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Headphone suggestions

H

Hawkeye

Weaksauce
Joined
Aug 20, 2003
Messages
70
I've been doing some reading on headphones as my Aiwa HP-X223 are beginning to show significant wear. I've searched for opinions and reviews for hours, and have come to the conclusion that I have no idea what's right for me. I know that even with these $30 pair from Best Buy, I am pleased with the sound quality (I guess that'd mean I'm not much of an audiophile). I use my headphones for gaming (Do not want headset however as I already have a very nice mic) and listening to music (Dave Matthews, Johnny Cash, Green Day, Bruce Springsteen etc. if knowing what sort helps). I want them to be comfortable, but this time I want a durable pair that won't wear out after a year of use (The ear pad is shredding). I would say that I don't want them to sound like crap, but I suppose since I'm pleased with these $30 Aiwa's, my idea of 'crap' is quite liberal Thanks for you advice in advance I would like to stay under the $75 price range. $100 is max, but that's only if it'll effect comfort/durability significantly.
 
Portability and issue?
Isolation an issue?
Sound leakage an issue?
 
Isolation and leakage aren't an issues. Portability isn't major, but I might use these headphones with an mp3 player in the future.
 
I say the HD555 at the $110 mark (on ebay).

I say the HD497 at the $33 mark (on ecost.com).

I say the HD201 at the $17 mark (on buy.com).

Other honorable mentions include the Grado MS1 @ the $110 mark, the Grado SR60 @ the $75 mark, the Sony SA1000 @ the $110 mark... I'm sure there are others that I'm missing.

If I were to pick - I would say the HD555.
 
497's good, but some user reviews have mentioned questionable durability and not great comfort. Right now I might go for the 280's, not sure on their value though for my use.
 
The HD280 plastic headband is prone to cracking; however, that can be remedied by using duct tape to prevent further cracking. For the price, it's a pretty good headphone that is worth considering. Refurbs go for less than $60 on eCost.com.
 
Looks like I may go for that now. I read the review I found on these forums, and they're the highest rated in the price range on more than one site. I'll probably go with the refurbs from eCost and hopefully they really are like new. Nobody knows of Sennheiser refurbs being of poor quality do they?
 
For $60 you could pick up a pair of Grado SR-60s... I personally have these headphones, and they're great for all-purpose listening and will blow your $30 Best Buy headphones out of the water. Given, for $80 you can get Grado SR-80s and have slightly better bass response, but the SR-60s wowed me for the price.

You will hear new details in your music with SR-60s and they're built solidly to boot.
 
Hawkeye said:
Nobody knows of Sennheiser refurbs being of poor quality do they?
Click to expand...
Sennheiser refurbs are very good. They come with the box, all accessories, and brand-new padding and headband. Aside from a sticker that says 'refurbished', you'd think they were new.
 
I tried on HD280's and Sony MDR-V6's which have been hailed as great for the money forever. HD280 clamped on your ears harder, and just feel like they engulf them "too much". Something that cant be explained, only felt. Went with V6's for 65$ish? And they are fantastic. Note on them, they've been around for a good 15 years and people still say they will ditch much more expensive headphones to use them instead.
 
Well, now it appears I can go up to $85 because my dad insists that he's not comfortable in giving me "refurbs." This gives me a few more options. I didn't know you could get the Grado SR-80's for just $80. Not sure if that comfort means much for me though as they could be wearing them for 5-8 hrs. I'd say the most I'd wear them is 4 hrs, with an average wear time of 1-2 hrs. And if I have to take them off for a few minutes every hour or something so my ears can recover, that won't bother me. So they might be an option as well, but I've consistently heard they aren't as comfortable. And if anybody can convince me Sony's in this price range are better then that's fine.
 
Yes, I must admit, one of the annoyances of the Grados are the fact that I have to take them off every once in a while and give my ears a breather... There are certainly more comfortable headphones, but they're not so bad.
 
unhappy_mage said:
Amazon has the 280s for $80 new.
Click to expand...
I just looked and it says $95. So, are the Grados comfortable enough where you can wear tthem for long periods of time just having to take them off once in a while for a few minutes? If I can find those for $80 maybe I'll get them over the HD-280's.
 
amazon.com said:
Used & new from $81.25
Click to expand...
New from "plasmaBAY" for $81.25. You might also check local music stores; Chuck Levin's around here has them for $80 last time I checked.
 
Hmm, so I guess now it's down to Sennheiser HD-280 vs. Grado SR-80 vs. Sony MDR-V6. MDR-V6 having good comfort while Grado SR-80's may be the best for sound and HD-280's are in the middle, but have the most consistent reviews...May still be leaning towards them.
 
The Senn 280's also have the added feature of signifigantly attenuating outside noise. They are, by far, the quietest circumaural headphones I've ever worn.
 
Hawkeye said:
497's good, but some user reviews have mentioned questionable durability and not great comfort. Right now I might go for the 280's, not sure on their value though for my use.
Click to expand...
I don't see any problems with durability unless you intentionally mangle them. I owned them for at least a year before selling them to a friend who has had them for two, and neither of us encountered any durability problems.

You are correct that the comfort is not great, but the only headphones in that price range I have tried with great comfort are the AKG 240s



edit: I have the V6 but have not heard the hd280
 
Hmm, anybody know anything about the new Sennheiser HD 485's? They're $75, but the only review I can find is CNet which says they're the best in the sub-$100 range...Has a headphone stand that comes with it which is kind of nifty.
 
I recently got a pair of Audio Technica A500. They are fantastic cans and extremely comfortable, which was very very important to me.
 
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