Best products from r/Music

This is probably a question for /r/WeAreTheMusicMakers - They're usually pretty great for answering music production questions :)

That said, Logic, Reason or Pro Tools are your 'staple' DAWs - They are all equally powerful (for your intents and purposes), and Logic is the cheapest, so Logic is a good idea. You're also going to need a USB Audio Interface (I recommend the Scarlett 2i2 for small projects, or the Saffire Pro 40 if you plan on micing a drum kit) to get signal from mics/guitars into the computer. Look into getting some cheap-ish mics (AT2020 for acoustic guitar/vocals/overheads, and the SM57 and SM58 for whatever else, at least for starters).

There are oodles of great Youtube tutorials that will teach you how to use Logic, and eventually you'll want to invest in studio headphones and studio monitors (unless you already have them), which are built specifically to give you an objective sound to accurately mix.


I'm not an expert producer, but I do freelance stuff locally out of my home studio - My work for reference

Feel free to PM with questions, and you should definitely post in /r/WeAreTheMusicMakers! They'll probably have better answers than me, but I hope this helps.

I love my Sony MDR-V6. They're reasonably priced, comfortable, durable, sound excellent, and provide a substantial amount of isolation. They're not terribly fashionable though, even for fullsize headphones, although if you happen to work in a radio station you'll blend right in. A similar alternative is the Sennheiser HD280 which are a little pricier, but nicer looking and marginally nicer sounding.

If you'd prefer earbuds to fullsize headphones i'd recommend something by like the Etymolic ER6. I have a pair for my ipod, and they sound great, and block noise even without music about as well as a good set of earplugs, but you do look a little silly getting them seated properly.

How did I get into it? I started as a DJ. Next logical step I suppose.



Advice/tips?



Read up. Here are some of my favorites, and I do recommend buying them as you will probably refer to them often.


This would be my top pick: http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Music-Manual-Tools-Techniques/dp/0240521072


This is one on psychoacoustics, which I've found had some helpful knowledge: http://www.amazon.com/How-Music-Works-David-Byrne/dp/1938073533



And this is one on the history of electronic music, which I personally LOVED reading. Great information, and if you truly respect the scene as a whole, you should 100% read this: http://www.amazon.com/Last-Night-DJ-Saved-Life/dp/0802146104/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1419810859&sr=1-1&keywords=last+night+a+dj+saved+my+life



As far as software goes, they are all kind of a personal thing. Some offer things that others don't. My recommendation is to try before you buy, especially considering production software is expensive.




In addition, there is also a large choice of hardware you can use for production. You should look into getting a keyboard and some good monitor speakers at a bare minimum. If you stick with it, I would suggest you buy yourself a drum machine/step sequencer. My personal recommendation is Native Instruments 'Maschine.'



EDIT: A word.

If you're willing to go for another $10, these are a good pair. They don't work too well for wearing them in public places, though. The Koss PortaPros are renowned for their great sound and low cost. They're also very portable, as the name suggests. Finally, this pair of Sennheisers is very cheap and has great sound. I personally have the Marshall Majors, and I like them a lot, but they are well over $40. Good luck finding the pair you like!

Depends on the use to be honest with you.

Crystal clear quality with a very flat response? (Very suitable for audiophiles who do studio work and/or don't need an overwhelming bass response) : Sennheiser HD280s

Great quality for over the ear headphones and that have amazing bass response (Perfectly suitable for casual listeners that like a bass heavy response but still has a great amount of clarity) : SOL Republic Tracks

Need something for athletic activities that stay in the ear very well? I use these for just about anything from running, biking, weight lifting, or just walking to class : Bose IE-2

I know you want under $50, but if you are looking for quality and great sound at that price point, splurge on yourself and get some Sennheiser HD-280 PRO. Less than $100 and they are awesome. Don't think there are better headphones at that price range (I'd wouldnt argue if someone said Sennheiser HD 518's, though).

