Recommend a pair of headphones (about $200)

CaptainKahuna · Mar 30, 2004

I've got $200 to spend on headphones, and I haven't a clue about what to look for. So, as usual, I turn to Anandtech. Here's what I want (for use in a college dorm):

- Headphones that keep my music in
- and everything else out (doesn't have to be noise canceling, thick padding is good enough
if you do recommend noise canceling, they'd better be rechargeable, or have a toggle for the canceling
- wireless would be cool (not IR)
- comfy
- anything else cool

Note: these are mostly for use with my laptop playing MP3's, discman, and MP3 player. Budget is ~$200 as per title.

Thanks.

zixxer · Mar 30, 2004

Senn HD590.

NO other choice.

sillymofo · Mar 30, 2004

These, the best!

Good Guys has them.

Buttzilla · Mar 30, 2004

omg...200 for headphones?????

just use the one's you get for free on the airplane

CaptainKahuna · Mar 30, 2004

Originally posted by: cr4zymofo
<a class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite/productdetail.asp?transid=004955" target=blank>These, the best!</A>

Good Guys has them.

Do you have them? Can you give me any info on interference from 802.11b? How about range (in space and through walls)?

Ever tried the RS-85's? I think they're the same as the 65's but with noise reduction circuitry.

Ness · Mar 30, 2004

If I paid $200 for a pair of headphones they better wipe my ass for me, too.

xEDIT409 · Mar 30, 2004

Originally posted by: ness1469
If I paid $200 for a pair of headphones they better wipe my ass for me, too.

lol

Nocturnal · Mar 30, 2004

I really like my Sony DJ700 headphones. I just got them about in February. These headphones are kick-butt.

sillymofo · Mar 30, 2004

Originally posted by: CaptainKahuna

Originally posted by: cr4zymofoThese, the best. Good Guys has them.

Click to expand...

Do you have them? Can you give me any info on interference from 802.11b? How about range (in space and through walls)? Ever tried the RS-85's? I think they're the same as the 65's but with noise reduction circuitry.

I bought my dad a pair, they work wonders, and he uses them to walk around the garden watering plants. You don't really need the noise reduction (it would put you over the $200 range). The RS-65 comes with two rechargeable batteries, each last you around 4 hrs (I think) of straight listening.

I never had any interference with wifi.

Anubis · Mar 30, 2004

grado SR 225s

for 200$ there is nothing better

LongCoolMother · Mar 30, 2004

what kind of music do you listen to? and, will you be using an amp and quality source with the cans? i suspect if you are only using your laptop, $200 will definately be and overkill, unless, of course you pick of some ety er4ps. very good headphones to run from portables/laptops for around $225 the last time i looked. i have a pair and they are great at lan parties or on the car.

it will suit your purpose much better and are far superior (in terms of both sound and isolation) to any noice cancelling headphone as long as you arent concerned about the plug fit.

comfort isnt an issue for most people once they adjust to them. once again, the ety er4 or the shure e1cs/e3cs will be fantastic. hearing all three, i still preferred the etys for some reason, less bass bloated maybe?

for much less your budget hd280s, sony v6, audio technica a900 (although not portable at all) will all work awesome. and wont need an amp to sound great. oh and the akg k271 look like a good choice too, although i cant reccomend them as ive never tested them.

LongCoolMother · Mar 30, 2004

Originally posted by: Anubis
grado SR 225s

for 200$ there is nothing better

this man speaks the truth. but im afraid captainkahuna is looking for closed headphones that wont leak and will isolate. :\.

LS20 · Mar 30, 2004

audio-technica a900

i'd be very hesitant to listen to the above recommendations... sr225 are open-headphone.. v700 are not great...hd590 too..etc

try head-fi.org

screw3d · Mar 30, 2004

Originally posted by: LS20
audio-technica a900

i'd be very hesitant to listen to the above recommendations... sr225 are open-headphone.. v700 are not great...hd590 too..etc

try head-fi.org

This was exactly what I was going to recommend. It serves all your requirements.

This is also the set of cans that I want!

BaboonGuy · Mar 30, 2004

post this at head-fi.org

my personal recommendation is the sennheiser hd280 pro. they wont be perfect out of the box though, once you stretch them out properly and burn them in (play a ton of music on them like 24/7 straight) well they are really a freaking awesome pair of cans for a very very good price! i think amazon has them for 75 or something

Cat · Mar 30, 2004

I'll have to recommend www.head-fi.org as well.

LongCoolMother · Mar 30, 2004

Originally posted by: screw3d

Originally posted by: LS20
audio-technica a900

i'd be very hesitant to listen to the above recommendations... sr225 are open-headphone.. v700 are not great...hd590 too..etc

try head-fi.org

Click to expand...

This was exactly what I was going to recommend. It serves all your requirements.

This is also the set of cans that I want!

only problem is that the a900s are HUGE. and if he wants to use them with his mp3 player, it sort of defeats the purpose. when i used to own them, the ear cups were LARGER than a CD in diameter! not to mention the 3 meter? cable. nevertheless, gorgeous cans, sound decent too.

AU Tiger · Mar 30, 2004

Originally posted by: BaboonGuy
post this at head-fi.org

my personal recommendation is the sennheiser hd280 pro. they wont be perfect out of the box though, once you stretch them out properly and burn them in (play a ton of music on them like 24/7 straight) well they are really a freaking awesome pair of cans for a very very good price! i think amazon has them for 75 or something

I only wish. About two weeks ago I had them in my cart, went home, came into work the next day and they were $199.98. I check everyday now, and currently they are at $102.98.

CaptainKahuna · Mar 30, 2004

To all that recommended the A900's, they look nice, but they are friggin huge! I need something a bit smaller.

Any opinions on the Sennheiser RS-85's (wireless) or any other wireless cans?

Skiguy411 · Mar 30, 2004

Originally posted by: BaboonGuy
post this at head-fi.org

my personal recommendation is the sennheiser hd280 pro. they wont be perfect out of the box though, once you stretch them out properly and burn them in (play a ton of music on them like 24/7 straight) well they are really a freaking awesome pair of cans for a very very good price! i think amazon has them for 75 or something

took the words right out of my mouth. I have the hd280 pros and love them, but you have to burn them in to get them to sound there best.

Again, check out headfi.org

CaptainKahuna · Apr 1, 2004

waylman · Apr 1, 2004

as someone mentioned above the Senn HD 280 PRO's are awesome...once broken in. At first they sound like crap and are uncomfortable, but they really do turn into awesome cans. They are huge though....not something you'd want to wear outside of the house. Definately to head-fi for more advice

Thump553 · Apr 1, 2004

I have a pair of Senn 600s which cost $200 new and are fantastic, but you will need a headphone amp as well. They are my main hi-fi system.

As suggested above, go to head-fi.org for a super forum on headphones and related equipment.

Recommend a pair of headphones (about $200)

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