Korean Job Discussion Forums

pkang0202 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007

I don't think spending over $100 for a set of headphones is worth it. The best set of headphones I've listened to under $100 is the Sony Fontopia. Normal earplug are too big and they hurt my ear canals after they've been in my ears a while.

The Fontopias have the silicone pads as well as different sizes so they are real comfortable. The sound is great and I couldn't believe I was actually hearing bass out of ear buds.

My biggest gripe with the headphones is the freaking cord extension. The headphones a cord thats too short, but they come with an extension cord that makes it too long.

If you let the MP3 player hang, it would only come to about halfway down your stomach. With the extension cord, the cord is too long. If you let it hang, the mp3 player would be hanging by your knees.

tfunk · Joined: 12 Aug 2006 Location: Dublin, Ireland

Tie your cord up if it's too long.

What do you do if your shoelace is trailing along the ground?

Endesu · Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Location: Bucheon

There are tons of great headphones out there, altough I'm not a fan of earplugs myself. The best place to go here in Korea, is the Headphoneshop at Ipark Yongsan. Their webpage is www.headphoneshop.co.kr
They have a good selection, and if you bring your MP3, u can try most of their models out.

Different models are good for different music. So you have to find the one that suits your needs.

flummuxt · Joined: 15 Mar 2007

Hey, that's a great tip, Endensu.

The problem here is that most of the brands are unfamiliar. It's nice to see a site with the big names.

But being a big name does not always mean quality. Do not get suckered into the Bose and Sennheiser hype.

The best value at a moderate price I see on this site is the Koss PortaPro. I don't know why the PortaPro2 is more expensive here. It drops the adjustable tension of the original. Probably just aesthetics.

The Grado SR60 has its followers, but I have not heard them. I do own the PortaPro and several other Koss headphones, and have for years. Great bass, treble, detail.

I suggest that when you buy a pair, break them in slowly, very slowly. Start them on some music at low volume, without any bass, and play for several hours. Better yet, leave them on overnight. Then gradually increase the volume. The headphones will have more detail and treble response. I've tested it.

The only problem with the PortaPros is that the foam covering wears out after a couple of years. Otherwise, they work fine.

harryh · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: south of Seoul

For only 50 bucks you can pick up the AKG 81DJ for headphones. That's a bargain.

Yeah, there are hundreds to choose from. It depends on what sound signature you are looking for, and budget.

I have the Stax SR-84 for home use, and use the Etymotic ER4P for portable usage. I'm not a basshead, so these may not be suitable for everyone.

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

Well, I was tired of losing and having heaphones break, so I bought a pair of Philips 'in-ear' phones. Sound great for 14,000.

safeblad · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

Dome Vans · Guest

You really can't beat Sennheisers. I bought a pair of HD270. They'll set you back about 230 dollars but they're worth it. I've had them for four years and they've been knocked about but the sound is still ace. Fit over the ear so are comfortable like hell. When I worked in Sweden as a chef I was so tired I used to fall asleep in bed with my old headphones on and would accidentally rip out the cord. BUt these ones have a pull out cord anyway so no panic in the morning with broken headphones.

spliff · Joined: 19 Jan 2004 Location: Khon Kaen, Thailand

Only 156,000 here...

http://search.danawa.com/dsearch.php?ut=0&k1=HD270&x=17&y=7

Dome Vans · Guest

harryh · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: south of Seoul

It's all about what sound you want. I've always found Sennheisers rather veiled. Although I thought the HD600 were quite good sounding.

At around the 150 bucks mark and below, the Denon AH-D000 and the Auido Technica ATH-ES7 sound very good. Excellent detail from the highs down to the lows.

Another point to consider, is the cost. I usually buy the majority of my headphones from abroad (USA - best prices, even after factoring in the shipping costs). I'd only consider buying some Japanese headphones in Korea, and then only the lower priced stuff ($200 and below).

Import taxes for headphones must be high here!

Dome Vans · Guest

To avoid sounding sensual, I love the feeling of not having anything touching my ears. So the in ear ones, never really appealed especially sound quality was considerably poor. The sound on the sennheisers I found to be best and as you say it's a matter of taste.

Gone are the school boy days of all treble and no bass headphones, ah i miss them!!!!!!!

Demophobe · Joined: 17 May 2004

harryh · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: south of Seoul

Technology is fast moving. There are some great sounding in-ear phones and isolating phones out there nowadays.

The only problem I see is the premium price you may have to pay. Shure, Etymotics, Futuresonics, livewires, ultimateears, Westones amongst others don't come cheap.

For portable use, In the summer I mostly use my Etymotics, but when I want a wider soundstage I reach for the Audio Techinca ATH ES7 or the Denon AH-D1000. If I want plenty of bass, I turn to my AGKs K81DJ. Music and choice of headphone is quite often a 'mood thing', whatever rocks my boat.

IlIlNine · Joined: 15 Jun 2005 Location: Gunpo, Gyonggi, SoKo

Good headphones are worth paying a little money for! If you've never owned a better pair, you don't know what you're missing.

This has some fairly good suggestions:

http://www.headphone.com/guide/by-headphone-type/

I'm also not sure why, but Sennheiser headphones are cheaper here than in north america. If you want a portable headphone that doesn't stick in your ear, why not try the Sennheiser PX100 -- they are VERY highly rated and only around 50,000.

I have Sennheiser CX300 and Grado RS-60 for my own listening pleasure.