Portable headphone advice

Thanks! Yeah, I've eyed the Zoro and the Yamaha, but the whole beats aesthetic is really not my cup of tea

I forgot to add the ATH-M50 and M50x to the list, I did have a listen to the former a while ago and found it bassy and slightly sibilant, but it seems it has been improved over time. They were a bit bulky, though.

Anyone tried the ATH-M40x ($99) yet?

I do like IEMs in principle, but I find myself adjusting them every 15-20 minutes due to my narrow, asymmetrical ear canals no matter the tips, also the 3 KHz peak is too emphasized in most.
IE8 and 800 surely are interesting, but they are way too expensive for walking down the streets of my city.

Foldable is a plus, so is decent isolation. Shiny, brittle plastic is a no-go.

I think I have it narrowed down to the following models:

AE 51st Studios
Onkyo ES-FC300
ATH-M40X (Reviews say they are more neutral than the M50X)
V-MODA XS

I'm very tempted to try the Onkyo at the discounted price, but I'm a bit wary of running into fit issues since I have a slightly weirdly shaped melon and small pinnae.

The V-MODA should offer at least the same level of sound quality as the others IMO, being twice the price and all, which doesn't come quite clear by reading the random (very hyped) impressions. Anyone with experience with the older M-80?

What about the AE 51st, Rabbit, have they bored you yet?

The ae51st are a nice headphone if you don't mind a 'Senn' laid back sound. They are quite strongly rolled off up top. Pads are small and quite hard, but for my ears not a big problem. They are solid and would stand up well to throwing around.

I know you mentioned the Creative Audio bass distortion. Imo, it's not a bad headphone. However, I there is also the mk 2 with different pads. It's the one I use quite a lot mobile nowadays actually along with the CAL1.

Stock, the pads are hard and bass is overwhelming, but they do have a decent sound lurking in there. I changed the lead to something more substantial but more importantly, once you change the pads to these soft leather ones that I have, it becomes a better headphone. The pads are the ones that are used with my Studiospares and there are loads of other 'named' headphones with the same pads. Solderdude has diligently found the same headphone in many guises in the Studiospares thread. The pads for these headphones are super. They are soft and way more comfortable than the Creative Audio pads and my ears go right inside.

More importantly (for me) is that the sound is transformed. The bass bloat has gone and they are really smooth sounding. Imo, they go up a notch in quality. Still a little 'dark' in comparison to say, Audio Technicas and even the Senn HD600, but really lovely, and balanced.

It's a tougher headphone than the CAL1 as well.

It's not an 'open' sounding closed headphone, if you see what I mean, but it's extremely good. Something in my head stops me hearing any form of openness in closed headphones. My brain tells me it's closed and that's that!! I accept it.

Same for staging. My head seems to stop me hearing a good image on headphones, no matter how hard I try. I think my eyes rule my ears.

Cal2 with different pads is excellent and extremely comfortable. If I want a darker sound, I use the CAL2 but the CAL1 is a tad more open sounding and the distortion that is measured doesn't feel like an issue to me.

Another option ... This isn't a joke ..... Use the money to buy a really good portable amp and .... Just as important for portable, a well designed bag!! That way, you can use any headphone that you currently have. The bag makes it convenient.

I use amps etc mobile, but I have a couple of 'manbags' and other smaller bags in order to make mobile listening high quality and convenient. I have a few amps that I use but Solderdude's new design looks good to me and that will drive anything really, as well as correct it's fr to be as flat as possible.

I'm currently saving every penny for a house move but when the dust settles, it'll probably be the one for me. It has bags of power and will 'correct' big peaks in many headphones that he is/has designed boards for. Imagine ...... A Senn hd650 mobile and corrected to give more openness. Or a t50, corrected to lift the top end and extend it much further. I have a t40 and a t50. The t40 has been modded and with an active filter made by Solderdude, it's amazing. He has a module for it that fits in his new amp and could be an answer for you if you want real quality.

The CAL1 as is doesn't isolate that well. The pads are quite hard and don't fit softly onto your face. The pads with the CAL2 are very soft leather and they take the shape of you face up much better, so the isolation is very good.

The CAL2 is darker though. That's why I tend to go to the CAL1 more tbh. It seems more even, although it isn't in reality.

StudioSpares is a big 'un, so for portable on a commute, you might stick out a bit. Again, it's a darker sound but very punchy. Treble isn't as extended as I'd like once again but isolation is excellent. Those pads are really very good both for isolation and comfort. The M1000 is a big headphone though.

I tend to use iem's in public. Some people find comply tips easier on the ears. My IE8 has a custom mould on it but they are very expensive. (I sometimes use them for live work and they are quite nice actually) Custom moulds make them very comfortable and then you have great isolation.

Portable headphones are a difficulat area. They are a compromise I guess. If you are moving around, the boosted bass isn'tr too bad a thing tbh. It helps give the music presence in noisy environments.

One closed headphone I do like is the ATH a900. They isolate really well. No really big bass, but crystal sounding. Very pleasant. Trouble is that they are so big and the lead is too long!! I'd use them happily though with a shortened lead!!

I suppose you've considered the Senn HD25? I find them OK and they isolate quite well if you can stand your head being squashed. It lessens with time though. There's a cheap old fasioned looking Panasonic headphone that works well. I had one for a while until my daughter sat on it!!

splashurl.com/lkttcg3

Old fashioned and highly un-nickable. Kids don't want them because they look old. Sound isn't bad though.

