"Dan Eppinger" wrote in message
news
I just bought an IPOD. As you IPOD owners already know, the headphones
that
come with it..to put it mildly..suck!

In your opinions, what headphones offer the best combination of sound and
comfort for the IPOD? I have a pair of Koss PortaPros. The sound is great,
but the comfort leaves something to be desired. I have tried other small
headphones, but either the sound or the comfort factor just isn't there.

Thanx for your input.

Dan,

Frequent flyer who likes quality sound AND comfort

I recommend the Sony MDR-V600.
Closed back, around the ear design -- does not compress the ear.
Low pressure, light weight, folding design.
Among the highest sensitivity of all headphones.
Clarity very good, but short of excellent.
Very strong headband and hinge construction.
Reasonable price.

Cons:
Some consider the quality of the bass loose & overblown. I'm not offended by
this.
Less clarity than open ear designs, because the backwave is reflected by the
shell. But for noise reduction, a closed back design is mandatory.

The faux leather ear cushions tend to lose their surface by sticking
together under high humidity conditions. The exposed foam is still quite
usable, if unsightly.

Sennheiser 580, 600, and 650 headphones have great clarity. However, they
are open back designs, and lack the sensitivity necessary for compatibility
with low voltage equipment. I'm not sure where the Ipod stands on this, but
a typical Diskman can't drive every set of headphones you might like to use.

Lionel recommends the Etymologic. These are a technical triumph, but some
people find the necessary insertion deep into the ear canal to be a
disturbing intrusion. I have no personal experience with them.