Does anyone have any experience with these two headphones?

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peterto February 23, 2011

Does anyone have any experience with these two headphones?

All IEMs I use are just uncomfortable and I've decided to just invest in a pair of good portable closed supra-aural headphones instead of just subjecting myself to the uncomfortable IEMs. I've narrowed it down to one of these two. They're both roughly the same price ~$200 and both seem to get similar reviews, but I don't really see much head to head comparisons with both.

I like how all parts of the HD 25-1 II are user replaceable and I've heard its basically indestructible, so it's good for portable use and to throw around anyway and not worry about it breaking.

The TMA-1 looks extremely nice and I like the standard 3.5mm removable cord and how the headband is made of super durable nylon.

I basically want a durable, comfortable set of portable closed headphones.

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brett 2011-02-23 09:01:09

I tried the AIAIAI model and they sounded great. The problem that I noticed was that they were pretty loose on me. I didn't attempt to adjust them since they were already adjusted for the guy who owned them. When I looked at them it just looked as if the adjustment options wouldn't really make them any tighter. For what it's worth, my head is really small so they would probably fit a normal person just fine.

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JasonTsay 2011-06-28 01:10:47

The TMA-1 are pretty durable and they sound great. I feel that the comfort is alright - there is no padding on the headband at all but the earpads are pretty cushy.

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ArmpitOfDeath 2011-02-25 00:35:33

Why supra-aural? I couldn't for example stand wearing the HD25-1 for more than a couple of hours tops - it was like having my ears in a vice. Once I had to wear them for longer since they were the only noise -attenuating headgear I'd brought along for that particular occasion and I really needed them, and I couldn't put anything on my ears for a good few days after that. In fact, I'd say most supraaurals do my ears in.

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peterto 2011-02-25 00:55:26

Supra-aural because I'll be traveling with these so I didn't want large cans on my head and seemed like the best compromise between large circum-aural cans and uncomfortable IEMs. I tried the HD25-1 at a J&R and they felt fine, but it was only for a few minutes and for (probably) highly used headphones. Commuting for me is roughly 45 minutes tops, either on the noisy train or a brisk walk to work, so I won't need them on my head for too long. I hear the head band loosens up for some use.

I'll see if I can track down a pair of TMA-1s to try on. Hopefully my head's normal enough or that my hippy hair is enough padding to make those fit comfortably.

ArmpitOfDeath 2011-02-25 05:04:52

I've looked at your Have list and assuming you're talking about the UE and the Ety, I'm potentially seeing a pattern / reason for the comfort issue.

What tips are you using on both?

peterto 2011-03-03 18:03:27

When I used the UE phones I used the foam tips, for the Etys I used Shure black foams. I know the silicone tips are more comfortable, but I've never been able to get a good seal, which was basically the main reason for me to use them as I never use them while at home.

ArmpitOfDeath 2011-03-03 19:14:11

Hae you used the new olives for the Etys, and aftermarket Comply tips for the UE's?

peterto 2011-03-03 20:43:56

I'll give them a whirl and circle back with my thoughts.

ArmpitOfDeath 2011-03-04 12:43:14

You might have decent luck with the Ety olives. Also, did you use all the sizes for the Shure tips?

peterto 2011-03-14 19:28:32

Nope, I could only use the medium sized ones. The smaller ones just fell out of my ears and the larger ones didn't fit. One of the transducers broke on my ER-4, so I decided to get the HD25-1 II, since I was in for a long bus trip last Friday instead of sending them in to get repaired. First impressions are, they are a bit tight and having glasses makes them more uncomfortable, but I'm going to give it another week and possible return or sell them if I think they're still uncomfortable and get the TMA-1 instead.