Quality headphone recommendations for <$80

[CasTroLTraN]

I am looking a headphone that would go well with NVidia soundstorm. I was thinking of something like the Zalman 5.1 headphones. Can someone recommend me something else for less than $80 (inluding tax/shipping). Thanks

 

[ingenuiti]

Grado SR-80 or SR-60 or Sennheiser HD280.

 

[Anubis]

Grado SR-80s can be had for ~80$ shipped, thats you best but for that price, they are simply the best, yes they are open headphones so other people can hear the sound, but its not bad unless you listen to stuff an an insane volume level

 

[BenSkywalker]

I was thinking of something like the Zalman 5.1 headphones.

Stay away from those, they are junk for their price class. The Grado SR-80s sound significantly better, although they are quite uncomfortable IMO. The Senn 280s or 497s are better choices IMO mainly due to the comfort issues the Grado's have(any of those three sound significantly better then the Zalman offerings).

 

[BoomAM]

Originally posted by: CasTroLTraN
I am looking a headphone that would go well with NVidia soundstorm. I was thinking of something like the Zalman 5.1 headphones. Can someone recommend me something else for less than $80 (inluding tax/shipping). Thanks

If you want some decent 5.1 headphones, that are 100x better than the Zalmans, sound better, has a amp/5.1 splitter, inline volume controls, then the SpeedLink Medusa 5.1 Surround Headphones are ideal.
I have a set, and sound just as good as my normal 5.1 setup on my PC.
Oh, and....erm.....they`re half the price of the Zalmans!. lol.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker

I was thinking of something like the Zalman 5.1 headphones.

Stay away from those, they are junk for their price class. The Grado SR-80s sound significantly better, although they are quite uncomfortable IMO. The Senn 280s or 497s are better choices IMO mainly due to the comfort issues the Grado's have(any of those three sound significantly better then the Zalman offerings).

everyone thinks grados are uncomfortable except me

I think they are fine

 

[BoomAM]

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker

I was thinking of something like the Zalman 5.1 headphones.

Stay away from those, they are junk for their price class. The Grado SR-80s sound significantly better, although they are quite uncomfortable IMO. The Senn 280s or 497s are better choices IMO mainly due to the comfort issues the Grado's have(any of those three sound significantly better then the Zalman offerings).

everyone thinks grados are uncomfortable except me

I think they are fine

You have a funny shaped head.
😀

 

[arod]

Originally posted by: BoomAM

Originally posted by: CasTroLTraN
I am looking a headphone that would go well with NVidia soundstorm. I was thinking of something like the Zalman 5.1 headphones. Can someone recommend me something else for less than $80 (inluding tax/shipping). Thanks

If you want some decent 5.1 headphones, that are 100x better than the Zalmans, sound better, has a amp/5.1 splitter, inline volume controls, then the SpeedLink Medusa 5.1 Surround Headphones are ideal.
I have a set, and sound just as good as my normal 5.1 setup on my PC.
Oh, and....erm.....they`re half the price of the Zalmans!. lol.

Where did you buy them from?

 

[BoomAM]

Im asuming from your avatar that your from the US. Correct?
I got them from a UK store called afterhours computers, and i dont think that they do overseas shipping.
Search around a few US sites or summit for them. I know they`re available in the US, cos ive heard of people having them, and they live in the US.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

Why does everyone dislike the zalmans? I have a set and I like them a lot. I also bought a friend a set and he likes his as well.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

Sennheiser HD-280's.

 

[CptObvious]

Originally posted by: ingenuiti
Grado SR-80 or SR-60 or Sennheiser HD280.

2nded. I have the HD-280s but might be inclined to go with the Grados for casual music listening/gaming. The HD-280s are a little snug and the sound is less natural with the closed-back design. But the closed-back on the HD-280s do provide excellent isolation).

 

[BoomAM]

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX
Why does everyone dislike the zalmans? I have a set and I like them a lot. I also bought a friend a set and he likes his as well.

Cos for the price they`re a rip off, they sound tinny & echoy.

