Audiophiles: WTB headphones that pwn.

MindLib · October 2009

I'm interested in buying a high quality set of headphones at a price around $100. I am totally clueless in this aside that I want my headphones to sound as best as they can, and that I want a comfy over-ear type...

Important bits of info, uh, I have medium size ears. These will be plugged into my sound-card which is a SB Audigy. I'm considering upgrading that too, to accommodate the headphones. I suppose I'm taking advice on that as well. Oh and noise canceling is a bonus!

Is it important to know which type of music I listen to? Do you have to calibrate headphones, is that what equalizers are for? Any tips on equalizers?

Thanks very much in advance.

iglidante · October 2009

Sennheiser HD 280 Pros. They have nice, tight ear cups and attenuate at least 20db, I believe. Very good, flat response.

TheGreat2nd · October 2009

iglidante wrote: »

Sennheiser HD 280 Pros. They have nice, tight ear cups and attenuate at least 20db, I believe. Very good, flat response.

Hands down.

Aioua · October 2009

3rd'ed on the 280's. I've had a pair for over 4 years of rough wearing on busses, planes, and trains while being shoved in backpacks and dropped and kicked and they're still going strong: only wear so far is on the pleather headband. If they broke, I'd buy another pair without blinking.

iglidante · October 2009

Aioua wrote: »

3rd'ed on the 280's. I've had a pair for over 4 years of rough wearing on busses, planes, and trains while being shoved in backpacks and dropped and kicked and they're still going strong: only wear so far is on the pleather headband. If they broke, I'd buy another pair without blinking.

And you can rip that headband right off and put a new one on, I guess (I've never had to, though).

Satsumomo · October 2009

Hmmm... I broke my beloved HD201's, and it was really my dumb fault.

I guess I'm gonna go get those 280's!

SludgeFactory · October 2009

iglidante wrote: »

Sennheiser HD 280 Pros. They have nice, tight ear cups and attenuate at least 20db, I believe. Very good, flat response.

How do those Sennheiser headphones compare to these Bose ones?

http://www.amazon.com/around-ear-headphones-personal-portable-listening/dp/B000MMWT9Q/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_1_1

I have a pair of these Bose and they might be a nice alternative to the Sennheiser if the OP wanted another option to at least look at. They sound real good to me, the bass isn't overpowering but you know it is still there and you can pick up many nuances from well recorded music. Not only that, but they are really comfortable for me to wear.

I have never tried out those Sennheiser headphones though so I can't compare them.

darkmayo · October 2009

MindLib wrote: »

I'm interested in buying a high quality set of headphones at a price around $100. I am totally clueless in this aside that I want my headphones to sound as best as they can, and that I want a comfy over-ear type...

Important bits of info, uh, I have medium size ears. These will be plugged into my sound-card which is a SB Audigy. I'm considering upgrading that too, to accommodate the headphones. I suppose I'm taking advice on that as well. Oh and noise canceling is a bonus!

Is it important to know which type of music I listen to? Do you have to calibrate headphones, is that what equalizers are for? Any tips on equalizers?

Thanks very much in advance.

100 dollars, maybe that is fine for you rubes that enjoys music sounding like someone is crapping in your ears.

cough up some scratch and live your music the way it was meant to be played.

http://most-expensive.net/headphones

Monoxide · October 2009

darkmayo wrote: »

MindLib wrote: »

I'm interested in buying a high quality set of headphones at a price around $100. I am totally clueless in this aside that I want my headphones to sound as best as they can, and that I want a comfy over-ear type...

Important bits of info, uh, I have medium size ears. These will be plugged into my sound-card which is a SB Audigy. I'm considering upgrading that too, to accommodate the headphones. I suppose I'm taking advice on that as well. Oh and noise canceling is a bonus!

Is it important to know which type of music I listen to? Do you have to calibrate headphones, is that what equalizers are for? Any tips on equalizers?

Thanks very much in advance.

100 dollars, maybe that is fine for you rubes that enjoys music sounding like someone is crapping in your ears.

cough up some scratch and live your music the way it was meant to be played.

http://most-expensive.net/headphones

I should buy these to make sure my 128kbps MP3s are sounding their very best

MindLib · October 2009

naws, sallabout da flacs

musanman · October 2009

sludge factory...run!

SludgeFactory · October 2009

musanman wrote: »

sludge factory...run!

To where?...and why?

Hey Ashtray · October 2009

I just bought some sen's HD 650's. Best purchase I've ever made, 525 Canadian, I think you can get them around 400 of amazon in the states. I know it's way out of your budget, but sennheisers in general are great, whatever model.

Crashtard · October 2009

I have a pair of these everglide headphones. You can get a brand new pair for $35 on amazon and I love mine. They aren't $100 certainly, but they're good headphones and a good price.

