[Req] Sennheiser headphones (in a shop)

Bri · 07-01-2005 12:47pm #1

I want to get
these or the PX250s, and they're fairly affordable on Amazon.com, etc.

But I'd prefer to try them out so where in Dublin + surrounding areas can I actually get a hold of these? I havn't had time to get to Peats but on principal I'd rather take the risk of buying straight from Amazon as I have a very strong dislike of these people from past experiences.

Anywhere else? I know Tower Records have sold 1 or 2 but I'd prefer a proper elec. shop.

Thanks in advance.

fiacha · 07-01-2005 1:35pm

tower (off grafton st) have the px200 for €70
peats have them for €55ish in their sale.

i was looking for a pair too, but at that price i'm not sure if i really need them.

Bri · 07-01-2005 2:10pm

Thanks for that. They're available new for as low as 30eu on amazon.com (I know there's the shipping involved). Where do Irish retails get 70 from?

The PX250s are closer to the 100eu mark on Amazon and by all accounts they are a serious leap in quality.

I hate this country.

eclectichoney · 07-01-2005 3:52pm

if you're getting them in tower, try befriending a student to get 10% off, not much but better than nothing! at least it saves the price of a pint or two..

Bri · 07-01-2005 8:00pm

Good point thanks!

theprofessor · 08-01-2005 8:40pm

I got a set of HD 280 pro's a while before christmas. All I can say is :eek:

I know they cost quite a bit, but nothing comes close to these cans and they will really last for YEARS. More of an investment than a regular purchase.

I did a lot of research before buying them, here's a good link for lots of little mini reviews on cans. I know they sell headphones and therefore could be biased, but the reviews I checked match with independent mags, etc.

Bri · 08-01-2005 9:20pm

Thanks for the input. I know there are probably better models but I'm looking for a closed cups with portability and the PX range seem to fit the bill. Thanks!

CyberGhost · 08-01-2005 9:49pm

I'd get Koss Porta Pro instead, they are better.

Bri · 08-01-2005 10:17pm

They may have superior sound quality (they're cheaper too I think) but I've two problems with them:

Not foldable unless I'm mistaken
They are straight out of the 80s.

I know sound should be everything but I have my dignity to think about

CyberGhost · 08-01-2005 11:58pm

Bri wrote:

They may have superior sound quality (they're cheaper too I think) but I've two problems with them:

Not foldable unless I'm mistaken
They are straight out of the 80s.

I know sound should be everything but I have my dignity to think about

1. they are foldable, and become very small too
2. they look cool, everyone I showed them to liked them

you decide

Bri · 09-01-2005 12:27am

If they're foldable I would seriously consider them. Are they less fragile than they look?
I've tried them abroad and the sound is unbelievable from such little headphones.

Although I'm concerned that that quality would be lost as they are still open-ear?

Any recommendations on where to buy?

StickyMcGinty · 09-01-2005 2:00am

lads, i've heard so much about these headphones, are they really that good???

what makes them so good, are head phones not just head phones?

Bri · 09-01-2005 10:12am

The Koss ones? They just seem to pack an amazing punch for such flimsy looking things. I'm sure someone can quote the range etc. but I'm not that informed. I just know they were amazing when I tried them.

I'm still not convinced though - the Sennheiser PX250s are quite expensive but as well as being closed, they are foldable, with more padding and a battery-powered noise reducer that's supppose to actually work very well.

CyberGhost · 09-01-2005 1:56pm

it's not only punch, it's the clarity and the mids and highs, everything is very well balanced, their range is 15-25000 which is pretty good, I have Grado SR225's which is pretty audiophile headphone and rivalas the best sennheiser phones, and when I compared koss to them they sounded basically the same to me, with treble being a little more clean in Grado, just a little but the price difference is huge! and for just 50 euro those headphones are a steal, they are not flimsy, they are quite sturdy and if you don't abuse them much they will last you long time, being open doesn't make they lose quality, there is more air movement and it even helps quality, although, you will probably disturb other people around you, and won't be able to listen to them in library or other places requering silence, Porta Pros have awesome awesome mids which makes a dream headphone for classical rock.

