Good cans 100-150 range?

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ep0x73

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Sep 5, 2013
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So many choices.

You have Sennheiser, Grado, Shure, AT and AKG for big names.

From what I read any that have impedance 32 ohms and better generally have more power especially if you have a sound card with an amp.

Been reading through reviews and all the above usually have more good then bad but it can be just personal taste.

I like music, moves to be loud, not ear bleed but loud enough.

Also read a few threads you can get away with just ALC889 if you have good headphones and don't exactly need to add a $100 sound card.

Thoughts?
 
My limited experience encompasses Sennheiser HD515s and HD555s. I highly recommend the HD555s (or their newer revision, the 558) to my friends and co-workers, but you definitely want a sound card with an amp. I stuck an Audigy 2ZS into my workstation at work and it's not nearly as nice as my Xonar at home.

For me, comfort is also right in line with sound quality. The ones I mentioned sit around the ears and not on them. I use 515s at work and 555s at home every day for hours at a time and they are comfortable, although if your ambient air temp goes up, they start to become serious heater ear-muffs...
 
In that price range, a very solid pair of cans that I'd have no problem recommending would be Audio-Technica's ATH-M50.
 
The ATH-M50's have some good reviews. I was leaning towards the AKG K240 which has a very good dynamic range and 104db sensitivity. @ 55 ohms a bit higher then the usual 32 but from doing research anything <65 should have no issues with a decent sound card or even on-board.

The new Gigabyte boards claims the built in Ti amp can push up to 600 ohms.

The xonar cards also have OP amps which can probably do about the same.

I was looking at the D1 which appears to have the best quality for PCI to slap into my old motherboard.
 
I have the ATH-M50's and I really like them. I can't say I've compared them back to back with lots of high end cans, but they sound good to my ears. I guess that is what really matters. They certainly sound far superior to any of that Beats crap you'll find at the big box stores. It is tough when most of the headphones I'd actually be interested in buying are difficult to impossible to find locally to audition. I bought the Audio-Technicas on recommendation and positive reviews.
 
After reading some reviews the AKG's appear to be fragile and are now made in China.

I watched a review between the M50x and the new M40x and the 40 looks to be a pretty good set for $99.

Range is good but not good at the 50, 28K vs 24K.

SPL is close at 98 but it makes me wonder how much that matters.

My old Sennheisers are listed at 109 but being open-aire with noise bleed they are not what I would consider ear shattering.

ATH's are closed so more sound staying in.

Can you get yours so loud that you have to turn the volume down? I'd rather have more and turn it down then less and can't hear a damn thing.

Do you run them with an amp or not?

Both the 50 and 40 are <40 ohms so an amp might not make much of a difference.
 
Sennheiser HD-280pro's. Very good headphones, and you can get a microphone attachment for them too, if you need it. Should cost $100.
 
Looks like the 280's were updated to 380's and improved. Quite a large thread at amazon since they were quite popular.

The price went up $40 or so as well.
 
I currently use Grado SR125i in that price range, and I've loved them more than any other cans I've tested. If you listen to rock, they're especially gratifying. If you're having trouble deciding, see if a local audio shop carries them and go have a demo.
 
I've had the Sennheiser HD 555 for many years, and I just got the Audio Technica M50x about a month or 2 ago, so I'll compare the 2. The 555 have decent sound quality, and they are open ear, so they will not block out noise. The build quality is horrendous though; everyone I know who had them had something break on them. The same thing happened with many of my friends' HD280s, so I don't hold Sennheiser in high regards in terms of build quality. The plastic on my HD555 cracked near both earcups, and the material that they use for the earcups has come apart on one side. I never traveled with them or dropped them; I took excellent care of them, but they still broke. They are usable, just not as comfortable anymore. They come with a 1/4" plug with an adapter to fit in a 1/8" plug, so they stick out quite far from any 1/8" plug.

