Please Help Me Choose My Headphones

[markcoward]

Hi there,

This is my first ever post, not only on this forum but on any forum so please be gentle . I am here because I am at a point where I would like to spend what I would consider a lot of money on a pair of headphones but every shop I have asked to try a pair to ensure I like them they tell me I am unable to. For this reason I need help from people who know what they are talking about .

This is currently my shortlist;

Sony MDR-NC60
Bose Around-Ear
Sennheiser HD25 Mk2
Philips SHN9500/00

My first question is are noise cancelling headphones worth it? With that feature turned on does the sound quality suffer?

If this is the case then that eliminates 3 of my four selected.
Are these the best I can get for no more than £150?

[ShaunG]

Yes, noise cancelling does indeed compromise the quality of sound. Noise cancellers often make a high frequency hiss and the sound is less natural than without noise cancelling. The need for batteries can also be a pain.

The Sennheiser HD25 is an excellent headphone that isolates external noise very well, despite being an on-ear design.

The Denon AH-D1001 is well worth considering for a portable non-noise cancelling headphone. Sound is punchy and the headphones are comfortable.

The Audio-Technica ATH-ES55 is another portable headphone that we recommend. The design is lightweight and sound is very well rounded.

If you don't mind a headphone that is a little larger then the Ultrasone HFI-780 is an excellent choice. This headphone sounds surprisingly open considering it's closed back design. We're big fans of the way this headphone sounds.

[shokka9]

Started a new thread instead

:P