(Part 2) Top products from r/headphones

I know its a lot, so please bear with me and I'm sorry for the wall of text. I have an idea of what I want, but first what im looking for in a headset;

Budget - 100 is my limit unless theyre REALLY good for my specific needs.


Source - LG phone, MP3 player, Desktop Computer, Laptop

Isolation - Preferably yes, if it can block out most things id be happy. I plan to use them at home, and if i can on the bus, public, but not much or nothing extreme like working out or running. My house however has a lot of sounds going on around it.

Preferred type of headphone - Full size, but I'm ok if they aren't, i am however looking for one with a mic or where i can attach a mic. If it doesn't have one well ill just need to find a mic as well.

Tonal balance - Honestly, I don't know, I love bass, but sometimes in certain things bass is too much and prefer balance or where i can hear all instruments.


Past Headphones - Philips SHE3590BK/10 (15 dollar), Creative Fatal1ty(got em when I just didn't care but now I do)

Music type - I like any kind, ranging from Rap, Metal, alternative, Pop, Dubstep, Trap, grunge, electric to Classical, smooth jazz, Big Band, Instrumental, Orchestral, Swing, Ska. I dont discriminate. But I do like listening to every instrument in a song, and i love a good bass.

Location just in case: Cali.

Prefer not to buy a AMP/Dac, at the moment money is tight.


I need headphones that are good for gaming/listening to the music i posted/movies, action, thrillers, horror, etc.
I know its a lot so its hard to pinpoint a tone as well as me being very inexperienced in Audio.

I also wear glasses, so some may not be too good for me and I might use them for long sessions.

Based on links provided by this sub and my own research here are some I've been looking at and have my interest with reasons as to why(based on just reviews and that guide and personal):

• [Creative Aurvana Live!] (http://www.amazon.com/Creative-EF0060-Aurvana-Live-Headphones/dp/B000ZJZ7OA/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1346741568&sr=1-1&keywords=creative+aurvana+live) I read it has good bass, good for gaming, and good all around. However the noise leakage pointed out is a bit of a problem, but I don't know how bad it is. If it had a mic that'd be great, but the price is great. However if theres a better headset that someone could recommend I'd love to know.
  
  
• [Audio-Technica ATH-M50S] (http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B000ULAP4U/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1346741797&sr=1-1&keywords=ath-m50) I have seen a lot of great review on this everywhere, but are they good for me? In the guide posted for gaming headphones it was stated that it wasn't very well for gaming. The price is also fairly higher than what i can get for others.
  
  
• [NuForce HP-800] (https://www.nuforce.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=311:nh-800&Itemid=194)
  I don't particularly know enough but it did look good considering it has good bass. and faily ok with gaming.
  
  
• [SkullCandy Slyr] (http://www.skullcandy.com/shop/gaming/slyr?icid=245) Great all around, low price, mic, and i love the multiple cables. But im not sure how these go up against better brands and other headphones.
  
  
• [Sony MDR7506] (http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR7506-Professional-Diaphragm-Headphone/dp/B000AJIF4E) It's really well liked and often said its great, price is good. But I don't know much or enough about em to compare with others.
  
  
• [Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X] (http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-AD700X-Audiophile-Open-Air-Headphones/dp/B009S332TQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1385979471&sr=1-2&keywords=ad700) that price doe..a little too high, but if i can find a sale for them i wouldnt mind. The comfort was rated low, and I dont know how this would go with me, also bass was low. but for gaming they look great.
  
  And last but not least...please don't kill me...
  
  
  
• [SkullCandy Crusher] (http://www.amazon.com/Skullcandy-Crusher-Over-Ear-Headphones-Amplifier/dp/B00E1CSEMO/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1397118298&sr=1-1&keywords=skullcandy+crushers) i found these at 80 in another store, and they look fairly nice, but I don't know enough about them. I do know, theyre popular and in some places unliked. I read the bass is great and its a nice gimmick they have, but is it really worth it..also has a small mic, which i dont know how good it is.
  
  I know there are many options and I'm open to any other suggestions.
  
  
  I game a lot, and listen to all sorts of music depending on my moods which are variant throughout the day, but I also love a good film score and bass on certain music. I also would like a mic with it.
  
  Thank you for reading all of it, if you did.
  Sorry for all the info that might be useless. I just want the right pair of headphones, its ok if they don't come with a mic but if they did that would be great.
  
  Please tell me if I'm wrong about something I said about the headphones and please tell me why the headphones are good. I try to do my own research but I'm having less and less time.
  
  Please, help! And thanks again.

Budget: I'd like to avoid going over $300 if possible.

Source: Primarily PS4 games (possibly using mixAmp 2013), but also for PC gaming, and listening to music on my MacBook and iPhone.
Most of my collection is normal quality / bitrate stuff, so no need for super high res / high end stuff that only benefits super high quality music file-types (unless games have some weird loss-less audio files I'm not aware of)

No isolation reqs. My understanding is that open is the way to go for surround for games, but if closed is actually better that's fine too.

I'm going to assume full-sized is the way to go here in terms of quality to $$$, but whatever you guys recommend

I think I'd like an overall neutral total balance.

I currently have a set of 2013 Astro a40s with mixamp for gaming and Klipsch s4i II for non gaming stuff (music, movies). Ideally my new headphones would be good for both of these, with primary focus on gaming stuff (possibly through the mixamp) and music and movies / TV 2nd and 3rd pririorites respectively.

Preferred Music: video game music naturally! So basically a little bit of everything, but I guess a good mix of classical and electronic for the most part.

Improve? Definitely a new pair of headphones (would be my first non-IEM outside of Astro a40s) but I'd also like confirmation that the amp I'm using (an Astro a40 2013 mixamp) is sufficient or a recommendation on an alternative.

More info:
I'm in the market for a set of headphones for my PS4. Audio quality for video games is the primary concern, so I'm willing to spend a decent amount as long as it's worth it. Having the headphones also handle other media well (music, movies, TV shows) is a big plus too. Wired headsets are totally fine since I imagine wireless only degrades quality while inflating cost.

I currently own Astro a40s (2013 edition), but they've been well used and I'm hoping to make an upgrade. At this point I'm strongly considering keeping my a40 mixamp and just buying some quality headphones.

Note that I'm totally okay with getting separate inline / external mic so I'd strongly prefer just a normal set of headphones without a permanent mic so that I can use them in non-gaming settings.

One thing I'm not sure about is whether to continue using my current a40 2013 amp, buy a newer a40 TR amp, or using something else entirely to connect to the PS4.

The "real" headphones I'm currently looking at are: Philips Fidelio X2 They seem like a great fit for needs, but I'm open to other recommendations.

Outside of using it on PS4, having them be reasonably portable so that I can use them with my phone and laptop would be a nice bonus, BUT primary use is in my room all by myself, so sound quality for games, then music movies / TV is definitely the priority since I can keep using my IEM for travel / public stuff.

One last thing: I'm not a competitive gamer looking for something focused around multiplayer matches or streaming or audio filters that sound like garbage so that I can hear footsteps better or something dumb like that. I occasionally play online and use voice chat and whatnot, but 98% of the time I'm simply looking for an immersive single player experience. I'd like something that sounds good and properly reproduces what the sound designer had in mind when making the game. I used to play with an amazing 7.1 THX certified home theater system when I was living at home, but now that I'm in college I need a pair of headphones instead, but I still want an immersive high quality experience.