PX250 are quite expensive, 82 pounds + shipping 5 pounds, if they are a little better then porta pros(which I doubt), look what huge price difference there is porta pros cost 35 pounds including delivery that's twice less! will those 87 pounds give you twice the sound quality? hell no.

go here http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/, ask guys there, I don't want you to listen to me buy porta pros and then be dissapointed and blame it on me, just because I like them a lot doesn't mean you will too... so ask there they are nuts about audio, they will give an answer

Bri · 09-01-2005 2:03pm

Cyberghost I'm overly pessimistic I'm sure. I really don't doubt their quality and the price difference in if bought in the US with free shipping is significant.

I have a friend who abused me no end for not buying them when abroad a year ago - I went for Funtopia earbuds instead - I guess this will be the same thing...I'll just have to reconsider my options and what I'm looking for and where I'll be using them. Can't see how they collapse though. And why the hell is there no padding on that 80s-style wire frame - I'd rather pay more?!

Thanks for the push in the right direction

On a related note - I've asked this before but got nowhere...

If your buying stuff on Amazon where each item is priced under 45eu (threshold for import tax right?) then does it make sense to get them seperatley packaged and pay for the extra wrapping - or does a big package - that has a total value over 45 but no individual goods over the price - make the most sense?
e.g. The Porta Pros and 2 CD cases; all cheap as hell but total might be around 60.

CyberGhost · 09-01-2005 2:59pm

this is how they fold

I like the 80s style, maybe that's why I like them so much?

no, first of all you can't buy from amazon.COM, since they don't ship to europe, you have to buy from amazon.CO.UK, there is not tax from the UK

But when you buy from the US, IMHO it's better to send one by one, if the shipping is not expensive, cause if they ship all the products together, they will just write - merchendise - worth - some money, and they will count it all as one. of course if shipping is expensive then it's better to order then as one and pay the damn tax, you have to calculate which suits you more.

I bought my koss from this guy
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3274&item=5741720396&rd=1
arrived in 3 days

btw, you should have gone with Sharp H-MD33s instead of funtopias, ......... ok ok I'll stop now lol

rubadub · 09-01-2005 3:23pm

px200 are going for $47 delivered on ebay new. Thats about €35

CyberGhost · 09-01-2005 3:58pm

hmm good price

Bri · 09-01-2005 4:22pm

Who said I'd buy direct from Amazon.com?! There are ways and means my friend.

eBay is obviously a great option esp. if you have a recommended seller - much obliged for the link by the way. I'm impressed at how portable they are.

But given the PX200 price I'll just have to hum and haw some more.

CyberGhost · 09-01-2005 4:34pm

np for the link

read this thread, might interest you
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=98323&highlight=px200

if you have someone in America that can purchase and send them to you, it's great cause they can just write on the parcel that it is a gift and you won't be changed tax or vat

Bri · 09-01-2005 5:24pm

CyberGhost wrote:

if you have someone in America that can purchase and send them to you, it's great cause they can just write on the parcel that it is a gift and you won't be changed tax or vat

I have to say I'm not convinced. If it's clothes and they are de-tagged fair enough, but even then I'm not 100% sure. Why would customs not stop a big parcel just cos someone wrote gift on the front? You'd surely have to either post each item seperatley or else de-package them and send the rest later. I'd like to pay a rake of things but think that writing NCV (No Commercial Value) or Gift is just a helpful tip not a solution. But I've never done it so I'm just guessing. Have you? Customs seem stricter these days and it generally looks like a gamble you decide to risk or not.

By the way I recently bought a deleted CD from Amazon.com's sellers and they posted direct from the states.

Oh and that link is a bit of an eye-opener. Just shows you really do need to goto forums for honest reviews.

Original Poster on other forum wrote:

Yea but portapros look so messed up. I need to wear these in public. I dont know the pictures look pretty bad.

Hahaha.

Ok so having thought about it here's my main uses:
-Walking: College in and out of doors and in town
-Indoors: In my room as a viable option to a) block out other sounds so I can study if necessary b) Listen to music late at night.
I'm more concerned about my own peace than others hearing me on the bus etc. I don't commute daily and my musical taste is good so I'd be doing them the occassional favour!

I'm not rolling in cash but I do like my music and tend to prioritise it over other expenses.

