BradPDX

For all the snipey comments, I will just say that: 1. Whether or not you are a fan, the iPod is by far the most popular MP3 player on the market, by far. If you are an audio manufacturer, you ignore this at your peril. 2. The iPod works very well. One may quibble over comparisons to niche players like iRiver and Creative, but all else being equal (e.g., same tracks and same headphones) they will all deliver high quality sound - far superior to the solutions of yesteryear. 3. Grado is a small niche player. A good small niche player, but one nonetheless. The great majority of music listeners have no idea that Grado exists, and this is not really anyone's fault. Grado has to balance the requirements laid out above. It makes no sense for them to compete stylisticly with Sony or even Sennheiser - their existing customer base already puts up with oddball "retro" looks and takes some pride in that. I joke about my Grados all the time, I feel like Radar O'Riley. If Grado made a "slick" looking headphone, they might just be shouting into the wind with no one to hear, drowned out by Sony, etc. Better to sell to the existing customer base - ergo, iGrado. A bit funky looking and probably great sounding. Since I can't really wear my SR-60s at the gym, these might be the next best thing.

I own both the Senn PXC250 and the newer Bose QC2, and have used both extensively on flights and in other noisy environments for 2 years. I cannot wear in-canal phones, they all give me a royal headache in 10 minutes, so active cancelling for me. Despite what HeadFi says, the Bose absolutely cream the PXC250 in virtually all regards IMHO. I actually consider the QC2 one of my overall favorite headphones, though that was not what I thought would happen! Noise cancelling: I have A-B'ed both on several long flights. No contest - the Senns lack sufficient low end seal and capacity to combat the roar of a jet. You wind up cranking them way up. The Bose really do the job amazingly well, you can listen easily at modest volumes. Comfort: Both are adequate here, but the Bose is remarkably light on the head for its size. The Senns have the advantage of being small, but that is about all you can say. Convenience: Bose by a mile. The Senns use a separate dongle to hold the batteries and electronics, while the Bose are completely integrated. The Senns result in a pile of skinny wires in your seat, but the Bose just sit on your head like they should. Sound: Bose by a mile and a half. The Senns sound decent with electronics ON, and dismal with electronics OFF. The Senns lack impact, extreme highs and lows but are pleasingly neutral. I still like them for some environments. The Senn electronics add noticeable hiss. The Bose QC2s sound HUGE. Highs are less distant on the new silver ones than previous versions, but never harsh. Soundstage is wide and deep. Bass is extended to god-knows-what. Overly warm, but frankly in headphones this is the direction to err given the lack of "body bass". Impact is most satisfying. The electronics are remarkably quiet, I never notice hiss at all. Summary: The Senns sound OK, reduce noise OK. The Bose sound like musical instruments, reduce noise amazingly. The increased bass of the Bose is really, really nice on planes where the low end is under constant attack. Since the bass never muddies the mids, it works. I honestly find the Bose QC2 to be the least fatiguing headphone I have ever owned. I use Grados at home and for a long time they were my favorites - all that punch and sparkle. The Bose were purchased for travel, but I find myself gravitating to them more and more, even when I don't need the noise cancelling. They are simply very musical and reveal detail in a way that the Grados cannot do without sounding harsh and fatiguing. Heresy, I know; but I have to say what my ears are telling me. Heck, maybe I'll try out the Bose Tri-Ports....