Anyway, thanks for the advice!

Let me first say I'm not interested in IEM's! And so far I'm considering the Koss PortaPros, but I'm not sure I'm in love with them.

Budget: <$100, but flexible if bluetooth/wireless

Source: Samsung Galaxy S4 cable or bluetooth

Isolation: Would be nice if not much noise leaked out. I'll be using these in a gym environment but would also like to use them on a quiet train.

Type: prefer closed back, on-ear; though I'm willing to try over-ear as long as they don't look clunky and imposing.

Tonal balance: I'd like a medium bump in bass with punctual highs. I really do enjoy a neutral sound, but the HD600's I use at home already achieve that pretty well. I'd like something more hedonistic for use at the gym and out in the real world.

Past headphones: Jaybird Bluebud X (I like the neutral sound but these are too painful on my ear canals and slip out too easily, even after using the recommended replacement ear tips); Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear (first generation, fabric was too nice and I was worred too much sweat from a workout would ruin them. otherwise, I loved the look, loved the bassier tone, and the comfort; these are the closest I've tried when it comes to my IDEAL TONAL BALANCE), Sennheiser HD 600 (my neutral at-home / in-studio headphones), Sennheiser HD555 (most comfortable headphones I ever owned. Big soundstage. Ears felt like they were in their own perfect environment. The reason why I've been buying Sennheiser ever since.)

Preferred music: Must play well with electronic music without bloating/muddying the low-mids. Also, I'd like if music involving microsamples was clear and punctual in the high/midrange, so much so that I can hear the difference between several different sounds playing in quick succession. Hope that came out right. I've heard Sennheisers aren't particularly good at pronouncing the highs. Prog House music, bass music, glitch-hop, industrial, future garage, tech house, dark techno, spoken word audiobooks. If the soundstage of Weird Fishes Arpeggi by Radiohead is wide and clear, I'll fall in love.

What would you like to improve on from your set-up: Headphones that won't get ruined from sweat. More than anything, if I can enjoy the music and wear them for 8 hours with zero discomfort, I'll buy you a beer. I suppose owning a set of Non-Sennheiser cans would be nice, as long as I enjoy them.

Thanks for your suggestions!

Again sorry for the wall of text, I know it's not the easiest to read. The recommendations are first, if you want you can skip the rest of it because it's not all "necessary" info but I do encourage reading it all, there's some good info. I know that's a lot of suggestions but except in fairly rare cases you'd be safe picking any one of these unless the sound doesn't seem like it would suit you. Worst case scenario you return it and try something else. If you have any more questions/concerns I'll gladly help.

The Sennheiser HD 600 -~$300- is basically the crown jewel of /r/headphones. I personally haven't heard it but it's considered one of the best headphones of all times for the past ~20 years. It's mostly neutral so it may not be as exciting but has excellent detail retrieval. The only potential negative other than that I can think of is the soundstage, how wide the sound is. Some headphones sound like music comes from outside the headphone, some sound like earbuds where the sound is right against your head. These have a pretty narrow soundstage so they're more towards the latter.

Monoprice M1060 -~$300- is a bit of a polarizing headphone, people either love or hate it. Some people claim it sounds as good as a $1k pair of headphones, others find it underwhelming and/or hear a high pitch ringing. I've used them and demo'd them to ~5 people, none of which heard the ringing. I love them but don't agree with the "= to $1k headphones" sentiment. Some like them more than my $600 headphones though, so, yeah. These headphones have a lot of bass, boosted mids so vocals are very present and the highs are mostly neutral. The soundstage on these is pretty damn wide.

The Beyerdynamic DT 990 -~$220- is a very highly regarded headphone here. The only downside really is the high frequencies are boosted significantly and a decent amount of people find them unlistenable. If you have sensitive ears then skip these. They're quite V shaped (meaning bass and treble/highs are boosted). They have a decent sound stage, nothing too extreme either way.

The Hifiman HE-4XX(Massdrop exclusive, needs account, long ship times) -$169- are basically a cheaper version of the Hifiman HE-400, another long time favorite of /r/headphones. These headphones are mostly neutral with a slight bass boost, afaik. The downside to these, though, is Hifiman is well known for shitty quality control. I had one of their headphones break on me after a week of owning them. Supposedly the HE-4XX has solved most of those issues but I'd still tread carefully. Most people think this pair is a steal at the price, though.

AKG K7XX(Massdrop exclusive) -$199- These are great. I own them and are probably some of the best ~$200 headphones you can buy. They can also be pretty love/hate, though, but most people who don't like them seem to have a lot of experience with a wide variety of headphones. Out of all my headphones most people I demo mine to prefer the K7XX, even over my $600 pair. They're mostly neutral with slightly boosted mids and slightly lowered highs and a massive soundstage.

---

Out of all of these headphones the M1060 and HD 600 probably have the best detail which would do the whole hearing new things the best. With that said, though, none of these would fail at that even remotely. Those two are also probably the most comfortable out of the headphones, with the potential exception of the K7XX.

Another term worth knowing is planar magnetic. The M1060 and HE 4XX are planar magnetic headphones which instead of using a typical speaker cone-resembling drivers they essentially use a sheet of metal controlled by magnets, some weird sorcery shit. Planar's usually have a signature sound and bass that extends real god damn low into the sub bass frequencies. They also have incredible speed, meaning that they're very responsive and excel with fast paced music. They're often quite punchy as well which is a great combo for double bass, snare and tom spam. Metal won't really benefit from the bass extension but I personally find the rest of the features to help with metal.

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Some other notes. Soundstage isn't very important with metal but can really make other genres shine, especially those with a lot of ambience and depth. It's also usually recommended to get closed headphones for metal and I can mostly agree with that. The HD 600, DT 990 and M1060 all have closed versions but the M1060 closed are iffy. If you're unfamiliar, open vs closed is pretty much what it sounds like. Open headphones have an "open" back to them, letting more sound in and out which gives a more atmospheric sound to them but also letting outside sounds interfere more. Some sound like you're not wearing headphones at all, letting so much sound in you couldn't tell the difference. Closed are the polar opposite and give a more isolated, intimate sound.

Lastly, when you start venturing into headphones that cost more than ~$200, it's worth looking into the benefits of an amplifier/DAC (digital-analogue converter). They're not necessary but, depending on the headphones, can improve the sound. Bottom line is usually ~$70 and require a USB connection but have mobile variants that plug into your phone. They're definitely not necessary at this price point but it's possible you won't get the most out of the headphones without it depending on the pair, different headphones require different amount of power. Usually it's fairly insignificant sub $500 though.

Just upgraded from my ATH-M50s. Well not price wise, but imo, soundwise.

I bought them for $50 off Newegg on Sale. Incase you haven't figured it out yet, they are the Phillips SHP-9500s.
__

First impressions:



Comfort:

• These things are super light and comfortable. Compared to my M50s, the clamp force is much lighter, and I don't get fatigued as quick from the clamp. Note that I replaced the earcups on my M50s with new earcups which definitely helped! But for $20 more, you could get the Phillips. After a bit you forget they're on your head.
  
  
• I find the earcups to be very comfortable, but the shape (Seal) maybe wraps a bit to wide for my tastes. I don't really mind it though and something I've gotten used to really quick, and maybe am starting to enjoy.
  
  
• They are a sweat magnet though, I will say that.
  
