Need some good headphones ~$100

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=)

obobskivich

surround sound headphones are garbage, in terms of quality and everything else

now as far as "good headphones", $100 is barely in the door (high end headphones are between $300 and $600 a pair, and top shelf is around $3500), but you can still get a decent pair of phones

what kind of music do you listen to? (it matters)

WmAx

The Sony MDR-7506 is a superb quality tracking/monitoring headphone, and it retails for about $100 USD. It's build quality is 1st rate.

However, the unit is not perfect. It does have a small dip around 205Hz and some minor treble resonance. It is one of the best monitoring phones for live recording(extremely accurate, tonally), but some might find it a little 'harsh' for musical enjoyment compared to 'high end' headphones that cost much more. But I believe it to be one of the best options in the 100 dollar range, overall, for music listening purposes. For live recording purposes, I am not sure there is a better unit at any price, overall. But these are two distinct uses/purposes with different requirements.

Other possible units in this rang are the Grado SR60/80/125, but these have rather low build quality(if that's a concern), and the Sennheiser HD280,which is also a live monitor/tracking phone, though of much lower build quality as compared to the Sony, and also of a far more colored tonal response, which might actually be preferred for music listening. There are some more options, but these are some of the top ones in the 100 dollar range.

-Chris

Nicholas.Sexton

Rock, like the Muse and such. I can do without high end head phones. I listen to Mp3s at 192kbs and think they sound good so I'm not really an audiophile.=)

wafflesomd

Sony MDR-V6.

From what I know, the MDR-7506 and V6 are the same headphone, just have a different plug and sticker. IDK why Wmax suggests the 7506 on a regular basis when the v6 are cheaper :/ .

WmAx

Because the MDR-7506 has a useful warranty, where as the MDR-V6(distributed by a different division of Sony) does not. It has been reported several times that when users try to do a warranty repair for the MDR-V6, that Sony usually just replaces it with a new MDR-V600(a completely inferior headphone) instead of fixing or replacing it with the same model. In addition, I believe the consumer warrant for the MDR-V6 is(or was) 90 days, compared to 1 year for the professional unit(MDR-7506).

-Chris

obobskivich

something I just thought of:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f38/th...t-read-312239/

and no it isn't head-fi members only, I linked the thread because he's a Senn rep and answered a number of questions about the program

so if you've got some ibuds or some crap, you can probably get HD-555's in your price range (the HD-600's are down to $250 with the program, but thats over twice your budget (the Hd-595's are similarly priced, again, over twice your budget, and neither the HD-595 nor HD-600 can be run without a proper amplifier (which is another $150-$1500, unless you DIY, in which case its between $50 and $150))

and honestly I'd put the 555's and 595's head and shoulders above anything else suggested (granted the 595's are probably out of the OP's budget by a bit, I think the lowest they'll go with the discount is around $200), but the only way they fit the budget is with a rebate

department76

i love my Denon AH-D1000's, they were just over $100. they sound great for pretty much all music, but they don't have the excessive bass needed to sustain rap, hip-hop and such. current model is the AH-D1001 which is basically the same thing but comes with a case that mine didn't. these are sealed-back style so they do block out external noise and keep your music in.

Nicholas.Sexton

Thanks for the recommendations everyone.

The Sennheiser's look like they would be pretty sturdy which is the major factor. Newegg has the 555's for 100 and Amazon has 595s for like 180. I actually wouldn't mind paying that much for the 595s but you say I'd need an external amp?

obobskivich

yeah, you need an external amp, which is another ~$180 or so (basing that on the Creek OBH-11 or Firestone Cute Beyond)

you might want to see this:
http://us.creative.com/products/prod...&product=16336

NOW, before everyone starts yelling at me, those have actually been described as pretty ok sounding, and not a bad headphone overall, they're normally $100 though, right now they're $30 from creative (compare at $85 from the egg)

might not be a bad idea to avoid

the 595's will be like $130 after that rebate (assuming its actually from Amazon, and not a store that sells through amazon), however yes, you will need amplification for those (and they won't work portable, at all, while the 555s should be more tame, I don't gurantee flawless listening experience from onboard sound, or even basic soundcards)

basically, an amp can benefit any of the headphones suggested here, in terms of SQ, although some will need it (like the HD-595's, which really should be amp'd)

here's a review from digit-life on the aurvanas:
http://www.digit-life.com/articles2/...urvana-dj.html

not the best SQ in the world, but for $30, it might be what you're looking for (if you're on the super cheap, otherwise, go with the Senns, Denons, or Grado's)

wafflesomd

The build quality is going to be pretty low on them. Don't be like the rest of the sheep and go for the brand name. The MDR's are superior to anything under $100, build, and more often than not, SQ wise. I know people who have their pairs for a decade.

The MDR-V6/7506 do not require an amp to be driven well.

