I'm a huge fan of the Sony MDR-G42, but they're over a decade old and hard to find. I had a couple of pairs, but they both just gave out over the past year - the right side stopped working on both pairs, so I wonder if the wiring in there just crapped out. Anyway, they're the most comfortable headphones I've owned and have been using them religiously for a long time.

I'm in the market for a new pair, but don't know where to look since the G42's are not in production and I'm reluctant to buy another replacement pair if it's just going to crap out on me like the other ones did. Earbuds are generally uncomfortable for me, and I'd prefer something that's behind-the-head like the G42. Does anyone have any recommendations for headphones that aren't too hard to find? (That said, the "updated" MDR-G45's are not as comfortable and are way cheap compared to the G42).

EDIT: or maybe someone here has a pair of 42's they want to sell me?

Hey Bro! Not too long ago I was looking for some headphones myself. I was definitely looking for quality over price. I ended up purchasing these:

http://www.earphonesolutions.com/westoneum1.html

they are earbuds, but they are comfortable, and they are made in the USA
I didn't know such things were still made in the USA, but apparently there are a few left! At any rate, I find them very comfortable especially if you travel a bit. They're very easy to fold-up, and the quality is great. If you want larger headphones, I read that Grado were great.

I think the SR-60i is available on amazon for less than $80, and I think Grado is also made in the USA, which means you're not getting cheap crap! Should I need to purchase headphones again, I would probably go with Grado. By the way, years ago (when living in Cambridge) I purchased a Bose set, since they have a reputation of being high quality (and they're located in Kendall Sq). I paid a lot for the headphones, which ended up being made in China, and it broke after a few months. Bose said it was out of warranty so I basically got screwed. So yeah, after that I vowed to avoid Chinese products as much as possible. Anyway man, that's just my experience, I wasn't intending to start another debate about the quality of Chinese goods (which, I don't hold to high esteem at all). Anyway Bro, hope all is well!

Hey dude! Thank you for the recommendation. I picked up some cheap crap Bose earbuds (;)) the other day to check out, and so far they've been great. They're not as comfortable as the behind the hear design of the MDR-G42, but they sound phenomenal, and I'm hearing things that have been buried in music that I never picked up on before. Maybe that's just a result of using low grade audio equipment for... basically forever, but I'm happy with them so far. If not, I can return them within 30 days and check something else out.

What Bose headphones did you used to own? These ones have a full one year warranty from the manufacturer... and if something goes wrong and they don't honor it I'll just walk down to Kendall and go right to their offices!

That said, I can see your frustration with Chinese goods, but so many things are made overseas it's not even funny. Everything from the keyboard I'm typing on, to the computer I'm using, to the monitor I'm seeing this on is from China. It's crazy! Although, if we were Chinese I guess that would mean that we're all shopping locally.

I had a larger set of Bose headphones. I forget the name, but they're not the earbuds. They probably broke after a year, but I don't understand why they should break at all? It's not like I was flinging the damn thing around! A friend of mine did have the earbuds, and that actually went bad on her as well. However, she fixed it. Apparently it's not uncommon for them to break, and there are websites which will explain how to fix the problem (unfortunately, it is apparently a quality control issue). Still, dude, if you got it cheap then it should last for a while (or at least a year). I still suggest investing in Grado at some point, which is what I'll do myself

So true about things made overseas! It's quite sad, although you CAN find goods made in the USA if you look hard enough (in many cases at least). You know, if we were Chinese, I'm not sure we would want to purchase Chinese products! I read recently (don't remember where), that many Chinese much prefer American goods over Chinese. Apparently, just because you're in China, does not in any way, shape, or form, mean you're getting goods that are decently made. Which is to say, many Chinese are sick of cheap Chinese goods!

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/MadeInAmerica/ … s-13917383

Some brand recommendations: AKG, Sennheiser, beyerdynamic

Bose is like Apple: You pay for design, the name and maybe extensive bass.

I have to say that BOSE *used* to be very good. Years ago, I purchased a few Bose items, which by the way, were made in the USA, and I still have those! They work great! Newer Bose items, much more cheaply produced. So yes, in many ways they are like Apple, which of course used to also be made in the USA many years ago...

i trust in audio-technica.

I have a pair of Grado SR-80's and I like them, but one thing to be aware of is they are openback...meaning noise leaks in very easily and also sound leaks out. I believe it's good for acoustics, but if you're going to listen around people, need to be aware of that. I think most Grado phones are like that.

I have a pair of Denon HD-2000's (found onsale). I use these for my inhome use mostly, hooked up to a good receiver. They are closed back headphones. I like them, but I find them a little tiring to listen to sometimes (I tend to fall asleep while wearing them a lot). Warm sound, good soundstage.

I do most of my listening with my combination of a Zo portable amplifier and Brainwavz B2 in-ear headphones. I prefer in-ear headphones because no sound leaks out and they double as earplugs. I also have used the bass-heavy M8 from Future Sonics, but they lack the clarity of the B2's. I'm debating if I want to try a more balanced in-ear phone (M8 is bass-heavy, B2 is analytical which can be kind of sub-par for rock music...they are amazing for classical music and a lot of female vocals, as well as much oldschool vgm).

I'm an Audio-Technica fan as well, for the looks as well as the function.  My experiences with Sennheiser have been pretty positive as well.

Sennheiser used to make a fine pair of budget headphones in the PX-100 (which was even available with the silly "sport" headband you seem to be looking for, I think as the PMX-100), but last time I went to buy a pair they had apparently become precious as they had doubled in price. I went with the equivalent Koss Portapros and I think they sound similarly good.

I tease about the headband, but most 'phones that come that way are not very nice-sounding at all, and the headbands are never adjustable which really, really sucks