Looking for a pair of headphones NOW WITH POLL!

[acegazda]

Hi guys,
I'm looking over my options for headphones to go with my creative zen micro, I'm currently using a $10 pair of sony streetstyles, and am looking for high quality ~$70. I read the general audio thread and gathered that a lot of the foreign brands are better. I looked into some phones from grado and seinheiser, and found that I liked the seinheiser cx300 earbuds. First of all, bud is the general consensus on these? Second, what would be a great pair of headphones, first for audio listening, second for the computer. I like alt rock, classic rock, some rap and hip hop, and dance songs, so bass is important, however I don't want to overlook the mid range quality as that is really lacking in my current phones. I'd rather have earbuds, for portability, but if the bass quality and overall quality is significantly better on open air headphones for the same price, those would be great. Thanks in advance.

EDIT: Check out the poll, if you vote, pleaz tell why!

 

[acegazda]

bump^n-e-1?

 

[PurdueRy]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826106333

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826159415

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16826106024

These are basically all the same headphone with the first two just being a white vs. black difference and the third wrapping around your neck. These however, are the headphones that have impressed me most for the money. If you like bass, these things are freaking incredible. I swear you will think that you have a subwoofer in your room when you hear these.

I know you were looking earbuds...but they really lack because they really don't seal the ear off and their small drivers can't produce the bass you will want(there are models that get over this, but they are $$$). For the money, I guarantee you will not be disappointed with either of these three pairs.

 

[acegazda]

thanks, those look like great bang for buck, but a tad cheesy in construction. That's definetly near the top of my list now...

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: acegazda
thanks, those look like great bang for buck, but a tad cheesy in construction. That's definetly near the top of my list now...

Construction is actually very good. The head/neckband is metal and they come with a nice case. Plus they fold up.

I think you will see some reviews on the egg that say that they are quite well built.

 

[Ika]

If you like rock, the Grado SR-60 is your headphone. These babies have lots of punch and are pretty aggressive as far as budget headphones go - the sound quality is amazing.

I would give you more recommendations but I'm off to eat lunch right now... I'll be back! I love headphone threads!

EDIT: okay, now that I've had some time to thoroughly read what you said...

PurdueRy's suggested PX100 headphones are all very good - these things are regarded as one of the best headphones under $50. However, to save a little bit of money, you could check out Koss KSC75 earclips - if you don't mind the form factor, these little things are AMAZING for the price. They're available on Amazon for less than $10, last I checked (plus shipping). KSC75s have great mid-range and great bass. Treble extends, but is a little bit harsh. For less than $20, though, you'll get 80-90% of the sound of the PX100 and even the SR60. They're also very portable, and very open.

Another choice is a pair of Koss SportaPros or PortaPros. Before the PX100 came out, the PortaPro was regarded as the #1 best headphone under $50. It's still neck and neck with the PX100, and you can't really go wrong with either. They can also switch from over-the-head style to behind-the-neck style, so if you're comfortable with that, these are great.

As for earbuds... The Senn CX300 is a good choice for an earbud. They're also canalbuds, so they isolate better than regular iBuds (but not as good as IEMs). Another choice is the Creative EP630, which I've heard sounds nearly, if not exactly, the same as the CX300, at a lower price.

 

[acegazda]

hmmm, the sr60 seems to be top notch, for like $70, they're considerably larger than the px100's, probably can produce better sound as a result. Thanks!

 

[LeoDioxide]

Grados SR60 are highly recommended, they're basically your hi-fi lowend, if there were ever to exist such a thing. I'm gonna order a pair soon, after reading reviews from quite a few headphone review sites (stereophile, headroom).

 

[acegazda]

which earbuds produce the best bass out there? I know of the shure e4c. but I'm not in the market for a $180 pair. Just thinking of like when I go biking and stuff, the overhead standard design might be obtrusive.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: acegazda
which earbuds produce the best bass out there? I know of the shure e4c. but I'm not in the market for a $180 pair. Just thinking of like when I go biking and stuff, the overhead standard design might be obtrusive.

That's why I pointed you to the behind the neck model of the PX100's. I still think that is a great option for someone who listens at home+ on the go

 

[acegazda]

yeah, I appreciate that, but right now I have a pair of sony street styles, that are the wrap around the neck kind. It's a hassle when I try to fall asleep listening to tunes. Are there any compiled lists of headphones (possibly with comparisons) around the net? Thanks everyone!

