Best headphones for around $100....???

Mashed Potato

Senior member
Feb 3, 2005
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I am looking into a new pair of headphones and want to pay around 100 dollars. I don't mind going over a few bucks but I want to stay around that price.

They will be used for listening to music and gaming on my computer.

Any headphones come to mind that blew your mind?

thanks,

-mashed
 

yhelothar

Lifer
Dec 11, 2002
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For a good recommendation, we'd need to know what type of music you listen to, and the sound signature you generally prefer. Do you like natural and detailed? Powerful and bassy? Warm and soft?
Personally, I'd ask the question on head-fi.org, with the information I mentioned. They are far more knowledgable about headphones there. Here, you'll probably just get a few recommendations for sennheiser or grado, as if they're the only two brands in existance.
 

montypythizzle

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2006
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Originally posted by: astroideaHere, you'll probably just get a few recommendations for sennheiser or grado, as if they're the only two brands in existance.

There is others!!?!?!?!! :p
 

A5

Diamond Member
Jun 9, 2000
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Originally posted by: montypythizzle
Originally posted by: astroideaHere, you'll probably just get a few recommendations for sennheiser or grado, as if they're the only two brands in existance.

There is others!!?!?!?!! :p

In that price range, no one else offers great bang for the buck. I like the Sennheiser HD280s in that range if you like closed headphones.
 

imaheadcase

Diamond Member
May 9, 2005
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To extend on his question..what about if you like all types of music for around that price range? My awesome Sony MDR-V600 are starting to be a ducktape magnet. :p
 

yhelothar

Lifer
Dec 11, 2002
18,409
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Originally posted by: A5
Originally posted by: montypythizzle
Originally posted by: astroideaHere, you'll probably just get a few recommendations for sennheiser or grado, as if they're the only two brands in existance.

There is others!!?!?!?!! :p

In that price range, no one else offers great bang for the buck. I like the Sennheiser HD280s in that range if you like closed headphones.

I personally don't know about lower end headphones much, as I won't claim to after trying three different kinds. But I'm very sure that if you go to head-fi.org, you'll get tons of recommendations outside of sennheiser and grado for under $100.
Maybe they can be the best bang for the buck, but that would depend on which sound signature you prefer.
 
Mar 11, 2004
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Originally posted by: TemjinGold
If you play games with them too, I'd recommend these.

I recommend not even considering any of the "5.1" headphones. You'll end up with a much better end result with a pair of good headphones and say an X-Fi.

As for headphones under $100, there's actually quite a few. Depends on what you're looking for, as different ones will be better for different use. If you've never had any decent headphone then just about anyone will likely blow you away, but finding one that fits your listening style will be even better.
 

potato28

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
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Originally posted by: potato28
Koss KSC75 --------------- ~$20 Clip-On, Extreme Value
JVC HA-FX33 -------------- ~$20 In-Ear, Budget IEMs (AKA "Marshmallows")
Creative EP-630 ---------- ~$30 In-Ear, Excellent entry level IEMs
Koss Portapro ------------- ~$35 Open Supraaural, Collapsible
Yuin PK3 ----------------- ~$35 Ear-bud, Great sound to replace stock buds
Sennheiser PX100 --------- ~$40 Open Supraaural, Collapsible
Grado iGrado --------------- $50 Open Supraaural, Street-style (SR60 drivers?)
CrossRoads MylarOne X3 ---- $57 In-Ear, High class sound at a low price
AKG K81DJ --------------- ~$60 Closed Supraaural, Bassy portables
Etymotic ER6i ------------ ~$70 In-Ear, Entry level Etymotic house sound
Grado SR60 ---------------- $70 Open Supraaural, Rocker (Bass light, though)
Sony MDR V6 ------------- ~$70 Closed Circumaural, Good All-rounder
Audio-Technica ATH-A500 - ~$90 Closed Circumaural, Gateway drug to higher models (Recommended for gaming, no need for amping)
Alessandro MS1 ------------ $100 Open Supraaural, Master Rocker (improved SR60)
Equation Audio Tools RP-21 ~$100 Closed Circumaural, Nice Bass, Good all around (been compared to HD600)
Sennheiser HD555 --------- ~$100 Open Circumaural, More forward than HD580 (not as refined, but don't require amp)
Westone UM1 ------------- ~$110 In-Ear, Fun-punchy In ear sound, comfortable
Audio Technica ATH-ES7 -- ~$110 Closed Supraaural, Portable non-collapsible (Bling finish)
Goldring DR150 ------------ ~$130 Open Circumaural, UK Hi-Fi stuff (Sennheiser competitors, some say DR150 win)
Sennheiser HD580 --------- ~$130 Open Circumaural, Hi-Fi stuff (Needs proper amplification to sound best)
Beyerdynamic DT770 ------ ~$140 Closed Circumaural, BASS=Good for Gaming (2 Versions: 80 Ohm & 250 Ohm. 250=NEED amp)

