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Headphones or earphones, less than $200

Unknowndude

Unknowndude

Apr 20, 2006
457
1
35
Toronto, ON
#1
Okay, so recently my Etymotic 6i earphones ($100) started crapping out- the right channel cutting in and out. So it's time for a new pair of good quality headphones or earphones.

After those started having problems I began using an old pair of Sony "street style" headphones and noticed that they have considerably more low end punch than the 6i's ever had. However, they are old, falling apart and uncomfortable. I am looking for something with the high end definition and outside noise reduction the 6i's had, but maybe with more of the low end punch of those Sony's. I do most of my listening on a iPod but also sometimes at home on my PC and laptop. I also want my next pair to be usable for monitoring recordings when I do mixing and mastering, so that is a factor too. I want to consider headphones as well as in-canal earphones, because whenever I use quality headphones I am usually impressed with how they sound- maybe not clearer or better defined, but they always sound better to me.

I have about $200 US to work with, but if I can spend as little as possible that is a huge plus, there is still some bass gear I need.

Here are the head/earphones that have piqued the most interest for me:

Grado SR60
Pros:
I hear about these all the time.
Best sound under $100 apparently
Cheap, $70
Cons:
kinda ugly
open design= NO cancellation whatsoever

Sennheiser HD 280 Pro
Pros:
Recommended a lot around here
sealed cup design, blocks some outside noise
Cons:
huge

Sennheiser D201
Pros:
FIFTEEN DOLLARS
Good sound and isolation
Cons:
not very sensitive
big

Ultimate Ears super.fi 5Pro
Pros:
canalphone design I am used to
Cons:
i've been down the flimsy-cable route before
pricey
tough to get a good seal

I'm also a general fan of Shure products but when I was buying the Etymotics, Shure only really had the e(insert number here)c line and now they have more, so I don't know what is good with them.

If you can suggest anything else, that is definitely appreciated. Regardless I might just buy the HD201s just because they're so cheap and it'd be nice to have a spare set of headphones around.
 
#5
I've been using Sony's MDR-EX51LP, they're earbud and will definately do the job sell for monitoring. I considered changing to MDR DJ-Style monitors, and discovered that while the DJs went from 18 to 22 000 Hz, my tiny little earbuds covered 6 to 23 000 Hz with the same fidelity. And that is, the earbuds are full coverage while the DJs aren't.

Otherwise, I use MDR-XD200 at home. They're not as transparent as the EXs, but still renders sound pretty nice (NOT in movie mode, of course).

I say, try some and see. Bring your iPod to the store with songs of different qualities and see which one sounds good when the sound is good, and crappy when the sound is crappy. These will act as good monitors.
 
#7
I've used 7506s and hd-280s-

For me, I prefer the hd-280s sound. They have much more isolation which is great for tracking, and mixing if your mixing room is a bit noisy. When I have used 7506s in the passed, I tended to mix everything a bit too boomy. To me, I prefer to lowend on the 280s, while the top end of the 7506s can have some advantages.

I've noticed that the plastic pieces on the headbands of hd-280s break all of the time. If you own a pair of HD-280s, the little plastic covers with the screws on the underside of the headband will most likely break before anything else. I would probably say the 80% of the HD-280s I have come across have those pieces broken.
 
#9
Okay, lots of positive things about the 280s, but remember I do most of my music listening on my iPod when I'm not at home, so durability and size are sort of an issue.

I think I'll try to find a store around here that stocks some of these headphones and I'll try them out first hand. Anyone know anything around Barrie/Newmarket/Toronto?
 
#11
If you are using headphones for standard ipod use, these I find are the best. Lightweight and HUGE punchy bass..not boomy at all. they sound like they have a built in Subwoofer. If you get a chance to try them I think u'd be very pleased. I wouldn't use the however as reference monitors for recording as they prob exaggerate the bass.
But again.. the bass is very punchy.. not boomy.
http://www.headphone.com/products/headphones/all-headphones/sennheiser-hd-212-pro.php
 
#12
I perform with the Sony 7506's regularly. They are a bit harsh, though, as stated above, accurate. I use AKG K240's at home. I use a headphone amp, so I haven't experienced the low volume that people complain about on K240's (I hear they've changed that now though. K240's sound a little more real-world to me, but for mixing under a microscope, I would prefer the 7506's.

Each pair - $100. Bonus on the K240's: my cat chewed through the cord (in several places), but I was able to easily replace it because it is detachable.
 
#14
Okay, from what I've read the SR60s have the best sound but they are an open design and I do most of my music listening on the bus to and from school, etc where outside noise is loud and I don't want to be bothering others. So those are out for now, but I might buy a pair when I have money later.

I know I keep getting the 280's recommended, but they are HUGE and I don't know if they would be practical while out and about. They do have a ton of outside noise attenuation. I do like that they have a detachable cord, that's a nifty feature.
 
#15
I don't really care for the Sennheiser HD280s, as they seem to have a little honk in the middle somewhere. There's something a shade boxy about them, to me. I've owned and used Sony 7506s for several years, and I like them, but I don't know that they're all that accurate--frankly, I think the bass and treble are a tad hyped, though that may be subjectively pleasant for listening purposes. I think the Grado SR80 is superior to either of them for accuracy and pleasant listening, but they are admittedly a bit goofy-looking, and they are an open design. For $50 Grado also makes something they call the iGrado, which is a "street-style" headset. You could get the iGrado for your iPod and the SR80 for home recording, and still be under your $200 limit.

Another possibility is the Beyer DT770s, which go for about $200. They're a clsoed design, and many people seem to like them better than either the Sony or the Sennheiser. I haven't tried them, so I can't say, but I hear them mentioned so often that i've gotta think they're at least a serious contender that would be worth checking out.
 
#17
check out the Audio Technica stuff...

i bought the ATH-T22 and they cost me 35$ (a year ago in Israel), they are really comfortable and they sound really great for the price.
the best thing about them is that they have good bass response without sounding too, good mids and cutting trebles.
my brother liked them so much i bought another pair and he uses them for couple of months while he's in the army.

check them out :
http://cgi.ebay.com/Audio-Technica-...ryZ14985QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
 
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#18
As far as the Grados go, I think the 80's give the best bass response even when compared to the 125's but I'm a "bass head" so..... :D


If blocking outside noise, while not disturbing others, are primary factors in determining what model consider noise cancelling models.

There are many diff. manufacturers besides the widely known Bose models.

Theres a portable sized set here for under $100:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#20
Unknowndude said:
I know I keep getting the 280's recommended, but they are HUGE and I don't know if they would be practical while out and about. They do have a ton of outside noise attenuation. I do like that they have a detachable cord, that's a nifty feature.
Click to expand...
They don't have a detachable cord, unless they've changed the design since I bought mine (a couple of years ago).
 

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