  ____
  
  Sound:
  
  
• Not going to go in depth with this, because many people have already said what needed to be said. But I will throw you some super quick impressions..
  
  Bass
  
  
• Bass is definitely not extreme or anything, but that's to be expected with opens. Honestly though, I really like the bass. I am not a bass head, and I think the bass on these are just right, it's clean, tight and sounds good.
  
  Midrange
  
  
• Mids sound great! Very smooth and detailed! Great for vocals in both female and male. Instruments sound great as well of course! Overall I really enjoy the mids on this. It's clean, detailed, relaxed.
  
  Trebel
  
  
• Trebel is very detailed, smooth, and crisp. Sometimes at higher volumes you can get a bit of sibilance, but not bad.
  
  Soundstage:
  
  
• I find the soundstage to be pretty good, not AMAZING, but compared to the m50s.. I find a definite improvement. Things sound more airy and open, and I find myself able to pinpoint instruments more clearly. As well as shots, footsteps, etc in games.
  
  _____
  
  Overall the sound is very good in my opinion.. especially considering the $50. It's an absolute steal if you ask me!
  
  __
  
  Notes: Remember these are openbacked headphones, so not really made for public use as everybody will be able to hear what you're listening to, as well as you be able to hear all the noise around you.
  
  This isn't really a con, because it's how they're made, and it's to be expected. So if you're looking for public use, you should not be looking for a pair of open backed headphones.
  
  ____
  
  Extra Information: The intergrated amp you are seeing is a Cambridge Audio Azur 640a v2. I use for my Vienna Acoustic Mozart Grand speakers. I use the headphone port for my headphones. The dac that it's being run through is a Fiio D3 (D03K).
  
  

Wall of text ahead. Please, read only if you are really interested...


What I usually recommend when someone ask for advice about gaming headsets is: Gaming headset are crap 99% of the time. They provide very poor sound quality, and any good headphone (literally, even 40$ ones) will sound far better than expensive 300$ headsets. The question is not if headphones are better than headset (the answer is “Hell, YEAH”). The question is, are they better for you?


What are you planning to use your headphones for? Just for gaming, or for gaming and music listening?


If the answer is “just for gaming”, then ask yourself if a Hifi headphone is what you need. Usually games don’t really need high quality headphones, since they provide low quality sound, and you will be more concentrated gaming than listening. In that scenario, everything will serve you, and gaming headsets have the advantage of the integrated microphone.


So, if you want something good for gaming, and just for gaming, with integrated microphone, then the only two headsets with good enough quality sound (aka don’t suck) are:


HyperX Cloud (70$)


Sennheiser G4me One (170$)


Both are good choices. Or go with any fancy RGB headset you find (Logitech, Razer, Corsair, Steelseries, etc), you will most probably don’t notice the difference while gaming.


BUT, if you plan to use them for music listening besides gaming, then keep reading.


About the microphone problem


Hifi headphones for gaming have the disadvantage of having to deal with the micro thing. None of them have microphone incorporated, and you must use find a workaround to the problem. Options available are:


1- Use a desk microphone like this


2- Some headphones have detachable cable. If the connector is a 3.5mm jack, you can substitute the cable with this V-Moda micro. That way you can have a microphone attached and still use a single cable. Main problem is that you must use this cable, no matter what, and if you end buying an amplifier, you can no longer use this microphone, as amplifiers don’t have micro input. Also, not all headphones are compatible, as not all use 3.5mm jack connections (Audio-technica and Sennheiser headphones are NOT compatible with V-moda Boom micro, cause they use 2.5mm jack)


3- use a modmic like this one or if your budget is tight, something like this.


The first option requires desk space and it’s expensive. The second one is not compatible with every headphone, and forces you to use this cable. The third one are detachable micro, with an extra cable you’ll have to deal with. Any of them are a nuisance. Any solution is annoying. All of them are an extra expense that must be accounted. If micro is a must and you are not willing to bother with this solutions, please, go back to HyperX Cloud or G4me One.


Ok, so, you really want some damn good headphones, that also can be used for gaming! Keep reading, please (are you bored yet?).


You can choose Closed back headphones (the classic ones you have already used. Closed back models offer good isolation and do not leak sound. This is your choice when there are people around you, or you want isolation from noisy a environment.) or Open Back headphones (Open back models offer next to no isolation and will leak sound -and allow you to hear what happens around you-, but they are the best sounding models). Open headphones achieve the best sound, soundstage (feeling that sound is coming from around you) and imaging (ability to locate the origin of one sound).


If you are here because you want to get a replacement for a gaming headset, I would recommend you Open back, but since they don’t isolate, you must choose. If isolation is required, get closed back, if that’s not a concern, go open.


Some closed back cans:


Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. 100$. Balanced headphones, very good feedback from lots of people. Typical entry level headphones to the rabbit hole.


Sennheiser HD 598Cs. 125$. Balanced, very very detailed, great instrumental separation. Comfortable as hell, very recommended.


Beyerdynamic DT770. 160$. V-shaped signature (lots of bass and lots of treble). Amazing soundstage (for a closed headphone). Great for explosions, movies, and rock. Treble can be harsh if you are sensible. Get the 32 ohm version, as the 80 (may) and 250 (do) need an amplifier to work properly.


Those are some examples of entry-mid level of closed cans. There are lots more, depending of your budget!


As for open cans:


Superlux HD668b. 40$. Those are THE CANS. The best quality for low budget you can get. Hands down. Great soundstage, Bass light. They are not too comfortable, but pads can be changed for a deluxe comfort (extra expense). You are not getting anything better at this price. For gaming in a budget, this are the headphones you were looking for.


Philips SHP9500. 80$. Mid-forward signature. Good soundstage, great comfort. Very detailed. Another amazing quality for the budget headphone. Due its popularity, they’re getting harder and harder to get.


Sennheiser HD 598 SR. 170$. Very similar to the HD 598Cs, but with open back. Wider soundstage, a little less bass. Very balanced headphones. Super-duper comfortable. Great for long gaming sessions.


Philips Fidelio X2. 250$. V-shaped signature. Those are in another league. Build quality is just.. OMG. Extreme soundstage and imaging. More comfortable than the HD 598. Bass is BOOOOOM!!!. A little pricey, and can be somewhat fatiguing to listen if you are treble sensible, due to high treble.


Well, that’s all. I have selected only headphones that don’t need an amplifier. Now is your turn to research, watch some Youtube videos, read some reviews, and give them a try.


All this headphones are GOOD. No trash here, and all them will make you open your eyes when listening your music if you are coming from standard headsets. You will notice sounds, instruments, that you never realized they were there, even if you had listened this song a thousand times before. Try them, and be amazed.


Welcome to the rabbit hole.

Okay. What I am going to recommend is two sets of headphones. One for nice, comfy, multi-hour home listening in front of the computer, and another set for when you're on the go. All of these sound good without any amplification.