The Grado SR-60i's won whathifi's best headphones a couple of years ago and for only 79 bucks they are a fucking steal. IMO sennheiser are the Beats by dre of the audiophile headphone market. Grado's might not be the sexiest thing out there but they are American made, if you care about that type of thing, and dollar for dollar they're the best on the market. If you're looking for over ear rather than on, the AKG K-240 has been an industry favorite for years.

Hey guys. I am a DJ and have been through my fair share of headphones for professional and personal use. Brands to watch out for are Pioneer, Sennheiser, Shure, Ultimate Ears. Brands to run from (in my experience) are Audio Technica, Yamaha, Sony (mainly on their lower end), weird brands like Coby and JVC, and for godsakes be weary of skullcandy; they may look cool but they are made from exceptionally cheap materials that result in poor build and sound quality.

Finally, it depends what you are looking for: in-ear, cans(over ear or open air), noise canceling etc.


In-Ear:
1-- Sennheiser CX200
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-200-Ear-Canal-bud/dp/B001OIK50C

3-- Shure E2c
http://www.amazon.com/Shure-E2c-Sound-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B0000CE1UO


Open-air:
1-- Koss PortaPros (dorky but amazing sound for $)
http://www.amazon.com/Koss-PortaPro-Headphones-with-Case/dp/B00001P4ZH

2-- Sennheiser PX100
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-PX-100-Collapsible-Headphones/dp/B000089GN3

3-- Grado SR60 -- 80 dollars but well worth it -- my favorite but read up on these before you buy
http://www.amazon.com/Grado-60-SR-60-Padded-Headphones/dp/B0006DPMU4


Over-ear:
1- Sennheiser HD-497
http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-497-Over-Ear-Headphones-Silver/dp/B000065BPC

hope that helps :)
edited for readability. wtf reddit

Read this and this

Edit: Additionally, everyone has a natural frequency they resonate at. When you wake up in the morning, hum a note. What comes naturally is usually your natural resonance. Due to sympathetic vibrations in the harmonic series, certain harmonies and sympathetic tones can physically interact with your "personal frequency"

In other words, music fucking rules

There's some great recommendations here, but I will always recommend the Koss Portapros. Even though they're only $30, the sound quality makes them a great value... I found the bass response really good.

I believe in spending a lot of money on headphones, because they are something I use a lot and plan on keeping a long time. My last pair of headphones probably lasted me a few thousand hours of listening time, or maybe about 2 cents an hour.

I have the 202s - they sound good, but their comfort leaves a lot to be desired. Spend a little more for something you'd actually want to keep on.

I would recommend open headphones, for example the Sennheiser HD-595s or the cheaper but very similar 555s. These headphones are more comfortable, and they are open which means they sound better and don't trap heat near your ear (no more sweaty ears!). You forget you have them on.

If sound leakage in or out is a problem, go with a closed pair. I don't know much about closed headphones, so I can't give recommendations.

Etymotic.

https://www.amazon.com/ETY-Plugs-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard-Frost/dp/B0015WJQ7A/ref=sr_1_1_a_it/165-3195478-8226832?ie=UTF8&qid=1474174937&sr=8-1&keywords=etymotic

FUCKING SAVED MY HEARING

WHAT? SAVED MY

WHAT CANT UNDERSTAND YOU

HEARING

OH THAT? YEAH.

Seriously, buy these. SO good!

I completely agree, absolutely brilliant, and I encourage everyone here to go ahead and grab a copy of the 33 1/3 book that details the making of In the Airplane Over the Sea album. Anyone who is a fan of Mangum and his music, and really that of the Elephant 6 collective as a whole, really owes it to themselves to take an afternoon to read through it.

Here's a link for those who might be interested.