I was thinking of getting another pair and sticking the leather pads on them for comfort.

I'm not sure the T40/50 drivers would go into the ae51 enclosure. Now that's a thought isn't it? I wonder what it would sound like? You may find the ae51 cups too small though for your ears.

Just as a reference point, I compared the modded T40 with the ae51. No filter switched in for the T40 and the treble is similar. The ae51 is stronger in the mids and doesn't have as deep a bass as the T40. It is way richer in the mids so is a more 'middly' sounding headphone with same lack of extension as the T40 in the treble!!

I would like another pad for the ae51 if I'm honest. The ones that come with it are quite hard. Problem is that they are square. I'f like something more comfortable but I can live with the sound. (Although once again, it is coloured)

It's difficult to say whether the CAL2 is worth double the CAL1. My personal feeling is that it isn't. As it is, it comes with harder pads and big fat bass. The CAL2 sounds enormous. That's why I changed the pads to these softer ones which bring that bass down. Unfortunately, the treble doesn't seem to open up so it is still a dark headphone. CAL1 is less bassy but has a more lively, direct feel about it. Then isolation isn't so good either.

With portable headphones, I think a lot depends on where you are coming from and your expectations. I kind of lower my expectations unless I use the T40.

Have you got a T40? Personally, I don't think you can beat it for the price. With mods, it's really top notch and the cable can be changed to a short one. The only thing is that they are a bugger to drive. That's why i was talking about Solderdude's new amp with a filter specifically designed for the t40 fitted.

The T40 goes way down to 10 Hz and with a filter, up to around 15KHz I think it is. (Pretty smoothly) Mine has been modded and it has velour pads. I don't mind it without the filter as well. In fact, I'm listening to YELLO now on it without a filter switched in. It goes really deep and is rock solid.

The biggest problem is that being an ortho, it needs an amp big time, but portable, it's brilliant. That's the one I'd get the amp designed for if you already have one. Put a short lead on - they just fit with plugs so no soldering and it isolates nicely too.

If you want a really good mobile sound, this is hard to beat.

Other options are (to me) a compromise. Ultimately, when I've made my move and worked out what I have to replace/repair in the place, I'll be after a new portable amp with a T40 filter fitted. For me, it's the best combo. Even without filter, it's the best - it just isn't so extended sounding. (More like 10 KHz and then rolls away) The filter gives it more air. I may sell off a load of headphones to pay for an amp acually!! I need to get rid of some.

So if it's quality on the move - that for me is the best option. T40 with an amp. (The T40 needs to be modded though) Headfi as you are probably aware has an extensive description of all kinds of mods and Solderdude is an expert at getting them to sound right so he can give you brilliant guidance.

Apart from that, the options I have are:

ae51 - round sound. Not particularly extended either way but nice.
CAL1 - Open sounding and has some punch. Good highs too.
CAL2 - as it is - too fat and bassy. Modded - an improvement but dark. treble not extended.
Senn Momentum (over ears) - very pleasant but also very warm. Good headphone actually, but could do with more in the treble extension.
DT1350 - For me, a weird headphone. Love/hate feelings for it. I could never settle with it. Solderdude swears by it once modded.
ie8 - wonderful iem. Big bass, warm top.
Yamaha mt220 - nice headphone. quite open up top and a surprising bass that kind of appears unexpectedly. You sometimes feel that it has no bass and suddenly off it goes. Cable too thick for portable though.
Zoro Noontech - pleasant. Too shiny and plasticky for me.
Beyer DT250 (80 ohm) with an amp. Lovely. Warm, big sound, although the curly lead is a pain. I tuck it under my belt.

I sometimes take my T40 out with me on an O2 without a filter. No one would try pinching it since it looks old fashioned!! It needs a lot of power and the O2 makes the best of a bad job!! That's why the new amp might well be the answer.

I have tried so many closed headphones for portable and to be frank - they are all a compromise as far as sound goes. The only one I have felt really comfortable with is the modded T40. That's the business and really is the one to go for if it is affordable with mods and a powerful portable amp. Most other options are nowhere close imo.

For me, the best of the compromises are CAL1 and sometimes the ae51. I prefer the CAL1 though. However, it's all shiny and easlly marked in the real world of portable audio.

If the sound is the issue - T40 is a killer headphone.

It is difficult to make a decision - I know. I've been through so many and found most just a compromise.

AE51 is OK. Ultimately, the lack of treble extension may make you feel that you are missing a lot of info. It's strong in the mids and doesn't have the deep bass punch of the T50. It compensates for its lack of bass with a strong mid bass hump.

I love the T40 and 50. I have both. My T40 was modded and measured by Solderdude and when I took it into work for some engineers to have a look, they measured it and the jaws started to hit the floor!! They were staggered at how low it was going with so much energy and how flat it was. Lots of converts there.

His filter extends the top range and provides a little more bass if you want it. Other than that, I hover around the HD600 and HD650 tbh. Sometimes the DT990. I find the bass a bit hyped on that though as well as the treble sometimes. D2000 is also nice but again, ramped top and bottom. They're just not as even as the T40 and T50. My T50 just has the pads changed so it is a bit thicker sounding than my modded T40.

I have used the T40 mobile and forgotten to get off tubes!!! (On the London Underground)