Full-Size, Home Listening

• Audio Technica ATH-AD700 - nice, mid-level offering. Wonderful, open sound and definitely the #1 most comfortable headphones I have ever owned. These are fairly large, this is what they look like on me. They are reasonably light, and the design is completely open. You will hear sounds around you and if someone is sitting next to you, they will hear some of your music (or all of it, if you have the volume cranked). The pads are fuzzy and comfortable. Highly recommended for electronic music, chamber pieces, acoustic guitar and piano... well, just about everything. (~$100)
  
  
• Sennheiser HD-280 Pro - These are the heavyweight champions of the $50-$100 price range. Headfi (a major audiophile community) loves these things. So do I. Comfortable, with fantastic bass response and great isolation. Built like a tank - I DJ'd for quite awhile and my set is still going strong despite being dropped, stepped on, thrown in road cases, etc. The ear cups also rotate reasonably freely to allow them to fold "flat" and be tossed in a backpack. The pads on these are that pleather material which could cause a little bit of sweat, but nothing to really complain about. Excellent sound, overall, but particularly suited to drum n bass, dubstep, industrial, goa and other genres of trance and electronic dance music. My pair is actually in my lab at work, at the moment, so no photo of them, sorry! (~$90)
  
  
• Audio Technica M50S - Foldable, easy to toss in a bag. These are what I moved to after using the 280 Pro's for several years. Very smooth sound with a pretty surprising bass range. Definitely out-performed the 280's in some pieces of music when it came to the low range. Again, smooth, balanced sound overall. Great isolation on par with the 280's. The soundstage isn't as good as the AD700's, since these are closed headphones, otherwise I'd totally recommend these, flat out. These beat the Monster Beats Studio, hands down, for a third of the price. <3 Bass (~$120)
  
  Portables
  
  
• Koss Portapro - These things are classics for a reason. Very, very highly recommended by a ton of people. Comfortable, portable, built well, and excellent sound for the price bracket they are in. Unique styling. Those temple pads you see keep the pressure from the earpieces from becoming fatiguing on your ears. I've forgotton that I was wearing them on several occasions and tried to put on my hat over them. If you're cool with the style, I really recommend these. (~$40)
  
  
• Grado SR60i - I love Grados. They have a really classic look, they are very comfortable, and they have solid sound. More suited to articulate, dynamic music. Not a ton of bass. Would recommend these for home use as well, actually. If you want, you can step up to the SR80i, but I don't feel like you will hear too great a difference, out of an iPod or an onboard soundcard. (~$70-$100)
  
  
  Note: the Amazon links above are using my affiliate ID. What this means is that if you purchase a set through those links, Amazon gives me 4-6% of the purchase price as a commission. The price you pay is not affected in any way - that commission comes out of their end. You don't have to use those links, you can search Amazon for any of the models above. And by all means, you don't have to buy through Amazon.

Budget ~150-200$

Source - Pixel 2 / Macbook Pro

Requirements for Isolation - Some. Not a huge priority, but nice to have for public transit.

Will you be using these Headphones in Public? Yes

Preferred Type of Headphone - IEMS or portable over-ear. Possibly bluetooth if there are good options.

Past headphones - MEE audio M6 PRO Liked the sound quality, but they didn’t fit very nicely in my ears, despite trying all of the tips that came with the box.


Brainwavz Delta Black IEM
Again, liked the sound quality, but the buds themselves seemed to be too fat to fit into my ears, even with trying all the tips they gave me.

[Panasonic RP-TCM125-K] (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E4LGVUO/ref=psdc_172541_t1_B00L2459ZO) Really liked the fit for these. If possible I’d love to find something similar to these in fit, but perhaps a higher quality build or sound quality.

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Cs-Headphone/dp/B01JP436TS Also really like these, but I’ve found that they are too bulky for general portable use.

Preferred Music - Wide range. A lot of quiet female vocalist indie music, as well as a lot of fast and loud ska/punk music. I also listen to a fair amount of spoken audio, such as podcasts and audiobooks. I listen to hip-hop as well, but not as much as the above.

What would you like to improve - As stated in the past headphones section, I am looking to improve the fit of the IEMs that I get. The panasonic ones fit so well compared to the other IEMs I’ve had in the past, so I am looking to get something with a similar fit, but with a better sound stage. Also, I’m looking to try Bluetooth IEMs if anything comes to mind with these requirements, but if not, regular IEMs / over-ears are fine for me.

____

I’ve been eying these: https://www.amazon.com/Jaybird-Bluetooth-Headset-iPhone-Android/dp/B01M7NCT5O and these: https://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-Bluetooth-Headphones-Controller-RP-HJE120B-W/dp/B071R6VX9Q for bluetooth iem options, but as far as I can tell the reviews for them do not seem completely stellar.

I was also looking into ATH-M40Xs as a portable over ear option, but I’m not sure if I want to sacrifice having a microphone on my main pair of portable headphones.

> 1More Triple Driver

For $65, I rather opt for the Zero Audio Carbo Tenores.
I think those sound better than the overhyped 1More Triple Drivers.
Don't get me wrong. The 1More Triple Drivers are great. It probably has a bit more detailing than the Tenores. But the Tenores man. The Tenores. They are tuned in just 'perfectly'. This thing is legendary.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/665111/zero-audio-zh-dx200-carbo-tenore-zh-dx210-carbo-basso-carbon-aluminium-iem-thread

They sound 'lax' while having all the detailing you need. I have listened to the Shure SE846 and have the Noble 4/CKR9Ltd/JVC FX-850/Tenores/Yamaha EPH-100/etc. etc.
And I had the opportunity in my life to listen to a crap ton of iem in my life.
And to this date, I do not think there is any contender for the Tenores in the tuning of the mids. Sure it's definitely nowhere as 'good' technical wise as the upper range products like the Noble 4/CKR 9ltd/JVC fx-850/Dunu 2000/Shure SE846/Yamaha EPH-100 but.... just cause it isn't as clear as those super $$$ does not imply it is bad.

In fact, I think in its price range, there is nothing that can compete with these iem for music lovers. Sure these are almost 5 years old but this is 1 heck of a legendary iem.
If you want your ears to truly open up to premium range sound, opt for the Tenores. Sure the 1More might be nicer (I did not test them but heard much praises) but from my listening career from free earphones to $1000 iems, the Tenores have like a special place in my heart (along with the EPH-100).
https://www.amazon.com/AUDIO-ear-stereo-headphone-Tenore-ZH-DX200-CT/dp/B0093VVP0Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482964790&sr=8-1&keywords=zero+audio+tenore

The only issue is the chord. But as long as you don't abuse your earphone, it should not be of much issue.
That said, don't believe most hypes of earphones/iem. Most 'top class' earphone/iem under 100 sound like the BEST under 100. No more no less. I heard some outrageous things in my life in headfi like the Tenores competing with 500 dollar products and 1More competing with 2500 dollar products.
Truth is, they don't.
That said, I must say, the 1More has a far better design and better boxing. The Tenores is just straight out only for sound. However, give it a try if you can. I think it can be the best $40 you ever spend.

Also little biased view here but.... run away from bluetooth earphones like a plague if you can. Those really have bad sounds. They sound like 10 dollar products in general. I'm sure you have a phenomenal bluetooth iem but but it seems the specializers of the iem markets don't really care to invest in bluetooth earphones. Bluetooth iems are mostly conquered by the 'fashion' brand of earphones. The sound quality including the Jaybirds... are atrocious once you start comparing to true audio iem like the Tenores. (And quite noticeably)

Last update 11/27 1:36am pacific || Removed bold from some items, pruning of dead deals coming.

If the first field is bold it is a new deal

Note, I've hit the text limit so I'm limiting extra text.