Sennheiser HD-280. Best bang for your buck IMO, and have very good isolation so the microphones wont pick up any audio coming from the headphones. The build quality is great and they are comfortable to wear even during those long sessions. They have an 1/8" jack on the end but come with an 1/8" to 1/4" adapter so you can plug them in to your Scarlett 2i2.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-280-Pro-Headphones/dp/B000065BPB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450628134&sr=8-1&keywords=sennheiser+hd280

edit: I would recommend getting a pair that have the coiled cable so they wont get tangled easily. And they are great for just simply listening to music.

Glad I helped convince you to give it another go. Hopefully with new ears. If you do find yourself gaining interest, especially the Anne Frank bit, this was a good, quick read that discusses it more.

I also like sennheiser.

I have a pair of HD 280 pros that I like a lot. A bit pricey at around $80, but they sound great.

If you're looking to replace your iPod earbuds, I like these just fine.

Exactly right. I bought these SR-60's a while back and can't believe the sound. You did say you want "good" bass so I'm going to assume you mean a lot of bass. In that case, these aren't for you. The Grado's are a much more even mix of frequencies with a nice wide range. You will hear things in music that you, unless you have had great headphones before, have probably never heard. Just look at the reviews on Amazon, I'm pretty sure they are some of the highest rated pair of headphones they have to offer.

Might I suggest reading How Music Works by David Byrne. It really helps to explain how/why some people like some music and don't other music. How it can depend on your cultural surroundings and experiences. It can help you become more aware of what is happening in the music and it can give you a better appreciation for music you would normally not consider.

Everyone has perfect pitch. Our brains have receptors that match the frequency of what we're hearing. If you hear an A at 440Hz, your brain fires a receptor at 440Hz. There's a great book called This Is Your Brain On Music by Daniel J Levitin that explains it much better than I could.
Still cool, though.

I have Sennheiser HD 280's myself and they're also a solid headset that's a pretty good bang for your buck. I got mine for $60 through a family member that works at Best Buy but you can find them for around $80 and are a great headset if you can't afford the $120 (give or take) that the HD 555's cost.

I love how you used the word, "brain hack". I think that sums it up perfectly. Your brain interprets different changes in pitch and rhythm as emotional cues, and music is an exploit of that.

There's a book called This is Your Brain on Music that delves into the neuroscience and psychological explanations for music. Very interesting stuff.

I have two different full head phones

I have the Sennheiser HD 555 and I really do enjoy them a lot with listening to music and pen pointing certain sounds but when I am gaming I use my Sennheiser PC 350.

If you are looking for a brilliant headset then I would certainly suggest the HD 555!

There's an interesting site that lists the samples by song...here. I'm not sure how complete it is, but it does a good job. Also, this book is an awesome read and talks a lot about the sampling issues with the album.

May not be what you're looking for, but pretty much every studio uses the Sony MDR-7506 and I personally love them.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AJIF4E

i just use regular foam earplugs, like HEROES or something. When I drum, I use something like these and i imagine they would be good for concerts too.

There was a brilliant pocket sized book about the creation of the album released a while ago, I think on it's 20th anniversary. Loads of history into what the BB's were back then and the trials and tribulaitons of all of the sampling clearance dramas...here are the UK and US Amazon links to it, sorry everyone else! But I'm sure you can find it through those. :)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Beastie-Boys-Pauls-Boutique/dp/0826417418

http://www.amazon.com/The-Beastie-Boys-Pauls-Boutique/dp/0826417418

This is a good post to ask - i have Etymotic earplugs (https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-High-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard-Packaging/dp/B00RM6Q9XW this ones to be exact) and i'm taking them to my first concert in like a month. Nothing too loud, just an indie band. So i'm asking - does anybody have experience with these? Are they good and don't muffle the sound too much? Thanks!

Not a documentary film, but David Byrne's book "How Music Works" is a fascinating dissection of Music as a whole. It's worth a read if you're interested in Music.

I use these and I love them. They fit really sungly and comfortably over the ear (blocking out outside noise really well) and have a great sound. I use them in the studio when I'm recording and mixing.