So the answer is... :eek:

Tony · 09-01-2005 7:03pm

rubadub wrote:

px200 are going for $47 delivered on ebay new. Thats about €35

do you have a link for that, I'm getting US only ads when searching, thanks

rubadub · 10-01-2005 9:05am

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=64601&item=5742814295&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

dub45 · 10-01-2005 9:33am

Sennheiser headphones are a major rip off in Ireland. Their top of the range model the 650 was 550 in tower recently and richer hi fi Ireland have it on their web page for about 420 yet I was in both Madrid and Barcelona late last year and noticed that in both places they were 320! that's an incredible difference. And if I remember rightly the mx500 their top in ear model was about half the price it is here. So someone along the line is really rubbing it in. :mad:

Tony · 10-01-2005 10:36am

rubadub wrote:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=64601&item=5742814295&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Thanks

Tony · 11-01-2005 12:25pm

rubadub wrote:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=64601&item=5742814295&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

I've emailed this guy and he will not ship to ireland

rubadub · 11-01-2005 1:21pm

half way down the page he says
"SHIPPING TO CANADA IS US$ 9.99(USPS ) & 14.99(FEDEX) AND TO EUROPE IS US$9.99(USPS)."

did you tell him Ireland is in europe? Most americans don't have a clue about the rest of the world. I always stick europe in brackets when I tell ebay guys I am in Ireland. I find about 50% of US sellers will ship to here even if they state US only. I think they just want to deal with english speakers

Tony · 11-01-2005 5:17pm

rubadub wrote:

half way down the page he says
"SHIPPING TO CANADA IS US$ 9.99(USPS ) & 14.99(FEDEX) AND TO EUROPE IS US$9.99(USPS)."

did you tell him Ireland is in europe? Most americans don't have a clue about the rest of the world. I always stick europe in brackets when I tell ebay guys I am in Ireland. I find about 50% of US sellers will ship to here even if they state US only. I think they just want to deal with english speakers

well if he does not know that ireland is in europe then hes not getting my money. I'm also very wary of using USPS as GLS picks them up here and are an awful shower when it comes to piling on admin charges etc.

Thanks again for your help though

silent · 11-01-2005 6:05pm

Tony wrote:

I'm also very wary of using USPS as GLS picks them up here and are an awful shower when it comes to piling on admin charges etc.

AFAIK this should be changed since Jan 1st, even before that smaller packages in my experience were handled by an post, as were USPS EMS, normal airmail (bigger packages) went through GLS only. but as said, should not be the case anymore if not mistaken
still deciding myself whether to buy hd-555's or something better

Tony · 11-01-2005 7:17pm

silent wrote:

AFAIK this should be changed since Jan 1st, even before that smaller packages in my experience were handled by an post, as were USPS EMS, normal airmail (bigger packages) went through GLS only. but as said, should not be the case anymore if not mistaken
still deciding myself whether to buy hd-555's or something better

Are you saying that an post will go back to handling USPS packages ?

CyberGhost · 11-01-2005 7:30pm

Tony wrote:

Are you saying that an post will go back to handling USPS packages ?

yes, USPS said they are not going to renew the contract with GLS in 2005

Tony · 11-01-2005 7:49pm

CyberGhost wrote:

yes, USPS said they are not going to renew the contract with GLS in 2005

Excellent news, their customer service wass appaling at best

rubadub · 12-01-2005 9:29am

Tony wrote:

well if he does not know that ireland is in europe then hes not getting my money. I'm also very wary of using USPS as GLS picks them up here and are an awful shower when it comes to piling on admin charges etc.

Thanks again for your help though

the fact you asked may have lead him to believe it is not in europe. I get most of my usps stuff in 3-4days. I think it is only if it is marked as high value and hence incurring duty that it goes through GLS. This seller is very good but more expensive.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3274&item=5742585292
i have gotten 2 irivers from her and a pair of E3C headphones (amazing sound), ordered last wednesday and delivered monday morning all stuff from her arrived in 3 working days. No problems with duty as it is marked as $10 so no GLS involved. If you are charged duty she will refund you and comments verify this. But if customs open a set of headphones they are not going to know the value.

