Need a open headphone, good resolution/detail, good soundstage, not aneamic.
To compliment an Aeolus, which is fairly smooth, warm, intimate.
Arya? Ananda? HD800S?
What headphones do you currently have? Based on what you want I would recommend the Arya of those 3. The HD800S would fit the bill but me and many others think it is aneamic. It def is not a full bodied headphone.
I think if you are spending that much already going from Ananda to the Arya is a good choice.
Perhaps also consider the Verite pads?
I have not looked into the IEM market, but probably want to keep it on the more traditional over the ear headphone side, at this point. Think I just need to make that first purchase and get a system going and see where that leads, one never knows. Thanks for the suggestion.
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The type of headphone/amp/DAC I am looking for is (Closed-back, open-back, in-ear, wireless, etc):
Wireless on-ear but with the option for cable.
My price range is: £50-ish max?
I like to listen to: music? Podfics.
I will be using them for: (Travel, commuting, home, gym, etc…): work calls, but also plugging them into my digital piano, hence why I need the cable option.
Also important for me. I have a riddiculus small head. I bought the JBL T450, and I have to send them back. First of all because I’m stupid and didn’t check for the wired option (there is none) and 2nd it is too big for my head.
Help please?
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I’m not sure the quality but my buddy has a version of this (he isn’t a big audiophile) and he likes it a lot… Steel Series headset
another option that at least has good reviews is this… cheap Amazon option
I think if you can save a little bit more money than these could be a good option as well… My wife has the pro model of these and I think they sound pretty good: BackBeat Fit
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Thank you for your fast reply!! Much appreciated!
I know 50 pounds isn’t a lot to go on for good quality. However for a person that has been using 6 Euro-headphones for 4 years it is actually a lot haha
The options you give however all seem to be over ear, and I get that will make for way better sound quality by isolating the ears, but I really don’t like the feel of it. It’s that thing with my absurdly small head disappearing within those headphones I guess…
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I bought myself a cheap MPOW headset for video calls, and it’s surprisingly decent for music at the price. It’s wired, but they also do wireless stuff some of which seems to get reviewed as giving good sound for the money. Not sure I entirely trust their Amazon reviews because I think they incentivize people with discounts for good reviews, but I was pleasantly surprised by the sound quality on mine.
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Look into maybe two separate headphones/IEMs ? I’m thinking the Koss Porta Pro for your wired option and maybe a set of cheap bluetooth IEMs for on the go use!
True Wireless IEMs : Bluetooth IEM option
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Porta Pro Take Over. It is hard to beat in that price range.
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My brother uses the Sony MDRXB650BT in the office and is happy with them. To be totally honest, I haven’t listened to them and he is not as… errrm… delicate(?) as me as far as sound goes. But we do both work at the same company doing audio installs so he does know the difference between good and bad and he likes them.
If I remember correctly, they are around 50€ and fit the description you gave.
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They look and sound good to me, except that it doesn’t give the option to use a cable unfortunately.
Thank you though for thinking along 
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I have a Mpow headset with one ear and mic from work. I have looked into that brand and did not find anything qith the preferences I have.
I’m looking at these right now: https://www.amazon.co.uk/JVC-Bluetooth-Wireless-Headphones-Comfortable-Black/dp/B07DQZ5P4R/ref=mp_s_a_1_141?dchild=1&keywords=bluetooth+headphones+on+ear&qid=1596221048&sr=8-141
It has the option for a cable, and it seems to have padding on top so it might be good for my small head and it’s within budget…
The only thing is now that it doesn’t sound like a tinned can…?
Those reviews on Amazon are the worst. It’s amazing how many the same reviews I have seen for different headphones. It’s the main reason I was asking for help here. Because those reviews don’t tell me anything. But I get that true audiophiles would not be interested in the cheap budget headphones I’m looking for.
Thanks so much for trying to help me though
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Oops, I missed that bit, sorry!
I have the MPow H12 that fits your description except that it is over ear (not a very large over ear though).
I mainly purchased it for the ANC when travelling and I sometimes wear IEMs under it when listening to music, but the sound is not that bad. I find it sounds better with the ANC on.
In general, the main recommendations on this site by price class include:
- Koss Porta Pro (<$50)
- Grado SR80e ($100, but bright tone and not for everyone)
- Drop Sennheiser HD6XX ($220 – a benchmark for audiophile products)
- Focal Clear ($1,500)
- ZMF Headphones (various; e.g., $2,000+)
- RAAL Requiste SR1A ($3,500 plus a special amp)
Some of the regulars have very expensive items but are Koss users and defenders!
Most discussion on this site is from the HD6XX range on up.
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I think it is only a matter of time before the K371 get added to that list. I had brief listen to them this week and they are pretty darn decent for the price.
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Creative Aurvana Live or CAL is better to my ears than Porta Pro and I own both. It can be often found for about 50€.
As another Porta Pro fan, I would like to note that the Porta Pro wireless does not have a cable option, and it pairs best with NON-Apple products. It does not support AAC - apple’s higher resolution codec. The Koss Porta Pro wired are very good, particularly with YAXI pads.
Sennheiser made a travel headphone that fills all of your checkboxes, I think the model is MM450 or MM550. I tried some used from eBay, and they were NOT very good. Used, they were in your price range. Short battery life. They do have noise cancelling also. But they lack bass, are a bit tinny, especially using Bluetooth. Not recommended. Their replacement model is supposed to be better, but is close to triple your price range.
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I don’t like low-end Sennheiser stuff either. I used to have an awful set of folding, noise canceling headphones from them. The sound quality was just fair. The cable had a battery-bubble that was guaranteed to tangle every time one disembarked from an airplane. They died and received no memorial.
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Wow…
@BuffaloWing, told you so 