Edit: Shit, you don't want a spiral cord. Whoops.

Well that's a good thing to know about the grados; some of the amazon reviews complain about the same thing.

I had my eyes set on the Sennheiser 201's or 202's as my non-premium choice. I don't know if I'm ready to plunk down over 100 dollars on a set of headphones yet if I was still on the fence about the Grados. I like the earbuds, so maybe I'll try my luck with these as a first step.

I'll second jbarket's recommendation of Technics, assuming you can find a used one in good shape.

I recently purchased the Audio Technica ATLP120 for my in-laws, they've been very happy with it. Currently on sale at Amazon for about $250.

Also ask yourself- do you need 78 rpm? If you can live with a two-speed (33 & 45 rpm) there are a lot more good options in your price range.

Marissa Nadler
artist pic

> Marissa Nadler is an American dream folk musician and singer-songwriter. She plays six string guitar, 12 string guitar, piano, ukelele, banjo, and voice.
Nadler studied painting at the Rhode Island School of Design, where she began her performing career after writing songs for many years. Her latest record, July, is out now on Sacred Bones Records at http://www.sacredbonesrecords.com/releases/sbr103/ and Bella Union in the EU. July is also available on Amazon at the following location http://www.amazon.com/July-Marissa-Nadler/dp/B00GK6Y8QU and on iTunes at https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/july/id739937685 Her previous record was self-released on June 14th, 2011 and it's companion record, The Sister, was released in April of 2012.

> Nadler writes strange, yet classic, melancholy songs. Her voice is often bathed in a wash of reverb and space echo and creates a ghostly, atmospheric feeling to the music.

> She has American Gothic leanings; her songs often take place in an imagined, idealistic time with a cast of characters of her own creation. Her links to American Gothic are reinforced by Annabelle Lee, the last song on her debut album, Ballads of Living and Dying, which puts the poem of the same title by Edgar Allan Poe to a musical backing. Singing in a haunting mezzo-soprano, the foundation of her songs are her delicate 6-string acoustic guitar, often accompanied by variety of instruments, including electric guitar, theremin, and piano. Marissa Nadler is continuously thought of as a prolific and thoughtful musician, and it seems that a neverending flow of beautiful songs pours from her fingers and voice.

> Official Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Marissa-Nadler/300932499775
Bandcamp: http://marissanadler.bandcamp.com/
Read more on Last.fm.

last.fm: 289,771 listeners, 4,954,379 plays
tags: folk, singer-songwriter, female vocalists, freak folk, New Weird America

^^Please ^^downvote ^^if ^^incorrect! ^^Self-deletes ^^if ^^score ^^is ^^0.

I bought the Bose IE2 earbuds on a whim one day, and it was the best music-based purchase I've made since I bought my first CD in the late 90s, Abbey Road.

Incredible sound, VERY comfortable in the ear with the wraparound bud, durable, and very very crisp. To me, they're about as close to being as noise-cancelling as I would ever want an earbud to be.

At home I use Sony MDR-V6, best bang for your buck imo.

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-V6-Monitor-Headphones-Voice/dp/B00001WRSJ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1266605463&sr=8-2

When I'm out and about for my iPod I use Klipsch IMAGE S4 earbuds, amazing that's all I got to say

http://www.amazon.com/Klipsch-IMAGE-S4-Noise-Isolating-Headphones/dp/B001V9LPT4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1266605545&sr=1-1

edit:Spelling

For great insight to this album and some awesome behind the scenes stories, check out this book from the 33 1/3 series. Great run down on the album for any Beasties fan! (Jeez, I sound like a plug, but I swear i'm not the author/publisher!)

Sennheisser HD 280 pro

best bang for the buck, noise canceling too which is great for flying.

I've got Sennheiser HD-555's, and I love 'em! From Beethoven to The Who, the sound is all-around excellent.