The M50x is a great pair of headphones. They are virtually the same as the M50, but come with 3 different detachable cables; 1 long straight, 1 short straight, and 1 short coiled. I love the detachable cables, as for walking around the house listening to music through my phone the short straight cable is just the right size, but when I'm on my computer, the long cable works better. They are closed ear headphones, so they block out noise. I have heard some people complain about their ears getting hot with closed ear headphones, but I have not had any issues. I have a decent pair of earbuds to travel with, so I haven't taken the M50x with me anywhere, but they fold up into the headband and come with a leather pouch to store them, so they would travel much better than the Sennheisers. As I said, I have only had them a short time, so I can't comment on how they hold up long term, but they definitely feel higher quality. I also like the fact that all 3 cords have an 1/8" plug on the end, with a screw-on 1/4" adapter. This works much better for me, as I don't ever use anything with a 1/4" plug, so it cuts down on the bulk of the connector.

All in all, I highly recommend the M50x, or M50 if the non-removable cable works for you. The M50x headphones are slightly higher than your max, but as they were recently released, the price should come down in time.
 
Sennheiser crack issues have been resolved.

While you can't go wrong with any of the recommendations so far, the 558 is the best all around headphone in that price range.
 
The SR125i, are they comfortable as they are on ear rather then over ear?

Their numbers are not the best for $150, only 20-20K range which is what most $50 sets have.

SPL is 98 and with being open and some noise bleed maybe less.

I like the fact that out of all the sets in this price range they are USA made, not China or Taiwan.

The 558's have pretty good stats.

Frequency response: 15 - 28,000 Hz
Total harmonic distortion: < 0.1% (1 kHz/100 dB SPL)
Sound pressure level (SPL): 112 dB
Impedance: 50 Ohms

They are also $122 which is reasonable.

Tough call, they are all good in their own right.
 
The Grado headphone is on ear and very good for music like rock and roll. They have a very small sound stage though and are not good for movies or games.

Trust me, the ATH 50 is not bad, nor is the akg.

The sennheiser is the best all around. Meaning it isn't the best at anything but it is the best overall. Plus it is the most comfortable by far. People will tell you. You can wear them for hours with no issues.
 
The new Audio-Technica ATH-M40x look to be some good bang for the buck @ $99

decent stats.

Frequency Response 15Hz-24kHz
Impedance 35 ohms
Maximum Input Power 1,600 mW at 1 kHz
Sensitivity 98 dB

With a amp they can be pushed it would appear quite well.

They retail for $139 or right in line with all the other models suggested.
 
The red m50 are $120 at amazon if the red scares you there's a black combo deal with a cheaper amp for under $140.... Might as well go m50.
I really love mine they are great for everthing and very comfy since they don't have those stupid dual tip pads that most AT cans have.

Be careful with the grado and allessandro opinions I would strongly advise you to audition those because they are very specialized ... I don't like them shitty all around can. All they are good for is certain types of rock/metal.
 
I do like the detachable wires, my Sennheiser's have them and I actually broke the cord once and was able to replace it for <$10 to keep them going.

M50's you can't so you toss the whole set unless you are able to tear them apart and repair.

I do listen to mostly rock/metal but I also watch tv shows and movies on my computer so maybe the Grado's won't be the best all around set.

Still researching but leaning towards to new M40x for price/performance and you get two cords, long and coiled which is nice.

99 bucks is very reasonable for their stats, kinda punching above their weight in a sense.
 
a couple ideas

1. if you don't need a headphone that is especially portable ... Beyerdynamic DT770's (I own the Pro 80 version) granting upfront they are over budget new..but these cans are rather well regarded for holding up (if treated well) for a long long time... these come in about $200~ish new (guitar center has these plus most everthing else mentioned so far and also the KRK and Shure studio headphones as well... generally they will (in my experience let you demo stuff and I believe they will price match..

So if you have a GC nearby go check these out for yourself...perhaps.


i will also mention a couple bargain headphones (1 i own the other i have listen too and liked).


1. pioneer SE-A1000 (open design and decidedly not portable with large size and freakishly long cable + being open) $60~ great sound quality and value ... really good gaming headphones and general music listening headphones...I having owned the ATH AD700's previously think of the pioneers kind of like if the AD700's had any bass and / or poor mans senn 598's

http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-SE-A1...=UTF8&qid=1398316361&sr=8-1&keywords=SE-a1000

2. Gemini HSR-1000 / Takstar Pro 80 (the gemini's have gone up in price to $80 so might as well get the takstar's who are the OEM for the gemini's anyways... $80

http://www.amazon.com/Takstar-Headp...rofessional/dp/B00FXSVSDW/ref=cm_cr_pr_sims_t


if you are like me... not that you are or that you should be .. you like options so i'd almost get the takstar's and the Pioneers so i could choose based on my mood..


