Best headphones $100-150?

[Vageetasjn]

I'm looking for headphones to use for casual music, gaming, and movies with my computer. I want them to be Sennheiser HD280 style in that they fit around the ear and are closed-design.

Also, I am curious about the Grado SR60 in general -- how are they?

Thanks

 

[imported_ArtVandalay]

Some popular phones in and around that price range are the aforementioned HD280s, AKG 240s, Sony v6 / 7506 (some Sonys are decent, most are awful for the money spent - model # means a lot - avoid the v600/v700 like the plague), and if you're willing to spend a bit more, the Beyerdynamic 770s. I've only heard the 280s, and I like their neutral sound; I want to hear things as close to the artist's intentions as possible, and if I want to color it that's what EQs are for imo. Many people, probably mostly those used to boomy bass, feel they're lacking in the lower end, though I listen to all genres but country and feel that's completely untrue. Beyers on the other hand are known for their bass. I've heard that V6s have muddy bass and shrill highs, and aren't worth their price; that they only look good in comparison to the v600s - but I admittedly hate Sony and so have probably only heard the bad about them while discarding the good from my memory . I haven't heard much about the AKGs. Closed phones are less popular in the high-end market since open tend to sound better per dollar spent.

Grados are about as open as they get. Others will have no trouble discerning what you're listening to, and you'll have no problems hearing what's going on around you. They're known for being tailored to rock/metal and sounding great for it. While I haven't heard Grados, I will say that those genres seem to be the weak points of my beloved 280s. I recommended a pair of sr60s to a friend who listens mostly to metal and he adores them, fwiw.

 

[Excelsior]

Booooo, Art didn't mention the Audio Technica A500s.

http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Audio-Technica_ATH-A500_Art_Headphone.html

/thread.

Edit: Just to note..Ive had these for over a year now, and have enjoyed every minute so far. Also, I have been fairly "rough" with them, not on purpose. I mean..dropping them, or them falling, fairly often. Still...no iessues.

 

[imported_ArtVandalay]

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Booooo, Art didn't mention the Audio Technica A500s.

http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Audio-Technica_ATH-A500_Art_Headphone.html

/thread.

Edit: Just to note..Ive had these for over a year now, and have enjoyed every minute so far. Also, I have been fairly "rough" with them, not on purpose. I mean..dropping them, or them falling, fairly often. Still...no iessues.

Doh, knew I was forgetting something

 

[Vageetasjn]

I actually have the Sony MDR-V600 headphones right now so I can use that as perspective when comparing others. Are the Audio-Technica very comfortable? How much better is the Sony V6 compared to the V600? If possible, place the V6 on this spectrum:

V600----------|----------ATH-500

edit: I've heard the HD280s are very tight when worn -- if that's true, it would dissuade me from wanting them. Comfort is just as, if not more important than audio quality for me...

 

[imported_ArtVandalay]

The 280s are tight at first, but loosen up - especially if you put them around a few books when not in use to expediate the process. The v6s are somewhat respectable phones, while the v600s are considered little better than Bose. As such they'd be near the ATH 500s on that scale. Check www.head-fi.org for more and more experienced opinions, though talk there tends to center around more expensive open phones.

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: ArtVandalay

Originally posted by: Excelsior
Booooo, Art didn't mention the Audio Technica A500s.

http://www.audiocubes.com/product/Audio-Technica_ATH-A500_Art_Headphone.html

/thread.

Edit: Just to note..Ive had these for over a year now, and have enjoyed every minute so far. Also, I have been fairly "rough" with them, not on purpose. I mean..dropping them, or them falling, fairly often. Still...no iessues.

Doh, knew I was forgetting something

Its cool man, its cool.

Vageetasjn - Oh dude...the Audio-Technicas are VERY comfortable. Way more comfortable than my friends Senn HD-280s.

I really do think you would enjoy the A500s, especially if you are concerned with comfort as well as SQ. The reseller I listed is also a good company. They ship directly from japan, but the shipping is only $7 (last time I checked) and ends up coming throgh USPS, in no more than a week.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Originally posted by: ArtVandalay
The 280s are tight at first, but loosen up - especially if you put them around a few books when not in use to expediate the process. The v6s are somewhat respectable phones, while the v600s are considered little better than Bose. As such they'd be near the ATH 500s on that scale. Check www.head-fi.org for more and more experienced opinions, though talk there tends to center around more expensive open phones.

Yeah, they do loosen up over time, but after a year and a half they still make a pretty tight squeeze on my head. If you don't like that feeling, the 280s probably aren't for you.