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: acegazda
yeah, I appreciate that, but right now I have a pair of sony street styles, that are the wrap around the neck kind. It's a hassle when I try to fall asleep listening to tunes. Are there any compiled lists of headphones (possibly with comparisons) around the net? Thanks everyone!

HeadRoom is generally pretty good with their reviews. They have lots of headphones in stock, so you can browse through their selection and see what they say. However, they're not always correct about the reviews - if you want more recommendations, Head-Fi is the ultimate in headphone forums.

Earbuds != bass, generally. If you want good bass in an earphone, you'll probably end up paying more. The cheapest option is probably the EP630/CX300 I mentioned previously, but I've never tried them for myself, so I can't tell you how good the bass is. The next step up would probably be the Westone UM-1s - good bass, IEM, warm sound, and very comfortable. However, they're around $100.

If you look into the SR60, be aware that they are very, very open. They leak lots of sound both in and out, so they're not the best to use in public. They are, however, a good head turner, so if you want to be noticed, wear them in public .

 

[acegazda]

thanks for the links! Anyone with experiences with the creative ep630 and/or seinheiser cx300 would be appreciated!!

 

[LOUISSSSS]

Bose triports have been great to me, with both adapters depending on which audio output you use, comfortable soft plush leather aroudn the ears, VERy lightweight so u don't even notice it being there and good sound quality

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
Bose triports have been great to me, with both adapters depending on which audio output you use, comfortable soft plush leather aroudn the ears, VERy lightweight so u don't even notice it being there and good sound quality

Bose is poop. Albeit, very comfortable poop, but still poop. And overpriced. If Triports were half the price, they would be considerable.

 

[alcoholbob]

Another vote for the Bose Acoustimass setup...

JUST KIDDING!

 

[yosuke188]

I would also suggest the PX100 or Grado-60 for quality sound. Or check out the sennheiser HD280 at Amazon going for $73 last I checked. Very good closed cans.

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: yosuke188
I would also suggest the PX100 or Grado-60 for quality sound. Or check out the sennheiser HD280 at Amazon going for $73 last I checked. Very good closed cans.

He likes bass, so the HD280 Pros are out.

For earbuds, I would stick with the recommendation of EP630. Low-price phones, good bass and isolation. Sound quality is good, but not really comparable with headphones such as the PX100, PortaPro, and SR60. Still, it's a major improvement over stock earbuds.

 

[Xyclone]

Sennheiser HD280, it has decent bass IMO.

 

[erikistired]

i loved my grados but they stopped working after a couple years. one of the wires inside the cup came apart i guess? one side would drop in and out. but up til that point they were great cans.

 

[acegazda]

Originally posted by: Aflac

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
Bose triports have been great to me, with both adapters depending on which audio output you use, comfortable soft plush leather aroudn the ears, VERy lightweight so u don't even notice it being there and good sound quality

Bose is poop. Albeit, very comfortable poop, but still poop. And overpriced. If Triports were half the price, they would be considerable.

you just copied that from the general audio thread!

 

[acegazda]

Originally posted by: fisher
i loved my grados but they stopped working after a couple years. one of the wires inside the cup came apart i guess? one side would drop in and out. but up til that point they were great cans.

yeah my sony's have lasted me nearly 5 years. I'll probably get either the cx300's or ep630's... heck I'll even put up a poll!

 

[Ika]

Originally posted by: acegazda

Originally posted by: Aflac

Originally posted by: LOUISSSSS
Bose triports have been great to me, with both adapters depending on which audio output you use, comfortable soft plush leather aroudn the ears, VERy lightweight so u don't even notice it being there and good sound quality

Bose is poop. Albeit, very comfortable poop, but still poop. And overpriced. If Triports were half the price, they would be considerable.

you just copied that from the general audio thread!

I didn't copy it, I re-thought of it

In all seriousness, though, my $70 SR-60s beat the $300 QuietComfort 2 in SQ - I did a serious A-B comparison and the SR60s beat the socks off the QC2.

 

[Ika]

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=173370

http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=180215

Some links on EP630 vs CX300. The general consensus seems to say that they sound exactly the same, except the EP630 is half the price. However, the last post in the last link adds a few more options... hee hee!

I would probably get the EP630, since it's so cheap.

 

[acegazda]

where are you finding the creatives, pricegrabber has nothing...