 


Headphone | Price | Store | Notes
------------------ |-------|--------|-----------
BeyerDynamic DT 1770 Pro | $416 | Amazon | Available for $405 shipped via 3rd party
BeyerDynamic 990 250 ohm pro | $109 | Amazon | Lowest price ever on Amazon. Thanks /u/Jedi_Pacman!
BeyerDynamic T1 Second Gen | $1099 | BuyDig via ebay |
Sennheiser HD600 | $260 | Amazon | Thanks /u/aasteveo!
BeyerDynamic DT 880 600 ohm | $169 | Amazon | Lowest price on record for both Amazon and 3rd party.
BeyerDynamic DT 770 80 ohm | $118 | Amazon | Thanks /u/ASpaceman :)
Chord Mojo Amp / DAC + NVX XPT100 Studio Headphones | $549 | Sonic Electronix |
MrSpeakers ETHER C Flow | $1620 | MrSpeakers | Thanks /u/MrSpeakers !
MrSpeakers ETHER Flow | $1619 | MrSpeakers | Thanks /u/MrSpeakers !
Samson SR950 | $24 | Adorama
Sennheiser IE80 | $179 | Amazon | Thanks /u/LOMOcatVasilii Also available at Sonic Electronix
Stax SR-L500 + SRM252S | $1009| Shenzhen Audio |
DUNU DN-2000J | $269 | Shenzhen Audio |
TFZ Series 5S | $69 | Shenzhen Audio via Amazon |
Fanmusic E6 | $39 | Shenzhen Audio
Simgot EN700 | $69 | Shenzhen Audio
FORREST FLC8S | $269 | Shenzhen Audio
Audioquest NightHawk | $349 | Crutchfield | Also available from Needledoctor
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x | $27 | BuyDig | Add to cart for final price
Beyerdynamic DT 880 32 ohm includes $50 newegg gift card | $159.99 | Newegg | Also available at BuyDig for $139 add to cart to see discount
Beyerdynamic T90 Chrome Limited Edition 250 OHM| $279 | BuyDig| Also available at Newegg for $299 w/$40 gift card
Sennheiser PC360 headset | $99 | Amazon
Monoprice USB DAC Headphone Amp | $49.99 | Monoprice |
BeyerDynamic DT 770 16ohm | $100 | ebay | Also available at BuyDig for $109
BeyerDynamic A20 Amp | $294 | BuyDig | Use code "DIGTURKEY5"
Westone UM Pro 10 | $99 | Amazon
HiFiMan Edition X | $1299 | Music Direct | Thanks to /u/boombap33 for pointing this out
V-Moda Crossfade M-100 Black | $176.54 | Musician's Friend | Includes free Boompro mic. Use code "blackfriday"
Sennheiser PC350 Headset | $78 | Newegg |
Sennheiser Momentum In Ear | $70 | Amazon | Android or iOS versions
BeyerDynamic DT 1350 | $119 | Adorama
BeyerDyanmic DT 880 250 ohm Chrome version | $149 | BuyDig via ebay
Superlux HD668B | $25 | Gearbest |
Audeze LCD-4 | $2999 | Adorama
Audeze LCD-3 | $1349 | Adorama
Audeze LCD-XC Limited Leather | $1299 | Adorama
Audeze Sine | $299 | Adorama
Audeze Sine w/Lightning Cable | $359 | Adorama
Audeze LCD-2 Rosewood w/Lambskin | $749 | Adorama
Audeze LCD-2 Bamboo w/Lambskin | $699 | Adorama
Audeze LCD-2 Aluminum w/Lambskin | $699 | Adorama |
Hifiman HE-400i | $249 | Headamp | Use code "HEADFI10" thanks to /u/Chillindude82Nein for the better deal!
Hifiman SuperMini DAP + iFi nano iDSD + Fiio Cable| $394 | BuyDig | use code "DIGTURKEY10"|
Audeze 2015 EL8 Open | $404.10 | HeadAmp | Use code "BF2016"
Audeze 2015 EL8 Close| $404.10 | HeadAmp | Use code "BF2016"
Audio-Technica ATH-R70x includes $25 newegg gift card| $224 | Newegg |
Fostex TH-900mk2| $999 | Adorama |
Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 Black| $189 | Amazon
Audio-Technica ATH-MSR7 Gun Metal | $189 | Amazon
Philips SHP9500S | $50 | Newegg |


 


General Discounts | Discount | Notes
------|---|---
Earphone Solutions | 25% off | Store Wide use code "CYBER" -- they offer discounts for trade-ins as well.
Master & Dynamic | 20% off | use code "MD20"
Meze | 25% off select headphones
NeedleDoctor | Various |
Monoprice | 20% off | Use code "BF2016"
Audeze | B-Stock| Dedicated thread here. Thanks /u/kangaroo_steak!
V-Moda| 10% | Free Boompro Mic with order of on-ear/over-ear headphones.
Brainwavz | Various | Thanks /u/robotlabs!
Addicted to Audio | Various | "For the aussies" thanks /u/KingJie!
Shenzhen Audio | Various |
Decware | Various | thanks /u/Elnrik!
HeadAmp | Various | Use code "HEADFI10" for 10% off (most?) products
Brainwavz Canada | Various | Thanks /u/custardbun!
Violectric Audio USA | 25% | Code "BLACK-25" thanks /u/novicez!

I think you might get pointed towards /r/headphoneadvice, looks like purchase requests are supposed to go there, but if I can spent the time telling you that I can spend the time giving you some recommendations too!

If you're looking for something you can use while working out, you're probably going to want to avoid over-ear headphones. These are typically designed for relaxed listening or sitting still, so not an ideal choice for the gym or a jog. In case you're curious about over-ears however, or you want a dedicated pair that you won't use for working out, an exceptional choice right now is the Sennheiser HD 58X from Massdrop, currently available for $135. Just know that those are going to be fairly large headphones, and they're "open-back" meaning they make no effort to keep outside sound out, or inside sound in. They're designed to be used in quiet rooms. An office-mate may hear what you're listening to if they're close enough. The sound quality from a good pair of open-backs however can't be beat!

For working out, I'd say something within either the on-ear or in-ear categories would suit you well. On-ear headphones are typically much lighter and smaller, which makes them far better suited for working out. The same goes for in-ears, their size and the nature of the fit make them almost impossible to knock out of your ears.

For on-ears, you might look at something like the Koss KSC75x, 14 bucks on Amazon or the Koss Porta Pros, 25 bucks on Massdrop. If you make a new account for the "20 dollars off orders of 30+" coupon and choose 5 dollar shipping, you can manipulate the price down to 10 bucks. It's honestly probably the best deal in audio right now! I just jumped on that deal myself actually! Both are solid for working out since they're so light, and both are known for their surprisingly good audio quality despite their price tag and retro look.

Now for in-ears, you might check out the Tin T2s, $35 on Massdrop right now. They're widely regarded as the best IEMs below 200 bucks if what you're looking for is quality neutral sound. If you prefer a little more bass, you can always perform the very simple "vent mod" which just involves taping up a small hole. They have excellent isolation, and use what's called an MMCX connection, so you can replace the cable if yours ever breaks or you want a different one. I've owned a pair of these, and I loved them.

So all in all, you're looking at well below 50 bucks for a pair of good headphones that you can work out with, but also use at home or work. If you want to really step into high-end audio, you could grab a $10 pair of Porta Pros for working out and the HD 58X for $135 for really high quality office/home listening/gaming/whatnot.

