Headphone types and brands for use with Skype

So I use Skype on a regular basis but I don't have my own headphones and I have finally decided to get some, problem being I know nada about the stuff.

As I am sure I am not the only one using some on here between skypers and gamers, I thought I'd ask for people's opinions on which ones they consider good/the best and why.

By that I mean do you have a brand you particularly like and why? Which are generally considered best, the big bulky "comfy" ones or lighter models? Do you happen to know of a type that meets the best of both i.e. that might be on the bulky side with serious padding and stuff but still light? Any price examples maybe? Quality is important too given that I don't plan on changing them every 3 months.

List of questions is endless really but if you had any recommendation at all I'd appreciate it.

Also being in Munich myself, if anyone from my neck of the hood could tell me where they bought theirs, I wouldn't mind either!

Thanks peeps!

I bought a pair of big bulky 'comfy' ones about 18 years ago when I got my first job. Sony MD-650 I believe. They are the nicest headphones I have ever had. Unfortunately the padding on them has been getting manky and disintegrating on them over the last few years. They have now got to the stage where even *I* cringe when I go to put them on my head.

I finally made a decision last night that I will throw them out, and this I did. I plan to buy a nicer pair now so am also in the market and would be interested in any advice people can give. I think I want to spend upwards of 60Eur but downwards of 100 and I want a nice comfy set that sound real good.

I will be looking in Hertie today to see what they have as I may have a voucher to spend there. I can let you know if I see anything appealing.

I guess I will be looking for Sennheiser or Sony...

Yes, I realise I had totally forgotten to mention the sound quality, very important too of course, silly me.

Thanks for all the info Tom and do keep me posted if you see any in Hertie. Would have thought about going more to Conrad or Saturn or some such shop myself, good idea though.

And pity you threw the old ones out. I would definitely have bought those antics vintage ones off you in a flash. Definitely.

Back in the states, I've purchased all my sets from HeadRoom. They have good customer service and good prices, and very informative articles for each item, not just the standard press-release type info.
I rock Etymotic Er-6's, about 63€ in the states, not sure here, probably higher since they seem to just price electronics here with the same numerical figure, despite the disparity of currencies.

I used to have some Beyer-Dynamic DT-770's until I left them at work and they got stolen. They were great, and because they were of the closed variety, cubemates couldn't hear what I was listening to. In the past I've also owned Grado SR-60's, pretty inexpensive good sound, kind of tinny though. They're also open variety, so everyone within 10ft can hear your music plainly, so not good for an office environ.

Think it depends on what you are using it for- just skype, or gaming too?

We bought a bluetooth headset for skype, and turned out to be trash. We used it approx. 20 times before the hook part to the earpiece broke, and although it still works ok, it's never had the best sound quality. It was a b-speech imos. It also never fit well on my ear, and had/has a lot of interference.

We're now in the market again. I think we bought the above model from Condor on Tal, for about 30 euros? We're thinking we got what we paid for, and will go a little pricier with our choice next time, but still want to make sure it's a good one that will last at least a year!

I got mine at Sauter on Sonnenstrasse. It has a USB connection, and works great. They had some for around 30EUR, but I splurged for the 50 EUR one, and I've been very happy with the quality.

They might still be in the garbage area in our building. But seriously, if you saw them, you would not want them

Edit: I just re-read the original post and realised I must have been in my own little world of "need new headphones" while reading it cos I missed all the stuff about Skype... Were you wanting headphones for music and stuff as well as skype or did you want a headset with a built in microphone too? Cos my ramblings are only pertinent to headphones for musical enlightenment.

My teenage kids (who are now the technical experts in the house) seem to know what's best for Mum when it comes to Skype. They bought me Plantroics headphones comes also with a little box that sits on the desk that you can switch between the headphones and loud speakers. Very useful and saves you having to unplug your headphones from the computer to listen to the speakers. They weren't very expensive and I find them okay.

Why not just buy a Skype handset. You can get one online from the Skype shop and Bob's your uncle. I have one and find it great.

If you only need them for skyping then why don't you consider a internet phone. Very handy , a switch on the side allows you to transfer the sound to your speakers and no annoying headset. I bought mine in Norniron in a service station last time I was over,about 8GBP. it's called Swisstech + internet phone. Bought another for the grandson but it's not cool enough for him.

OK I realised I have gone way off-topic but I said I would let you know what I will be getting and so I shall. I have narrowed it down to these Sennheisers (which are open and leak sound, annoying anyone near you) or these AKGs (which are closed, do not leak sound but do not sound as good as the Sennheisers). I will be buying from Amazon too I think.

But this is totally not Skype related stuff, sorry.