Owning the DT770s (which the Takstars clearly pay homage to) the beyers are no doubt better but for the cheap~ish price the takstars can be rather compelling.


if i was willing to go over budget I'd probably go with the Beyerdynamics awesome headphones ..if you have a guitar center near you you could also compare the DT770's (closed) to the DT990 (open) about the same money ~ depending on model chosen.




I do also own the ATH-M50s mentioned previously I use these as my travel headphones and I do like them quite a lot (i like my DT770's more but the DT770's don't really travel) the build is rather bullet proof on the M50s and they are a good choice if you want a portable studio headphone... i like my m50's on planes as they are good at isolating noise from outside (and good at keeping sound in as well). The m50's are a very good choice... really so far you haven't got any bad suggestions really....i don't know if i'd take the grado's as my only headphones however ..but that is subjective some just adore grado and that is all they use...
 
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Opinion are always good especially feedback from those who have a certain item you are interested in.

ATH, are the sides plastic or aluminum? I've read and watched reviews and they look durable and when you adjust them they make a clicking noise.

I don't need portable, just something for the computer but I tend to be gentle with equipment so the ATH's should last for ages unless they were to blow or have some other failure.

If you have any amps that can push 600 ohms you should be able to get full power from them with ease.
 
dotCapone said:
The build quality is horrendous though; everyone I know who had them had something break on them. The same thing happened with many of my friends' HD280s, so I don't hold Sennheiser in high regards in terms of build quality. The plastic on my HD555 cracked near both earcups, and the material that they use for the earcups has come apart on one side. I never traveled with them or dropped them; I took excellent care of them, but they still broke. They are usable, just not as comfortable anymore. They come with a 1/4" plug with an adapter to fit in a 1/8" plug, so they stick out quite far from any 1/8" plug.
Click to expand...

Both sets of 515s I've had are cracked, and my 555s are literally held together by the power of duct tape :D
 
ep0x73 said:
Opinion are always good especially feedback from those who have a certain item you are interested in.

ATH, are the sides plastic or aluminum? I've read and watched reviews and they look durable and when you adjust them they make a clicking noise.

I don't need portable, just something for the computer but I tend to be gentle with equipment so the ATH's should last for ages unless they were to blow or have some other failure.

If you have any amps that can push 600 ohms you should be able to get full power from them with ease.
Click to expand...

They are mostly all plastic but built like a tank
 
ep0x73 said:
Looks like the 280's were updated to 380's and improved. Quite a large thread at amazon since they were quite popular.

The price went up $40 or so as well.
Click to expand...

Interesting, looks like 380pro's are only $135. Last time I checked they were more expensive than that (this was like over a year ago). I'd get this set, then.
 
i see the HD280's being recommended but i would only buy these if your'e looking for a very sterile sound experience. they're analytical and lifeless. you mention music and movies in your first post so i'm assuming that's your primary focus. in your price range i would get the M50's which sound great. if you can stretch your budget a little DT770's sound better IMO, and are great for gaming too. try to get to a local shop (guitar center, etc.) to audition headphones. hearing headphones firsthand is the only way you'll find what you prefer.
 
I went with the new M40X and they are quite nice. Through ALC889 with SB suite turning them up to 100 is just too much volume which is what I was aiming for.
Music sounds good, TV shows are WAY too loud, I have turn down the player to around 25%.

They are comfortable, tension is alittle tight but should break in better.

Seems to be the largest complaint, new phones are like vices on your head until you give them a chance to stretch out.

I had 40 credit so they cost me $59, I'd say nice price.

If these phones are this loud at 98db sensitivity I can only imagine what the 380 pro at 110 would be like, ear bleeding possibly.

Even though my board has a built in 600ohm amp at 35 impedance it's probably not being used but possible.
 