Not my list, quoted from Head-Fi
 

potato28

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
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Open-no amp
Sennheiser HD485-$80
Sennheiser-HD555-$150
Sennheiser-HD595-$191


Open-needs amp
Sennheiser-HD580-$125
Sennheiser HD650-$319

Closed-no amp
Sennheiser-HD280-$82
Audio Technica A500-$90
Audio Technica A700-$125
Beyer-DT770pro 80ohm $140
Audio Technica-A900-$180
Darth Beyer

Closed-needs amp
Beyer-DT770pro-250ohm-$170
Sky Beyers


*prices from Amazon, bhphoto.com, headphone.com and Audiocubes*
*headphones in order of price, not reccomenedation*


Need to sort
Ultrasone 2500-40ohm-$400-open
philips hp1000
Ultrasone Proline 750-40ohm-$400-closed
AD700
AD900
k1000
SA5000

From Text again for gaming.
 

A5

Diamond Member
Jun 9, 2000
4,902
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Those last two lists look pretty good. I have the A900s right now, but my ears aren't quite sensitive enough to perceive a large difference from my previous cans (Senn HD280)...I'll probably drop back into the sub-$100 range once the A900s are done, since I've crossed my bang/buck threshold.
 

kalrith

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2005
6,628
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In that price range, no one else offers great bang for the buck. I like the Sennheiser HD280s in that range if you like closed headphones.

I have the HD280s and really like them for both music and gaming. Some people don't like closed headphones, so be sure you're not one of those.
 
Mar 11, 2004
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If you can stretch it to $130 you can pick up a used pair of Audio-Technica ATH-A900s or Beyerdynamic DT770 Pros. They are the defacto gaming headphone recommendations (and sound good for music too). That's what I would recommend. Blu-tak mod either one and they're even better.

Personally, I found the HD-280s to sound congested after listening to the HD-555s, which in turn sounded congested compared to the A900s and HD-595s. The 595s are ok, but I liked the A900s a lot more.
 

potato28

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
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Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
If you can stretch it to $130 you can pick up a used pair of Audio-Technica ATH-A900s or Beyerdynamic DT770 Pros. They are the defacto gaming headphone recommendations (and sound good for music too). That's what I would recommend. Blu-tak mod either one and they're even better.

Personally, I found the HD-280s to sound congested after listening to the HD-555s, which in turn sounded congested compared to the A900s and HD-595s. The 595s are ok, but I liked the A900s a lot more.

I find that the HD595's were better than the A900's, but that wasn't on my system or with music I knew. The DT 770's are supposed to be the bass head can, and they have the option to be Darthed later on in their life if you wanted a change. And a plus for the DT 770 is all of the mic's that you can attach to it with a little work and a piece of aluminum.
 

Oyeve

Lifer
Oct 18, 1999
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Originally posted by: A5

In that price range, no one else offers great bang for the buck. I like the Sennheiser HD280s in that range if you like closed headphones.

Ug, why does everyone reccomend these (Sennheiser HD280s) headphones? They totally suck. Heavy, cant take any decent amount of power, they clip even on low volume levels and the bass is totally lacking.

