I'm in the market for some new headphones, I've been using iPod headphones for ages, and these just aren't cutting it anymore. My budget is like $50 preferably, but MAYBE $75 if it will get me something significantly better than the $50 limit. Let me know what you all can hook me up with please?
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I need new headphones
- Thread starter jctusmc03
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- Dec 3, 2006
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sennheiser hd555's you can get for $75 shipped
There are a few good gaming headphones in the $50-$75 range with different sound signatures to suite what you're looking for. If you have a decent sound card that can do virtual headphone surround (X-Fi, Xonar, or similar) I would recommend full-sized stereo circumaural headphones that fully cover the ear as they typically isolate better and have bigger soundstage (sense of sonic distance). A good soundstage will create the effect of the sound emanating from around you as opposed to being in your head. The downside is they can tend to get hot depending on type.
As mentioned by tnt3k, the Sennheiser HD555 are good if you are looking for an airy, wide open sound. They are an open design, meaning the air moved by the driver is not restricted inside of the ear cup. It has a mesh outer shell that allows are to pass in and out of the earcup which gives an airy, natural sound. One downside of open designs is that they typically have weaker bass and also leak sound out (maybe an issue if someone is in the same room as you and prefers peace and quiet). From what I remember I think the HD555s are characterized as bass light. I think there are also some durability issues with the headband of the HD555.
The Audio Technica AD700 are similar but there seems to be a general consensus that they do everything a little better than the HD555s. More clarity, larger soundstage, although they also cost more (~$90). Both the AD700 and HD555 have ear pads that use a velvet like material (I found the material of the AD900, the big brother of the AD700, a little itchy but many people don't have this issue and find the AD700s very comfortable). The AD700s are also light on bass.
If you want bass and bass impact, look for a closed or semi-open design. The JVC HA-RX700 (~$40) and HA-RX900 (~$65) have been pretty popular on [H] and there is a huge thread about them in this sub-forum:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1353088
There are a few easy mods that you can do to the JVCs to make them sound clearer and improve the bass. I have a modded pair of HA-RX700s and the bass is pretty good but I found them kind of hot due to the semi-open (more closed) nature and pleather ear pads. They also will not sound as natural and airy as open designs. I haven't heard the HA-RX900 but from what I remember they have slightly more bass and larger soundstage. Folks generally seem to prefer them for gaming over the RX700s.
Here's a thread that you might want to look at for other suggestions:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1234050
As mentioned by tnt3k, the Sennheiser HD555 are good if you are looking for an airy, wide open sound. They are an open design, meaning the air moved by the driver is not restricted inside of the ear cup. It has a mesh outer shell that allows are to pass in and out of the earcup which gives an airy, natural sound. One downside of open designs is that they typically have weaker bass and also leak sound out (maybe an issue if someone is in the same room as you and prefers peace and quiet). From what I remember I think the HD555s are characterized as bass light. I think there are also some durability issues with the headband of the HD555.
The Audio Technica AD700 are similar but there seems to be a general consensus that they do everything a little better than the HD555s. More clarity, larger soundstage, although they also cost more (~$90). Both the AD700 and HD555 have ear pads that use a velvet like material (I found the material of the AD900, the big brother of the AD700, a little itchy but many people don't have this issue and find the AD700s very comfortable). The AD700s are also light on bass.
If you want bass and bass impact, look for a closed or semi-open design. The JVC HA-RX700 (~$40) and HA-RX900 (~$65) have been pretty popular on [H] and there is a huge thread about them in this sub-forum:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1353088
There are a few easy mods that you can do to the JVCs to make them sound clearer and improve the bass. I have a modded pair of HA-RX700s and the bass is pretty good but I found them kind of hot due to the semi-open (more closed) nature and pleather ear pads. They also will not sound as natural and airy as open designs. I haven't heard the HA-RX900 but from what I remember they have slightly more bass and larger soundstage. Folks generally seem to prefer them for gaming over the RX700s.
Here's a thread that you might want to look at for other suggestions:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1234050
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^^ Thank you for all of that info, that was very helpful, and definitely gave me a lot to consider. I've been eyeballing a few of the Sennheiser's as I've read a lot of reviews around the web in the past about them being a really good brand when it comes to headphones. However you've also given me some other things to look at as well and do a little bit of research on. I'm not particularly worried about bass a whole lot, however it would definitely be cool if when something blows up it rattles my dome a little bit, haha. But again thank you for your input, you've given me some more things to study up on. 
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