What headphones should I get?

Tupac · #1 09-05-2011, 10:12 AM

Any audiophiles here who can point me in the right direction? I just want the best I can get for ~$50. I'm thinking Sennheiser 448. Also, how big is the difference between an earbud and a price equivalent over ear headphone?

Jimbob Jones · #2 09-05-2011, 10:36 AM

I would say go for earbud with that budget; IMO over-ear headphones only get good on the 'expensive' range. You can get some darned tasty earbuds for $50 though.

Linas · #3 09-05-2011, 04:46 PM

At that price, Koss Porta-Pros are generally well regarded, even in the audiophile community for decent bang for your buck over the ear headphone. The next up from that, if you are willing to stretch your budget a bit higher would be Grado SR-60s. But it becomes a slippery slope from there.

My first cans were SR-80s. I now use sennheiser HD-600 and Beyerdynamic DT-880 with a custom made tube headphone amplifier. Stick to your earbuds if you dont want to subject yourself to another hobby that can get equally as expensive as bass playing.

Tupac · #4 09-05-2011, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linas

At that price, Koss Porta-Pros are generally well regarded, even in the audiophile community for decent bang for your buck over the ear headphone. The next up from that, if you are willing to stretch your budget a bit higher would be Grado SR-60s. But it becomes a slippery slope from there.

My first cans were SR-80s. I now use sennheiser HD-600 and Beyerdynamic DT-880 with a custom made tube headphone amplifier. Stick to your earbuds if you dont want to subject yourself to another hobby that can get equally as expensive as bass playing.

Thanks, and yeah, I'm trying not to get sucked into being an audiophile

. But do you agree with Jim in that I should get earbuds instead? Is the quality of over-ears worth the reduced portability?

Raven2k360 · #5 09-05-2011, 05:23 PM

With that price range, I've always been a HUGE fan of Sony headphones, either over-the-ear or buds. I've tried other brands (including Koss) and the sound quality has never really been as good.

L-A · #6 09-05-2011, 08:22 PM

I've had some killer Sony in-ears for a long time. I think they were MDR EX56.

I'm pretty sure you'd love the range and the amount of sound blocking this type of headphones can deliver.

Nick901 · #7 09-05-2011, 08:36 PM

I've been using the Bose "Quiet Comfort" headphones. They're pricey but good.

FarkusSWR · #8 09-05-2011, 08:46 PM

If you can come up with an extra $30, these are really good,IMO. I got a pair for my wife last summer, and I steal them every chance I get lol.
Audio-Technica ATH-M40fs Precision Closed-Back Headphones

jp58 · #9 09-05-2011, 09:27 PM

I've got some "Skull-Candy" earbuds that we won at trivia one night. They've been good to me, although I'm admittedly not an audiophile. I think the variant I have are like $44 or $49, so they fit your budget perfectly.

Joe Gress · #10 09-05-2011, 09:59 PM

I've been using a pair of Sony Noise Cancelling over the ears for the last five years. Not the most comfortable or the best sounding, but I've abused the hell out of em and then seem to still keep going. Oh and they were around 75 when I got em. I pretty much rarely ever used the Noise cancelling function though. I think I replaced the battery once?

Keano · #11 09-06-2011, 06:47 AM

If you're looking for in-ears, I suggest Sennheiser CX-300 or Klipsh S4 (will run slightly over $50).

If you're looking for headphones, I would advise to save a bit more and go for a Grado SR60 or 80 as Linas mentioned (open) or Sennheiser HD-280 (closed).

WyrmDL · #12 09-06-2011, 12:24 PM

GRADO. You can get some kiiiillleerr headphones for $80.

They don't look that spectacular, but they've had some very impressive reviews. I haven't heard anything bad about them.

Grado Labs | SR60i

Raven2k360 · #13 09-06-2011, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jp58

I've got some "Skull-Candy" earbuds that we won at trivia one night. They've been good to me, although I'm admittedly not an audiophile. I think the variant I have are like $44 or $49, so they fit your budget perfectly.

I've tried Skull Candy before, wasn't impressed...too much bass, not enough treble...music sounds muddy.

rtslinger · #14 09-06-2011, 01:18 PM

Skull Candy and Raven too much what????? ha ha ha this is TB man never too much bass!

Jimbob Jones · #15 09-06-2011, 01:32 PM

Skull candys are quite muddy. Compared to other earbuds, the bass response isn't actually that impressive, and it looks like they attenuated the highs a little, so that you could fake 'more bass' by pushing more signal down them.