Looking for headphones...

[eukatheude]

I have a pair of Audio Technica M50 and love them. Try getting the coiled cable if you can.

 

[RobinEnthusiast]

Grado SR80i, just buy them now and you will thank me when you get them.

lowsound

absolutely--but i'd add: buy the best Grado you can afford, but they are amazing. my teenage son was hung-up on those stupid 'beatz,' until i let him hear my Grado 325's. . . even his easily influenced ears could hear the difference. i bought him some SR80i's and proudly went to school and told his friends that they'd all been ripped off.

and yes the SR80i's sound fantastic.

 

[garak7]

Another vote for Grado SR80i. My other choice would be AKG K701, but they are quite expensive.

 

[Epidrake]

Grado for sure. I agree with Robin. Buy the best ones you can afford.

 

[eriky4003]

There are other threads on TB for headphones with the usual suspects - AKG, Audio-Technica, Sennheiser, Grado, Sony MDR 7506(?), Beyer Dynamic 770s.

 

[tastybasslines]

Not sure where you can get them for under $100. Amazon has them for $160, which is about what I paid for mine.

I see them routinely on sale there, I have them in my cart. They are $150 or so now, but I have seen them for $99 twice in the last few months.

 

[tastybasslines]

These are 60% off right now. Not sure how they compare to the ATH-M50 tho.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CMS0XU/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

[metalhead398]

These are 60% off right now. Not sure how they compare to the ATH-M50 tho.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CMS0XU/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

On paper, they seem like a killer deal. As in definitely buy them. However, like basses, what looks good might not sound good, for whatever reason. If you can try them. If not, and you decide that you want them, use amazon.com, because the return policy is quite helpful in trying out new stuff.

I also forgot to mention a few things, and here they are:
1) Do not buy Skullcandy. While the price is good, the product is not. They're no good for bass, and they break very easily.
2) Do not buy Beats. Or Soul. Or anything like that. If you do I will personally strangle you. They are TERRIBLE. They provide a cheap, overly-loud, and staticky treble, hollow-sounding mids, and no real bass. Do not purchase.
3) When you try on the new pair of cans for the first time they will most likely sound quite bad, really. That's just because they're new. Do yourself a favor, go on either a computer or phone/tablet/other device and buy some white noise, either in an app or as a song. The app might be free. So try the headphones on and make sure they aren't absolute garbage. If you are at least partially satisfied, or they sound like they have good "potential", then play the white noise through them for about 40-50 hours. Preferably straight, without a long hiatus. Feel free to wear them and just listen to the white noise while this is happening. Don't be afraid, as long as this is at a medium volume it won't hurt them. Just don't blast the volume. Then after this time is up, go ahead and try them on with an actual son playing. If they're still not up to par, return them, or do whatever. (This process is called "burning in" btw).

 

[Dean N]

Grados for bass response. Audition and buy within your budget. Also listen to Sennheisers for contrast.

I have rather expensive Sennheisers and love them to death.

 

[afiaowo]

Another vote for Grado.

 

[Turock]

I'd go for the Sony MDR V6 or 7506 headphones. The Grados are notorious for developing grattle.

 

[Jaco D]

I'd go for the Sony MDR V6 or 7506 headphones.

Plus one! I have both, and once you replace the stock ear pads with Beyerdynamic velour pads you'll be smiling like crazy. I agree with what someone said earlier that these cans were meant for faithful sound reproduction. If sound engineers/studios use them then they must be good. I've tried one of those cans which were designed to produce the really low end stuff (can't recall the brand). Really crappy stuff! It's as if the high-mid to mid-high range of the sound spectrum was scooped out entirely.

 

[Catanova]

I love my Sennheiser hd280pro (closed back) for practice. Have been using the current set almost daily for 8 years. I have been using their headphones for 20+ years. No complaints on the bass fidelity and range, BUT the speakers usually outlive the frames and cushions.

But I am seriously interested in the Grados, after reading this thread...

 

[iamlowsound]

I'd go for the Sony MDR V6 or 7506 headphones. The Grados are notorious for developing grattle.

I have worn my Grados for, in all seriousness, 10,000 hours and they sound way better now than they did when I bought them. No "grattle" or any other problems. You wont regret the $90 that the Grado SR80i costs, if they were made by anyone else they would easily cost double to triple what they do.

lowsound

 

[greggster59]

I have a pair of Grado 225i's and they are, as others have stated here about Grado, really great sounding with strong bass.

I recently picked up the new Phil Jones Bass H-850 headphones and, while not overall better sounding than the Grado's, they are a closed ear design with a bit more punch in the low mids. When I practice with them, especially with an iPod attached to my amp, what I'm playing really cuts thru the overall mix and makes it easier to assess what I need to work on.

They are $100 and excellent practice headphones for bass.

 

[JustForSport]

+1
Clean, even, honest sound, all the way thru,
just don't get the bootleg version.

 

[tastybasslines]

Stupid Deal of the Day

AKG K 44 - Top of the line "budget" I'm guessing. Only $20 bucks. Seemingly good reviews, although I trust reviews from higher priced products more.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid/

Amazon Reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/AKG-K44-K-44-Headphones/dp/B001K3ENEA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

EDIT: Spec sheet shows 18hz which would indicate good bass, but not sure about these. I've been told by many to get 50mm drivers, but can't find what these are.

 

[Nvr2old]

Great information here. Deciding between the Grado sr80i or the Direct Sound EX-29 or 25. How do they compare for blocking outside noise or not projecting their own? We're a smaller open condo, and I'll practice while the wife watches TV. Time for headphones for one of us.

D

 

[greggster59]

The Grado's are open air design and put out more sound than closed designs. Some amount of ambient noise can creep in as well but not as noticeable since your ears are right against the cans.

 

[jrellett]

I bought myself a pair of Koss PortaPros, and have loved them. Affordable, sound great (the bass in particular is impressive), and they come with a lifetime warranty!

I personally dig the design, but I could understand not liking it too much - it is definitely a unique look.