some headphone recommendations?

[dpopiz]

I'm looking to buy some new full size earmuff headphones.
- I'll just be using them for music, not movies or games
- I want the most clear and transparent sound I can get (which to me means smooth response and undistorted highs)
- I'd like them to be comfortable and not press too hard against my head
- I can pay at most $50

a minor point: my mp3 has great sound quality except that it has a slight hissing in the output (normal for this player). however, it is independent of the amplifier, so if I turn the volume up, it's less noticeable. I've tried lots of different headphones on it and some of them are less efficient, which requires me to turn the volume up higher, thereby making the hiss less noticeable. I don't know what specification would measure how much power they require to produce a certain dB level, but if you know, I'd of course prefer some headphones that are less efficient.

 

[Howard]

Koss KSC-35/50.

 

[slackerinabox]

Or Koss Porta-Pros.. Or.. HMmm.. senheisers (screw you if you think I'm going to look up how to spell it correctly) but they're a bit more than your price range.. Grado sr60s are nice.. Hmm.. Got a ratshack near you (i'm a geek so I have to call it that even though I have no idea where that term originated from)? Get a pair of their high-end optimus'- they're just retagged Koss phones.. Sometimes you can get them for 15 bucks!

 

[freebee]

Maybe a good pair of used HD 580s?, or 590s for comfort. Generally considered very good for music. May need amplifier.

Also, try 570s for speech/spoken voice/gaming. Not good for most music.

 

[HappyCracker]

may I compliment you on wanting large headphones. I have never and will never be a fan of those earbud deals because their sound is horrible and they don't stick in my ears. Those Sony things that have the headband and stick in your ears aren't much better. I got hooked back in the day with the Sony CD160s, then the V700s, now the MDR7509. This isn't much help, but you get a lot of wierd looks carrying a small MD player with huge headphones. Kinda like a contradiction in terms.

 

[UglyCasanova]

I got some $20 Sony's, they're pretty nice.

 

[Shockwave]

Originally posted by: HappyCracker
may I compliment you on wanting large headphones. I have never and will never be a fan of those earbud deals because their sound is horrible and they don't stick in my ears. Those Sony things that have the headband and stick in your ears aren't much better. I got hooked back in the day with the Sony CD160s, then the V700s, now the MDR7509. This isn't much help, but you get a lot of wierd looks carrying a small MD player with huge headphones. Kinda like a contradiction in terms.

You obviously havent read reviews of Etymotics have you?

 

[dpopiz]

actually my experience is that most earbuds have better sound than most earmuffs. however, I want something that's more comfortable, easier to wear, and bigger sound.

 

[Shanteli]

it might cost a bit more but I will swear by anything made by Grado

 

[tweakmm]

If you have to stick to your budget, the Koss KSC-35s should do you quite well. I just got a pair the first of this week and they've about broken in and sound incredible for a pair of headphones that cost $30.

 

[Anubis]

Grado SR-60s or SR-80s

they have amazing sound quality. you can get the SR-60s for about 60 i beleive. i have the 80s they are amazing

 

[dpopiz]

from what I've read, the grado's sound good but are extremely uncomfortable, even painful

 

[tweakmm]

Originally posted by: dpopiz
actually my experience is that most earbuds have better sound than most earmuffs.

You either had some really good earbuds, some really sh!tty cans or some really really good crack.

 

[LongCoolMother]

read www.head-fi.org

you'll learn a lot.

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: dpopiz
from what I've read, the grado's sound good but are extremely uncomfortable, even painful

peopel say that about the SR80s because of teh phome designe. the SR60s have a different pad on them and supposidly its better. you can get teh pads for teh 60s and put them on any of their models. the 80s i have i ware for hours on end and they arnt painfull

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: tweakmm

Originally posted by: dpopiz
actually my experience is that most earbuds have better sound than most earmuffs.

You either had some really good earbuds, some really sh!tty cans or some really really good crack.

I lean towards the crack idea.

 

[dpopiz]

for the discussing about earbuds: I think just about anybody will agree that earbuds give you much MUCH better bang for the buck in terms of sound quality than earmuffs. that's all I meant. I think it's due to the fact that, being closer to the ear, they can use much lower power drivers, which are cheaper to make sound good.

regarding the grados, that's interesting that you don't think they're at all painful. most peoples' reviews of them complain tremendously about it. my old pair of headphones were the koss UR-40's, and I thought they were really comfortable. it barely felt like I was wearing anything. it would be interesting to me if anybody could say how the feel of the grados compare to those.

 

[mudkiller]

i like my sony mdr-v6 headphones. they're pretty good.