Budget - We need to know how much you want to spend. If you can, please also indicate whether your budget is a hard limit, or whether it is flexible. Max budget is 220 with an amp/dac if needed. I'd like to use 3.5mm right from my computer.

Source - What are you plugging these into? 3.5mm Headphone jacks on my computer. Elna audio caps for my motherboard.

Requirements for Isolation - Do you need a lot, some, or none? If you're not sure what isolation is, more isolation will block outside noises, none will not. It's also helpful if you say where you mainly will use your headphones, for instance: At home, outdoors, on public transportation. I'd like these to be closed back. I'd be in my room but still want closed back. I will not use them outside, maybe at LAN parties.

Will you be using these Headphones in Public? No, maybe lan parties.

Preferred Type of Headphone - Do you want IEMs, full-sized, or on-ear? Full sized headphones.

Preferred tonal balance - Are you a basshead, particularly fond of a smooth midrange, strong highs, or do you want an overall balanced pair of headphones? I'd prefer overall balanced and good for games like CSGO, Arma 3, GTA V and overall good for games and music.

Past headphones - What have you used in the past, what did you like about them and what didn't you like about
Preferred Music - What do you listen to? If your music tastes are very esoteric, providing some examples (Youtube links work well) may be of some assistance to your helpers. Used Turtle Beach PX22, like nothing of them at all. I am using Logitech G430s I like the big ear cuffs, how comfy it is. It is very light, a nice cord, plugs into 3.5mm which is a must. Also durable but gets dirty.

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - What are you looking for going into your next headphone? More bass? More detail? More treble? Overall better detail and quality. My friend had the M50x and I liked sound but it was not full sized like I want. But I need to add a modmic to it or a Blue Yeti microphone so I'd love for it to be plugged in to it. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008POFOHM/ref=s9_simh_gw_g267_i2_r?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-3&pf_rd_r=1H72PDTS3K06XT5QVAZJ&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2084660942&pf_rd_i=desktop how are these? I like them, big, 3.5mm, good sound from what I've read. Also what are recommended cases to hold headphones in?

• Budget: ~$150 USD
  
• Source: PC (Gaming), if they rock maybe my phone.
  
• Isolation: Unsure, usually I use closed headphones. But I hear the ATH-700xs are great for CS:GO and are open. Wouldn't mind trying open ear.
  
• Public: Probably not.
  
• Size: Full sized over ear headset.
  
• Tonal Balance: I like my bass in music, but these headphones are for CS:GO almost exclusively, was seeing good things about the ATH-700xs being light on the bass and it helping not drown out footsteps. I'd prefer more bass for my music but CS is the priority.
  
• Previous Headphones: For gaming I have had SteelSeries Siberia v2, didn't like the sound quality. Comfort was good. HyperX Cloud 1s sound quality quite a bit better, comfort about the same. Currently using the clouds. I have had Beats in the past, they were alright, on par with my $100 pair of Klipsch headphones. I quite enjoyed the Klipsch over ears, not sure what type specifically.
  
• Music Taste: Almost exclusively hiphop, with some 80s rock and a little folk/pop mixed in.
  
• What I want to improve: I want a better headset for CS:GO. My Cloud 1s were pretty solid but the quality has deteriorated over time.
  
  My three main considerations now are: ATH AD700x, Sennheiser GAME ONE, Sennheiser PC363D. Although I do not have USB 3 will that matter at all? I do not need 7.1 sound. The AKG K612 Pro seems around my price range and is reviewed quite well. It seems like the ATH-AD700xs are the headphones to go for as they are about half the price as the rest of the options I suggested. Is it worth spending the extra money on any of those headsets? Also do I need to consider an AMP of any sort for these headphones? I was recommended something such as the FiiO E10k earlier. Not sure if I need an amp or not, I would be willing to purchase one if it allows for me to unlock the full potential of my headset. But not just to spend money on another toy and eek out another 1% or 2% of performance.
  
  Thanks a ton for reading! Any insight is more than welcome.

Alright guys, here it is.

Budget: $150ish. Can bend a little.

Source: iphone 5, ipod classic (like seriously, from decades ago. You can hear it click as it works), a mac, and if gaming applicable, a Samsung TV and Xbox One. I already have a converter for my old turtle beaches, so audio ports to the One won't be a problem either way.

Isolation: I'll probably use these for some travel, but largely just for personal use where I won't bother other people.

Type: I want over the ears. I've never really had any until I got some cheap turtle beaches and they are so much better. If ya'll can explain why open or closed is better, than I'll go with what you suggest.

Tonal Balance: This one's tough. I want to hear the bass clearly, not muddy. But I also don't want it to overpower the other components. When I listen to a song after the first time, I'll attempt to hear every part, usually one at a time over multiple plays. I don't want to lose a whole section and not even know it, I want to know how they all fit together. So I guess overall balanced, unless ya'll can find a better fit.

Past Headphones: Recently, in ear skullcandy ones. Mainly because they were there and nicer than any I'd owned before. I had a pair specifically because they came with a small convenient carrying case. When they broke after two years, I bought some titans, and I greatly enjoyed the improvement. I think it might have been the metal casing, but they are much clearer. But now I want some real quality ones.

Preferred music: Rap, rock, metal, "country" (much better musicianship than 90% of the stuff), acoustic versions of the aforementioned genres, Hans Zimmer, the Beatles, Daft Punk, Justice, podcasts recorded in large auditoriums, etc.

Not sure if I want just headphones or a replacement for my turtle beaches that I can easily use for just music (i.e. portable). If the sound quality takes a downturn because of gaming capability, than I'll live without.

And I'll be fine if it needs an amp as long as it doesn't go too much over my budget. I also have no idea which devices need amps more or anything about that system really.

I had previously looked at the XPT100s, but I didn't know if those were a good fit for me, and it was also before I considered the gaming possibility. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I'm looking to move up from my HD 428s.

My budget is set at about $200, but I've seen many recommendations fall well short of that.

My source will be either my S3 or iPod Touch, but the main use will come from my 2010 13" MacBook Pro.

I am looking for closed cans and I'm hoping for a reasonable amount of isolation. While most of my time spent will be at home on a desk studying, I will be venturing out to the library for hours at a time and I'd like music or audio from lecture videos to stay close to me and not interrupt others.

I would like them to be on-ear headphones, much like the 428s I'm moving up from.

My past headphones have been iPod/iPhone earbuds and now the Samsung ones with my phone. And then the HD 428s, of course.

I listen to hip hop, classic rock, and trance. Some of the hip hop I listen to is with a focus on lyrics and some hip hop I listen to is solely for the beats. I love bass, but I also prefer the bass to not be exaggerated and stay true to original. I'm not sure if that contradicts myself, but I want deep bass, but as natural as possible. I feel the same goes for my preference on trance.

As for the classic rock, I just like it loud and clear. I have no preference on bass.

I have been suggested a few pairs by friends and some reading around here.

The cult-favorite ATH-M50s. I was hoping these would drop to $100 or less after the M50x came out, but looks like balking on that MassDrop deal was a mistake. Prices are still $140-160, and I am hesitant to spend that much when many people have suggested that there cans were cheaper before they became big. I think they said anything over $100 was overpaying for them.

The other pairs I've looked at were the two Sony MDRs. The V6 came highly suggested but sites like Wirecutter suggested the 7506. The difference between these two, for me, seems to just be the price. I am not sure what rHeadphones verdict on these two is, other than both are good.

