Looking for Inexpensive Over-Ear Headphones for Work

Russ on 21/09/2018 - 16:31
Last edited 22/09/2018 - 13:23

Where I work, everyone has work-supplied headphones for the times when we have to concentrate on something. We play our own choice of music, to block out distractions.

Previously we were buying Sennheiser HD201 headphones, which cost about $30, but they aren't available anymore. Sennheiser don't seem to have budget headphones anymore.

Many of our headphones are starting to wear out, damaged cords, flaking earpads etc. We need to buy another batch of headphones, ten or so.

Any recommendations for under $50 per set of headphones? The headphones MUST be over-ear closed-back headphones. I have been looking, but have found many headphones that are described as over-ear really aren't, unless your ears are the size of walnut halves!

Recommendations please?

Edit: wired headphones only please, the headphones will typically not be used for a month, and then be needed. Flat batteries are a concern, and having many wireless headphones (and computer mice, and WiFi) in close proximity probably won't work well.

Electrical & Electronics Headphones

Comments

  • djkelly69 on 21/09/2018 - 16:54

    These have been on sale for <$60 a few times in the last few months. I am very happy with them as budget wireless over-ears. NC is probably not the greatest but it works and IMO is just a bonus at this price point.

    • Russ on 22/09/2018 - 13:24

      Thanks for the suggestion, but I've updated the post to say that wireless headphones aren't feasible. I should have put that in the original post, sorry!

      • djkelly69 on 22/09/2018 - 17:00

        Ok - they come with a wired cable as well, and don't use battery in wired mode.

        • Russ on 23/09/2018 - 09:36

          Thanks, the Amazon listing doesn't show that. I can't find details on the cord, does it have a standard 3.5mm stereo plug on both ends? If I can easily buy replacement cords, it becomes very attractive.

        • djkelly69 on 23/09/2018 - 10:45
          +1

          @Russ: Yes, 3.5mm both ends. The supplied cable has a right angle for one end, and is just a normal (1m-ish?) length.

  • HighAndDry on 21/09/2018 - 17:08
    +1

    I assume you want wired, because using that many wireless headphones in a small enclosed space… uh, might cause issues.

    Did an eBay filtered search for you here. Wired, Only reputable brands, Over-ear, CLosed back/Sound isolating, etc. Some on-ear ones snuck into the results, but my picks would be:

    Panasonic RP DJs150Es, I think I've used them many years ago, don't remember any major issues with them, fits all your criteria and they have exactly 20 available. Price is for 2x so they're only $22 each apparently.

    Sennheiser HD206s, basically successor to the HD201s, presumably everyone would be used to them, a little over your budget, but $62 each with the current code.

    • Russ on 22/09/2018 - 13:47

      You are correct, wired headphones are desired. I've updated the post to indicate this.

      Some on-ear ones snuck into the results

      Yep, it doesn't seem possible to filter them out, it seems people don't really understand what "over-ear" means and then describe their products incorrectly.

      Sennheiser HD206

      I searched for the successor to the HD201 on Ebay. Found the HD202 (no longer made), the HD203 (no longer made), and then there apparently wasn't a HD204, so I stopped looking!

      Thanks for your search link. With the link, I found that there are a small number of Ebay headphones in my price range. I widened your search to worldwide, and I'm considering the Pioneer SE-M521 and SE-M531, both under $50 after GST.

  • Some Human on 21/09/2018 - 21:56

    They don’t make budget headphones anymore because they realized they can stick a $400 price tag on it and people will still buy it.

    • Hybroid on 21/09/2018 - 21:57

      Bluedio do, but you get what you pay for though.

    • Russ on 22/09/2018 - 12:56

      So true, I've seen so many things have their price inflated because they have a particular brand name printed on them. I think the biggest problem with headphones is that you can't easily "try before you buy", and you have no idea how long they'll last.

  • Ratzie on 21/09/2018 - 22:27

    Jabra Move Wireless, use them for work everyday. Not the greatest sounding but can take a beating and great battery life.

    • Russ on 22/09/2018 - 13:49

      Thanks for the suggestion, but I've updated the post to say that wireless headphones aren't feasible. I should have put that in the original post, sorry!

  • knightslay2 on 21/09/2018 - 22:30

    Perhaps you can look into the Audio Technica M20X or the M50x? I would look into headphones with removable cables. They will cost more but logn you wouldn't need to replace the headphones so frequently.

    • Russ on 22/09/2018 - 13:20

      Thanks. Our headphones have lasted quite a while, our current batch is more than 5 years old. But they are all now reaching end-of-life.

      I know what you mean, all current headphones seem to be designed to fail within a few years. The headband on them is made of plastic, and frequently they have plastic hinges too. I've played with the idea of using headsets designed for pilots - I know they are well-built, but they are expensive, ugly, and high audio fidelity isn't their highest priority.

  • guster33 on 11/10/2018 - 13:35

    Sony MDR ZX110/310 should serve your purpose. Rather nice headphones for the price too, better than the HD201.

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