[Luca Rescigno]

I got some Philips SBC HP170 headphones a couple of months ago for home use, and the quality is pretty good for the $20 price, but they're a bit disappointing. They do have volume controls and they can switch between mono and audio (though I don't know why anyone would want mono), but they're quite uncomfortable and I can't wear them normally without them putting excessive and somewhat painful pressure under my ears. Also, they have a bit too much background white noise associated with them, regardless of how I balance the volumes between the headphones and my iPod.

Any suggestions on a fairly good, comfortable pair of large headphones for under $50? I have a small pair that I use when I'm not at home, but they aren't that great for connecting to my computer because they have no volume adjustments and they tend to amplify every sound from the computer many times over.

[Vanquish]

my tip: Do NOT buy headphones with volume-control and buy one with OFC-cable, The best there is: Sony MDR-E888LP or MDR-EX70LP, the EX70 costs $ 57,95 the E888 costs $ 77,95. I own the MDR-EX70LP hooked up to my portable MiniDisc and they really kick ass !, IMO the EX70 are's better than the E888's.

MDR-EX70 Frequency Range: 6 - 23000 Hz
MDR-E888 Frequency Range: 8 - 27000 Hz

So with the EX70 you get extremely deep bass and the E888 go a little higher.

<a href="http://www.minidisco.com/minispecs/sonymdrex70sl.html" target="_blank">http://www.minidisco.com/minispecs/sonymdrex70sl.html</a>
<a href="http://www.minidisco.com/minispecs/sonymdre888sp.html" target="_blank">http://www.minidisco.com/minispecs/sonymdre888sp.html</a>

by the way the SL/SP versions are versions with a short cord, this is good if you use a remote control, but I don't think an iPod has this. And these versions need to be imported from Japan.

They cost a little more than $ 50 but they're worth it.

[macaddled]

<a href="http://www.headwize.com/" target="_blank">http://www.headwize.com/</a>