Need some good headphones ~$100

searscatalog · 08-16-2008, 01:53 AM

personally i love my razer headphones, bought them at comp usa for about 130, then found them on woot.com for 50 bucks the next day and returned them. then woot had the razer sound card for 60 i belive, so now i use razers HP1 and AC1 and music/games are amazing. Having used them for about a year now i wouldnt reccomend the headphones without the sound card, they were made for each other and should be bundled.

Auzner · 08-16-2008, 04:19 AM

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica.../dp/B0006VT1U8

I've been using A500's for 3 years now. I got them because I wanted a pair for around $100 back then. Everything is clearly heard and I just can't use speakers anymore for gaming. I've ordered some Sennheiser HD-555's that I'll be able to compare with in a few days. I'm going to use that $30 rebate so they'll only cost about $70. The problem with A500's is that they're huge and tight around the head for noise canceling so I can't hear people talking to me at LAN parties. The HD-555's I hopefully won't have that issue and use those for LANs or a backup pair.

WmAx · 08-16-2008, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by furball zen

I know youre all gonna say im crazy, but as a drummer (20 years) and long time sound tech (almost 25 years), Radio Shack had these rare earth magnet headphones a few years back that were actually Koss brand. They were Pro35's and had Titanium coating too. Were like $40 a
pair and well worth the money. Best low end response ive EVER heard (excellent overall sound too), and ive heard some expensive headphones,

I have this headphone. It was bought probably 10 years ago. It was very good for it's price -- probably the best I have ever tried for $40(though I got in special sale price or $25, I believe). But it is no comparison in any way to the professional Sony MDR-7506.

Quote:

which BTW, ALL Sony's ive ever heard never had any 'body' to the low end, the speaker would distort before you could actually hear for instance, my bass player. You can actually 'feel' the bass kicking with these headphones, and they take a LOT of low end before they distort, in fact they will 'blat out' or over extend the voice coil before they distort.

I don't know which model you refer to, but the MDR-7506 will not distort easily. Now, I have had sources distort(and one could mistakenly believe the headphone is the culprit) when pushing bass heavy music and increasing the bass up at moderate levels. The MDR-CD900ST mentioned even has more bass capability - and will probably vibrate physically on your ears before it distorts - assuming you use a sufficient headphone amplification circuit.

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However, hands down the BEST headphones/earbuds (and i use Shure E2's also), that i have EVER heard are these:
M-Audio IE-20 XB Professional Reference Earphones
Those are like, OMG in your ears :)

Well, I don't know about "OMG in your ears", I can't recommend any in-ear units, nor have I ever tried any, as I can not stand anything to be in my ear.[/quote]

Quote:

on the Sony noise canceling models (so possibly other Sony models): You CANNOT solder on a new tips, the wires absolutely refuse to accept any kind of soldering, i tried on my friends pair he got from his wife for Christmas. Its almost like they are anodized fiberglass threads instead of copper wires.

Many of the Sony headphone uses Sony's special litz wire. I have dealt with this before. At first it seems like it won't solder -- but if you use a bit higher iron tip temperature than normal, and burn off the transparent wire coating first, then you can flow solder to the wire and joint to be connected. You might want to apply some flux after burning the coating off and before soldering. It's annoying, but it can be soldered, at least on the models I have changed the plugs on.

-Chris

obobskivich · 08-16-2008, 11:37 AM

the M-Audio IEMs are rebadged, iirc they're UE's, but don't quote me on that (if it isn't UE, they're Ety's or Shure's)

I've never listened to top end IEMs like that, although I do know they're a good choice if you don't want/can't afford an amp, because they don't really need power to be driven (less than any headphone suggested, basically barnone (maybe Grado's could compare due to being relatively easy loads to drive), so that might actually be an option for the OP (although you have to be comfortable with the IEM feel, and like the sound of them, I don't mind the IEM feel, I just prefer my big super-aural cans)

as far as "vibrate physically on your ears", that is NOT the ideal way to be listening to headphones, and is a sure way to get some hearing damage over the long run (but its still fun as hell, lol)

wafflesomd · 08-16-2008, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WmAx

Many of the Sony headphone uses Sony's special litz wire. I have dealt with this before. At first it seems like it won't solder -- but if you use a bit higher iron tip temperature than normal, and burn off the transparent wire coating first, then you can flow solder to the wire and joint to be connected. You might want to apply some flux after burning the coating off and before soldering. It's annoying, but it can be soldered, at least on the models I have changed the plugs on.

-Chris

I've done it too, but that wire pisses me off.

I ended up taking a lighter to the end of the wire and burning off the coating. I don't see why you would want to change the plug though. The cable is fine, and the plug is great. Much better than those overhyped Canare plugs.

Hb-Tech · 08-20-2008, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicholas.Sexton

So I'm moving back on campus and figure headphones would be a good investment. I have a Plantronics $30 headset. I'm looking for recommendations for a set of headphones. Something like headphones are hard to shop for without having them in hand. So any anyone bought any nice ones recently? Surround sound ones might be cool for games=)

I think use Sony headphones best Surround sound.

Auzner · 08-20-2008, 07:28 AM

My Senn HD-555 have arrived. Now I need to find crappy earbuds to mail them.