New headphones

contraband

I'm planning on purchasing some Grado SR60s. Good idea? I've heard nothing but praise, and they're right in my price range. They're usually around $60, which is perfect. Does anyone own a pair, or have opinions on them? Are there better headphones in this price range? Nothing above $100, $60 is a lot more comfortable.

nexuscrawler

I've heard nothing but good shit about those headphones.

Only suggestion I'd make is look at the shure e2s(about $100) if you might want something earbud style.

gneGne

Try http://www.head-fi.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=2 for perhaps a bit more information. Seems you already did your homework though.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=3400
I think this is a comparison review with the SR60s.

JWFokker

You simply can't beat the SR60's for under $100. It's not possible. Buy them and be happy. That is, until you can't resist the urge to upgrade any longer, at which point you'll have to spend hundred of dollars to get much of an improvement.

You may want to look into buying a headphone amplifier though. Even a relatively inexpensive amplifier like a Pimeta or a Millet Hybrid can make a bigger difference than upgrading your cans.

CripTonic

I'm personally a fan of Skullcandy but they're only really great if you listen to a lot of rock music. Bassy, loud, obnoxious, "I shouldn't be listening to this godamn music near fucking children", rock.

Skullcrushers (what I have) run about $70, have adjustable bass right on the cord. They have a few other styles they are a bit cheaper but you will get a sense of budget with them.

JWFokker

I think the OP's primary attributes are sound quality and accuracy if he's looking at Grados. Phones produced by Sony and other mass market cans, like Skullcandy, don't have a frequency response anywhere close to flat. The fact that they have bass adjustment only emphasizes that they aren't going for accuracy at all.

Gotcha Force

i would get some audio technicas

saltiness

I found myself in the market for new headphones yesterday as I finally broke mine when I got the cord of my Bose headphones wrapped around my shoe as I walked away from my computer one too many times. These Grados look like the way to go but I can't find them in stock anywhere. Where's the best place to buy these?

trixtah

The only other headphone that can compete with the sr60 for under $100 is the hd280 from Sennheiser which you can pick up pretty cheaply over the net. If you need the noise canceling, I like the hd280. If not, go for the sr60 which are cheaper--though only about 10 bucks? Like I said, the hd280 are pretty cheap on the internet. After your ears orgasm, you're going to want to pick up a better pair and this will lead you into a downward spiral toward debt. Damn you, Sennheiser!

Crayon

I think the budget headphones, the sennheiser px 100 and pmx 100, are better sounding, but they are open and let out a lot of sound around you. If that doesn't bother you, you can save yourself a bit by not going closed and getting the px 100/pmx 100s, which I prefer a whole hell of a lot.

Meiz

Gotcha Force wrote:

i would get some audio technicas

I second that motion. Anything above 100$ is like sex to your ears.

xenoxion

I've got these headphones and love the sound, but they've still got a couple of problems. The cord is way too long (around 6 feet), so you can't really use them while walking around with an ipod or whatever without having to shove like 3 feet of heavy cord into your pocket. Also, they leak a lot of sound-- even at moderate volumes, you'll be annoying people 10-20 feet away from you. That said, however, they do have excellent sound, and they're great for using at home or while on the computer.

JWFokker

Meiz wrote:

Gotcha Force wrote:

i would get some audio technicas

I second that motion. Anything above 100$ is like sex to your ears.

Blasphemy. Under $100, Grado has it on lockdown. You can't beat the SR60's. Above $100, the playing field opens up, but does not include Audio Technica when it comes to performance or value. Beyond Grado, you have Sennheiser, Shure, AKG, Beyerdynamics and Stax all kicking ass at various prices.

contraband

xenoxion wrote:

I've got these headphones and love the sound, but they've still got a couple of problems. The cord is way too long (around 6 feet), so you can't really use them while walking around with an ipod or whatever without having to shove like 3 feet of heavy cord into your pocket. Also, they leak a lot of sound-- even at moderate volumes, you'll be annoying people 10-20 feet away from you. That said, however, they do have excellent sound, and they're great for using at home or while on the computer.

