best headphones for non-audiophile?

[slackerinabox]

I had the SR-60s. I don't see how so many people can like them. They have a huge mid-range bump, lack bass, and are just fatiguing/harsh to listen to. They're also not very comfortable. Just not very well-rounded headphones, I think.

When I get headphones, I'm shooting for something that is as close as possible to the sound my bookshelf speakers + sub put out. They're not perfect, but I think they sound great...nice and balanced. I found the JVC HA-RX700s to come closer to them than the SR-60s, especially after mods. They have their downsides, but for $35, I thought they sounded much better than the SR-60s.

My Audio Technica ATH-M50s sounded even better. Very balanced sound overall, though they have a slight dip in the midrange (not as big as the SR60's bump in the same area, though).

Considering the SR-60s cost $80, I'd say the HA-RX700s at $35 and the ATH-M50s at $95ish are both a much better deal than the Grados.

You'd be wrong. I love my HA-RX700s, they're great cans for the money. But the Grado sr60s are in a different class. The sound stage in particular made me cry the first time I heard them.

 

[hans030390]

You'd be wrong. I love my HA-RX700s, they're great cans for the money. But the Grado sr60s are in a different class. The sound stage in particular made me cry the first time I heard them.

To me, the positives of the SR60s did not outweigh the negatives. Considering the RX700s have great sound stage for closed headphones, I was losing very little for what sounds more natural to me. Frequency response aside, I do prefer a smoother sound. The SR60s could not provide that. It's hard to listen to something when it literally hurts your ears.

Do recall that I compare my headphones to my "nice" stereo setup (relative term). That edges out basically all headphones in sound stage. The Grados were overall too far away from more of a reference sound. The RX700s were closer, even if they were lacking in other areas that the Grados did not.

But, hey, to each his own. The Grados just didn't do it for me.

 

[Ika]

If you're a speaker guy, I can see why you don't particularly like Grados. Most people who are Grado-heads (myself included) particularly love the in-your-face, aggressive attack that Grado drivers give you. They're not particularly "audiophile"-like, but they're just so much FUN. I own both SR60s and the RX700s, and have heard a smattering other headphones. At the end of the day, it's hard to say which ones I prefer, as they all have their different uses, but the SR60s are much better for rock and metal while the RX700s are more well-balanced. I'm not a huge fan of the sound and claustrophobic effect of closed headphones, though.

hans, have you heard Audio-Technica's AD series? I have a feeling you'll like the AD700 very much - smooth, detailed, tight bass, and generally very "speaker-like", especially since they're so airy and sit very lightly on your head. They also have one of the best sound stages I've heard from a budget/mid-fi headphone.

 

[Anubis]

Aflac sums up my feelings on the grados as well, I had a set of 80s for years and now have 125s which i run through a DIY headphone amp, and i have nothing bad to say about them. I know there is a common complaint about the comfort of them but i never had an issue. + you can just change the earpiece to a different one. IIRC the 80s and 60s used to use different foam and one was more comfortable then the other

 

[hans030390]

If you're a speaker guy, I can see why you don't particularly like Grados. Most people who are Grado-heads (myself included) particularly love the in-your-face, aggressive attack that Grado drivers give you. They're not particularly "audiophile"-like, but they're just so much FUN. I own both SR60s and the RX700s, and have heard a smattering other headphones. At the end of the day, it's hard to say which ones I prefer, as they all have their different uses, but the SR60s are much better for rock and metal while the RX700s are more well-balanced. I'm not a huge fan of the sound and claustrophobic effect of closed headphones, though.

hans, have you heard Audio-Technica's AD series? I have a feeling you'll like the AD700 very much - smooth, detailed, tight bass, and generally very "speaker-like", especially since they're so airy and sit very lightly on your head. They also have one of the best sound stages I've heard from a budget/mid-fi headphone.

Yeah, the aggressive nature of the Grados really hurts my ears if I want to listen to it at any reasonable volume. And you're right...they're not really "audiophile" headphones (at least their lower offerings), but that doesn't mean people can't enjoy them. I just happen to be one of those that doesn't particularly.

I'd argue that the RX700s are better for rock and metal, depending on what exactly you're listening too. For example, Opeth's "Ghost Reveries" has a very deep sound that the Grados don't reproduce very well. The RX700s, on the other hand, do it just fine.

