Audio Equipment

I like the over all sound of Sennheiser headphones much more than Bose. At the apparent $130 price you're interested in there are many models you can choose. Start your search with the HD 518.

+1

Sunnheiser is a great headphone.

I have the HD-280 Pro closed back headphones ($100), which is a bargain for the quality of sound you get. They are rated very highly.

Open back Sunnheiser models are even better if you do not need to block out ambient noises.

Sunnheiser would be a big step up from Bose, which I do not rate their products very well.

Ah see, this was my first pair of over hear headphones, all others were earbuds. When I made the transition from buds to headphones, the difference in quality was outstanding. I've tried a buddy of mines Sennheiser, but I think they were open back. They had incredible quality, but the second I ramped up the volume a little bit, everyone around me could listen to whatever it was I was listening to.

I've heard nothing but good things about them though, and wouldn't mind making the change, maybe it'll be another epiphany moment like my first transition

Someone had suggested that I look into "Shure" as well (in terms of headphone manufacturing) but I'm getting a lot of mixed feedback from my usual crowd. Does anyone have any experience with them?

Try the HD-280 Pro. They are closed back and should meet your requirements at a net savings of $30.

I did a lot research before selecting the Sunnheisers and they were rated as one of the best without having to take a second mortgage.

Intra aural cavities are like finger prints. No two are alike. Frequency response will vary from person to person, so what sounds great to me might sound tinny to you. (I'm mostly deaf anyway)

I'd find a piece of music, or sound effects or whatever you like and take that with you to use as the test for sound quality. Same sound, same delivery system.

Also, in the early 90's I worked for a company developing active noise and vibration control systems. We competed with Bose in the headset market. Our audio experts claimed that the noise cancellation system actually enhanced the listening pleasure of the wearer, by reducing outside interference that would distort the sound as it reached the ear. Never could tell the difference myself. But give a set of these a whirl, just for grins. You might be surprised.

Good Luck.

"...what sounds great to me might sound tinny to you. (I'm mostly deaf anyway)"

I'm with you on that.

To me, Def Leppard sounds like this...

...while the Bare Naked Ladies sound like this

i would advise on Sennheiser also (Anonymous Hero Sunn heiser? )

Why this and "11kV motor DOL starter" are posted here instead of under "Electrical"?.

Have you thought about having your old ones repaired by Bose? Maybe a little poking around will find a simple broken wire or connector. It seems like you like yours more than most others.

I've actually repaired mine several times over. The wire gets frayed and i fix it, then used a hot melt adhesive of some sort to repair the wire insulation. After roughly four or five years of this, they've decided to finally kick the bed.

I like these Bose a lot only because they're my first real pair of headphones. Prior to them, all I've used is ear buds, so I'm thinking going with an "audiophile" pair of headphones will be the next big epiphany for my listening pleasure

I just found out that Grado makes some entry level headphones (SR60i & Sr80i) in your price range. These are open air headphones but you should definitely consider these in your comparisons.