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Audiophiles: Headphone reccomendation for me?

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Under $200? Phew, workable budget unlike the common "Under $50".

Go to eBay and get a used/refurbished pair of Sennheiser HD-580s (stable price looks like $129). I have the successor model, the HD-600s, but they aren't worth the added expense (~$229) in your situation.
 
Originally posted by: NuclearFusi0n1
sony headphones = dick

that's all
Click to expand...

Isn't it funny how people who actually own Sony's seem to like them and recommend them? I bet if you did a survey of all the DJ's in your area, you would find that most of them own Sony's, either MDR-V6's or MDR-V700DJ's. The MDR-V6's have been selling succesfully for more than 10 years with no modification. Wonder why that is?
rolleye.gif

Not everyone likes Open-Aire headphones. If I wanted everyone to hear what I am playing, I would turn on my speakers. If I wanted to listen to outside noise, I would again turn on my speakers. Headphones, IMNSHO, are for actually listening to the music, without outside interference.


 
DJs? What the hell do DJs know about anything? Asking a DJ about anything regarding music or musical quality is like asking your dental hygenist what to do about that stomach tumor.
 
Originally posted by: jaeger66
DJs? What the hell do DJs know about anything? Asking a DJ about anything regarding music or musical quality is like asking your dental hygenist what to do about that stomach tumor.
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Pondering whether or not to put such a ridiculous statement in my sig or not.....

Just to clarify, I wasn't talking about radio disk jockeys (cause then I would agree with your statement). I was talking about the guys who actually mix music, usually in clubs. Sometimes, these guys actually even produce music :Q (but you know they don't wear consumer-quality headphones of any kind when they do that).

Look, everytime I see one of these threads, it's always Grado's or Senn's, Sony's suck.
rolleye.gif
I suppose if your purpose is to get headphones because you can't use speakers, and don't mind outside interference or the fact that people nearby will hear what you are listening to, then sure get the Open-Aire's. In that case, go for it. They tend to be very comfortable and let your ears breathe, so you can wear them for long periods of time. Otherwise, closed headphones provide for a superior music experience.
In this case, Soulcoughy probably should look at Open-Aire headphones, for the reasons listed above. But Sony does make quality closed headphones, and Senn's and Grado's are hardly the end-all/be-all of the headphone world.
 
i also own an electric bass guitar with a small practice amp, would any of your reccomendations change if i also wanted to use the phones for plugging into that?
 
are there any reasonably affordable headphone amps out there????

all the ones i looked at were a minimum of 300 :Q:Q:Q
 
Originally posted by: jaeger66
DJs? What the hell do DJs know about anything? Asking a DJ about anything regarding music or musical quality is like asking your dental hygenist what to do about that stomach tumor.
Click to expand...

BAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! 😀😀😀
 
Originally posted by: Soulcoughy
i also own an electric bass guitar with a small practice amp, would any of your reccomendations change if i also wanted to use the phones for plugging into that?
Click to expand...
I would strongly recommend the Sony V6. It has by far the best bass of any headphone I've heard (including the 580/600).

sony headphones = dick
Click to expand...
I'd agree, except for the Sony V6. You shouldnt make such generalized comments unless youve *heard* all of their headphones.
 
Originally posted by: PSYWVic


Just to clarify, I wasn't talking about radio disk jockeys (cause then I would agree with your statement). I was talking about the guys who actually mix music, usually in clubs. Sometimes, these guys actually even produce music :Q (but you know they don't wear consumer-quality headphones of any kind when they do that).
Click to expand...

Yes, I know. Some effeminate Swede calls himself "DJ Borscht" and thinks that gives him a right to inflict his "mixes" on people. Anyone with a "DJ" prefix should be put to sleep.

Anyway, the poster asked for high quality sound and not something that will simply make your brain vibrate with bass. The requirements for a dorm room are not really similar to that of a club. The Senn 280s are closed, and while a little dark for my taste they're about as good as sealed headphones get in the under $200 range. The V6s are actually not terrible, but the V600s are ghastly.



 
if interested, i know a guy selling new HD433 Sennheisers for around 10 bucks shipped. they are packaged. pm me.
 
I like Senn's, but you have to run them out of a amp before they sound good IMO. The Grado's OTOH do very well off of the output jack on your walkman. Well.. The SR60's do anyway.

Both cans have very different characteristics. I'd definitely go audition both at a high end audio shop and see what you like for yourself. Senn's seem to be more neutral if a tad bit recessed in the midrange and the Grado's have a warmer bass and are more lively sounding.

If you plan on plugging these directly into your walkman, sound card or appliance store Sony receiver, I'd forget about the higher end Grado's or Senn's for sure. You won't be able to tell the difference between cheaper cans and expensive ones if your source (cd player, amp, etc..) is crap.

