AKG 26P, Grado SR60, Sennheiser PX100

Ear Pad Headphones

This category contains headphones that have earcups that do not completely encircle the ear, and are typically fairly small in size. This type of headphone is more properly called a "supra-aural" (on top of the ear) headphone, but we don't like using the word as we have to explain it every darn time. People buy this type of headphone because they want something ergonomic, lightweight and potentially easy to stuff into a backpack or briefcase. This is a huge category of headphones; here you'll find cans ranging from $20 to $700. These headphones are typically 'open' designs since many don't enclose the ear canal well enough to fully shut out external noise. But there are also some excellent sealed-design headphones within this supra-aural "earpad" category as well. We will discuss both!

Sennheiser PX100

Ear Pad Headphones Between $39-$59

The category of low-cost, very small and/or folding earpad headphones has been really heating up the past few years and a number of the bigger manufacturers have joined in with the traditional offerings from stalwart Koss. The old-standby from Koss Porta Pro is a dependable little can and we've steadily recommended it for years. It continues to be perhaps the best-sounding of the bunch that follows … by a VERY slim margin. The Sennheiser PX100 is not quite as well-extended at the extremes of the audio spectrum, but easily wins the ergonomics/comfort/looks race against the Koss hands down. At an also nicely inexpensive pricepoint, AKG offers the K-414p model. The low-priced AKG K414P wasn't quite as detailed in the highs as the excellent PX100, or the slightly larger bargain-priced Sennheiser HD202, but it might be a valid consideration for many listeners looking for solid ambient noise-blocking ability. The AKG K 414P delivers a bit bigger kick in the bass than any of any of the above 'phones, and in a nicely full-sounding way; Its a great rock/hip-hop/funk/modern produced music sort of headphone! And the fact that it's a closed-cup design makes it all the better for a useful inexpensive pair of 'noise-blocking' cans. The honest truth is all the headphones mentioned here are tremendous value-loaded purchases.

AKG K26P

You'll find a big bunch of headphones clustered near $50 bucks. We'll talk about just a few: Once again, the AKG K414P (pictured at right) is the perfect rocker/ rapper/ trancer/ dancer/ turntablist headphone for listeners needing a sealed can for walking-around, work, or scholastic purposes. Another great contender is the Sennheiser HD205. These bigger mid-size headphones have a tight punchy bass hump … but we mean that in a good way. We hate boomy, mushy unresponsive bass, and luckily these cans do too. Fairly high-impact dynamics and an acceptably well-balanced smooth response make these headphones a very cool portable listen at a really good price.

Ear Pad Headphones, $50-$100

The Beyer DT235 are amongst the best sounding smaller-sized [earpad] 'sealed' headphones at the price. They remain easy to power from portable players, are durable in a backpack, and provide well-detailed sound quality with a slightly round, bright overall tonality; no question, they're impressive little cans for the money!

There are also a couple of great-sounding sub-$100 small-sized earpad 'open' earcup headphones too: the Grado SR60 and the Sennheiser EH350. Both these cans are excellent audio performers at the price, with the SR-60 playing articulate and vivacious to the warmer, lush tone of the EH 350. The Grado probably still retains the leading edge as a sonically exciting headphone for many listeners, but you'll may lose some minor earpad comfort to get it due to the Grado's thin mesh foam earpad padding.

Ear Pad Headphones, $100 and up

Once you get over a hundred dollars, this whole 'Earpad' category starts to fall apart a bit. The never-ending quest for upgraded sound will likely take you into full-sized (circumaural) headphones while this particular 'earpad/supra-aural' headphone category becomes increasingly specialized to some degree.

Grado 325i

Grado Labs Headphones:

Having just said that, we'll have to elaborate as we explain that many hardcore headphone audiophiles revere the aforementioned Grado line of 'earpad' headphones. Grados are somewhat different in design from other high-end cans since the Grado earcups tend to partially rest on your earlobes rather than completely around the ear as most "full-sized" audiophile-grade cans do. Grado headphones are based on a rather singular old-school design philosophy, but when you got a horse that runs this strong, ride it over the hills & far away! Grado headphones have long been known for their intense immediacy, clarity, and terrific sonic punch, an exciting sound for many listeners. They are also considered by some to be a little edgy-sounding and not particularly rich in the bass bracket, if that's your thing. Out of the entire Grado line, we think the truly amazing "best buy" is the Grado SR60 ($69) followed by the SR225 ($200). However, the wonderful-sounding but stratospherically priced RS1 ($695) and the drop-dead-priced but highly impressive GS1000 ($995) are true audio connoisseur's lushly-colored delights. We highly recommend either of these uber-fun upscale Grado models as true culmination headphones alongside your more technically "neutral" reference cans.

Sennheiser's Noise-Canceling Ear Pad Headphones

A wide array of Sennheiser "Noise-Canceling" headphones are available between $100-$450usd. Generally, we believe that ear canal headphones (ECHs) are the best way to block-out nearly all ambient noise, but if you don't want to stick something into your ear canal, a regular 'sealed/closed' earcup headphone will provide both better isolation & much better sound than "active" Noise-Canceling headsets. But then again, who the heck are we to stand in the way of a technology that works so handily on airplanes?! -- If seeking small 'earpad-sized' active Noise-Canceling cans, the bargain-priced Sennheiser PXC 150 and the better-performing Sennheiser PXC 300 and especially the clean-sounding, circumaural [full-size], upscale-oriented Sennheiser PXC 450 with "Talk-Through" feature & upgraded noise-canceling are all ergonomic, well-made Noise-Canceling headsets and typically sound equal or superior to the other big-name NC headphones out there.

