triport alternatives at 1/3 the price

[m15a]

i've heard a few times that the bose triport cost triple what it's worth. that is, it's worth $50 when it costs $150. now, i don't own the triport headphones, and i'm not the type to spend $150 for any type of portable headphones. but if it *was* $50 . .

so, anyway, i wanted to hear what people thought of as alternatives to the triport at around $50. of course, it doesn't have to have the "benefit" of having the bose name, but i think the positive features of the headphones are:

- very light and comfortable over-ear headphones

- relatively portable and small

- fairly good sound

i understand a big negative is the fragility of the things, so maybe a better question would be what are alternatives that are more than $50, but without the downside of being fragile, while still having the benefit of being so comfortable.

note that i'm not posting this to attack people that make such claims. i'm really curious what the alternatives are for small and very comfortable headphones with pretty good sound. also, i know there are some good general guides for good headphones to get, but i think this question is more specific.

Edited June 7, 2006 by m15a

[Fat Tires]

I can't claim to have listened to every option out there for Triport alternatives. However, alot these headphones would be great choices to compare to the Bose headphones. The Koss Portapros, Sennheiser PX100, and Grado SR60 are all "open" phones that will allow sound to leak in from the outside and let others hear your music as well. Open phones are not always well suited to portable use because of this leakage, but in my oprion they sound far superior to "closed" phones like the Triports. The Sennheiser PX200 and Sony MDR-710 are examples of closed phones. I like all of these phones to one degree or another, and have owned or still own all these models. I still own all but the Sennheisers since I don't like them as much as the other headphones.

Koss Portapros

Sennheiser PX100/200

Sony MDR-710

Grado SR60

All of these can be purchased new for $40 -70 USD.

[The Low Volta]

one set that has all you ask (IMHO... that's why I have just bought them myself) are the Sennheiser PX100:

- very light and comfy... I'm wearing them right now, but I have to keep checking as I forget they are on (tried to get up from my desk twice, seeing the cable attached to my mac just in time or I would really have been surprised)

- portable and small... they are even foldable and come with a strong(ish) carrying case ofr when not in use

- good sound... they sound very realistic and as far as phones for portable apps go, they are definitely worth their money IMHO (and I know there are a number of PX100 fans out here on MDCF)

and for the most important part: they were $40

(just follow the link in my sig for specs)

[jaylen]

In addition to the MDR-710 already mentioned, I've also been thinking about:

AKG K26P

Audio Technica FC7

Be scared of the PortaPros. I am.

[atrain]

In addition to the MDR-710 already mentioned, I've also been thinking about:

AKG K26P

Audio Technica FC7

Be scared of the PortaPros. I am.

for aesthetic reasons? i love 'em so retro futristic

[Fat Tires]

Yeah, the Portapros are ugly, but they sound SOOOO good.

[jaylen]

for aesthetic reasons?

Unfortunately, yeah, and I'm sure I'm missing out on some great headphones. I was also looking at the SR60, but I don't think I can deal with that "look" either (and that they're not as portable as the others I'm considering).

[atrain]

those grados are pretty small, not too portable though what with being fairly open.

i'd be wary of the fc7s, i've heard that they aren't that comfortable.

akg k81dj are very cheap [61] at amazon right now & are pretty cool

if anyone's looking for bigger, home use closed phones, check the linkie in my sig

[A440]

Grados are way too big for portable use. I love my SR-125 at home, but I wouldn't carry them around. Even if they weren't big and un-foldable, they don't just leak sound--they just about broadcast it.

Along with Volta, I vote for the Sennheiser PX100. Small, light, good-sounding, ultra-comfortable. Before them, I used Portapros, which aren't exactly beautiful but are magnificently comfortable. But the PX100's sound better, period. And they're better than any earbud I've tried anywhere near the same price range.

[Damage]

The PortaPro's can occassionally eat hair for breakfast. I know it's eaten bits of pieces of my scalp on the occassion. If you're scared of the PortaPros, I'm going to recommend the KSC35s; Clip-Ons, but they are essentially black PortaPro's sans the headband w/ appetite for hair.

And as for the SR60s, they're strictly stay at home set of headphones. Not because they're one ugly set of cans, mind you. They leak in a lot of sound from the outside, so they require a quiet environment to get the most out of them. Once you do get over the looks, you'll find one of the best set of cans for sub $100 (in wide open sound, fairly fast trebles, and probably not as bass heavy as other cheaper phones).

Remember the Ugly Little Duckling? Mmmhmmm.

[MDX-400]

i've heard a few times that the bose triport cost triple what it's worth. that is, it's worth $50 when it costs $150.

Just a general rule, this is for everything Bose. "Friends don't let friends buy Bose." Bose is all marketing hype and high prices for garbage products.

[m15a]

thanks for all the replies. i started this thread as mostly a hypothetical question (that is, not because i wanted to find a pair of headphones). but then i realized that this is actually pretty useful. i checked out some of the headphones mentioned, and i personally like them and would consider them.

but really something along the lines of the triport would be perfect for my girlfriend. if they were only affordable. in addition to the criteria i listed, other important criteria for her that i believe are present in the triports are they're:

- circumaural

- have pretty good passive noise reduction (closed)

maybe i missed some, but i think most of those recommended don't fit those criteria as well.

[The Low Volta]

if you prefer closed phones that are well, more 'on the ears' than around (circumaural) you might try the Senn PX200 (on step up from the PX 100 mentioned earlier)

still they aren't 'that cheap' as they are about $60 in the shops here in Belgium (you might find them cheaper online of course)

[jaylen]

The PortaPro's can occassionally eat hair for breakfast. If you're scared of the PortaPros, I'm going to recommend the KSC35s;

And as for the SR60s, they're strictly stay at home set of headphones. Not because they're one ugly set of cans, mind you. They leak in a lot of sound from the outside, so they require a quiet environment to get the most out of them.

Remember the Ugly Little Duckling? Mmmhmmm.

Ok, hair-eating PortaPros really scares me now. Yeah, I've pretty much decided against the SR60 - especially now since all of you are saying they leak sound and I don't want to disturb others at school. The clip-ons don't tire out the ear pinnas? I was looking at the KSC75 ($14 on Amazon) once.

lol Nice analogy with the Ugly Duckling, but the SR60 is most likely not going to metamorphose into the D66SL or ES7 once it hits headphone puberty a.k.a. burn-in.

m15a: Have you seen the Sony MDR-D66SL? Circumaural, neat style, portable and light, good sound (MD users seem to love them), and they cost less than the TriPorts. I'd recommend those as I'm also looking at them very seriously.

The ones everyone recommended don't fit that criteria you just mentioned because your initial post's final comment was this: "i'm really curious what the alternatives are for small and very comfortable headphones with pretty good sound.also, i know there are some good general guides for good headphones to get, but i think this question is more specific." So the ones people mentioned fit those criteria instead. Good luck!

[m15a]

m15a: Have you seen the Sony MDR-D66SL? Circumaural, neat style, portable and light, good sound (MD users seem to love them), and they cost less than the TriPorts. I'd recommend those as I'm also looking at them very seriously.

thanks for the tip, jaylen. looks like something worth checking out. but they seem to not be available so many places. are they only japanese imports? in any case, i've stored the model numbers in my head in case i happen to spot them.

[jaylen]

Yeah, unfortunately I've only seen the D66SL online so it would be hard for you and your girlfriend to test them out or see their size. Here is a thread from Head-Fi that also lists some (more affordable) circumaural models for the female persuasion.

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=149940

Good luck!