Looking for a set of music + gaming headphones which I could wear in like 95F / 35C heat, for 12 hours straight, and be compact enough to carry with me to LAN parties etc.
It also needs to sound balanced, maybe a bit punchy or a tad warm, but not too distorted.
The AKG 518DJ to 650 range are a good example (also price wise ($50-$150)), tried them, liked them, but they have 2 cables which are non-detachable - dealbraker (cables break fast). The AKG Y50 seem cheap/crappy.
I also want to ask: Closed-back and on-ear headphones OR open-back around-ear headphones?
Things I already have: - In-ear earbuds (not what I'm asking for here) - Closed-back Studio around-ear monitors (hot) - Other semi-open crappy hot headphones
I don't have any stores around me that let me test too many headphones so I need your help.
For hot weather I cant stress enough - you NEED velour pads. Pleather/Leatherette will be a nightmare.
If a detachable cable is a must, (depending prices of course) AKG massdrop edition, ATH-M50x with velour pads, ATH-AD500x with detatchable cable mod, AKG-K612, Used Fostex T50-RP Mk3 V1
Never owned velour pads. Definitely have to try. Sceptical since anything around-the-ear and closed back looks to me like it traps air. Ear pads are thick, no matter what they're made of.
Well I have a pair of AKG K712 pro's and I live in Australia - we regularly get weather hotter than 100F so I can assure you velour pads are as good as its going to get. Will they hold more heat than on-ear ? Sure - but you arent going to be able to wear on ear headphones for 12 hours. I used to have leatherette ear pads on my M50's and they were ok but the velour pads on the 712's are WAAAAAYYY cooler
Open back, neutral, over ear, detachable cable (proprietary connectors on both sides though), velour pads, comfy. Sennheiser HD600/650. Still my favorite pair of cans for music. I have the 650s. Cheaper and not as well built but also pretty good sound: Philips SHP9500
Just go straight 80s man. Who needs headphones, carry this bad boy like a BOSS.
Also, I actually think on-ear open back headphones would work best, and I agree some kind of cloth rather than leather would be ideal. I was eyeing the Hifiman S series earlier today, they may work (not cloth but I can't think of any that are stock cloth anyway).