 

[tkdkid]

I have the sennheiser hd497's. I like the sound and I haven't broken them in yet, so they should get better. It may be an option if you don't want sealed headphones like the 280's or want something that looks a bit better than the grado's.

For a bunch of reviews:
http://www.headwize.com

 

[ed21x]

I use the koss Portapros, which even though they aren't large cans, have a surprisingly rich sound 🙂

 

[CasTroLTraN]

Would I need an audigy sound card to enjoy the Grado SR-80 or SR-60 or Sennheiser HD280 to its full potential? Are these headphones 5.1 channeL(for DVD)?

 

[fireontheway]

HD-212 's are'nt bad either.

 

[BoomAM]

Originally posted by: CasTroLTraN
Would I need an audigy sound card to enjoy the Grado SR-80 or SR-60 or Sennheiser HD280 to its full potential? Are these headphones 5.1 channeL(for DVD)?

Dunno about the rest of them, but the Medusas that i mentioned have a switch that`ll upmix stereo sound to all of its speakers, giving a psudo effect of surround.

 

[MrChad]

Another vote for Grados. My $60 SR-60s are amazing.

 

[FishTankX]

Sony V-6. Amazing headphones. Closed, so the sound doesn't leak out, with punchy bass and crystal clear highs. A bit bright, but not too harsh.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: CasTroLTraN
Would I need an audigy sound card to enjoy the Grado SR-80 or SR-60 or Sennheiser HD280 to its full potential? Are these headphones 5.1 channeL(for DVD)?

no you dont need it i dont know if it makes a diff, i use mine on mt comp audigy 1, and my hoe stero sound teh same, my roomie has teh same ones uses them on his SB live value card, hes happy

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

Originally posted by: BoomAM

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX
Why does everyone dislike the zalmans? I have a set and I like them a lot. I also bought a friend a set and he likes his as well.

Cos for the price they`re a rip off, they sound tinny & echoy.

I got my first set for $40 and second set for $44. I don't think I was ripped off when I've bought $30 storebought cans in the past that don't even come close to these zalmans.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker

I was thinking of something like the Zalman 5.1 headphones.

Stay away from those, they are junk for their price class. The Grado SR-80s sound significantly better, although they are quite uncomfortable IMO. The Senn 280s or 497s are better choices IMO mainly due to the comfort issues the Grado's have(any of those three sound significantly better then the Zalman offerings).

everyone thinks grados are uncomfortable except me

I think they are fine

Some people don't realize the metal band can be bent to make it looser to not pinch the ears . . . 😛

The Grados are EXTRAordinarily comfortable.

 

[BoomAM]

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX

Originally posted by: BoomAM

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX
Why does everyone dislike the zalmans? I have a set and I like them a lot. I also bought a friend a set and he likes his as well.

Cos for the price they`re a rip off, they sound tinny & echoy.

I got my first set for $40 and second set for $44. I don't think I was ripped off when I've bought $30 storebought cans in the past that don't even come close to these zalmans.

They`re £80 in the UK. The Medusa are £35 and far better.

Second set? They can`t be that good if you had to get a second set to replace them? Or is that for a second system.
Im sure that they`re "good" headphones, but for half the price, the Medusas sound better and are have useful stuff that comes with them, like a 5.1 amp/splitter, cables to hook up to anything, inline volume control, build in mic, ect;

 

[Luthien]

Save your money and buy KOSS UR-20 headphones. $15+ a pair. Full ear enclosure with leather muffs and they are very comfortable and light weight with single wire extension cord, lifetime guarantee if they go bad they will replace them. I have owned Koss UR-20's now for about a decade and IMO they sound as good or better than many other more expensive headphones and they hold up well. Again very comfortable and you dont need to worry about them since they are so cheap. Sony full ear leather muff's cost like $60 to replace when they wear out!!! Take my advice and buy 4 or 5 pairs of KOSS UR-20's for the money you want to spend or just a pair or two and save your money. I can wear them for many hours before they start to bother me. Other headphones I have tried $100, $200 are not as comfortable although they may sound a tiny bit better the worry about them being damaged isnt worth it to me. KOSS UR-20 best headphones for the money ever made!