Earphones / Headphones: Where to try, what to buy?

I just bought some of those AKG's for my daughter. Really impressed. She loves them. But having said that, I'm not an audiophile so little really to compare them with.

The right bud on a pair of iSport Victory headphones has gone very quiet - broken wire or something else? Been used for two years pretty much every day for at least an hour or two before suddenly giving up last week.

Already replaced with a new pair, just wondering if I can resurrect this one.

How do the AKG K451 compare?

Great commuting headphones, can't knock them. I own a pair and love them.

They aren't DJ headphones however.

So my RHA 750s cabling has fallen apart at any hard joint. I really like them, hoping the 3 year warrantee will cover them.

Fillin, ordered a pair of Mee M6 Pro for $49. Cheap as chips, seem to get reasonable reviews. Also nice to get a pair of IEMs that I can wear to the pub without worrying about losing / breaking them.

broken wire or something else

Took the plastics off and soaked the mesh tip in saline solution. Fixed. Wax, then. Gross.

Holy sheet I just plugged in a pair of Sony MDR-EX650AP's (the brass ones) bought from Super-Fi on whim yesterday.

Sorry Soundmagic E10s but you are headed binward. These are totally different league. Thought the E10s were ok for cheapies. Pretty balanced etc. The Sony's aren't silly money but they're a world away.

Man. These sound good. Really fucking good.

*CRANKS

http://www.superfi.co.uk/p-15643-sony-mdr-ex650apt-earphones.aspx

Yup, I have the same and they're really great. I also recently got a pair of Bang & Olufsen H6's and they're brilliant.

Yeah so good i missed the driver announcing that this train now fast to Norwood Junction. Passing my house.... now

They are good. I had a pair a while ago, unfortunately the wiring at the y junction split. Was within warranty so John Lewis replaced no issue - I made the mistake of swapping for a pair similar sennheisers. Weren't a patch on the Sony.

Currently running a set of Aurisonics Rockets bought at a crazy sale price. So far, so good but very laid back compared to most IEMs and need some real juice to get them going. Once you do there's dynamic and lively sound with real subtlety when needed. Using some comply tips, the included ones sucked big time!

So I know a lot of people rave about Comply earphone foam tips. Yes they are good, but damn they are expensive for replacing every few months. A few years ago I was reading a German headphone site and came accross a great DIY solution.

Buy 200 Moldex "spark plug" earplugs
eg:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Moldex-Spark-Plug-PocketPak-7802-Extra-Soft-Light-Foam-Colourful-Comfortable-/262132851126?var=&hash=item3d0855e1b6:m:moRnJfzhANjO9wb_WImKrcw

With a stanley knife, cut them in half.
Leather punch the middle.

Stick on earphones, jobs a good 'un.

Probably not quite as good as original Comply however, a shit ton cheaper and I replace them monthly.

On other notes, the Mee Audio M6 Pro headphones.

Only been using them a couple of hours but really happy with them for $49. The drivers / earpieces are quite small and look well basic really but that's fine. Cables are a bit paper thin, and I'm not sure about longevity (but lifetime replacements?), but you do get two sets and they are replaceable.

Audio quality is subjective, but they are "almost" as good as the RHA MA750s and a lot cheaper. That said the ATH-M50x still stomp all over them but aren't that practical for nipping to the pub wearing. They are not bass heavy, good highs, ok mid-range. Still burning them in so time will tell. I'm also using my bastardized moldex plugs rather than any provided with the headphones (which DID include a set of Comply tips)

8/10 I think.

Listened to some T20i's the other day. Bangin'. Not worth twice the price as my 750's but very, very good nonetheless. Doesn't sound at all like an earphone.

They were on my list, but I couldn't justify the price when looking for pub headphones lol

Great to hear that RHA are pushing the envelope. It appears they will replace my broken 750s!

What's the current recommendation on sub £100 Bluetooth over-ear headphones folks? No1 Daughter's birthday in a few weeks and that's top of her want list.

My wife has some Goldring noise cancelling cans, and the cable keeps dying.
1St one she contacted them and got a replacement, but that has now gone too.
Any recommends for an decent Jack to Jack cable that won't fail after 2 months?

these are worth a look. Very pleased with mine.
http://uk.akg.com/akg-product-detail_uk/akg_y45btblk.html

Are there any effective noise cancelling earbud headphones for non silly money?

These Sony's are meant to be OK, Sony MDR-ZX770BN, but I'm not sure if there's anything great in that range.

These are probably decent for under £100 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-MM400-X-Bluetooth-Headphones-Compatibility/dp/B007JG54DG but are on-ear. I've been using the previous model (PXC 310) for the past 5 years and still going strong.

@skinny You're probably better looking at decent earbuds and isolating tips if you don't want to spend loads. These always get a mention http://www.amazon.co.uk/Etymotic-Research-Portable-iPhone-Earphones--Black/dp/B000XPG2QI Personally I like the Comply tips which block a fair bit of noise (but aren't that cheap and do need replacing every so often).

@BeauNidle re: Comply ... see my trick for using earplugs instead. a lot cheaper and 90% as good ;)

Yes, I've bought some and will give it a try.

I use different colours on each ear. Makes it easier to see straight away which is L and which is R

will try this hacked foam tip trick... sick of paying £14 for pence worth of foam.

Thanks guys, advice appreciated.

^^

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0m_RseMrok