I love my Koss PortaPros. They sound fantastic and look cool--mad styley.

http://www.amazon.com/Koss-PortaPro-Headphones-with-Case/dp/B00001P4ZH

Koss PortaPro headphones are awesome. They have excellent sound quality, especially for their price.

[http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones/koss-portapro-headphones/4505-7877_7-32897197.html](Cnet review)
http://www.amazon.com/Koss-PortaPro-Headphones-with-Case/dp/B00001P4ZH

Sennheiser HD-280 Pros

Super cozy, very comfortable, good isolation, and I can wear them all day or night without getting a headache.

absolutely! i used to go to metal shows and come home with rining in my ears for at least a day or two. i went to a small music festival (shouts out to prog power usa!) and they recommended the Etymotic earplugs and i've been wearing them for the last few years to every show i go to.

would absolutely recommend!

Sony MDR-V6 Studio Monitors.

Bought mine in 1990, still going strong except for a few ear pad replacements. Really nice, neutral sound and excellent at blocking office idiocy (or commute idiocy).

I just bought these, and they appear to be awesome. I destroyed my Sony MDR-V700's. These are pretty good too.

When you're 64 MB mp3 player is small... 96 bit rate to get the most songs lol

https://www.amazon.com/iriver-IFP-180T-128-Flash-Player/dp/B00017IX0Q

Best design ever

Sennheiser HD-280 PRO

They sound great and work well in noisy environments and help to keep the sound in. If there's a down side it's that he won't hear you talking to him when he has them on.

I use these beautiful things. So far they've lasted about a year and half and they're as good as new! And I'm a very heavy user.

Etymotic makes great pairs of earplugs exactly like that for less than $20. I have a pair and I can carry on a conversation while wearing them at a concert. They aren't custom fitted like the expensive ones, but they are far better than the foam kinds.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0015WJQ7A/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00RM6Q9XW/

These work pretty well and are inexpensive. I used to wear them when I played drums a lot, and I could tell a big difference afterwards using them vs. not using them. https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-High-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard/dp/B0044DEESS

No problem! It's a pretty cool series. I also recommend the Public Enemy , Beastie Boys , and Slayer editions. Good stuff.

If you're a real cheap-ass, check these out for $33. The sound quality is fantastic, and you do get good bass. The reason they're so cheap is because the build quality is pretty low, and they look like something out of a bad 80's movie.

You can even get superb results from a stock pair of high-quality earplugs designed for music professionals like these. I now use something similar that I bought at a local music store years ago.

For ~$40 go for Koss Portapros. They have great sound for the value plus they come with Koss' Lifetime Warranty. I've had them for almost a year and swear by them.

I thought $100 for headphones? Get real! But its one of the best purchases I've made in a long time and I have yet to mod mine.

Price History @ Amazon - Sennheiser HD555

It looks like they have gone as low as $78.50 back in May. I bet as Cyber Monday approaches the price will dip again.

As a guitarist and parent of three musicians (piano, piano and guitar) I really feel for you!! I almost cried watching you sit there and take that crap from your mother. Hey mom! Did you know that studies have shown music improves mathematical abilities? It improves creativity and cognitive development across the board!

http://www.vh1savethemusic.com/benefits
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/exchange/node/1869

Get this book!
http://www.amazon.com/This-Your-Brain-Music-Obsession/dp/0525949690

I would recommend these earplugs. I've used them for a few concerts and they work great at lowering the volume, but not cutting out the highs like normal earplugs* would.

They actually sell "musician ear plugs"....I bought a set from amazon for about 12 bucks. They lower the volume, not make it all muffled like rubber and foam earplugs. Best 12 bucks I ever spent.

http://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-Research-Protection-Earplugs-Standard/dp/B0044DEESS/ref=pd_bxgy_MI_img_b

Koss Porta Pro Stereo Headphones

Incredible bass considering how cheap they are. Very comfortable, and you can also fold them to fit into your pocket.

