Headphones For Heavy Metal

Problem is that its more about how you like to hear the music rather than what music you like (which is the most common response). However, since its ipod based then you need to figure out whether you need closed or open backed - will you be listening / public places and either dont want to hear extraneous sounds, or other people to hear yours. So the first decision is open or closed back. Perhaps the best option for portable music are the in ear bud type 'phones, such as Shure, Etymotic, Sennheiser, AKG etc. To be honest, check the reviews on Amazon, which is where you'll probably find them cheapest anyway. 

I would most likely go for the closed style.

Hmm, I see but I kinda wanted headphones instead of earphones as I wanted a change. But I guess headphones are more designed for home recording/mixing/general listening.

:( 

The closed backed portable Sony PX200 do not leak much sound all all and are tuned for bass. Add in a FiiO E5 headphone amp with its bass boost and you will get a sound that rocks. That will leave you with sufficient to get some open backed Grado SR80s for home listening. Grados are known for their dynamics and attack, which suits rock.

idc:

The closed backed portable Sony PX200 do not leak much sound all all and are tuned for bass. Add in a FiiO E5 headphone amp with its bass boost and you will get a sound that rocks. That will leave you with sufficient to get some open backed Grado SR80s for home listening. Grados are known for their dynamics and attack, which suits rock.

Agree with the Grados, just what I use for both house and ipod. Not good for flying so have to use in Senny ear things...... 

For portable listening I would advise spending less than £100 since you're pairing it with a low quality source (you're ipod) and anymore spent would be wasted.

Home listening, any Grados... with a decent CD player if possible.

Heavy Metal, well that'll be a lot of cymbals, wailing guitars, phasing effects etc drum solos and head banging. I notice you use an iPod classic 160gb, same as mine although I don't listen to much heavy metal, a bit of Zeppelin, Nine Inch Nails, Reuben etc occasionally. Any road up, I would point you in the direction of Klipsh Image/Image X10s, very light , easy to wear, a stunningly detailed and open sound with good amounts of articulate bass (provided you fit them properly). I have so far only used mine for the last couple of mornings walking to work, so they are not yet fully 'run in' but already the sound is becoming better, and they were good at first listen. The only reservation I have is that when you hold them in your hand you don't seem to get much more than you would if you had just spent £5 at TKMax. When you put them in your ears, well I just say that they are fantastic. I also have a pair of Shure SCL4s which have a much heavier build quality, but not quite the same attack and verve (but in no way over doing it) that the Klipsch phones have. I'd replace the Klipsch phones first if I lost both pairs. Just be really careful you don't get run over as you will be seriously distracted by how good your iPod will sound and you'll look really daft playing air guitar if anyone from the office sees you! The Klipschs really are that involving. These phones are both very easy to drive so can go very loud, although the Shures will go louder.

I would disagree about the sound quality of an iPod when you're listening to it through the right headphones, using uncompressed Apple loss less files the sound is fantastic with both my Shures and Klipsch phones and also on my cars stereo. It was only when playing my ipod through my home stereo for critcal listening that it sounds thin and lacking, but thats why god has given us the Sooloos.

I have had ATH-M50's for 2 years now and I love them to bits. However, I will have to concede that Sennheiser headphones I've heard are probably better... You could probably get Sennheiser HD595 within £200, however, if you're willing to go to open-back speakers and are willing to push your budget to £300, I'd actually suggest that you get Sennheiser HD650. They are very very very highly regarded by all music producers and engineers that I know, including one or two involving in making heavy metal music! They are the best headphones I've ever heard - though, the open design may not make them suitable for your requirements as there's a lot of sound bleeding off to your surroundings - may not be popular if you listen to music around other people! If you do get them though, I can't see you ever wanting another pair of headphones =)

Audition both Audio-Technica and Sennheiser for sure, however.

If I were in your position, I'd be looking at getting two pairs of headphones. Some Grado SR60s/SR80s for when you're listening at home, and some in-ears or noise cancellers for when you're out and about.

I am a metaller too (Meshuggah, Lamb Of God, Gojira, Opeth, etc, etc) and use Grado SR125s for home listening (via CD & amp, not ipod). Very happy with their performance.

Metalhead1993:

I am looking to purchase a pair of new headphones that meet the demands of heavy metal music. I don't mind spending a lot of money for quality but the realistic budget is about £200. I have searched the internet for a couple of days and found that I have just got more and more confused due to the thought of needing the correct ones. So I thought I better create my own thread and hope I get some replies to help me out.

I will be using them to simply plug into my iPod Classic and listen on the go (and at home probably) on a day to day basis. I have come across many pairs whilst searching the internet, but the two that have stuck in my mind are the Shure SRH840's and the Audio Technica ATH-M50's.

Cheers for reading.

I think closed back would be the best. I listen to a lot of heavy rock and had to replace my old Koss coz one of the leads broke. I went to see a friend who uses my EB1's for studio mastering and he showed me the ( no ) difference between his cans and the EB's. He uses Sony MDR V6's. So I went and got a pair off Ebay. Brand spankin', not counterfeit, with all the Sony packing and the bag to put them in, 25.20 GBP inc delivery from China. And they're the real thing. I'm amazed!!

Big Chris:

If I were in your position, I'd be looking at getting two pairs of headphones. Some Grado SR60s/SR80s for when you're listening at home, and some in-ears or noise cancellers for when you're out and about.

I am a metaller too (Meshuggah, Lamb Of God, Gojira, Opeth, etc, etc) and use Grado SR125s for home listening (via CD & amp, not ipod). Very happy with their performance.

Chris,

 I am looking at buying a new pair of headphones and have considered the Grado SR80's, possibly 125',s, funds permitting.

The last pair of phones I had for quite a few years were Sennheiser HD25 SP's which have served me well but are closed as opposed to the open Grado's. I would only ever use them for home listening, my current source being a Uniti.

However, I've never had open headphones before, and wondered how "leaky" the Grado's are? For example, if playing rock music at a reasonable level could they be heard in the next room, or in the bedroom upstairs?

Also, how would you say the sound differs between open or closed, much difference?

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They are leaky. Not had any complaints from The Wife when she's been in other rooms, but I do get the evil eye when using them while she's watching TV in the same room.

For what it's worth I listen to a lot of metal as well and my Sennheiser PCX450 noise cancellers spread it all out fantastically. I didn't specifically buy them for HM but they worked out very well in that respect. I got them at nearly half RRP on Amazon

Go for two sets of headphones, get shure se210's (in ears so no leakage) for your ipod and for home use go for grado's sr125i ( leak noise so only good for indoors), might be £30 odd quid over your budget but will be well worth it! I listen to lots of metal like rammstein, cradle of filth, maiden etc and these headphones do them justice!