The ones that I am most enamored with are the aesthetically-pleasing AKG 550/1. I think they look fantastic but the reviews on these are also 4+*. Right at $200, it would be pushing it, but I wanted to know if the value was still there at $200. MSRP seems to be $320+ elsewhere, other than Amazon.

I've done most of my research on the above sets of headphones. I have been recommended the VModas. Both the LPs and the M-100s. I have no aversion to them, but I just haven't done much research on them.

Which one will fit my needs the best? I should also mention that I do not wish to amp these, and I don't feel like my MacBook Pro will have trouble powering them.

I mentioned the music I listen to, but it would only be 3 hours of it, max, on a daily basis. Because of obvious reasons, movies and TV shows would be even longer. So I would like something that does well with TV/movies too.

Hi, so I'm looking to upgrade after over a decade of using the Audio Technica ATH-A900s. These things were my first real upgrade in the headphone department way back when and I think it's time to get with the times in this category. They have really served their purchase very well and anything that is an improvement will be amazing. The only problem I have had is the head foam pads have worn down after years of use and now start to hurt the top of my head after long use and are actually broken at this point.

I've done research using the above tools and I'm still a little bit on the edge of what to go with. Here's what I'm looking at and some of my parameters.

Budget - Really it's more about quality than price so if there is something a little bit above budget but is really that big of a step up I'm willing to take it. Looking in the $200-400 price range right now.


Source - Gonna be mostly plugging these into my computer for gaming and movie watching/music listening. They get plugged into my bose speakers (really low-tier 2.0 desktop speakers) and the thing I do most on my computer is gaming.


Isolation - not super important to me cause mostly gaming in my house and bleed-over and background noise is not a big problem at the moment.


Public use - probably not much but would occasionally take them with me for LAN parties and maybe the sporadic wear during long train/bus rides where I'd rather get a better experience than just my earbuds.


Type: Over-the-ear for sure. On ear usually bothers me after an hour or so comfort is super important for me. I think open-back is probably what I'm looking for but not sure?


Tonal Balance: Not super important for me so I think a balanced pair of headphones with high-clarity for ease of picking out positional audio and I don't need it to shake my head with bass. Since movie/show watching is a primary use I imagine vocal ranges being stressed would be good? But I don't want to lose out on that sweet competitive positional audio.


Past Headphones: ATH900s for the past 10 years. Super satisfied with them but time for an upgrade and they're starting to hurt the top of my head. Comfort wise, these were amazing around my ears.


Music: I listen to lots of pop/rap/ballad style and a lot of other things, nothing specific here to stress.


Improvements: Comfort, 10 years worth of tech upgrades, more detailed sound? I'm not a super audiophile, so I'm not sure what the weaknesses of my headphones were so any improvement would be amazing.

Current short list of things I'm looking at: AKG K712 Pro, Sennheiser HD600, Audio Technica ATH-R70x,

Any suggestions? Are these 3 headphones going to satisfy what I'm looking for? Am I on the right track? Is there something I haven't looked at yet that I should be? Any help is greatly appreciated!

IEMS ONLY

Budget - $10-$50 (Lower the better, sales too) $51-$75 is really pushing it

Source - Phone(iPhone6), laptop, PS4 controller

Requirements for Isolation - Moderate or full isolation, Plan to use outdoors, indoors, home, public transpiration(NYC transit is loud)

Preferred Type of Headphone - Comfy IEMs, Mic, long lasting

Preferred tonal balance - Balanced, clear/crisp and a bit towards the bass side

Past headphones - Top earphones I've used from the past from best to worst.

1)I can't find the exact model but [These] (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-II-Precision-Enhanced-Earbuds/dp/B001EZYMF4/ref=pd_sim_23_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=31F3zlJecaL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0ZC2CA08ZMJG2XXZ138J) The one I had a volume slider. It was one of the best I've ever used Handsdown. The sound was so rich with the perfect amount of bass Felt good(sliped a couple of times), great sound, Volume slider. | Bad wire, lacks mic and button(s)

2) [JVC Marshmellow] (http://www.amazon.com/JVC-HAFX32B-Marshmallow-Earbuds-Black/dp/B00DVH265G/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1463378188&sr=1-1&keywords=jvc+marshmallow+earbuds) Good overall sound, felt great in the ear, rarely fell off | Cheap, lack of mic and buttons

3)JBL J33 Good sound, great bass w/o compromising the clarity, mic.,good wire | big af, heavy, not comfy at all.

4) Skull candies. Hate em.

Preferred Music - I listen to a wide range of music. Rap/hip-hop (Kanye, Future,Chance, Drake) Electronica (Crystal Castles), classical, and relax/chill Something to keep my head bumping (Bass)
Some Links, enjoy!

Affection

Saint Pablo

Aloha

At Home

What would you like to improve on from your set-up
Something that feels good in the ear (can listen to music for hours without my ears or head hurting is a must), has a mic/button(preferred) . Something similar or better than the ones I used before. Crisp rich sound with moderate or medium high bass

I was thinking

Klipsch X4i,MEE Audio M6 PRO,Zero Audio,Etymotic Research MC5





Thank you.

Hi and welcome to /r/headphones!

Glad to see that you want to make the step towards trying something new, although hopefully you don't fall into the rabbit hole like many of us have in this hobby :-)

The IE2 is an okay IEM from my memory, definitely not worth the retail price ($100~ i believe?) but ok at $49 in terms of sound. For your budget, the RHA MA750 is a very solid pair, especially if you're looking for a deeper audio profile. RHA's customer service team is very good and their 3 year warranty is quite sound; along with their actual sound too!

>if better options will cost me double the price of the replacement, but not double the quality.

How about something that's less the price of the replacement, but with better quality? The RHA S500 is a fantastic relatively new IEM that's extremely good value right now. It boasts a clear and detailed sound and a small form factor, in contrast to its larger sibling the MA750 (which has a warmer and more bassy sound).

The Meelec M6 PRO is also a great IEM at a low price. Detachable cables means that "replacing" them when they break is a lot cheaper and more simple, as the cable is the most common breakpoint in IEMs.

Hope that helps!

Hello everybody, since my pair of headset broke and i have enough of cheap headset, i want to buy a nice headset (and a microphone but i already which one i'll buy (a ModMic v4.0)). Here's my criterias :

• Budget - from 0 to about 170€ (MAX)
  
• Source - a regular PC, a phone...
  
• Requirements for Isolation - I'll be using it at home (since there is no door on my room, you can imagine that i need a bit of isolation), at my friend's home, at my grandma's home, on the train
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone - IEM ? regular ones, a full size then i guess
  
• Preferred tonal balance - An overall balanced pair of headphones
  
• Past headphones - a bad Triton headset for an xbox (ear were pressed and hurt after a while), a steelseries siberia 100 (they broke), I used a Technics RP-F600 (this one was good but maybe too cheap, over-ear design was design I appreciated it)
  
• Preferred Music - I listen to a lot of things, i like metal as i like rap, i like classic (Stravinsky), i like mathematic metal (Meshuggah), i like rap (Alkpote, Columbine), i like prog rock (Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Yes), i like rock (Steven Wilson, The Beatles, Rush, Van Halen), i like electro music (Mr.Oizo, Daft Punk), punk (Bérurier Noir), prog metal (Tool, Porcupine Tree, Opeth), etc etc etc.
  