Sennheiser HD 280 Pro

I don't own them, but I am planning on getting them soon. Under $100, and excellent reviews.

EDIT: Link http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-280-Pro-Headphones/dp/B000065BPB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289963565&sr=8-1

I actually prefer this style:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00RM6Q9XW/
I have to wear earplugs 12 hours a day pretty consistently for work and they are much more comfortable long term. Even the foam ones will start to cause pain after a long day, these things on the other hand I've forgotten I was wearing.

I've got a pair of Grado sr60 and I really like them. The sound is great and they are comfortable enough that I forget to take them off when the music is over. I sit across from a guy who talks to himself so I feel your pain.

I love the mdr v6. I will probably get the newer version, the mdr 7506 when my v6 finally dies. The 7506 is the standard for radio broadcasters and sound engineers.

I have Sennheiser HD555 and Audio Technica ATH-A700 Headphones.

The Audio Technica's sound much better and they don't bleed the sound like the Sennheiser's.

Sennheiser HD555

They sound and feel awesome. You can have them on for hours without any fatigue. You should also consider that higher end headphones are made to last a lot longer than some 20 dollar pair.

http://www.amazon.com/Neutral-Milk-Hotels-Aeroplane-Over/dp/082641690X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413252669&sr=8-1&keywords=Neutral+Milk+Hotel+book

Check out this book. It's under $10 and really goes into each song in as best depth as you will get from a somewhat reputable source

Audio Technica AT-LP120

Hight quality turntable at a reasonable cost. Check out the reviews

I've had this one for about 2 years and I love it.

I had ringing in my ears from my teens due to ear infections or whatever. But as a sound guy and musician spending most of my 20s and 30s standing close to the business end of speakers, having good earplugs is definitely a good investment.

I have custom molded earplugs, but I also have a couple of pairs of cheap(ish) etymotic earplugs, I keep them in my car, in my gig bag, etc.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Etymotic-ETY-Plugs-Fidelity-Earplugs-Standard/dp/B0015WJQ7A/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=etymotic+earplugs&qid=1571434594&sr=8-6

I have a pair of AKG K240's. Relatively awesome and comfy.

Sennheiser HD 202s are a great buy at twenty bucks. Buy those and put the extra $30 aside for your next pair (if you ever need them).

Sennheiser HD 202 II Professional Headphones (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003LPTAYI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_J7v1wb63W1B7S

I'm really enjoying This Is Your Brain On Music at the moment. Really easy to read for non-sciency and non-musiciany but goes in to a lot of depth too!

I got a pair Sennheiser HD555's for Christmas yesterday and I really love them so far. However, if you plan on wearing them out a lot they may not be the best option for you as they have a long cord (10 ft.) and a long jack as they require an adapter for 3.5mm connections.

These ones are VERY popular in Norway. Quite cheap (30-50 USD), and life guarantee (they give you a new pair, no questions asked)

They're called Koss PortaPro

I picked up the Sennheiser HD 202s a while back just because of the price. A fantastic-sounding and comfortable set of headphones for ~$20.

Thanks!

I did a lot of research for months. I wanted a beginner set up that didn't cost a ton but also didn't suck and would last a while. Landed on these:

Speakers

Turntable

Definitely go with Koss Porta Pros. They're over-ear headphones, adjustable size, collapsible, and the sound quality is on par with anything Bose spits out. Normally $50, but you can get them for a decent $30 on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Koss-PortaPro-Headphones-with-Case/dp/B00001P4ZH

These are better than almost any headphone I've had

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003LPTAYI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1/187-9327131-1874551?qid=1459233353&sr=1-1&pi=SY200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=41EOdcYqT3L&ref=plSrch

For listening to my portable music player, I use the AKG K26P foldable headphones. They're small enough to fit in your pocket.

For "serious" listening at home, I use the AKG K240.