If you want a really inexpensive, but great sounding set of headphones, look at the Koss S/Portapro's. I'm not a fan of Koss by any means, but I was impressed at how good these headphones sounded, especially for what little money they cost ($30). If I had any complaints, I'd say that they were too bass heavy, but some may like that, i.e., Logitech Z560 lovers. Heh. You can do mods to the earpads to make them less bass heavy if you are so inclined to do so. I personally replaced my pads with thinner radio shack pads and they leaned out the bass. They are great sounding headphones though. Don't let the money or the Koss name fool you.

If you want a great headphone source, visit the Headwize forums. That is where I heard about the Koss headphones. I would've never thought to try them otherwise and now I have a great set of cheap headphones for just kicking around. My Rio Volt has never sounded so good. 🙂

Sal
 
I would suggest a pair Beyer Dynamic, I borrowed them from a friend and they are awesome - best headphones I ever had. Every other headphone I tried since then just sounded dull and unreal compared to those. But they are a bit expensive, about $150 in Germany

linky
 
If I could do things over again, I'd get Grado SR60s. Cheaper than most Sennheiser's, with just as good sound quality as the ones under $150.

However, if you have a roommate, the Sennheiser HD280 is a very wise purchase. My roommate used my headphones a lot, and regardless of how many times I explained that they were open air designed headphones, he would still crank up the bass and volume while playing CounterStrike...WHILE I SLEPT. Got to be annoying, and I took my headphones home because they were "broken".

Closed if you have a roommate, Grado SR60 or Sennheiser 495/7s if otherwise. You look goofy with bigass headphones. Everyone does, unless you've got a big doo, and you're name is KyleFro.
 
Ive been Djing, let me say BEATMIXING, for about a year now, and ive seen the v500s and v700s...rite now i have the v700s they are great, good highs, decent bass, what more can you ask for in a pair of headphones. They are great since when u have em on people cant hear ur music and u cant hear them....exactly what headphones are made for.
 
You might want to seriously consider this deal if the price is accurate at 50% off..

Koss Portapro's

These are the big brothers to the Sportapro's at $30. They sound a lot more neutral than the Sportapro's IMO (less bass heavy). Great headphones for the money.

Sal
 
Originally posted by: PSYWVic
Originally posted by: NuclearFusi0n1
sony headphones = dick

that's all
Click to expand...

Isn't it funny how people who actually own Sony's seem to like them and recommend them? I bet if you did a survey of all the DJ's in your area, you would find that most of them own Sony's, either MDR-V6's or MDR-V700DJ's. The MDR-V6's have been selling succesfully for more than 10 years with no modification. Wonder why that is?
rolleye.gif

Not everyone likes Open-Aire headphones. If I wanted everyone to hear what I am playing, I would turn on my speakers. If I wanted to listen to outside noise, I would again turn on my speakers. Headphones, IMNSHO, are for actually listening to the music, without outside interference.
Click to expand...

Bose has been selling speakers successfully for years, wonder why that is?
rolleye.gif


Summary of what people have said

Open (from highest price to lowest)
Sennheiser HD 580
Grado (either SR 60 or 80)
Koss Porta or Sporta
Koss KSC 35
(Also insert Beyer stuff that I am not really familiar with)


Closed
Sennheiser HD 280
Sony V6
(Beyer)

Canal
Etymotics

The BEST sounding of all would be the Etymotics (the 4 series and not the 6) and they do not need a headphone amp. They also provide excellent bass and isolation. Be warned that not everyone likes to stick something in their ears and it might be a health hazard because you won't be able to hear anything outside (jogging with these are a bad idea). Also you will need to take proper care of them and don't be surprised to get a lot of ear wax when you pull them out, guard them safely too as you wouldn't want anyone else to use them. I would recommend you get Open headphones unless you really need the isolation. The Grados are a good choice for rock but I find them rather uncomfortable and they leak ALOT more sound than the other headphones.
 
you guys have been a big help, i'm gonna hit up some audio stores today and see if i can get some demos. i can't find a place around me that carrys the grados, but it seems there are plenty of senns. the one thing i'm still not sure about is whether to get open or closed. opens sound appealing because sometimes it's nice to be able to hear what is going on around you, you know, fire, riots, pop tarts ran out, emergency type stuff. i still haven't decided whether i care about my roommate hearing my phones or not. the way our dorm will be setup, my computer (probably where i will be doing most of the listening) is in a separate room from the sleeping quarters. on the other hand, sometimes i don't wanna hear anything else, suppose roommate is playing terrible music. hmm. can't wait to try these out.
 
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