I've not head the AD series. From what I've read, I probably wouldn't like them. See, a lot of people on head-fi mistake lacking bass with "tight" bass. That's not to say you can't have tight, loud bass, but most of the headphones they list with "tight" bass just sound too thin for me. As I've said, I'm used to having a dedicated subwoofer (at a balanced level, of course).

 

[MagickMan]

JVC HA-RX900 cans are the best I've heard for under $100. Anyone shopping for budget phones needs to put these on their short list.

 

[tailes151]

I've been using my hd-555's for about 6 years now -- still going strong. Super comfy, good quality build, great sound.

Can't comment on the others but if you're looking into the Grado's make sure you try a pair first before you buy them. They are extremely "in-your-face" so to speak and while it can be cool for some genres of music (metal in particular) it just gets annoying for others.

 

[Knavish]

Not a huge fan of the V6/7506 even though it is a decent headphone for numerous reasons: Firstly it's half-supraaural so it ends up mashing some part of your ear cartilage and the sound, ...

AFAIK they are designed to be fullly supra-aural. I'm wearing some MDR-V6's right now and they do not touch my ear cartilage at all. I guess this depends on ear size. They fit me fine. 🙂

I do have an *old* pair ... so old the pleather stuff on the ear pads is completely gone.

 

[Ika]

I forgot to recommend headphones for the OP :O

Since he wants something durable, and apparently doesn't care too much about sound quality (but still asks for "best"?), I would recommend a few sets of headphones:
1) JVC HA-RX700/RX900 - ~$30-50
giant headphones, might not be terribly durable but the sound for the price is absolutely awesome. I have the RX700 and it does a good job competing with headphones up to $100 or so in sound quality.
2) Sony MDR-V6 - ~$60?
These things are tanks and apparently sound decent; I've never listened to them but if there's anything about this headphone, it's that they're indestructable.
3) Beyer-Dynamic DT770 - ~$130 on ebay or around
Pretty basic, but built like a tank and sounds great too. These headphones are generally recommended as the best gaming headphones you can get for under $250 or so. They have great bass and aren't terribly weak in other areas either.

 

[uhohs]

You'd be wrong. I love my HA-RX700s, they're great cans for the money. But the Grado sr60s are in a different class. The sound stage in particular made me cry the first time I heard them.

wait, grados have a soundstage? :awe:

 

[hans030390]

1) JVC HA-RX700/RX900 - ~$30-50
giant headphones, might not be terribly durable but the sound for the price is absolutely awesome. I have the RX700 and it does a good job competing with headphones up to $100 or so in sound quality.

3) Beyer-Dynamic DT770 - ~$130 on ebay or around
Pretty basic, but built like a tank and sounds great too. These headphones are generally recommended as the best gaming headphones you can get for under $250 or so. They have great bass and aren't terribly weak in other areas either.

My JVCs have been very durable for me, though they do feel a bit cheap. I think they're good as long as you aren't sitting on them. 😉

As for the DT770s, I think closer to $170 is a more reasonable price you'll find on eBay (just from a quick look, so I may be missing something). They also need an amp to be driven properly.

This is why I suggested the ATH-M50s. They apparently have similar characteristics to the Beyers (though what I heard may be wrong), yet they're pretty easy to find right around $90-100. They also are driven easily by something like an iPod.

 

[Cheesetogo]

I really like my HD555s, but I've heard excellent things about the M50 and the RX700. People tend to love the Grados or hate them, so if you're interested you should probably try to listen to them first. I do NOT recommend the Sennheiser 280s. My brother has them, and in addition to being less comfortable than the 555s, I didn't enjoy the sound nearly as much.

 

[herm0016]

AFAIK they are designed to be fullly supra-aural. I'm wearing some MDR-V6's right now and they do not touch my ear cartilage at all. I guess this depends on ear size. They fit me fine. 🙂

I do have an *old* pair ... so old the pleather stuff on the ear pads is completely gone.

they fit my ears very well also. i like to wear them on airplanes to help muffle the sound a bit even when they are not on, because they are way more comfortable than any ear plugs i have ever owned.

 

[0roo0roo]

do the 280's use memory foam?