Dark Moon · October 2009

I'll break from the crowd: I'd suggest audio-technica ATH-M35. Great sounding cans.

AresProphet · October 2009

I have Grado SR-80s and they're awesome for under a hundred bucks.

Kris · October 2009

Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone

:^: :^:

Nappuccino · October 2009

SludgeFactory wrote: »

musanman wrote: »

sludge factory...run!

To where?...and why?

There's a general "Bose are fucking overrated" sentiment around here. I dunno, the bose speakers I've heard have all been fine but damn the sennheisers I bought have taken the cake out of everything I've heard before.

Weretaco · October 2009

$100 Range hands down for me is the Audio Technica ATH-A500s

Super comfortable and good bass. Bit of a recessed midrange but nothing drastic. If you want something on-ear in that range I'm partial to the Alessandro MS-1s as an alternative to Grados. Great sound without the sometimes piercing high end you can get in Grado.

uean · October 2009

AresProphet wrote: »

I have Grado SR-80s and they're awesome for under a hundred bucks.

I've got the Grado SR60's... freaking amazing

Agentflit · October 2009

Nappuccino wrote: »

There's a general "Bose are fucking overrated" sentiment around here. I dunno, the bose speakers I've heard have all been fine but damn the sennheisers I bought have taken the cake out of everything I've heard before.

It's pretty simple, bose are way overpriced. They can do this because they market the shit out of their products.

My favorite is the Equation RP-21. Selecting headphones comes down to personal taste, really. You don't need to spend over $100 on a good pair unless you get really picky about sound

.

Daemonion · October 2009

As someone said, Sony MDR 7506. There is a reason most recording studios use them.

Dark Moon · October 2009

Whatever you buy, make sure it's a low impedance set of 'phones if you want to listen off your sound card without a headphone amp. Try to keep it under 65Ω. This should only be an issue if you look at higher end studio phones, but I used to borrow a pair of old AKG headphones from my dad that had an impedance of 600Ω. Straight out of an iPod on max volume, the output would be just barely audible - they're strictly for use with some sort of amp.

msh1283 · October 2009

Another vote for the Sennheiser 280s here.

Visti · October 2009

The Sennheiser 280s are nice, so I guess I'll nth them.

Here's another thing to consider:
PRO4AAT_1.jpg?OpenElement

100$ on the nose and amazing quality. Also comes with a no questions asked lifetime warrenty if you're in the states.

Specs:

Frequency Response: 10-25,000 Hz
Impedance: 250 ohms
Sensitivity: 95dB SPL/1mW
Distortion: <0.1&#37;
Cord	Coiled, Single Entry, 8ft

MindLib · October 2009

Dark Moon wrote: »

Whatever you buy, make sure it's a low impedance set of 'phones if you want to listen off your sound card without a headphone amp. Try to keep it under 65Ω. This should only be an issue if you look at higher end studio phones, but I used to borrow a pair of old AKG headphones from my dad that had an impedance of 600Ω. Straight out of an iPod on max volume, the output would be just barely audible - they're strictly for use with some sort of amp.

what is a headphone amp?

I want to get full use of the headphones, do you recommend a soundcard upgrade?

iglidante · October 2009

Headphone amp.

I wouldn't worry too much about your sound card unless it really sucks. I use an 8-year-old Turtle Beach card that I keep swapping into whatever machine have at the moment, and I do a lot of recording / producing with it. And it wasn't an expensive card.

Kamar · October 2009

I have a pair of Audio Technica AD700s, and they're fucking fantastic. MASSIVE soundstage and overall beautiful sound. Awesome for gaming or music, although they benefit from a slight tweak of your EQ settings to bring the bass up a tad. And they're known for sounding great even without an amp or anything extra.

SludgeFactory · October 2009

Nappuccino wrote: »

SludgeFactory wrote: »

musanman wrote: »

sludge factory...run!

To where?...and why?

There's a general "Bose are fucking overrated" sentiment around here. I dunno, the bose speakers I've heard have all been fine but damn the sennheisers I bought have taken the cake out of everything I've heard before.

Ah, I see. Thanks for the heads up. Their products may in fact be overrated, I don't know. What I do know is I own that pair of headphones and I think they sound really good.

Jasconius · October 2009

Kris wrote: »

Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone

:^: :^:

Seriously, these are professional grade headphones. I've never used a Senheiser but I have a hard time believing they are truly as good as the Sony Pro line, they are used by a massive amount of professional media studios and are extremely durable. I've had my first pair for 5 years now.

iglidante · October 2009

Jasconius wrote: »

Kris wrote: »

Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone

:^: :^:

Seriously, these are professional grade headphones. I've never used a Senheiser but I have a hard time believing they are truly as good as the Sony Pro line, they are used by a massive amount of professional media studios and are extremely durable. I've had my first pair for 5 years now.

