Sub $100 Headphones for Metal and Games

[Skrying]

I'm looking for headphones that are around or under $100. I mostly listen to metal, though I'm not a bass freak. I like my bass to be there and be heard but do not like it to be over powering. I also play many games. Mostly CS:S right now, I need them to produce a since and clear difference between the guns, and to have them be able to cleary seperate the channels.

I would rather not have to buy an amp. Also, I have a larger head, but ears that are about average. One thing I notice is that my ears fit comfortably in many headphones but I must fully extend the headphone band to get to both ears, I would like to not do that, but if for the sacrifice of sound I'd be willing.

These will be pluged into an Audigy 2 ZS if that is needed information. Looking forward to any replies.

[BO(V)BZ]

I'd look into Sennheisers. I've also got a big head, and their headphones will comfortably accommidate even my noggin. I'd say that the HD555's might not be a bad choice, or if you can stretch your budget a bit, HD580's are nice too.

[Newbify2]

Without an amp the Audio Technica ATH-a500s might work nicely for you. Accurate bass and comfort using the wings. Maybe some day I can quit being a fan boy when I get some a900s :) until then, I don't have any experience first hand with the a500s but I constantly look at headphone reviews and reading up at www.headfi.com and www.headphonereviews.org both of which will be your best bet for finding quality information to compare headphones in your pricerange.

[strid3r]

I'd say the A500s fit the bill pretty nicely. I had them for about a month, and they fit your needs. Good soundstage, tight bass (but not overpowering), and pretty comfortable. I also have a larger head, and the 3D wing system worked fine for me.

[Skrying]

It looks like I may have a slightly larger budget to spend now. I'm looking at myabe around $175. Would this change your picks any? The a500s are looking good so far from what I've read. Are there any other slightly more expensive chooses that may be better though?

[BO(V)BZ]

For 175, I'd say that HD580's are a solid bet. You also might be able to get a pair of HD600's for that. If you don't mind used, go to www.head-fi.org and check their FS/FT forums... lots of good deals on cans there =]

[infiniti029]

he said no amp.

AT A900.

[AdamW]

yeah, by all accounts there's zero point in getting the 580s / 600s / 650s without amping. If you really want to go with unamped Senns then the 515 / 555 / 590 / 595 line is a better choice, but a-t's or grado's (if they're comfortable enough for you) are generally a more sensible idea unamped. If it's Sennheisers for $175, 580s plus a decent cmoy amp off head-fi forums or eBay would be the best idea, I reckon.

[Newbify2]

AT A900.
seconded. If you are going to up the budget to $175 you might as well up it $25 more and get the A900s you wont be disappointed.

[BO(V)BZ]

he said no amp.

AT A900.

I don't think that any of the bigger Senns are bad at all without an amp. An amp certainly nets you a nice boost in SQ, but these are by no means trash without them.

[Dan17]

I use logitech's extreme gaming headphones and they are great for games, and there is also a microphone on them that you can flip up when it is not in use.

...Dan

[Skrying]

I've heard of a CMoy before I honestly have no true clue what they are besides a headphone amp (sorry for being an audio noob). Would it be worth getting?

If I was to get a cheap amp and headphones I would still like to stay under $175, would this be in my best interest?

[uzor]

How much does it cost in supplies to make a mint amp? The ones on Ebay end up going for $35 - $55. How much would I save by homebrewing?

http://www.mentallyretired.com/h3/index.cfm/u_125984 (http://folding.extremeoverclocking.com/user_summary.php?u=125984)

[Aztlan]

where can one buy Audio Technica products?

the only one i have found is amazon

i live in the U.S.

thanks

[flutie98]

where can one buy Audio Technica products?

the only one i have found is amazon

i live in the U.S.

thanks

www.audiocubes.com

[Pixeleet]

By amp/no amp... would you count it as a no-amp scenario even if you hook the headphones to the "box" that comes with the Klipsch ProMedia Ultra 5.1s?

