Looking for some good over-the-ear headphones

[dwright17]

Does anyone have a recommendation for a good set of headphones to use on a plane? I love my earbuds but don't like to use them for hours on end. I don't necessarily have to have a noise-cancelling set, but would like some sound drowned out when using them on a plane.

[Lani]

I own a pair of Sennheiser PXC 250 Active Noise Canceling Headphones although they have a newer model, I think. I liked it because it was compact and folded up nicely into its own case, and it didn't cost a bajillion dollars like the Bose ones did (and they are also so large they require their own carryon bag).

That said, these days I just wear a pair of Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic - Apple Store (U.S.). You mentioned not wanting to wear earbuds in your entire flight, and I agree; that would be awfully sore, at least for me. But these guys fit snug as a bug in a rug, and seem to cut out a lot of the hum and din of airplane noise.

Now, based on your subject topic line, you want *over-the-ear* models, and that's going to get a little tougher. As someone who cannot wear regular earbuds while working out without them falling out as soon as I start to sweat, I cannot recommend Innovelis - BudFits highly enough. They won't fit ALL earbuds or earphones, but they will fit the standard ones that come with iProducts (iPhone, iPod, etc.), and a number of others as well. It's nice because you can transfer them to other pairs so you aren't up the creek when that one pair of earbuds breaks.

[xtal]

I use these day-to-day, and they're excellent. They're comfortable, and provide great sound quality for the price.

Amazon.com: Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Professional Studio Monitor Headphones: Electronics

I haven't traveled with them, but they do fold up somewhat, which may be helpful. I prefer the coiled-cord version, but you can get a straight cord one as well.

[Lani]

Dwright -- I talked a few of my travel and gaming friends, and a few of them recommended the HF5 from Etymotic.

[Frank II]

I'll second the mention of Budfits. I even wrote about them on my website last spring:

Budfits - OBOW Blog - One-bag, carry-on, light travel tips, techniques, and gear

For over the ear headphones, I've stayed away from the fancy noise reduction ones as they are both expensive and heavy. I just bought an inexpensive pair of folding headphones. They're not great but do the job. (I don't listen to music while flying. I prefer audiobooks and radio plays. Quality of sound isn't as important.)

[jeffmac]

I am a fan of the Sennheiser HD280

[GEOcycle]

Headfi.org might have some suggestions for you. It all depends on what you are looking for in terms of price, quality, and music styles you prefer.

Then again, I'm probably over thinking this.

That being said - I listen to a wide range, prefer a little more bass, and crisp highs. Tend to go towards electronic, techno, trance, or music that often uses synthesizers if the mood hits me. I picked up a set of Ultrasone HF-580s ( Amazon.com: Ultrasone HFI-580 S-Logic Surround Sound Professional Headphones: Electronics) back when they were $80 off earlier last fall. Worked great on an airplane, although after many-many hours I did need to let my ears rest a little bit. FANTASTIC sound though - caters to my tastes perfectly. One problem is that it has a cord that's designed for studio use, and I think is long enough to lasso a bull. Looking into shortening that to a nicer 1m length so I don't have a massive wound-up heavy cord bulge to take everywhere.

If you can find a local audio store that allows you to test them, all the better. I didn't have that luxury, but spent a long time on HeadFi researching and happy with how things came out.

[Lani]

Oh speaking of BudFits, be careful when you're removing a jacket or sweatshirt that you have to pull up over your head. I was in the queue corral before the start of the Walt Disney World half-marathon earlier this month (no no please don't be impressed; I walked as fast as the people pushing shopping carts down a grocery aisle), and was wearing an XXXXXL sweatshirt to keep as much of me warm as possible beforehand. With a couple of minutes left to our start time, I removed my sweatshirt, then went to get my earphones in place, only to discover that one of the BudFits was no longer attached the earphone--PANIC!!!

Thanks to a nearby street lamp (and thank goodness I had a bright lime green one and not a black one), I was able to see it lying a few yards away. It literally popped off and flew into the grass!

[dougmon]

My favorites (and the ones I use every day) are the Sennheiser PX 100-II. They're very lightweight and fold up for easy storage. And they sound great.

[dwright17]

Thanks, Everyone. Lots of good choices here, I see, and several that I've researched myself. The most difficult part will be finding the balance between getting the sound/noise isolation I want and the light weight/lack of bulk for travel. I keep looking at the over the ear types and end up sticking with my fantastic ear buds and dealing with the sore ears since I don't travel constantly. I hadn't heard of the Ultrasone ones, though, so I'm definitely going to take a closer look at those. Looks like a field trip to a good sound store is in order. Well, I'll be visiting San Francisco in March, so maybe then! Thanks again!

[Lani]

The most difficult part will be finding the balance between getting the sound/noise isolation I want and the light weight/lack of bulk for travel.

You can always walk through the airport wearing the big headphones around your neck looking like a hep DJ cat! HEY!! WAZZUP!!!