Interested in <$30 headphones

[alimoalem]

Hey everyone, I'm looking for a pair of headphones to use for music and podcasts. I'd like to spend less than $30. I've been reading reviews but have found it extremely difficult to find comparison reviews. I've also looked for retailers in my area that have headphones on display but have only found Radio Shack. Any help with B&M retailers that sell these 'phones would be appreciated.

I'm looking at (in no particular order):
Sennheiser CX300/400 (AFAIK CX400 only comes with extra stuff but sound is the same?)
Sennheiser HD201 (lower on my list...just because they retail for less so that automatically means they aren't as good )
V-Moda Bass Freq
JBuds J2
Philips SHN9500 ($35 at Amazon. I would really like to know how these compare as they retail for $160)
Koss KSC-75

Sound isolating isn't a requirement. I wouldn't mind it but it's not a big deal. I want something portable. I listen to a variety of music, from Hip-hop to some rock to (I think it's called) Indy to those instrumentals with piano/violin/etc. (such as something produced by Ludovico Einaudi).

Any help is appreciated. If you have experience with more than one of the above headsets, comparing the two would be appreciated.

 

[Oyeve]

There is a difference between the CX-300 and CX-400. I own both and the 400s sounds abit better. The 300s had, imo, too much muddy bass. The 400 is clearer sounding and closer to a flatter responce than the 300. Thats not to say they are flat sounding, but just sound better.

 

[hans030390]

JVC HA-RX700 for $35 on Buy.com. Hands down the best headphones you can buy in the price range, assuming you are fine with over-the-ear types. I'd recommend Googling it and checking out the HardOCP and Head-fi forum threads about them for TONS of info.

 

[frostedflakes]

Yeah I got the HA-RX700 based on recommendations from fellow ATers. Great headphones for home use, but OP is looking for something portable.

I'd definitely recommend a pair of IEMs for portable use. I really like the sound quality and noise isolation they offer. I also like that they can be worn with stocking caps and other hats, whereas most other types of headphones cannot. I find them much more comfortable than earbuds as well.

 

[TheBiggmann]

I had the cx300's and loved them aside from the asymmetrical cord, that was annoying as hell. Never tried the 400's but i don't doubt they are better. My brother had the v-moda's and they sounded good, especially if you like bass, however, about a month after he got them the cord gave out by the jack. You had to have it manipulated just right otherwise one earbud gave out. Granted he's 15 and wraps his headphones around his ipod with them still plugged in when not in use, but i still would have expected a little more durability, especially because i used to do that all the time with my senns. I wish i had bought the JVC's yet, they will more than likely be my next headphone purchase, probably within the next week, either them or the HD201's (I think that was the model...). I'll let you know how they sound if you haven't made a decision yet.

 

[alimoalem]

Thanks for all the replies.

Oyeve: Thanks for letting me know. I really wouldn't consider myself an audiophile, but I do like what I hear to sound good. I think if I go the cx300/400 route, I'll definitely spend the extra few bucks on the 400.

Hans: Thanks for the recommendation and those forum names. I knew there were forums out there, just forgot their names. The people over at Head-fi really do like the RX700's. They are over the head, but we'll see what happens.

Frostedflakes: Yup, I think you're right with the IEM recommendation. How much better are the RX700's? Are they phenomenal beyond belief relative to the IEM's or do the IEM's produce 90-95% the quality of the RX700's? I would like the headphones to be portable so I can listen to podcasts or whatever on campus (they do need to fit comfortably in my backpack...) and for pleasure (movies/music) at home.

Thebiggmann: good to hear another praise for the Sennheiser CX's. I went to Radio Shack today and got a pair of V-Moda Bass Freq's. The employee said if I'm not satisfied, to just bring them back. If, as you said, they aren't reliable, I don't think I'll be keeping them. Are there any B&M's I can try headphones out at? I'm gonna try BestBuy tomorrow. Oh, and I would really appreciate it if you could let me know how your next set of headphones sounds. I'm not in a rush so I can wait a couple weeks to make my final decision.

 

[s44]

I like the JVC "Air Cushion" (FX66) set, which is probably cheaper than your alternatives. Nice lively sound and quite comfortable.

Had the Denon C351 -- a bit clinical, and the earpieces weren't the best for me.

I love my $80 Shure SCL4s though.

 

[TidusZ]

I got these http://www.ncix.com/products/i...anufacture=Steelseries for $30 CDN a while back, good sound and extremely portable. Pretty comfortable too. If you want a headset with a mic this is a serious contender.

