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Sub $150 headphones for glasses wearer?

S

SolidSnake42

Senior member
I currently own a pair of Sennheiser HD238s, but over a few hours, they do hurt since I do wear glasses. I'm looking for a great pair of either in-ear or circumaural headphones for my PC, since I have a desk mic, it all works out really. Unless you think I could get a great set with a mic for less than $150? I mean, the only headset that is over $100 is the Sennheiser PC330, but if you can recommend either a great headset or pair of headphones, I'd be grateful. And yes, I need the comfort with glasses on.

Maybe Sennheiser HD555s for the headphones? And yes, just saying right now, I love Sennheiser.
 
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I'm very comfortable with my Senn 600's but I have a narrow head (and they cost more than $150, and need a headphone amp also).

Since fit is so important to headphones I can't really evision buying an expensive pair without physically trying them on first. If no stores around you carry what you are looking for I'd check headfi.com for a local user group near you. Frequently they have get-togethers to try out each other's toys.
 
No please don't get the HD555s. They sound pretty bad. A used HD580 is far, far better. I mean night and day better. Also don't compromise by getting a mic built-in. Only crappy headphones have that. Stick with your desk mic. Go to Head-Fi for better advice. They will point you to a good number of options. So many new headphones came out over the past year, that my head spins just thinking about it.
 
sxr7171 said:
No please don't get the HD555s. They sound pretty bad. A used HD580 is far, far better. I mean night and day better. Also don't compromise by getting a mic built-in. Only crappy headphones have that. Stick with your desk mic. Go to Head-Fi for better advice. They will point you to a good number of options. So many new headphones came out over the past year, that my head spins just thinking about it.
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Aren't the 580s normally over $150 though? I know used so far on eBay they are about $108 but still have over a day left.

Okay, for Sennheiser I've gone from a PX-100 to now HD238, and what would sound at least as good as the HD238s but go over the ears instead of on them and be comfortable as hell?
 
Go to a shop and try some on...Sennheisers as people here tend to love, Grado SR125i, Audiotechnica ATH-AD700 (cheap, but I love this pair especially when I have my glasses on)...$150 is a decent budget, there are so many to choose from. Try on a few before you make a decision on what other people have told you.
 
I wear glasses and I've used Sennheiser 280s (about what you would expect from that price range, kinda gross) Sennheiser 555s (Better but airy sounding? be sure to 'mod' them to make them 595s if you get these) and now use Denon D5000s which are way outside the price range so who cares.

I pretty much agree with EvilYoda only instead of the AD700s I'd look at the M50s
 
I can't say, I've never had the HD238s or heard them, but I would guess that the M50s perform at the very least, as good as them 238s, most likely better.
 
The Sennheiser HD238 cans are about $100 but they go on the ears instead of around them. They do sound pretty good and yes they are open back. I also read a review that the M50s had great bass, but the mid-range might be something to be desired. Unless you think they sound overall great and the comfort is at least on par with the HD238 and 555?

At least with the M50s, I saw they do have a replaceable cable, which is always a good thing.
 
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Well it seems that I will settle with the M50s. So these would probably be the better headphones for under $150 and probably better than the HD555s?
 
Well it seems that the M50s went up at least 30 to 40 bucks, so I'm kinda iffy on them. Any other suggestions that are under 150 (non-eBay preferably)?

EDIT: Okay, it looks like I've settled for the AD700s, which seem to be great for the money.
 
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I just bought the AD700s myself...returned them because they are too loose fitting. You can't adjust the clamp, so depending on your head size/shape, it can just fall straight off. Also the Sennheiser's sit around your ears. The AD700s sit on your ears, which ends up giving me an itch over extended use.

Just fyi...maybe you should buy both the 555 and 700s and compare them.
 
Astrallite said:
I just bought the AD700s myself...returned them because they are too loose fitting. You can't adjust the clamp, so depending on your head size/shape, it can just fall straight off. Also the Sennheiser's sit around your ears. The AD700s sit on your ears, which ends up giving me an itch over extended use.

Just fyi...maybe you should buy both the 555 and 700s and compare them.
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These are pretty much more for a present that I'm asking for for Christmas. Also, I have a 7 1/2 inch head (fitted hats), so maybe I should be fine?
 
Tall or wide?

I compared the 555s and AD700.

The AD700s are very loose, feels like no clamp, while the 555s have pretty sturdy clamp.

The AD700s rest on your ears which may cause possible itch over time, the 555s rest around your ears.

The 555s use some kind of crappy cheap foam padding (I hear the 595s are the same) that's kind of stiff. The AD700s have softer foam although it's pretty amateur, it's not even shaped foam like the 555s, it looks like they just cut out a piece of acoustic foam with a pair of scissors. Sigh, I'm used to the sued microfabric of the HD590s, the build quality of headphones these days is just going downhill. Inflation?
 
Astrallite said:
Tall or wide?

I compared the 555s and AD700.

The AD700s are very loose, feels like no clamp, while the 555s have pretty sturdy clamp.

The AD700s rest on your ears which may cause possible itch over time, the 555s rest around your ears.

The 555s use some kind of crappy cheap foam padding (I hear the 595s are the same) that's kind of stiff. The AD700s have softer foam although it's pretty amateur, it's not even shaped foam like the 555s, it looks like they just cut out a piece of acoustic foam with a pair of scissors. Sigh, I'm used to the sued microfabric of the HD590s, the build quality of headphones these days is just going downhill. Inflation?
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My head around is 7 1/2". So I kind of have a big head.
 
SolidSnake42 said:
My head around is 7 1/2". So I kind of have a big head.
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what? I just measured my head and at my "hat line" my head is ~23" circumference. My head is bigger than almost everyone I've met (and I can't wear some headphones like AKGs because their headband adjustment doesn't go big enough for me).

That said, the M50s have quite a bit of clamp. It may not be the best idea to wear them with glasses. If you have a Guitar Center nearby chances are they will let you try the M50s out. You should be able to find them at Amazon for like $108 too.
 
Astrallite said:
Tall or wide?

I compared the 555s and AD700.

The AD700s are very loose, feels like no clamp, while the 555s have pretty sturdy clamp.

The AD700s rest on your ears which may cause possible itch over time, the 555s rest around your ears.

The 555s use some kind of crappy cheap foam padding (I hear the 595s are the same) that's kind of stiff. The AD700s have softer foam although it's pretty amateur, it's not even shaped foam like the 555s, it looks like they just cut out a piece of acoustic foam with a pair of scissors. Sigh, I'm used to the sued microfabric of the HD590s, the build quality of headphones these days is just going downhill. Inflation?
Click to expand...

Sounds like you had fake ad700s because nothing you just stated in any way describes the pair I have.

Also, if you ad700's are too loose hook the two wings together with a rubberband. Find the rubberband that gives you the right amount of tension.
 
VulgarDisplay said:
Sounds like you had fake ad700s because nothing you just stated in any way describes the pair I have.

Also, if you ad700's are too loose hook the two wings together with a rubberband. Find the rubberband that gives you the right amount of tension.
Click to expand...

What evidence do you have that your AD700s aren't fake?
 
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