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Need budget headphone suggestions

whatizitman

whatizitman

Sep 9, 2014
1,053
1,427
#1
I've been using these ancient pioneer SE-305s for years because I'm cheap and nothing I have heard (in a budget range) has come close for my needs. They are as flat as a pancake (in comparison to stuff nowadays), even though they're not studio phones.

Headphone quality has diminished so much, along with all the frequency "enhancing" and price inflation (dr. dre? uh, no), that I've been putting off purchasing anything for way too long.

Well, they're finally dying.

I want closed-back phones that are flat as possible for tracking and mixing, won't break after a month, and sound overall at least ok, for $30-50. Am I asking the impossible? I'm a hobbyist, so I don't expect PRO studio quality. Just something that doesn't suck very much, and no enhanced lowend. Any ideas are helpful. Thanks!
 
#5
Sennheiser HD 280 Pro's are by far the best headphones for a "budget" (at right around $100). They have a flat response and are durable. I've had mine for almost two years now and after daily use they still sound as thought I just opened them. They're definitely worth saving the extra money for.
 
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#7
Sennheiser HD 201 and 202s, around $60 here. The 201s are more flat response,the 202s have a tad of bass boost,but not too much.

what's with all the Dr Beats and such, $300 to $500 for headphones? Not when the worlds best, Sennheiser, make em for $70 to $150

Young people are so stupid these days.
 
#8
FWIW, I have had a set of AKGs and can't say anything good about them. Bass frequencies seriously muddy, horridly uncomfortable, and the dumb skinny wire breaks super easy right by the 3.5mm plug... They were /are the AKG HP-40.

I am using the Behringer HPS3000s. Yes they are cheap, and I am sure I am going to get grief for mentioning them, but these are pretty nice phones, very comfortable to use for long periods, with very faithful audio reproduction. What goes in is what comes out. Can't ask for more than that...

There are the lower line ones that don't have the pivoting ear cups, that are roughly as uncomfortable as the AKGs... I don't think I would buy headphones without swiveling ear cups any more. Comfort is just as important as sound, especially for long work / studio sessions...
 
#9
BazzTard said:
Sennheiser HD 201 and 202s, around $60 here. The 201s are more flat response,the 202s have a tad of bass boost,but not too much.

what's with all the Dr Beats and such, $300 to $500 for headphones? Not when the worlds best, Sennheiser, make em for $70 to $150

Young people are so stupid these days.
Click to expand...

They pay those kind of bucks because they say "Beats by Dr. Dre" on them... It's the whole branding thing. Slap a well recognized and marketed name on a product, and mark the price up. The sheep will come flocking in...
 
#10
This is really helpful, everyone. Thanks! Looks like there's a few options to look into. I don't need super comfort. I'm coming from those ancient pioneers for gawsh sakes - ridiculously heavy, makes my ears hurt and sweaty, and that stupid curly cord. But it still sounds better than anything I've tried.

Yeah, I don't know what it is about headphone marketing and branding. Definitely doesn't increase my waning faith in humanity when I see the prices and marketing for those beats, et al. And for what? Casual listening? I won't pay more than a few bucks for regular listening phones/earbuds. I figure if I want "bass enhanced" or "realistic stereo imaging" or whatever, I can plug in to an amp and play away.
 
#11
Big Hoss said:
They pay those kind of bucks because they say "Beats by Dr. Dre" on them... It's the whole branding thing. Slap a well recognized and marketed name on a product, and mark the price up. The sheep will come flocking in...
Click to expand...

yep, and I remember the year it happpened, when kids started wearing the label on their clothes on the OUTSIDE. 1995 I think it was. Also around the time teen boys spent more time doing their hair than the girls rotfl, AM I RIGHT?
 

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