 

[TheBiggmann]

I realize it's been a while, but i just bought the HD 205's today ($45 at best buy) and so far i'm really liking them. They are a little tight, but not too bad, and i'm a big fella. They have nice range with good treble and solid bass. I'm sure the sound quality will improve slightly as they break in too. I hear lots of things I've never heard in my music before. I've only listened to them for an hour or so, but thats my initial evaluation.

 

[Project86]

Originally posted by: alimoalem
Thanks for all the replies.

Oyeve: Thanks for letting me know. I really wouldn't consider myself an audiophile, but I do like what I hear to sound good. I think if I go the cx300/400 route, I'll definitely spend the extra few bucks on the 400.

Hans: Thanks for the recommendation and those forum names. I knew there were forums out there, just forgot their names. The people over at Head-fi really do like the RX700's. They are over the head, but we'll see what happens.

Frostedflakes: Yup, I think you're right with the IEM recommendation. How much better are the RX700's? Are they phenomenal beyond belief relative to the IEM's or do the IEM's produce 90-95% the quality of the RX700's? I would like the headphones to be portable so I can listen to podcasts or whatever on campus (they do need to fit comfortably in my backpack...) and for pleasure (movies/music) at home.

Thebiggmann: good to hear another praise for the Sennheiser CX's. I went to Radio Shack today and got a pair of V-Moda Bass Freq's. The employee said if I'm not satisfied, to just bring them back. If, as you said, they aren't reliable, I don't think I'll be keeping them. Are there any B&M's I can try headphones out at? I'm gonna try BestBuy tomorrow. Oh, and I would really appreciate it if you could let me know how your next set of headphones sounds. I'm not in a rush so I can wait a couple weeks to make my final decision.

I had bass freq's for about a year, with casual use. they didn't hold up very well. The cord got very hard (especially the individual strands that lead to each ear), and won't really straighten out anymore.... it has an annoying curve on both sides now so it is always rubbing against my face. Also one of the earpieces broke in half for an unknown reason. I glued it together and it works fine now, but still....

They do have a fun sound to them though.

 

[alimoalem]

Sorry for the late replies guys.

s44: the JVC "Air Cushion" is around the same price as the Senn CX300 and V-Moda Bass Freq's. Do you know how they compare to either? I really wish I could get a pair or Shure's. I hear they're great

TidusZ: you must've gotten a pretty good deal. The best I found was ~$48 shipped.

Thebiggmann: I wouldn't mind hearing an update on your opinions on the HD205's, although I don't think they're as portable as I'd like. I think IEM's would be ideal for me.

Project86: thank you for your comment. I am going to return them as I don't think they'll hold up. My short time with them was enjoyable, the sound is pretty good, I like the bass (thought it drowned out the other stuff a bit at first, but either I got used to it or they've broken in a bit), but I do feel they won't hold up.


So guys, I do enjoy the sound of the V-Moda Bass Freq's. If I like these, will I like the CX300 or CX400? Are the Sennheiser's the general consensus for IEM's in my price range? Or should I hold onto the V-Moda's?

 

[TheBiggmann]

So far so good on the 205's. You are right on the portable factor, that is probably my biggest gripe. They don't fold or anything, so they are kind of cumbersome to transport, but i will deal. The noise blocking is average. At real low volumes you will still kind of hear conversations outside, but at a moderate level, one that i would consider normal for music (I don't like my music real loud), you really can't hear anything. I'm still very impressed with the sound, and i'm sure it will continue to get better, as i've only put about 3.5 hours on them so far. I'm leaving for FL for spring break, so they'll get some good use on the plane and the drive to the airport. I also listened to a small portion of Transformers with them, just go get an idea on how they sound with a movie, and that sounded great as well. One last point, well, two. They are fairly bass weak IMO, they are alright, but if you like head thumping bass, these aren't for you. I also noticed that my head hurt a little bit in front of my ears after about 1.5 hours of straight listening yesterday, but i was lying down on a bed so that might have put some strange pressure on certain areas. I know it seems like i have a lot of cons, but they are really just very small things. All in all i am happy, and i wish i could find my cx300's for comparisons sake. I was more of a fan of the cx300's than the v-modas from that i remember of them, i guess take it or leave it haha. You won't be disappointed by them tho.

 

[Howard]

I have the JVC marshmallows. Love them.