These would be primarily for using around, not really in the home, where I can just use speakers. Yeah, yeah, for my iPod. Is the problem really that bad? Can anyone attest? Now I'm looking at the Senn HD 280...

How about earbuds? I have a pair of Sony Fontopia buds that I really liked, but my girlfriend borrowed 'em and lost one of the rubber ear insert things (one of the small size, the only one that fits me comfortably), so I'm at a loss. What good earbuds can I look out for ~$60/70?

As much as I would appreciate some Stax...

2 grand is a bit much.

Xenocide Geek

contraband wrote:

xenoxion wrote:

I've got these headphones and love the sound, but they've still got a couple of problems. The cord is way too long (around 6 feet), so you can't really use them while walking around with an ipod or whatever without having to shove like 3 feet of heavy cord into your pocket. Also, they leak a lot of sound-- even at moderate volumes, you'll be annoying people 10-20 feet away from you. That said, however, they do have excellent sound, and they're great for using at home or while on the computer.

These would be primarily for using around, not really in the home, where I can just use speakers. Yeah, yeah, for my iPod. Is the problem really that bad? Can anyone attest? Now I'm looking at the Senn HD 280...

How about earbuds? I have a pair of Sony Fontopia buds that I really liked, but my girlfriend borrowed 'em and lost one of the rubber ear insert things (one of the small size, the only one that fits me comfortably), so I'm at a loss. What good earbuds can I look out for ~$60/70?

As much as I would appreciate some Stax...

2 grand is a bit much.

Damn I bet they sound good, though.

And there's suppose to be a decent pair of earbuds out there now that I saw at Fry's for $50 bucks... wish I could remember the name for you. They're actually suppose to sound as good as a decent pair of headphones in the same price range. I was thinking about grabbing a pair for school.

saltiness

contraband wrote:

xenoxion wrote:

I've got these headphones and love the sound, but they've still got a couple of problems. The cord is way too long (around 6 feet), so you can't really use them while walking around with an ipod or whatever without having to shove like 3 feet of heavy cord into your pocket. Also, they leak a lot of sound-- even at moderate volumes, you'll be annoying people 10-20 feet away from you. That said, however, they do have excellent sound, and they're great for using at home or while on the computer.

These would be primarily for using around, not really in the home, where I can just use speakers. Yeah, yeah, for my iPod. Is the problem really that bad? Can anyone attest? Now I'm looking at the Senn HD 280...

How about earbuds? I have a pair of Sony Fontopia buds that I really liked, but my girlfriend borrowed 'em and lost one of the rubber ear insert things (one of the small size, the only one that fits me comfortably), so I'm at a loss. What good earbuds can I look out for ~$60/70?

As much as I would appreciate some Stax...

2 grand is a bit much.

You can get replacement rubber for those funtopias on ebay, ~$5.

blincoln

Closer to the $100 mark, I've been using a pair of AKG K240M headphones since I bought them almost ten years ago, and love them. They sound great, and they're virtually indestructible. By comparison, no other pair of headphones has lasted me longer than about a year.

I'm not sure if the M model is still in production, but I see that Zzounds carries the K240S, which looks to be essentially the same thing with some improvements.

They're definitely the kind you need an amp for, even if it's not a great one. I run mine at home with a little old Realistic amp from the 80s.

The Grados are supposed to be great, though. I've been thinking of maybe picking up a pair for use at work, since they don't scream "recording studio" like the AKGs.

trixtah

contraband wrote:

These would be primarily for using around, not really in the home, where I can just use speakers. Yeah, yeah, for my iPod. Is the problem really that bad? Can anyone attest? Now I'm looking at the Senn HD 280...

well if that's the case and you take my advice to go with the hd280, you might look like a loser walking around town because these cans are fugly

Zonkytonkman

i'm currently rocking out the shure e2c's (c? or s?) which are in ear buds. 80$ canadian. So far, i'm really happy. My big deal was not having to jack the volume way the fuck up to hear my music when i was around others making noise. These babies double as ear plugs, and on the 5 hour flight over here, when I was surrounded by 4 screaming babies, these things became a life saver as I coule barely hear the commotion around me.