Everything I've tried from Senn always had a cheap build quality to it. The only reason I can see that they manage to stay in business, is people buy based on the brand name. The only pair that sounded good were the 580's. Still, the build quality made me sell them pretty quick.

The highest end Grado you would be able to afford would be the 125's. Build quality in Grado's was lacking as well. The only pair that interested me sound wise were the Allensandro MS-2's. A modified version of the 325i. The highs were harsh to the point that I sold them.

You could always go for the MDR-CD900ST, though out of your price range ($175+). Best sounding headphone I've had the pleasure of owning. That and V6 are the only pairs I've stuck with today.

obobskivich

um, are you seriously going to start this flame-war "waffles must always be right" bullcrap in yet another thread, and ruin yet another thread for a poser because of it?

if so, i'll go get the popcorn, we all realize you only like what you own, and will violently defend it, that isn't the point of someone asking for suggestions, the idea is to get different ideas from different people (not have one idea shoved down your gullet)

as far as hating Sennheiser because you don't own them, care to explain away all of the positive press on the HD-600 and HD-650 (and the HD-595 for that matter, and the HD-555 for that matter), and care to explain how they "only survive due to idiots buying the brand name", when they aren't at all mainstream and don't exist hardly at all in the retail space (especially not compared to Sony, Bose, SkullCandy or even Audio-Technica)

as far as the MDR-V6 goes, it is a very good headphone, idk if I'd use the word "best" (there you go again with that), but it is a good heapdhone

rahl07

The lower end Senn's, as with anything, are going to be of inferior quality. the Antec PSU's that come with cases are crap; but if you spend the money, the high-dollar items are quite well made.

I agree with obob on the fact that they'll be fine unless you have a habit of touchdown-spiking your headset into your desk. I have used several products from Sennheiser, and found them to be adequate if not exceptional. I have never had any of cheap build quality; hell even my Razers have held up quite well compared to other brands like logitech.

I'd recommend you reading around, but so far what's been suggested have been good, with the possible addition of iCEMAT Siberia's. I loved mine before my father stole them.

obobskivich

I'm your basscreator!

wafflesomd

I never stated that people who buy Senn's are idiots. I never said the HD-600/650 were bad.


I only recommend products that I own, or have owned. I see no reason in recommending products that I've never had experience with.

I simply stated my impressions and experiences on Sennheiser headphones, of which have always come out to be pretty average. I didn't care for the HD-600's, though the HD-650's were ok. I think the HD-580's beat both. I never got around to replacing the grills. Still, the CD900ST could be had for much less, and is a much better headphone.

I've used a lot of headphones in my time. I've stuck with what I feel are the best, though I regret selling my AKG 501's. They were superb.

There really are few headphones that even come close to the V6 sound wise in its price range, and none that meet it in build quality, in the same price range. That's why I've kept it for so long. The CD900ST was only better. It doesn't have the freq. dip that wmax mentioned.

obobskivich

in the price range, the V6's are probably surrounded by very few, such as the HD-280Pro's, HD-555's, a number of IEM's that I have no knowledge of (i know theres Jays and UE's that are sub $100), and the Grado SR-80's

which of those 4 pairs you buy really depends on your listening tastes and whats driving them the majority of the time

and saying sennheiser is fairly average, is a very far distance from saying "i can't see how they manage to stay in business, they're plasticy crap, and only sheep buy them for the name"

honestly the best thing nick can do here, is try and audition some or all of the phones suggested (I know most musician type stores should have HD 280's or the pro version of the V6 that wmax suggested, along with the AT and AKG studio phones, and possibly something from M-Audio, Technics, Allen & Heath, etc)

as far as trying something like the 555's out, you'll have to find kind of a boutique store, but those are usually much higher brow places (the only one in my area doesn't carry anything lesser than the HD-595's, in terms of Sennheiser (realize this is an audiophile shop, so even GS-1000's are petty to some of the equipment in there, but this is pretty much the truth of finding a place to audition headphones (unless you're lucky enough to live in NY near the AC Gears store, or have a similar place where you live (they're rare though))

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, 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 still have a couple pairs that i use ALL the time, from when im playing out (acoustic and electronic drums) and dont have floor monitors, to listening to MP3's at 192k and above bitrates.

The closest ones i could find were these, and i cant vouch for them since i havent heard this model:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=family

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 :)

I dont NOT want a reply from the 'W Bros' on this, you will NOT sway my recommendation no matter what you think you have to say.

Note 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.

rahl07

completely off topic, but if/when this window is minimized, it says "Need some good head..." on my start bar. Thank you, windoze.

furball zen

LMFAO!!!! Thats rich!!

Blazin Trav

I would search some older threads, this topic has been covered before. The HiFi forums are a better resource. I don't have much to add because everyone pretty much covered everything. I am a studio musician and I use Sony for headphones.