Sennheiser HD25 sp

Sennheiser Sealed Ear Pad Headphones

Not that most drummers would have the ability to read this far (JUST KIDDING!...We love drummer jokes-- who doesn't?) but this next can is a great headphone for percussion or bass-entranced listeners out there. The Sennheiser HD25-1 WILL definitely stay on your gyrating head since it features a well-crafted, comfortable split headband design that partially encircles the cranium for unbelievably secure head-banging stability. It's certainly a bit hard to power correctly from portable players like iPods and laptops -- but when plugged into a quality audio mixer or dedicated headphone amp these things will fully rock your world.

 

Ear Pad Headphones


Photo Product Value Rating List Price Our Price
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Koss KSC 75

Surprisingly good-sounding clip-on headphone; Perfect under beanies, hats & helmets.

4.0 out of 5

$19.99

$19.99

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Sennheiser HD 202

Excellent value with solid sound quality & isolation. Good sealed headphone for the price.

4.0 out of 5

$39.95

$39.99

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Sennheiser PMX 100

Street-wise looks and good sound from a neckband-style headphone

4.0 out of 5

$59.95

$44.99

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Grado iGrado Black

Cool Street-Style 'Neckband' Mobile Headphones for iPod, Laptops & MP3 players!

4.0 out of 5

$49.00

$49.00

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AKG K 27i

Deluxe iPod-Style Looks, In-Line Volume Control, Good Mobile Sound!

3.5 out of 5

$54.95

$49.95
On Sale!

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Sennheiser PX 100

Great Sound & Ergonomics, Fab Price; Must-Have Upgrade for Portables, iPods and iPhones.

5.0 out of 5

$69.95

$49.99

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Koss Porta Pro

Excellent inexpensive headphone: great sound, lightweight, good ergonomics, LIFETIME warranty.

4.5 out of 5

$49.99

$49.99

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DENON AH-D301K

Inexpensive But Strong Entry-Level Sealed/Closed Earcup Headphone

3.5 out of 5

$49.99

$49.99

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Sennheiser PMX 200

Hip street styling & ambient noise blocking in a 'neckband' headphone.

4.0 out of 5

$69.95

$51.49

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Sennheiser HDR 120

Get an extra headphone for your RS wireless sytem -- Because sharing your wireless experience is fun!

0.0 out of 5

$69.95

$59.95

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Sennheiser HD 218

Killer Entry-Level Portable Sealed Headphone. Amazing Price & Sound. iPhone Compatible.

4.0 out of 5

$79.95

$59.95

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Sennheiser HD 212 Pro

A Top Value in Sealed-Earcup Portable-Use Headphones.

4.0 out of 5

$89.95

$59.99

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beyerdynamic DT 235 Black

Clean-Toned Sealed-Back Portable-Use Headphone. Great Looks, Great Price.

4.0 out of 5

$79.00

$64.90

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Sennheiser EH 350

Superb Open-Earcup Choice at Nice Price. Clean Sonics, Well-Extended, Highly Efficient!

4.0 out of 5

$139.95

$69.99

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DENON AH-D501K

Excellent sealed headphone for the deep bargain hunter

3.5 out of 5

$69.99

$69.99

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Grado SR 60i

Lacks fashionista looks, but the standard for sound quality amongst inexpensive headphones.

5.0 out of 5

$79.00

$79.00

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Sennheiser HD 228

Excellent Audio Performance from Lightweight Portable Sealed Headphone. iPhone Ready!

4.0 out of 5

$99.95

$79.95

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Sennheiser RS 120

Good low-cost complete wireless headphone system. Includes base transmitter & headphones!

3.5 out of 5

$119.95

$89.95

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AKG K 81 DJ

Strong Performance from Well-Priced Portable-Use Sealed Headphone.

4.0 out of 5

$109.00

$89.99

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Grado SR 80i

Tighter & more neutral than SR60i, but benefit from a head-amp for most musicality.

4.0 out of 5

$99.00

$99.00

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Audio-Technica ATH-FC700A

Superb-Sounding Portable Sealed Headphones AND Nicely Inexpensive!

4.5 out of 5

$119.95

$99.95

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Sennheiser HD 238

Tremendous Sound Quality for Small Portable Open-Earcup Headphone.

4.5 out of 5

$139.95

$109.95

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DENON AH-D1001K

Small-Sized High Caliber Sealed Headphone. Incredible Price-to-Audio Performance Ratio. IN-STOCK!

5.0 out of 5

$149.99

$129.99
On Sale!

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Sennheiser HD 25-1-II

SENN's Best Sealed Headphone. Punchy Clarity & Secure Fit for Mobile Listeners, DJs, & Studio Work.

4.0 out of 5

$350.00

$199.99

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Grado SR 225i

Choice earpad open headphones with eye-blinking impact, punchy bass, clean highs!

4.5 out of 5

$200.00

$200.00

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DENON AH-NC732K

Perhaps The Best-Sounding Noise-Canceling Headphones. 100% iPhone Compatible!

4.0 out of 5

$299.99

$249.99

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Grado SR 325is

Extension on the SR225i with silver aluminum earpieces, stronger highs, and more bass flavor.

3.5 out of 5

$295.00

$295.00

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Audio-Technica ATH-ESW9A

Looks AND Sound to Swoon Over from Top Portable Sealed Headphone. ON SALE!

4.5 out of 5

$549.99

$299.99

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Grado RS 2i

Little brother of the RS-1i. Nearly as good, but less money!

4.0 out of 5

$495.00

$495.00

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Grado RS 1i

Amongst the best headphones for listening without a headphone amp.

4.5 out of 5

$695.00

$695.00