Headphones Consideration

Grado SR60 has a very distinct and fun sound signature that is popular for rock music. The basic pads go around your ear, but are not suitable in public because they are open, meaning there will be sound leakage.

Also the sennheiser hd555's go on sale for 65-75 every once in a while and it's an easy mod away from turning into hd595's.

 

Do you want closed or open?

 

Can you specify:
-what genres of music you'll be listening to most
-where you will be using these headphones
-what device will power them

Before all that, the most comfortable headphones I've worn in your price range are the Audio Technica AD700. I bought mine used for $55 on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-AD700-Open-air-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B000CMS0XU

 

Check out these

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-280-Pro-Headphones/dp/B000065BPB/

and these

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SRH440-Professional-Studio-Headphones/dp/B002DP1FTU/

 

Jaybird

 

I think in this price range, there are three main/popular options:

Sennheiser HD280
Sony MDR7506/MDR-V6 (the latter being the slightly cheaper almost identical model)
Grado SR60

Since you want closed, that eliminates the Grados as already mentioned. I like a lot highs in my headphones, so I fall into the Sony camp. The frequency response may be a little smoother for the Sennheiser pair and by comparison sounds a little bassier and less bright to me. At this level, it's just a matter of preference--I think I have more friends who use the HD280s.

On comfort, I think I can pretty safely say that the Sennheisers feel like a clamp on your head; though, as a result, it does provide good isolation. The Sonys feel average as far as comfort goes--they're definitely lighter and not very tight, but after 3-4 hours, I gotta take them off and let my ears breathe. I'm not a Bose fan, but their Triports feel heavenly on your ears... the sound's pretty meh though.

Alright, that's all I got.

 

I'm a complete sucker for Shure's. I think they're some of the best quality audio products out there.

 

Sony's are always to boomy for my tastes.

 

I have the Sennheiser HD280s and they are great. The only negatives are that they can be a little uncomfortable after about an hour of wearing them (I find that to be the case with most headphones though) and dealing with the very long cord can be somewhat cumbersome. They sound great for the price though. I listen to mostly hip-hop, jazz, and funk.

 

They make some very good headphones. If you can swing it, bump up your budget and go after those 440s. Detachable one sided cord, folds up and is versatile enough for all genres.

 

Anyone asking about headphones should always be directed to head-fi.org

The best bang for the buck headphones I've personally auditioned (and immediately purchased--and are my favorites, despite having three other sets that are pricier) are the Audio-Technica ATH-M50. However, even on sale, they are about $120.

Assuming you are mainly listening on your iTouch or computer, NO headphones--regardless of price--will give you as much of a jump in sound quality as off-loading the amplification and DAC duties to a separate unit. I've been using an ibasso (www.ibasso.com) D4 for several years, and I LOVE it. The jump in sound quality--with ALL of my headphones is just amazing. It's about the size of a deck of cards, so I just carry it in my computer bag, so I've got good audiophile sound when I'm away from the house. For your computer, you can connect it via USB, and you can use a standard 3.5 mm interconnect for your iTouch.........but they also sell a cable that connects to apples charging port and then goes to the DAC--that setup will completely bypass the iPod's internal DAC and give you the very best sound.

The D4 is about $200, and I understand their D12 is supposed to be stellar (closer to $300). These may not be in your budget currently, but if sound quality is important to you, you will eventually have to improve DAC and amplification. Doesn't have to be iBasso.........but a headphone amp/DAC is very important.

 

I guess this is for you, CaseyH and hairy, what's the verdict on Beats by Dre? Overrated?

 

Just get some $150 Sennheisers and not worry about it ever again.

 

Yes, a pair of good headphones will mostly be wasted by listening through an iPod Touch. NuForce also makes good cheap USB headphone amps.

I have the A-T ATH-AD700 and they are pretty good. I also have a pair of AKG K702. I usually drive them with a Musical Fidelity V-Can (really good headphone amp but not a DAC) so really none of that is good for the OP.

BTW, Pole, you can find M50's for under $100 if you look around.

Beats are nothing special and definitely overrated just because the marketing for them is so huge compared to other headphones. For the same price you can almost always do better.

 

What are some good inexpensive noise cancelling headphones?

DD

 

i have a pair of audio technica ath-m30's. for the price they are a great deal - i use them pretty much exclusively for home recording/tracking and have no complaints. i also have a large melon head and dont find them to be uncomfortable at all.

guitar center online has them for $60.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Audio-T...eadphones-101745982-i1126215.gc?esid=ath+m-30