[AdamW]

the headphone outs on PC speakers are generally horrible and not very highly amplified. The headphone out on my z-5300s is just hideous, it makes my grados sound like tin cans. You'd probably get better results going straight from the sound card.

skyring: a cmoy is a cheap headphone amp that can be built from off-the-shelf parts by hobbyists. The name comes from the dude who designed the original, Chu Moy. You can get very cheap ones for $30 and nicer ones run up to $100 or so (I just paid $90 for a very nice modified cmoy design with dual opamps). You can get a pair of HD580s for about $120-$140 if you look hard enough; there's a pair on amazon.com second hand for $144.95 right now, and they go in the $120-$140 range on head-fi forums. Then you could spend $40 on a low-end cmoy and that'd be a decent Senn setup for $175, IMHO. But definitely consider everyone else's suggestions, I was just thinking of options if you really want to go with Sennheiser.

[polydiol]

I use the Sennheiser HD 515 and they're awesome. I use them with my ipod for casual listening as well as at the gym and while running. I also use them when gaming and I have been very happy with the sound quality.

I listen to just about everything - classical, instrumentals, rap, rock, metal, country, '80's and so forth.

[Skrying]

I took a little trip to a new audio store in a town not to far from where I live. I was surprised to see that they were actually selling CMoy's there that they make themselves and had a nice range of things you could listen to and set up yourself. Very nice shop. Anyway....

I ended up buying one of the middle range CMoy's (paid $70) and got a some Sennheiser HD580s. The CMoy and HD580s together were $210, all items brand new, I was able to go a bit over budget because they are allowing me to make two seperate payments when I choose as long as they are within 6 months of each other.

I brought them home and they sound at least 20 times better than my old crap set of headphones straight out of the Audigy 2. Though they dont sound as good together (yes, I got to test the CMoy and headphones at the store, though on there killer sound setup) as they did at the shop.

I'm pretty damn happy with my purchase, thanks to everyone for their recommendations.

[locutus24]

Targus noise cancellers they own :cool: $50 at bestbuy, once the noise blocking out is engaged they work so well

[Mister X]

How much would I save by homebrewing?

Cost to build said amps =
Cmoy.... around $20
Mint.... $60 or more depending on the config. :)

[BO(V)BZ]

I took a little trip to a new audio store in a town not to far from where I live. I was surprised to see that they were actually selling CMoy's there that they make themselves and had a nice range of things you could listen to and set up yourself. Very nice shop. Anyway....

I ended up buying one of the middle range CMoy's (paid $70) and got a some Sennheiser HD580s. The CMoy and HD580s together were $210, all items brand new, I was able to go a bit over budget because they are allowing me to make two seperate payments when I choose as long as they are within 6 months of each other.

I brought them home and they sound at least 20 times better than my old crap set of headphones straight out of the Audigy 2. Though they dont sound as good together (yes, I got to test the CMoy and headphones at the store, though on there killer sound setup) as they did at the shop.

I'm pretty damn happy with my purchase, thanks to everyone for their recommendations.

Told ya that the 580's are a good bet =]

[BO(V)BZ]

Cost to build said amps =
Cmoy.... around $20
Mint.... $60 or more depending on the config. :)

X, does anyone sell kits for building headphone amps? I can solder a bit, and certainly could learn how to do it better, but I certainly don't know enough to build an amp and select parts, other than buy massive Black Gate caps, get a stepped attenuator, some Rikon resistors, metal film caps, etc etc =]

Basically, are there any all-inclusive kits for a headphone amp out there that come with all the parts and the schematics, case and board that would be better than my Gilmore v2?

[Mister X]

Wouldn't take much to top that amp. ;)
About the only off the shelf kits I know of that are worth a shit are the MAD amps.
http://hollowstate.netfirms.com/kits.htm
The caveat is they are tube amps and they are pricey (the Ear+ Purist starts at $385)



Oops... lets not forget that it takes more then knowing how to solder to build a working amp.
(that is why we almost always suggest that you start with a Cmoy (to learn troubleshooting))

[AdamW]

skyring: glad to see you went with my idea and enjoyed the results :). Yep, nothing _ever_ sounds as good when you get it home as it did at the shop, but it's hardly a surprise...you were probably listening to a $10k or something source stage at the store, whereas at home you have...a $80 audigy...:D