Sound quality is decent. Lacks the punch of a big pair of cans, but it's not bad at all for what it does. Make sure that you try all of the different ear pieces that come with it to find a proper fit, it will make all the difference when it comes to sound quality. I was very diassapointed with these things till I tried the orange ear plug type pieces.

Proto

Grados are very open headphones. I can't recommend them for portable use. That said...

If you are still interested in the Grados, I've got a pair of SR80s for sale. Hardly been used (I came across a sweet deal on some Senn HD650s only a few months after I got the Grados). Original box, and I've got the more comfortable (and rare) "flat" pads in addition to the stock "cup" pads. PM me.


If you are looking for earbuds, the Sennheiser CX300s are great (and in your price range), as are the Shure E2G and the Etymotic ER6s (over a hundred though)

JWFokker

For best audio quality, you really want to get fullsize cans. Earbuds and IEMs don't really compete until you get the the Shure E4 or Etymotic ER4 level. The Shure E2 and Etymotic ER6 are decent, certainly better than Sony Fontopias, but not anywhere near the quality of fullsize cans. When it comes to earphones, you have to spend roughly double to get close to the same fidelity. If you really need closed cans (Grados are completely open), the aforementioned HD280 and K240S are very solid. I'd personally go with the AKG's. The Sennheisers have a very wide sound stage, but lack the punch of Grados. They're good for orchestral music, not so good for rock or hip hop. The AKG's are a pretty good middle of the road.

contraband

I'm thinking of just breaking down and buying the AKGs. They look sexy as hell in that dorky studio way, and apparently they're built like a tank and sound good to boot.

What do I need to know about them? Are they completely closed? Would they even be efficient for semi-portable use? I'm thinking I'll order them, plus replacement plastic comforters for my Fontopias for putzing around town or school with, and save the AKGs for home or car trips, &c. Are they comfortable? Finding (non-user) reviews is hard, but apparently they have a nifty detachable cord? How long is the standard length? If they're intended for studio use, would the cord be too long for me? Could I get a shorter portable cord, since it's detachable? Could I pick up some kind of case where I could store them and an iPod? Admittedly, the thought of owning a studio-rated pair excites me....

edit: I see the cord is 10 feet long, whoa. do they sell cable managers that could help me here?

saltiness

Just FYI, B&H has the AKGs for $80 with their Macworld special prices. They also charge no tax if you live outside NY. Here's the link - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=11213&A=details&Q=&sku=476508&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

JWFokker

contraband wrote:

I'm thinking of just breaking down and buying the AKGs. They look sexy as hell in that dorky studio way, and apparently they're built like a tank and sound good to boot.

What do I need to know about them? Are they completely closed? Would they even be efficient for semi-portable use? I'm thinking I'll order them, plus replacement plastic comforters for my Fontopias for putzing around town or school with, and save the AKGs for home or car trips, &c. Are they comfortable? Finding (non-user) reviews is hard, but apparently they have a nifty detachable cord? How long is the standard length? If they're intended for studio use, would the cord be too long for me? Could I get a shorter portable cord, since it's detachable? Could I pick up some kind of case where I could store them and an iPod? Admittedly, the thought of owning a studio-rated pair excites me....

edit: I see the cord is 10 feet long, whoa. do they sell cable managers that could help me here?