Bri · 12-01-2005 12:43pm

Why wouldn't they know the value?

rubadub · 12-01-2005 3:22pm

I got a pair of tiny E3C headphones which cost me €120 delivered, they cost €250 in the UK, the slip says value $10 which is believable, they are unlikely to start looking up catalogues for prices of uncommon stuff that doesnt look too valuable. If they opened up a package with an iPod which stated a value of $20 then they may start asking questions

CyberGhost · 12-01-2005 4:04pm

rubadub wrote:

I got a pair of tiny E3C headphones

how are they?

Bri · 12-01-2005 4:07pm

They are supposed to be brilliant but damn they cost a lot.

CyberGhost · 12-01-2005 4:23pm

hehe, well I'm sure they are worth the money.

CyberGhost · 12-01-2005 4:37pm

*double post*

rubadub · 12-01-2005 7:07pm

CyberGhost wrote:

how are they?

They are amazing. Wasn't blown away at first, but didnt know what to expect. I am so used to guys with "brilliant sound setups" which are just really pure bass with ridiculous sub-woofers, which are pointless unless you despise your neighbours. But listening to tracks you can hear every little detail like very faint drum beats, tambourines, maracas etc, you can hear every little change in sound very clearly. They go in your ear canal and block out surrounding noise, so they don't have to be up full to hear properly.

I read many reviews about them, first heard about them on misticriver.net but there are several forums/groups just dedicated to headphones. You can get the step down E2C for about €70, I was going to go for them but noticed many people selling them on the fourms as they wanted to upgrade to the E3C. Some said the difference in regular phones and E2C was brilliant and that it was the same difference between E2C and E3C again.
I listen to my mp3 player about 10 times as much as my stereo or TV and would think nothing of spending €200 on a surround sound system for the TV or 400 for an amp and speakers for the stereo, thats how I justified the price tag, also I have broken manys the pair of €20-25 headphones, so the price will make me be careful with these. Come with a 2 year warranty, and if they break after 2 years I hear you send them in with $50 for a new pair.

The next step up, the EC5 are $500!

review here
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=74814

CyberGhost · 12-01-2005 9:12pm

I wanted to get e2cs but their treble is muddy and weak, which is important to me, so I decided not to go with them, I don't really like the looks of e3c to be honest, and they are kinda expensive, so I went with Sharp H-MD33s, which are a great balance of quality, comfort, looks and price.

are e3c comfortable to wear?

haha E5C? why them? treat yourself to a pair of these, maybe two pairs, you can give me the other pair

http://headroom.headphone.com/layout.php?topicID=3&subTopicID=26&productID=0020380001

Thanks for the quick review

you got me thinking of getting them.

Bri · 13-01-2005 12:07am

Dragging this back to the original PX200 model...Do you think they'll let me try them out in any shop in Dublin?
They should def. let me use the Porta Pros anyway right?

Still interested in suggestions of shops to visit (i.e. use and abuse before buying online

)

P.S. $900...riiighht.

CyberGhost · 13-01-2005 12:28am

Bri wrote:

Dragging this back to the original PX200 model...Do you think they'll let me try them out in any shop in Dublin?
They should def. let me use the Porta Pros anyway right?

Still interested in suggestions of shops to visit (i.e. use and abuse before buying online )

P.S. $900...riiighht.

Peats shop or Maplins, they should have them, if they don't I don't think anyone else will, but neither of them have Porta pro

dub45 · 13-01-2005 12:36am

CyberGhost wrote:

Peats shop or Maplins, they should have them, if they don't I don't think anyone else will, but neither of them have Porta pro

There is a tv shop in Georges St which stocks the porta pros. Almost opposite the old Bewley's Cafe.

Bri · 13-01-2005 9:47am

Cool thanks guys.

rubadub · 13-01-2005 12:07pm

CyberGhost wrote:

are e3c comfortable to wear?

After 4 days now they are. The first day I put the plugs that came with it which are medium size, but I needed the smaller plugs. So day one they were a bit sore, big yokes penetrating my virgin ear canal

The small ones fit in and out in seconds with a great seal, you push in so far and then hear a rush of air going out and they sort of suck themselves in. I had heard they were hard to put in but have no difficulties.
My virgin canals are well broken in like a fitzwilliam square gee

CyberGhost · 13-01-2005 8:58pm

lol

the first time I tried cans I thought my ears are being raped too.

[Req] Sennheiser headphones (in a shop)

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