Headphones <$100

[gouda96]

What headphones would you guys suggest for under $100. I figure I am gonna need them in the dorms at college.

I heard SENNHEISER makes some good ones that newegg has for a little under $100.

let me know what you guys think...my wallet and future enjoyment of computer audio rests in your hands :D

[felix88]

i've got some Sony 7506s that sound really good. i got them for $90-95 at Guitar Center.

[gouda96]

I will check those out.

so far other suggestions are grado 60/80 and senheiser 280pro's or the 500rlt's

[felix88]

i really liked these because they don't get really bass heavy. they reproduce the sound very nicely.

[pulverizer]

I have the sennheiser 280s. I like them a lot, they are comfortable for long use, and do not bleed noise, so you will not bother anyone. Sound good overall, my sony DJ headphones have more bass though, although the senns have much better overall sound. The sound will change after you use them for a little bit, the sound will get warmer as soon as they break in.

[felix88]

which Sony DJ headphones do you have?

[gouda96]

I think I am gonna go with the grado sr-60's or 80's. I am about to buy the 80's I think, unless i find a realy good deal on other cans.

[shrae]

For the <$100 segment, you've pretty much got only the Senn HD280s and Sony MDR-V6 (not 600), or the MDR-V7506. The reason I say this is you need an amp to take advantage of some of the other models even in this low-range price segment - the Grado SR-80s included.

If you get the chance to use an amp, the SR-80s sound great. I work in a studio frequently and got the chance to test a friend's SR-80 with the amp there and they sound awesome. But when plugged into normal equipment - your CD player, computer, or even receiver - the SR-80s lose their advantage by quite a bit. Obviously if you're looking for <$100 headphones you are not going to want to spend money on an amp (I also don't see the point of having to spend more on an amp than the headphones cost, to make those headphones sound good. It's a different story if you're using a pair of MDR-CD3000s.)

Before I got into studio mixing and had to buy that reference pair, I had MDR-V7506's that I used very frequently. They are extremely accurate headphones, definitely more accurate than the HD280s, but suffer from fatigue due to a tad of exuberance on the treble side. The HD280s are much smoother and more mellow but have less bass than the V7506s and tend to be less fatiguing, although again at the cost of accuracy. I'm a reproduction freak so personally wasn't happy with the HD280s although many prefer those to the V7506. Also, if you go with Sony stick with the V6 (again, NOT v600) and the V7506. All of the rest of Sony's <$150 segment is poor quality.

Of course, in the end nothing will beat trying the headphones out for yourself. You may wind up liking the SR-80s better even without an amp! But if you do try headphones out, be aware that all have a lengthy break-in period so make sure the models have already been broken in. Maybe you can find local retailers that have demo models, or perhaps you know someone IRL who has a pair.

[gouda96]

What about the grado sr-60's, for like $65 they are realy cheap.

someone is offering me the MDR-V700 for $75, how are those...nobody suggested them, so I am assuming they aren't good.

[gouda96]

I can get some brand new sennh 280-pros for $73. I think I am gonna go see if bestbuy has these tomorrow. If they sound good I will get them for $73. I wanted the grados, but i need them fast and this is the first good deal...

what do you guys think?

[shrae]

Sorry for the late reply - $73 sounds good for the Senn HD280s. I usually see prices between US$ 90-100+. The Sony 700s really aren't too good; as I said, pretty much the whole <$150 segment of Sony isn't high quality except for the V6/V7506.

[gouda96]

Well I found some Grado sr-80's for $80 new and unopened. They should be here by the end of next week. At that price I could probably resell them if I don't like them, but I realy doubt that will be a problem.

This should be a welcomed improvement on my 5-year-old boston acoustics $150 4.1 speaker set. Each sattelite has fallen to the ground more times than i can count. On my other comp I am using some prue crap harman/kardon speakers that don't even have a sub. I think they were free with a comp my dad got in his office. I have always had topend computers, and the only decent sound I ever had were those boston speakers when i first bought them, which weren't even that great to begin with.

Anyway...I realy can't wait to get my hands on these. I think I am gonna pick up a 3rd gen 10gb ipod aswell. My sister took my old sony mp3 player, that tiny purple thing, cost me $400 when i got it, and only had a 64mb card. Sony's transfering software is also pure crap, atleast the stuff that came with it. I think the ipod would be nice to have around...maybe for listening to music in class ;)

[Kurupt]

Why dont you check out the DPS-500's... I have had sooo many pairs of head phones and I dont think anything can match to these.

