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Need headphone recommendations

T

TheBiggmann

Senior member
I used to have a pair of Sennheiser cx300's that aside from the asymmetric cable i really had no complaints about. However, I've since realized that I'd probably rather have a closed over ear type because i can just use my stock ipod headphones at the gym since i don't care if they get sweaty. Right now I'm looking at some of the Sony's, the v6 and v700. I was looking at some Sennheisers but it seems every review either says they are too bass heavy or too small. I wanna stay under about $80, so if you guys wanna throw some opinions/recommendations out there for me that'd be awesome!
 
I've been curious how good these might be. theSpeakerCompany is the internet no-frills line of D&M Holdings (the Denon and Marantz parent company), and their speaker offerings are pretty good.
 
JVC HA-RX700 or 900 model from Buy.com ($35 and $55, I believe). I have the HA-RX700 model, and they really sound great (for the money, they're fantastic). Not too bright or bass heavy...just enough to sound fun without sounding too "colored". Good build quality, sturdy, comfortable, etc. My only complaint is a slightly rolled off treble response (honestly not a big deal, you likely won't notice) and that they're not noise isolating (but are closed, so you won't notice noise coming in at even low to moderate volumes). I've heard these are comparable to some similar Audio-Technica headphones, which are a good bit more expensive. Apparently the ATs just have a bit more bass and a bit more treble.

Not only that, but they sound great with my Zune. I've found that some of the Sennheisers require a bit more power, according to what I've read. That, and there are so many models to choose from...However, if you're looking for a laid-back sound, apparently you'll find that with Sennheiser. I was also unimpressed by the Sony headphones you listed.

My roommate randomly listened to my JVC headphones while I was away (without me knowing). He brought up how good he thought they sounded, and was surprised they cost so little. My friend was also very surprised that they were only $35.

I don't mean to sound like they're the best thing ever...but for the price, they very well may be. Why pay more when you can get the same (or better? or ever-so-close) for less? I've found for the $80 range, it's VERY tough finding and pinpointing good headphones. The JVCs are a very safe bet from both a sound and price perspective. Just google them and you'll find a couple LARGE threads in forums about them.
 
Hans: Haha it's all good, i'll for sure check them out! Did you listen to the sonys? I just put them up because i had been looking at some senns and those were mentioned as a better headphone than the one I was looking at. And plus there were close to 9 million reviews, haha.

A5: Where are you finding them for under $80? I had seen them but everywhere i saw them at they are like $100.

Additionally, how are both of these for size? I'm a pretty big guy (6'2" 235, for what thats worth i judging head size...) I know a lot of people in reviews have complained about certain models being small and pressing too much against their heads. They could just be sallys tho.
 
Originally posted by: TheBiggmann
Hans: Haha it's all good, i'll for sure check them out! Did you listen to the sonys? I just put them up because i had been looking at some senns and those were mentioned as a better headphone than the one I was looking at. And plus there were close to 9 million reviews, haha.
Click to expand...

I did listen to the Sony headphones. I personally found them to be disappointing. I also hear a lot of 50/50 about the Sennheiser HD280 Pro. Some say they sound great, some say not to bother with them. I haven't personally heard them, though.

For $35 or $55 with the JVCs, though, you really can't go wrong.
 
I cannot recommend the HD280 Pro. They are great if you need noise isolation.
Here's a quick and dirty summary of the HD280 Pro:
1) The cups clamp REALLY tightly around your head(my head starts hurting after a while).
2) Anemic bass (It goes deep but very little quantity)
3) Harsh highs and bad sibilance

It's not a bad starter headphone, but I've heard better such as the Grado SR60.
 
Have you looked into the Grado SR-60's or SR-80's? They are very well liked in the headphone community and around your price range. If you find somewhere that sells them you should try a few different pairs out to see what type of sound signature and cup type you like.
 
Originally posted by: moonboy403
I cannot recommend the HD280 Pro. They are great if you need noise isolation.
Here's a quick and dirty summary of the HD280 Pro:
1) The cups clamp REALLY tightly around your head(my head starts hurting after a while).
2) Anemic bass (It goes deep but very little quantity)
3) Harsh highs and bad sibilance

It's not a bad starter headphone, but I've heard better such as the Grado SR60.
Click to expand...

4) Horrendous clipping at moderate volume level.


What about the HESH? Should be in your price range.
 
Originally posted by: Oyeve
Originally posted by: moonboy403
I cannot recommend the HD280 Pro. They are great if you need noise isolation.
Here's a quick and dirty summary of the HD280 Pro:
1) The cups clamp REALLY tightly around your head(my head starts hurting after a while).
2) Anemic bass (It goes deep but very little quantity)
3) Harsh highs and bad sibilance

It's not a bad starter headphone, but I've heard better such as the Grado SR60.
Click to expand...

4) Horrendous clipping at moderate volume level.


What about the HESH? Should be in your price range.
Click to expand...

Mine did not have any clipping even when the volume is turned up. I would suspect that the clipping was due to your source?

The HD280 can easily impress anyone as an entry level audiophile headphone. I know I did...until I've heard better ones.
 
Originally posted by: TheBiggmann
Is it worth the 20 bucks to jump to the 900?
Click to expand...

You may need to do your own research on that...read through the massive threads on other forums about it.

I think the general opinion is that it is worth the extra. However, you probably wouldn't be dissatisfied with the 700 model at all (what I have).

To anyone mentioning the Grado headphones, he did say he's looking for closed ear type headphones, and the Grados more just sit on the ear (and leak noise like crazy).

I can directly compare the JVC-HARX700 to the Grado SR-60.

JVC:
- More comfortable
- Less "bright", more laid-back (easier to listen to at high levels)
- More balanced sound, but still sounds "fun" with, say, rock or metal music
- A good bit more bass without being boomy
- Cheap

Grado:
- REALLY bright! Lots of crisp treble (hurts ears at high volumes)
- Mids really stick out (great for guitar and vocals)
- Could be considered more "fun" to listen to
- Lacks bass
- Annoys people due to how easily they leak
- More on the upper end of your budget

Either you like the Grado sound or you don't. You're much more likely to prefer the JVC sound over it. And yeah, it's probably worth the extra $20 if you're willing for the 900 model...though the 700 will still surprise you.
 
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