There is a possibility—very slim—that Cardozo accepted my application so that I could advise professors on headphone choices. So far, two professors have sought my advice about headphones, and numerous classmates have commented that I wear large headphones around. So, I would like to review four large headphones I have used extensively in New York and in my travels. Up front, I can’t advise on in-ear headphones because, despite some nice models by Shure and Bose, I don’t think the sound quality compares to similar, larger headphones.

I would like to start with the so-called “noise cancelling” headphones that cost a pretty penny and don’t do exactly what they claim. I have owned both the Bose QuietComfort 3 and the QuietComfort 15. The main difference is that the “3” is a smaller headphone that rests on the ear while the 15 is larger and cups the ear. Otherwise, both feature a technology that cuts sustained noise dramatically (jet engines) and dims random noise somewhat (subway clickety-clack, buskers and panhandlers). The difference in ear cupping counts; the “15” prevents more random sounds from coming into the ear. The sound quality is fairly good, though Bose succeeds in making a realistic, not-very-bright sound. The enjoyable twang of a guitar is less evident in Bose products (I have owned many over the years), but the overall sound is full and rich. Therefore, I recommend the newer QuietComfort 15 over the 3 because it comes closer to cancelling the noise.

Also, Bose has excellent customer service; they will replace broken parts for reasonable amounts or replace the headphones for $100.  So, the relatively steep price tag—$300 and $350—may be justified over the long run.

I have also owned DJ headphones, and rely on these when my Bose’s are broken. The Sony MDR V700DJ were very à la mode ten years ago and still look cool, with their brushed silver plastic resembling aluminum. They have a huge, powerful driver that pumps the bass prevalent in most modern pop music. Fans of a more realistic sound may be dismayed by the emphasis on bass, but for most people, it will enhance the pop music experience. My biggest problem with the MDX-700 was the plastic swivel cover, which broke over time due to normal use. This prevented the headphones from sticking to the head, causing them to flop everywhere. But, a quick search online found local retailers selling them for $90, which is a great buy for these phones.

Finally, I own and use a pair of Sennheiser HD 280 Pro headphones when I DJ and as back-up headphones. They cup the ear well, blocking sound without noise-cancelling technology. They provide a more realistic, less bass-heavy sound than the Sony headphones. Acoustic instruments sound very bright, and hi-hat cymbals are not  distorted by louder, mid-level sounds. They are, in my opinion, the least attractive of the bunch, but, at $80, they are a steal.