If you're going to stick to using the fullsize cans at home/in the car, you're better of with Grados. They just sound better. I only recommended the AKGs for use in public where the open design of the Grados would not be well received. The AKGs are pretty decent, but the Grados are easily a step above in terms of fidelity.

kingmetal

I've never heard the Grados, but "open" headphones are strange at best to me. my understanding of the philosophy behind them is that they're supposed to help eliminate sound internalization (your brain understands that sound from conventional headphones is not coming from outside your head). I had some Sennheisers that followed the same design principal (HD 590s I believe) and found it to be more annoying than anything else. you have to turn them up really loud, they offered little in he way of isolation or privacy and generally were just unsatisfactory all-around. of course, this could certainly he not true of the Grados, I've never heard them. a lot of audiophile level headphones seem to be moving into the 'open' realm of things, so maybe I'm just an idiot, but I'd stay away from them myself.

noir_blood

So I'm really thinking of buying new headphones, and really don't want to spend more than 100. I would use them for both out in the public and at home with my computer. Usually I gotten earbuds just because I assumed that they would be better. I'm not particular about the whole noise canceling thing, but definately would like to get my money's worth. I mostly listen to rock, in case that would matter. Any recommendations?

JWFokker

This has already been covered in the thread. If you want cans for in public that are not IEMs, you should be looking at AKGs and Sennheisers in that price range. If you don't give a fuck that people can hear your music loud and clear, get Grados, because they just don't make better cans for rock than Grados.

Crayon

Bah, the people saying Grado have the pre-100 market lockdown haven't really tested other sub-100 headphones. There are plenty that beat it, including most of Sennheiser's line. Hell, Koss Porta Pro are better for the value.

I hate to say this...but if you like punchy bass rock/rap then Skullcandy's are great, although I personally hate the hell out of them. They are way way way too much bass for me and you really start to notice it mid-range. Well you start to notice it in the low-mid and high range, because there is just too much bass.

Pheezer

I've got a pair of Sennheiser HD-457s and I bought my girlfriend a pair of PX-100s for Christmas. After listening to both, I'd say the PX-100s are the hands down winner. They get sharper, clearer sound, you can wear 'em under a touque, and they fold down nicely for easy transport. Also, my HD-457s make my head sweat during the summer.

Crayon

pheezer FD wrote:

I've got a pair of Sennheiser HD-457s and I bought my girlfriend a pair of PX-100s for Christmas. After listening to both, I'd say the PX-100s are the hands down winner. They get sharper, clearer sound, you can wear 'em under a touque, and they fold down nicely for easy transport. Also, my HD-457s make my head sweat during the summer.

Yeah, both the px 100 and pmx 100 carry the same guts, they are just behind the ear or over the head, only difference. They are both amazing earphones.

Daric

Ok, since I am looking for some headphone advice too I thought I'd ask in here rather than start a new thread.

Earbud headphones do not fit my ear. They fall out or they don't go in like they should or they just plain hurt. So I need some cans.

Now, it seems like the PX100's are getting great reviews, everyone's buying them, etc. but I can't figure out exactly how big they are. Do they fit, pretty much, over your ear. Or are they smaller and just kind of sit on your ear but don't completely encompass it?

Hell, for $30 bucks, and these kinds of reviews, they seem amazing.

Crayon

Daric wrote:

Ok, since I am looking for some headphone advice too I thought I'd ask in here rather than start a new thread.

Earbud headphones do not fit my ear. They fall out or they don't go in like they should or they just plain hurt. So I need some cans.

Now, it seems like the PX100's are getting great reviews, everyone's buying them, etc. but I can't figure out exactly how big they are. Do they fit, pretty much, over your ear. Or are they smaller and just kind of sit on your ear but don't completely encompass it?

Hell, for $30 bucks, and these kinds of reviews, they seem amazing.

they fit pretty much the entire canal and lobe, but do not go over the entire ear (they don't fill my whole ear, leaving the top back part a bit exposed). Yes, for the price they easily compare to 60-100$ buds. I personally say they have the pre-100$ market on sound, but others will attest that Grados do...but I've heard both and I think the Senns are better at the ranges than the Grados are.