Do those fit over the ear, or sit on top of it? I've used a couple pair of Sonys before that looked quite a bit like that, and they sat awkwardly on top of my ears and weren't very comfortable - with no isolation at all, either.

redhead · October 2009

uean wrote: »

AresProphet wrote: »

I have Grado SR-80s and they're awesome for under a hundred bucks.

I've got the Grado SR60's... freaking amazing

I love my grados too, but if comfort and noise isolation are priorities they probably aren't the best choice

they're not uncomfortable by any means, but they're, like, medium-comfortable. and they're also about as open as I can imagine headphones getting. like little speakers. I love the way they sound and use them all the time, but they don't seem to be what the OP is looking for.

PracticalProblemSolver · October 2009

Jasconius wrote: »

I've never used a Senheiser but I have a hard time believing they are truly as good as the Sony Pro line, they are used by a massive amount of professional media studios and are extremely durable. I've had my first pair for 5 years now.

Enjoy your dogma...

For the OP: I've had mdr 7506s, hd280s and a pair of hd600, along with a whole host of cheaper headphones and earbuds, I think most of the mid-range professional quality headphones give good value, it just comes down to personal preference. Head shape and audio preferences are extremely variable, so what works for me might not be so great for you. If you can, get yourself to an audio shop where you can demo some of the products.

Note that you can't just switch out headphones while listening to a cd to get an objective comparison, the lower impedance headphones will sound like they have 'fuller bass and crisper highs' even though all they are is louder. I can't find the study right now but it's well documented.

Jasconius · October 2009

iglidante wrote: »

Jasconius wrote: »

Kris wrote: »

Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone

:^: :^:

Seriously, these are professional grade headphones. I've never used a Senheiser but I have a hard time believing they are truly as good as the Sony Pro line, they are used by a massive amount of professional media studios and are extremely durable. I've had my first pair for 5 years now.

Do those fit over the ear, or sit on top of it? I've used a couple pair of Sonys before that looked quite a bit like that, and they sat awkwardly on top of my ears and weren't very comfortable - with no isolation at all, either.

They sit on top but they are so cushioned it doesn't bother me, even when I wear glasses. I can wear them basically all day.

Vortigern · October 2009

I have a pair of Sony 7505's and I love em to death. I've had more expensive Sen's in the past and been just as happy, but for the price, I think the Sony 7505 or 6's are a good value. They perform, they're relatively flat (aurally), durable, and comfortable. Like anything though, the sky's the limit, you can get better if you spend more, but the Sony's are between 100 and 150 Canadian.

wallabeeX · October 2009

My room-mate who does post-audio has the Sony's, I have the Sennheisers. To me they're about the same, to him the Sony wins no questions asked.

It's really just a preference thing.

Vortigern · October 2009

I think wallabeeX has hit it right there. The golden rule of music, whether making, engineering, or listening....if it sounds good, then it is good. (Good being subjective and all)

I know a mastering engineer who's has the same pair of Sony 7506's for over a decade and still likes them.

Richard M. Nixon · October 2009

Weretaco wrote: »

$100 Range hands down for me is the Audio Technica ATH-A500s

Super comfortable and good bass. Bit of a recessed midrange but nothing drastic. If you want something on-ear in that range I'm partial to the Alessandro MS-1s as an alternative to Grados. Great sound without the sometimes piercing high end you can get in Grado.

I'll second the AudioTechnicas (to be fair, weretaco recommended them to me back in the day). They were a very, very good investment especially replacing the $30 JVCs I was using before.

Jasconius · October 2009

Vortigern wrote: »

I think wallabeeX has hit it right there. The golden rule of music, whether making, engineering, or listening....if it sounds good, then it is good. (Good being subjective and all)

I know a mastering engineer who's has the same pair of Sony 7506's for over a decade and still likes them.

They are the single finest piece of electronic equipment I've ever owned. It exudes quality from its very surface.

proXimity · October 2009

The Sennheiser HD280s and the Sony MDR 7506s are both right around $100, and are both excellent headphones- they're generally made for studio usage, with relatively flat frequency response.
I recently had to choose between those two, and went the HD280s. I'm somewhat regretting my decision, because although they sound *fantastic*, they put a lot of pressure on your head. The Sony headphones are smaller and while they don't block out sound quite as well, don't give me a headache after wearing for a while.

Mike Danger · October 2009

I have had my Grados SR60s for about two years now.

Two things:
1) after a while, the stock pads basically started falling apart. I replaced them with the L-CUSH pads, and they are much better in terms of comfort and sound in my opinion.

2) about a month or so ago, the right...earpad housing? I don't know what the word is. It came unattached from the headband part of the headphones. I Gorilla Glued it back in place, and haven't had any problems since then.

I think the monitor headphones at our college radio station are those Sony ones someone was talking about, and they are quite excellent as well. I haven't used them enough to formulate an opinion, but they sound really nice.

Penny Arcade

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