Under 100 buck cans? Get the original Sony MDR-V6. Best sub 100 buck headphones ever. And if you are a bass head who plays music REALLY LOUD get the newer packaged Sony MDR-V700DJ. These babies can take a super load and not blow out. Both are under 100 bucks.
 
Mar 11, 2004
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Originally posted by: potato28

I find that the HD595's were better than the A900's, but that wasn't on my system or with music I knew. The DT 770's are supposed to be the bass head can, and they have the option to be Darthed later on in their life if you wanted a change. And a plus for the DT 770 is all of the mic's that you can attach to it with a little work and a piece of aluminum.

If you do the blu-tak mod to either one you can make them quite a bit better. It helps bring out the recessed mids on both (the DT770s are pretty bad in that aspect and so it really helps them). Also, the DT770s you can tame the bass (tightens it up but doesn't lose much of the impact).
 

markgm

Diamond Member
Aug 23, 2001
3,291
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Thanks for all the info in this thread, it helped me decide which pair to get! (Creative EP-630, though finding a legit pair was interesting.)
 

Lord Banshee

Golden Member
Sep 8, 2004
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i like my Sony MDR V6000, they are the best i have ever used and it so much better than my 100 dollar speaker set-up for my computer and i don't wake my neighbors :)
 
Jun 20, 2007
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Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
I recommend not even considering any of the "5.1" headphones. You'll end up with a much better end result with a pair of good headphones and say an X-Fi.

As for headphones under $100, there's actually quite a few. Depends on what you're looking for, as different ones will be better for different use. If you've never had any decent headphone then just about anyone will likely blow you away, but finding one that fits your listening style will be even better.

I've never owned a good pair of headphones, been looking around for some for a new gaming pc. What's wrong with 5.1 headphones? I mostly play FPSes, wanted some so I could tell where fire was coming from by sound, do they not work as advertised?
 
Mar 11, 2004
23,424
5,825
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Originally posted by: Bob Ghengis Khan
Originally posted by: darkswordsman17
I recommend not even considering any of the "5.1" headphones. You'll end up with a much better end result with a pair of good headphones and say an X-Fi.

As for headphones under $100, there's actually quite a few. Depends on what you're looking for, as different ones will be better for different use. If you've never had any decent headphone then just about anyone will likely blow you away, but finding one that fits your listening style will be even better.

I've never owned a good pair of headphones, been looking around for some for a new gaming pc. What's wrong with 5.1 headphones? I mostly play FPSes, wanted some so I could tell where fire was coming from by sound, do they not work as advertised?

The surround is a gimmick, you can get just as good positioning from a good pair of headphones. Pretty much all the reviews of the surround headphones I've seen are done by people who have never owned a good pair of headphones. I know there was someone at Head-Fi that was sent several of them to review, and they said they just sit there because there's no need to use them when they had quality headphones at hand. I've seen a few people on various forums that have the same experience, they think the surround ones are great, until they get a pair of good headphones.
 

thegimp03

Diamond Member
Jul 5, 2004
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I have the Audio-Technica ATH-500s. They're big cans that fit over my ears, comfortable, and around $100. Definitely recommended...
 

LS20

Banned
Jan 22, 2002
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anything under 300$ i would stick with my Shure EC2

other headphones may have better absolutely fidelity... if im in a perfect environment, with optimal source media, optimal source equipment...

the fact that these are smaller than a keychain, actually block out sound, allows me to use at work, on an airplane, on a bus, anywhere.... trumps everything else. and they do sound good, to boot.


 

potato28

Diamond Member
Jun 27, 2005
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Originally posted by: LS20
anything under 300$ i would stick with my Shure EC2

other headphones may have better absolutely fidelity... if im in a perfect environment, with optimal source media, optimal source equipment...

the fact that these are smaller than a keychain, actually block out sound, allows me to use at work, on an airplane, on a bus, anywhere.... trumps everything else. and they do sound good, to boot.

Atrios M5's or Mylar M3's or MylarOnes are some of the best canalphones under $150, lots of praise from head-fi.