the marshmallows and a set of five pairs of tips.
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post #14 of 17
1/6/11 at 12:39pm
My favorite over-the-ear headphones for travel are Sennheiser PX100s because:

-- they are relatively inexpensive (though they are now twice as expensive as when I bought them)
-- they collapse into the included carrier, which is quite durable
-- they are easy to power, so sound good driven directly out of the iPod

The PX100 is an open headphone, so it won't block outside noise at all. The PX200 is sealed, so it will block out some noise, but it doesn't sound as good. The PXC250 is a newer model with the same design, and noise cancellation. I haven't tried that one yet, but if I were to buy a noise-canceling headphone, this is the one I'd get.

IME, Bose headphones sound poor in comparison to the usually lower-priced competition, though sound quality may not be your only consideration.
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post #15 of 17
1/6/11 at 2:00pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kaxixi View Post
My favorite over-the-ear headphones for travel are Sennheiser PX100s because:

-- they are relatively inexpensive (though they are now twice as expensive as when I bought them)
-- they collapse into the included carrier, which is quite durable
-- they are easy to power, so sound good driven directly out of the iPod

The PX100 is an open headphone, so it won't block outside noise at all. The PX200 is sealed, so it will block out some noise, but it doesn't sound as good. The PXC250 is a newer model with the same design, and noise cancellation. I haven't tried that one yet, but if I were to buy a noise-canceling headphone, this is the one I'd get.

IME, Bose headphones sound poor in comparison to the usually lower-priced competition, though sound quality may not be your only consideration.

I'm sort of inclined to give the Sennheiser PXC250's a try - I have the PMX 100 that I use in the gym (it's the behind the neck model) and they seem to work will. They are only $12 cheaper than bose though...


http://bit.ly/g5JHS2


vs. Bose

http://bit.ly/fjKjGd
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