What headphones?

My AKG headphones have split the coverings on both side ...less than 3 years old and we'll treated

On the plus side ...loads of pattern ones on fleebay at giveaway prices ... bought some and they are at least as good as originals and more comfortable too

are you looking for bluetooth headphones ? mostly they are noise canceling ones available.....

check massdrop for good deals

Disappointing response.  I guess headphones are pretty much 'non-u' with my fellow JV cultists. 

Anyways, I've read load of reviews and ordered a pair of Bowers and Wilkins PX's.

Read a load of reviews? Good luck. I'd at least have compared response curves on a site like Headroom to find something sonically similar.

Head phones are one of those things that you can give a realistic audition, due to there being fewer variables, or room acoustics to impact on the sound.

Try as many as you can at a good dealer.  My experience of doing just this was a real eye opener as brands I thought I would like didn't cut it when compared directly with others for which i had previously held a bit of a prejudice against ! 

No opportunity for proper auditions.  I live in the Alpujarran outback. ..

Oh, that's not good, mind you I have spent many an hour agonising over a decision in a shop, at least you can avoid that pain !

I often wonder if I should offer my suggestions but i fear everyone's' perception of; good, great or bad differs.

Mike1951 posted:

I'll not buy another pair of AKG's. Two pairs bought in my life and both of them suffered splitting of the material covering the foam. On both sides. Current failures are N60 noise cancelling foldables.

The worst thing about it is that the sound they provide is superb, to my ears...

So this provides an opportunity for cable-less radio phones.

Any recommendations?

Not sure I fully understand your post

FWIW Ive had my K-240 for ages and no issues. Great vfm.

If realiability problem try some Sennheiser HD25 II-1, they are built for studio purpose and sound great great. Comfort too.

Never heard Bluetooth HP perform very good so I would hesitate investment.

i have sony ones but BW are looking very good

I have the Sennheiser HD800, which are quite remarkable. I never thought you could get such good sounds from headphones. Expensive, but unmatched except by the newer HD800S.

Mike Sullivan posted:

I have the Sennheiser HD800, which are quite remarkable. I never thought you could get such good sounds from headphones. Expensive, but unmatched except by the newer HD800S.

And not forgetting the HD820!!!

Not too cheap & not too shabby....tongue firmly planted in cheek!! 

Like speakers, headphones are very personal and unfortunately, comfort comes before sound quality. And everyone's head is different. 

I whittled down my choice a couple years ago to Sennheiser HD800 and Audeze LCD-2. I was deeply impressed with the Audeze. Somewhat darker and narrower soundstage than the Sennheiser but deeply engaging. I happened to think the HD800 had the edge anyway, but had I preferred the Audeze cans, I still would not have bought them because they hurt my head after 10 minutes like hell. The friend I was with found the Sennheiser hurt and the Audeze comfy.

So please do try before you buy and make the first shortlist based on those that are bearable after wearing for a while and then whittle it down by sound quality.

Lots of good points here.  MIKE1951, how are you getting on with the B&W PX?  Hopefully you received a good return policy if not to your liking.  The AKG N60 is an on ear, noise cancelling headphone.  You never mentioned what you were looking for as a replacement, so the varied suggestions.  

Just curious, are the headphone pads replaceable?  I looked on the AKG website but could not confirm this either way.  

-pat

I wonder if the climate in Spain is contributory to the material deterioration - whether leather or vinyl, it may do no harm to treat them frequently with sonething as may be used for upholstery of similar material to keep them supple and protect from damage by heat, dryness, UV light or whatever.

No idea of the longevity, but I like my OPPO PM-3 - only gripe is that they are not really big enough for my rather outsize ears, but acceptable.  SQ is good. Not made any more, I believe, but probably still available somewhere.

The ones I have I bought about 1.5 years ago and wear them every day for most of the working day plus 2 train journeys of an hour each, so about 9 or 10 hours a day.  Still look fine.

I would suggest the Sennheiser HD820 or in case of money no issue Focal Utopia...

+1 For Oppo I have 3 , 2 and 1 All have served me well but 3's have been everywhere with me

I also have a few pairs of Grado but there open back so unless you want everyone to admire your musical tastes not an option but good headphones

Isnt he looking for Bluetooth cans?

Hi, 

I have Bowers & Wilkins P7 wireless that give a wired option. They are well made and perform well.

Still, I find myself using the Audeze LCD 3 home (open, detailed and more fun than B&W)

and B&O H5 wireless on the move.

(I also own Audeze iSine20 - wired - but being open back may be not the best outdoor option.)

just my penneth

An add on.

Sennheiser hi end such HD 650 up to Orpheus work as well as the source does. 

No much felxibility there if you would like to use them away from the main amplifier.

I broke my Etymotics and switched to these Shure 535's and have been very happy.   You can also get them with a bluetooth cable, but I have been happy with the cable.   And they fit in your shirt pocket for travel.

I've never heard a wireless headphone I could stand. Have you considered a more capable portable player like a Sony ZX2 and a pair of wired headphones?

I just picked up a pair of Focal Clears and am very happy with them.

So I eventually settled for a pair of B&W PX's.

I was looking forward to the convenience of Bluetooth,  but after a couple of flights with the noise-cancellation on mid-setting, I was a bit underwhelmed. 

Back on solid ground, I bought a suitable audio lead and ran a test. The reproduction with the lead in place is noticeably superior in terms of detail retrieval.

I was concerned that the noise reduction wouldn't work with the lead in place and was pleasantly surprised to find this is not the case. Also, unlike with a Bluetooth signal,  switching to 'aircraft' mode NC does not result in any loss of audio quality...  ????

@PATK... the AKG N60 pads are not replaceable,  unlike the B&W PX's.