I have these and I like them: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XU6H8I

can't go wrong with these

Sony MDR-7506's, they're indestructible and the mainstay of most live audio engineers. (Am a live audio engineer) http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR7506-Professional-Diaphragm-Headphone/dp/B000AJIF4E/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417222074&sr=8-1&keywords=sony+mdr-7506

50 dollars will get you exactly nothing worth buying.
Save up a bit more, get this or this (or something like it) or check the used market.

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-280-Pro-Professional/dp/B000065BPB/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1248203991&sr=1-3

Those should compare fairly closely to the ATHs, with about a $20 drop.

When looking at other stuff, make sure you don't buy open headphones. Generally you can get better sound for the same price as closed, but they leak sound and can usually be heard well by people around you which would probably not be good in an office environment. Also you're likely to be able to hear some ambient noise around you, which it seems like you're trying to avoid.

If anyone's looking for open though, I suggest anything by Grado.

That is because you acquire your primary musical taste usually before you finish with puberty. This acquisition is apparently also dependent on social factors, such as peer group. There is a book that discusses this and similar things in a non-eggheaded way, namely this

Read this.

Porta pro !

Koss Porta Pro

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00001P4ZH/

Wait until Sony MDR V6's go on sale.

just doubling up on the Sony MDR-V6 reccomendation!

Sennheiser HD 280

For home I have my Sennheiser HD-280 Pros which will eat your iPod battery. For travel I use a pair of Realistics (Radio Shack brand) that are rebranded Koss headphones for about half the price but I don't know if they still sell them.

Sennheiser HD 280

Grado sr60

http://www.amazon.com/Grado-Prestige-SR-60i-Padded-Headphones/dp/B0006DPMU4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317665557&sr=8-1

Here's something that will change your life, my friend.

Over $300 range: PSB M4U 1; Full wirecutter review

$150 range: Sony MDR7506; Full wirecutter review

I have these
earplugs
I've used them for years.

http://www.amazon.com/Bose-327279-0020-IE2-Audio-Headphones/dp/B003XU6H8I/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1344566055&sr=1-1&keywords=bose+earbuds

Those are much cheaper at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-V6-Monitor-Headphones-Voice/dp/B00001WRSJ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1256909100&sr=8-1

I've been debating whether to order some. I have no idea why there's any debate.

Maybe out of the question ($190) but I couldn't recommend HD555s higher

I bought the SR-80i's (same headphones, slightly better quality), and the sound was unbeatable. Simply superb. I had to return them, however, because they hurt my ears really bad. I mean excruciating after half an hour. Just be aware that these aren't for some heads.

I still love my Koss Portapros ($33).

I have worn these to dozens of shows. For the price, they do the job without undercutting sound quality and without making it impossible to talk to the person next to you.

Seconded

Also these are very highly reviewed.

Links for the lazy:

http://www.koss.com/en/products/headphones/on-ear-headphones/PortaPro__Porta_Pro_On_Ear_Headphone

http://www.amazon.com/Koss-PortaPro-Headphones-with-Case/dp/B00001P4ZH

For around $100 you should be able to get some HD555s and perform this mod to turn them into 595s

Or if you have loud and annoying roommates, you could get some 280 Pros

With my iPod on public transit and at work I use Monster Turbine.

Now, before you you go on about how Monster is a piece of shit company that sells expensive cabling to gullible customers (I know, and I agree) you might want to have a listen. These buds are not bad at all and I got them on sale (~100$ CAN) when my previous headphones (Koss ear-buds, forgot the model) stopped working and I had the extended replacement warranty at Future Shop. They are embarassingly called 'in-ear speakers'.

Anyways, they sound good and are constructed very solidly (all metal). Probably the only thing from Monster I ever considered buying.

At home I use AKG K240. They're semi-open so unless you're a total asshole, not really good for outside the home.

No worries! This would be my choice sisters can be a pain to buy for.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B003LPTAYI/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?qid=1417198276&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX110_SY165