I'd raise your budget because if you go up to $300 you won't hVe to worry about replacing them for a very long time... 600 ohm Beyerdynamic DT880s are the cans you should really consider.
 
Can't go wrong with Audio Technica. I have to say though regarding Beyerdynamic DT880/990s they were much less comfortable than my ATH-A700 and I could not tell the difference in sound quality.
 
I just bought them so I won't be in the market for anything for a long time.
I did look at Beyer but they were probably overkill for what I need them for.

I still have my HD477's from over 10 years ago and they were not even considered mid range then.
I had to replace the cord as I broke it but they still sound pretty good.

The new ATH have a better range, not as much SLP but as they are closed vs open they actually are louder.

The TI chip in new Gigabyte boards states they can handle 600ohms so the DT880's would be right on the mark.

Both the Beyerdynamic DT-990-Pro-250 and 770-pro-250 are @ amazon for $161, that is quite the steal.

The 880 start at $250 and go up from there.

I just wanted something new that could handle the built in amp and I wanted loudness to the point I had to turn them down rather then not having loud enough volume.

The M40x fit the bill so far, they can get too loud but they do not distort, bass sounds rich without being overbearing.
 
magixx said:
Can't go wrong with Audio Technica. I have to say though regarding Beyerdynamic DT880/990s they were much less comfortable than my ATH-A700 and I could not tell the difference in sound quality.
Click to expand...

I picked up a pair of ATH-A900x's recently (can't resist a sale :/ ) and found the wing-style head band didn't really work with my head. The ear pads were pushed out at the top and wouldn't sit flush on my head. Sound was pretty nice though.
 
Deathskythee said:
too muddy and uncomfortable
Click to expand...

The stock earpads arn't great, I agree. I bought some of the XL pads and replaced them and haven't had any comfort issues since.

As far as the 'muddy' comment, perhaps you need a good amp. While I'd say that my Shure SE530's are more clear than my cans, I certainly wouldn't call the V-Moda's muddy. Maybe 'smooth' but there's plenty of definition.

Oh, and V-Moda makes _by far_ the most durable headphones.
 
I'm also looking for a set of headphones in the OP's price range, but I have a $50 Newegg gift card so my actual upper limit is $200. Been using a set of Sony MDR-V6's for 10+ years now but something is loose/frayed as I sometimes get a shock when wearing them. Waaaaaaaay past time to retire them.

-$200 (incl gift card) budget.
-Will buy from Newegg using $50 gift card obviously.
-Want a "Sold and Shipped by Newegg" seller, no third parties.
-Over ear/closed design wanted.
-Will use headphone jack on Z623 speakers (plugged into on-board sound).

With the above restrictions in mind does anybody have any experience with either: ATH-PRO700MK2 or ATH-PRO500MK2 headphones? Doesn't seem to be much real difference between them beside the $45 price difference.

Love the two detectable cords. Use the straight one on computer then simply unplug and use longer coiled cable with TV. Not a deal breaker if other headphones are better/cheaper.

Any suggestions/comments will be much appreciated. Thanks.
 
spaceman said:
-Will use headphone jack on Z623 speakers (plugged into on-board sound).

yikes

Sennheiser 518 and a creative Z soundcard.

You really can't use onboard plus a logicrap headphone out and expect to hear anything close to what your headphones can actually sound like.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...D3040&cm_re=headphones-_-26-106-514-_-Product

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...eative_sound_blaster_z-_-29-102-048-_-Product
Click to expand...

LOL. I figured people would cringe when I mentioned on-board and Logitech.

I saw those Sennheisers when searching Newegg. How do they compare to the Audio-Technica’s listed in my post? Not sure I want to give any money to Creative as they did some pretty SH*TTY things a few years back, but maybe I should reconsider my position on the company. Do their drives still suck balls?

I want good quality that will last several years and nearly anything will probably sound better than my tired Sonys.
 
The new Z series is legit and I haven't had any issues on 64 bit win7. It's a solid platform, you should reconsider... I jumped off the sb wagon years ago, went gainward, turtle beach and then the ht omens claro+. I heard some really good things about their headphone amp section being able to effortlessly drive 600 ohm cans so I gave them another chance.
 
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