headphones $100 budget

[hacktor2]

I am looking for a pair of headphones that are within 100 give or take 10-20 dollars. I recently had my sony MDR-V700DJ's break on me and i'm in need of a new set of cans. I will be using them mostly for music and gaming. Any suggestions? Thanks!

[Vertigo Acid]

Which is more important, music or gaming? What kind of music do you listen to? What sound card do you have?

[Bigshot]

I was just looking myself for some.

These look pretty good for the price.


http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=286035

or these,

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=286034

what is the difference?

[Vertigo Acid]

Both of those are USB headphones, which is a big no.

[strid3r]

Sennheiser HD555

[Bigshot]

How about these then...

http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=386031

Has a detachable USB adapter that reveals 2 x 3.5 mm plugs

[hacktor2]

I have an audigy 2 ZS and in all reality music is more important, but I do ALOT of gaming. I mostly listen to old rock, rock, some classic stuff and some rap

EDIT: I do not want a microphone attached, just headphones. I also tried on a pair of Sennheiser's and they sound really good.

When I play cs i need to hear those footsteps :p

[aZn_plyR]

which sennheiser did you test out? I recommend the HD485 for 60 bucks or the HD555 for 100. grado's would be even better for rock music, but sucks for gaming.. the sennheiser does both pretty good.

[mdameron]

Well... do you want closed/open/in-ear headphones? What's your source? Is comfort a major issue? Portability?

Good brands off the top my head are Sennheiser, Audio-Technica, and Grado, but that by no means is all of them.

The only headphones I have any experience with except for cheap ones that come with your standard portable CD player are the Audio-Technica ATH-A500's.

The only place I know of to get them is at audiocubes, here: http://www.audiocubes.com/product/A...Headphones.html or ebay. Good luck with ebay, I only found 1 entry for them when I was in the market, slightly used with a long extension cord for $100, and I bought them.

They come with a mini plug (for hooking up to a standard PC sound card) and IIRC, an adapter for the big 1/4" plug.

They're multi purpose for me, gaming and listening to ALL kinds of music (seriously, almost all kinds of music). As far as I'm concerned, if these hold up, I won't own another pair of headphones, I love them so much.

They don't need an amp, are uber-ultra-comfortable, and sound great to my tastes. They are not, however, by any stretch of the word, portable. Each 'earpiece' is easily almost the size of a CD. They don't fold up either.

For less than $100 and for closed headphones, it's pretty much either the Sennheiser HD-280 pros (I've read many good things, but read they clamp on your head), or these headphones.

[0V3RC10CK3D]

Sennheiser HD555

I have these, they are very nice, I plan to upgrade to some HD-650's soon though

[Hawkeye]

I have the Sennheiser HD-485's and I love them. I use them for music and gaming just like you. Very comfortable too.

[Ruffy]

I have the Sennheiser HD-485's and I love them. I use them for music and gaming just like you. Very comfortable too.

another vote for the 485's
although they can be somewhat Bright on the high end and boomy at the low end

[Chewbacca]

Get the non-usb version of the medusa 5.1 headset.

http://www.medusa-usa.com/headphones-medusa-51-c-191_193.html

and the review which shows them slaughtering those sennheisers ....

http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/07/14/headsets_gamers_can_love/index.html

If you get anything else around 100 dollars you wasted your money. :rolleyes:

[aZn_plyR]

Ugh, they might be GREAT for gaming.. but in music, it's the opposite ! Might as well get a good music can with some soundstage that will be great in both worlds! for 100 bucks... defintely recommend Audio-Technica ATH-A500 is ur gonna spend that much.....
which would blow anything out of the water for 100 bucks... the soundstage is gonna be really big and GREAT for gaming.

[RoffleCopter]

How about these

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836508101

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16836509102

[ImStillDave]

I have these, they are very nice, I plan to upgrade to some HD-650's soon though

I had some HD-497's and LOVED them before I got my Grados... the HD-650 however is a different beast. Even with a good amp they sound "recessed" or something. Try before you buy :)

[Chastity]

and the review which shows them slaughtering those sennheisers ....

http://www.tomshardware.com/2005/07/14/headsets_gamers_can_love/index.html

If you get anything else around 100 dollars you wasted your money. :rolleyes:
The "sennheisers" in the review were the PC-150/160, and not the HD555, or any HD units at all. My HD580s would just glance at the Medusa, and the Medusa would shrivel up to dust in an instant. :eek:

[Chastity]

I had some HD-497's and LOVED them before I got my Grados... the HD-650 however is a different beast. Even with a good amp they sound "recessed" or something. Try before you buy :)
Try downloading foo_dsp_tube.dll (http://www.skipyrich.com/foobar/foo_dsp_tube.ptml) for FB2K 0.8.3, and tell me how you like it on your HD650s. I find it livens up the HD580s very nicely.

[LunchboX3904]

I have the Sennheiser HD-485's and I love them. I use them for music and gaming just like you. Very comfortable too.
QFT. Get the HD485's. hard to get much better for that price.

http://www.hardfolding.com/ftag1.php/mem/1987.png (http://www.hardfolding.com?go=38&id=1987)

[Treyshadow]

Another glowing review for the Audio-Technica ATH-A500.

I did some listening against these and the Sennheiser HD555. The Audio-Technica ATH-A500 was more full, and better positioning. Definately a nice set of starter cans IMO.