Alright folks, plain and simple, I want your opinion on the best headphones around the $100 price range. I use headphones on a daily basis and I'd finally like to invest in something of respectable quality.
My music ranges across the board, but I'd like something that doesn't overwhelm with bass. Accuracy of recording is preferred. I would like something that fits around the ear. They must be comfortable for long periods of time. And if they work well with an iPod, that's huge, as it is my primary device I am listening to music with.
These are the usual suspects:
Sony MDR-V6Sony MDR 7506Sennheiser HD 280
The Sennheisers often get criticized for being like vise clamps on the head. But, overall, they get absolutely rave reviews in terms of sound. Meanwhile the Sony's get high marks for portability and comfort.
I've made too many mistakes in the $50 range with headphones, so I'd like to get this one right. Thanks guys!
Posts
I think that the best open-ear headphone is the Alessandro MS-1's, they're basically Grado's, with some minor differences.
My head is made of eggshell and cracks easily so comfort is my #1 concern.
The sound quality is absolutely superb and the headphones are actually extremely comfortable and wearable for hours on end. It also works with the iPod (in fact I use it with my own) but the only annoying thing is that the cord is rather long.
[edit]
The bass in these headphones is an accurate reproduction of recordings and isn't overly saturated with the "fake" bass boost other cheaper brands do. The highs and lows are crystal clear and pretty awesome for the price you're paying.
The collapsibility of the headphones is also pretty neat, as its really easy to just toss back into the backpack or whatever.
http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=40293
also i saw these at fry's today
http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=437&subcategory=438&product=16336&nav=0
sexxxxyyyyyy. sadly i have no idea how good they are.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
Taking a closer look at what you asked for, two hp's I see recommended (but have not tried) in that range a lot are ATH-ES7 or RP21. It sounds like you want something that will do well unamped and those get good points for that.
"If you're going to play tiddly winks, play it with man hole covers."
- John McCallum
Personally, I'd say the best bang for your buck in the sub $100 range is probably the PX-100s. I've tried a number of Sony, Bose, Altec Lansing and Panasonic headphones, earbuds and cans and none have been quite so impressive. Altec Lansing and Sony both have some really nice buds though, if you need something in that style. The PX-100s are better sounding though, very well constructed, very comfortable. Sturdy as all hell, too.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
I'd rather go for the Alessandro MS-1s which are 99USD shipped worldwide and tone down the grado highs a bit.
Origin ID: Discgolfer27
Untappd ID: Discgolfer1981
Actually, I have one complaint: they're so good you might hate your soundcard. They're extremely sensitive, so if you have a low quality soundcard (like the job that's in my laptop, for example) you can hear all kinds of weird ugly stuff. Totally not the headphones fault! Amazon.com had them for like $70 when I picked mine up, and I urge you to jump on any price under $100, although they're certainly worth over $100.
Just to let people know, I'm leaning towards these headphones because they are lighter and more compact than the HD 280s.
Everything else seems to be a wash.
Warframe: TheBaconDwarf
$50 you say? I'm going to look around, but if you know a source offhand do tell. That would clinch the decision rather easily.
Warframe: TheBaconDwarf
water spirals the wrong way out the sink
Same here. I've been checking out the head-fi.org forums, as recommended earlier, and the Sony's get extremely high marks all around for iPod use without an amp. The HD-280s, however, get extremely mixed marks. Some people love them, others not so much.
The real question now seems to be what is the difference between the V6 and the 7506. Some people say nothing, other than color, but the $25 price difference is baffling then.
Warframe: TheBaconDwarf
I wear glasses as well, I know that pinch you are talking about. With the 7506's it's very light, I can wear mine for several hours with no residual discomfort. Unlike some sturdier headphones, these don't have a vice grip on your skull.
I'm not going to tell you you can't feel it, but it's pretty light compared to many headphones I've had.
However, that's the only flaw i can come up with.
What I'm sick of is that whenever I buy a good pair of headphones, one of the ear pieces comes undone and is left dangling by just a few cables. From what I saw, the Sony MDR7506 would be hard to break in such a way.
Electronic composer for hire.
I haven't tried the HD-280s at all, but the 555s were only $20 more (got them from Amazon), and I figured it was worth the money given what I had read on the two sets. Either way, I haven't regretted my purchase at all. I was looking at the Grado SR-60s, too, but decided on the 555s since I prefer circumaural phones over supra-aural ones since I can wear them longer more comfortably.
wireless y/n?
Also, any recommendations for headphones that are completely and totally indestructable?
http://www.ultimateears.com/superfi/superfi-5-Pro-white.htm