I have used in the past STAX headphones from XTW and the New Bose head units.

[gouda96]

I bought some sr-80's on saturday for $80 shipped. a friend owns a store and gave me a bit of a deal.

thanks for all the suggestions guys...i appreciate it. I will let you guys know what i think of these when i get them.

[gouda96]

the sr-80's came today...

GOD DAMN!!!! THEY SOUND AMAZING!!!! IT IS ORGASMIC!!!!

They are confortable for me, but I have a fairly narrow head. If you had a big head they could be incredible unconfortable. The earpads basically do nothing, and there is no foam in the center so your ear is basically directly on plastic. I have absolutely no problem with them, but I could easily see how many would find these very annoying to wear.

I would say that the absolutely amazing sound totally outweighs any discomfort caused by these headphones!!

I listened to the sen 280 pros, 570's, and 580's...none of them can hold a candle to these in sound quality. The sr-80's are an unbelievable piece of equipment for a great price!!!

[shrae]

Glad you like them :) Should sound even better after break-in.

[gouda96]

how long should it take to break them in pretty well. I am just gonna leave them playing music until i fell they have been suffeciently broken in.

[shrae]

It varies widely, but I'd say an initial break-in period somewhere in the range of 40-50hrs, with complete break-in anywhere from 150-300+hrs. The headphones should sound pretty close to "standard" after just the initial break-in period, so I really woudln't worry too much.... but there are a lot of people out there who claim that it took several weeks before achieving full quality. The dealer who sold me my CD3000s recommended 600hrs... lol. I think that was a bit overstated.

[gouda96]

just the thought of these sounding even better...uuuhhh:slobber:...they sound so amazing right now I can only imagine what they will sound like after a good break in.

I have already found an alod earpad that i pulled off and just put over the regular one. It is one of those thin foam ones that covers the whole ear. I cut a hole in the middle, and my ear no longer makes contact with the plastic. They are now very comfortable.

Even without the extra padding I played cs and listened to music for about 6 hours. They were fine...ears were just a little sore after, but didn't notice it while playing, but then again when i play i don't notice anything...especially when i am 76-0 in a 20 person aztec, and can't quite take first place...

[mrnuke]

go to ebay and type in sennheiser Hd 570's. I got my pair off ebay for 40 bux and they are so awsome. Ebay has good deals on headphones.

[gouda96]

ebay didn't have great deals on the grados, and the senn 570's are just terrible. The $40 radioshack headphones sounded better.

If you get senn then get the hd-280 pros

[Peckers]

I would have recomended Beyerdynamic DT 531 but the sr-80's are great aswell, I'm sure you will be happy with them.

[sjohnson]

These are Sony refurbs, kinda late to respond, but in case anyone else is interested. Stumbled onto this deal at eCost for Sony MDR V6:

" Sony
Studio Monitor Series Stereo Headphones for High End Audio Applications
Features include a Circum-Aural Earcup Design, a Large Aura-Nomic Design, a Convenient Folding Design, Reversible Earcups for Single-Side Monitoring, and a Cushioned Headband. MDR-V6 refurbished.
Only $39.99
FREE SHIPPING !"

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?DPNo=286052&adcampaign=email,ewb04267

[I3lackCoffee]

I definatley agree by getting the Sennheiser HD-280Pro's. They are comfortable and sound amazing. Especially for gaming.

[xDUCK]

I've got Sennheiser RS-65's and highly highly highly recommend them. Amazing sound accuracy.

[ri3eboi]

Originally posted by gouda96

I listened to the sen 280 pros, 570's, and 580's...none of them can hold a candle to these in sound quality. The sr-80's are an unbelievable piece of equipment for a great price!!!

You are being too subjective here, the HD570 and 580 have comparable sound quality if not better, but the sennheisers are much much more comfortable, do some research on headphones and u will know.

[gouda96]

Originally posted by ri3eboi
You are being too subjective here, the HD570 and 580 have comparable sound quality if not better, but the sennheisers are much much more comfortable, do some research on headphones and u will know.

wtf does that mean? I listened to them all, and the sr-80's sounded the best. Can you read english? They are also plenty comfortable to me.

[hollywood]

Go to:

www.etronics.com


look at the higher-end Technics or Pioneers...They are absolutely great.

[space-ghost]

i have koss pro3aa titaniums.... incredible bass and treble $~70 @ compUSA

[neologan]

I got a pair of Sennheiser HD600's the other day, nothing in its price range can touch these babies, £129 too, bargain!

neologan