  What would you like to improve on from your set-up - Just a nice headset, with a nice balance, the nicest reproduction of what i listen to (i listen to .flac, no mp3 64kbp) if it's games, i want to have the best reproduction for the price.
  
  Location - I live in France
  
  I hope you can help me choose a headset, i have found one, but i'm not sure about the open-design, the headset i might buy is the AKG K-702 (not the K-701 since i heard that the bass are too light on the 701).
  
  Thank you for help me !

I'm kind of new to the world of quality headphones, but I have always appreciated the art. The most I have had are a random pair of cheap headphones from my local store, and the crappy apple earpods. So its time for a change. I've spent quite a few weeks learning and researching about headphones in general, I have visited the /r/headphones' Purchase Assistant which was not only very helpful but also helped me understand what I want. After it all, I have narrowed down the selection to a handful of potential headphones which I think are suitable for my specific needs. I have included my list below, after some useful information for you guys to understand me better..about my headphone needs:

• Budget - £100 - £400. I can push it up couple of quids if needed. But ideally, something that is best value for money. Currency: Pound Sterling.
  
  
• Source - Going to be plugging the headphones into my PC. As far as I know, there's nothing special about my motherboard (MSI Gaming 5) so I wouldn't be too fussed if the headphones require a DAC and AMP, as long as headphones + dac/amp doesn't go too much above my budget.
  
  
• Requirements for Isolation - As much as I like the idea of complete isolation, I cannot afford to do so. Since I will only be using these at home, there are times when I will need to respond to phone calls, door bells, conversations, people chatting shit about me, etc. so I can't completely isolate myself. Sound leak is fine - I have my own room. Long story short: Open back headphones are be ideal.
  
  
• Will I use these Headphones in Public? Nope. Home set up only.
  
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone - Over-ear/Full sized (that's what she said)
  
  
• Preferred Use of Headphone - The main aim for these headphones will be gaming > movies > music in that order. Games: Single players as well as competitive multiplayers. Solely based on what I have read, when it comes to gaming, headphones with a large soundstage would be ideal as long as there is localization/imaging present to accurately portray where the sound is coming from. This is best achieved by open back headphones. However, one particular thread on tomshardware made me doubt what I understood. TL;DR of that post: open back headphones with big soundstage create too much echo, effectively making the localization much worse because you don't know where the sound is coming from - especially in an already echoey environment of a game. They recommended closed-back. This is probably where I will need input the most, from guys who have tested both types of headphones for this specific use. When it comes to music, yes I will definitely be using them for music but not as much? Music type is usually theme songs of games and movies, classical, vocal, and random stuff people suggest on internet.
  
  
• Preferred tonal balance - As mentioned above, since its mostly games with not as much music, and even in music, its pretty random I think it would be best if the signature is balanced, neutral, flat? The word flat makes it sound boring..
  
  
• Past headphones - Crappy cheap earphones not worth mentioning.
  
  
  
  So that's basically what I have deduced for myself, at least what I think I want. Based on the above, below is a list of headphones I think fits my needs. However, a few are included in the list simply because of their songs of praise all over the internet.
  
  
• AKG K702 Reference Open-Back Over-Ear Studio Headphones
  
  
• Audio-Technica Professional Open-Back Reference Headphone - Black
  
  
• Beyerdynamic DT 990 Premium Edition HiFi Headphone - Fully Open Backed Construction
  
  
• Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro Headphones - Black Limited Edition
  
  
• HIFIMAN HE-400i Full-Size Planar Magnetic Headphone
  
  
• HIFIMAN HE400S Over Ear Full-Size Planar Magnetic Headphone
  
  
• Sennheiser HD 650 Audiophile Open-Back Dynamic Headphones

All info below. Thanks in advance!

Budget: ~ $100. This is pretty flexible though. I'd be willing to spend around $150 if I though it was worth it.

Source: Laptop, iPad, iPhone

Requirements for isolation: I'd like a fair amount of isolation. I'm starting school in the fall so i'll be doing a lot of studying. I'm sure I'll be spending lots of time in a library where it isn't too loud to begin with, but I do like studying in cafes and other public areas as well.

Preferred Type of headphone: Full-sized.

Preferred tonal balance: I'm thinking i'd like something pretty balanced since I listen to a wide array of music genres.

Past headphones: I've never owned a "nice" pair of headphones. I've always had the $20 kind of headphones you get from walmart, best buy, etc.

Preferred music: Everything from electronic/house to old-school rap to country.

After doing some of my own research (thank you, Headphone Buying Guide!!) I've come across some headphones that I think i'd like (below). Any opinions on these would be great. I'd also love some other options if you guys think I might be missing out on something!

Cheaper end of the price range:

NVX Audio XPT100 (http://www.amazon.com/NVX-Over-Ear-Headphones-ComfortMax-Cushions/dp/B0093PVTPS)

KRK KNS6400 (http://www.amazon.com/KRK-KNS6400-Studio-Headphones/dp/B004ARSMXQ)

Higher end of price range:

Audio-Technica ATH-M50xWH (http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR86)

KRK KNS8400 (http://www.amazon.com/KRK-KNS8400-Studio-Headphones/dp/B004ARUO2S)

Audio-Technica ATH-M50 (http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B000ULAP4U)


Lastly, I'm pretty big on comfort. I plan on wearing these headphone for hours on end.

Thanks!

Budget - Flexible. Would prefer not much more than $300 but the absolute limit would be $400.

Source - Laptop, PC, and an iPhone via Bluetooth. I need it to be wireless.

Requirements for Isolation - I view isolation as something I don't need to spend money on. I spend a lot of time at home, in libraries, and in my car/the bus. The bus is probably quieter than my car, but the car never really bothers me. If it would help with volume (and save my hearing a bit) I'd be willing to splurge. Full disclosure, I've never tried noise cancelling headphones.

Will you be using these Headphones in Public?: Yes

Preferred Type of Headphone - Full sized.

Preferred tonal balance - IMHO, rich bass > more bass. Balanced or smooth mids are probably my preference.

Past headphones - My first REAL headphones are an older model of Sennheiser HD 598s. I absolutely love everything about them, but they are literally falling apart after 6 years of use. I want to go with bluetooth (and also may get another set for an in-home theater setup in the future, if you have any recommendations in that arena.)

Preferred Music - Main genres are Chillhop and whatever you can call bands like Khruangbin. Side note: I'll also be using this for gaming and watching shows/movies.

Some examples: A Calf Born in Winter, Mr. White, Tony's Belated Breakfast, Akaido, Happy Hours


What would you like to improve on from your set-up - Cordless. I'm perfectly happy with the sound quality of my current setup (but better never hurts). Also a good bluetooth adapter recommendation would help as well, as my PC doesn't have it built in.

Look for the original ATH-M50 for around $80 USD refurbished, or a new M40x. The newer models are awesome but rise above your budget by a bit, with not too huge of a performance difference. The Sennheiser HD419's are a great deal right now, and are nice, sexy, and comfy, albeit with a fragile headband. 439's and 449's are also good budget options, especially on sale like they are now. Sony's MDR-7506 is a phenomenal industry-standard pair but might be a little more clinical than she'd like, as they have a mid-range boost for monitoring pro audio. MDR-V6 is a tad warmer and more musical, but just as detailed. Also good to note that the sony's are pretty much indestructible, and fold and bend nicely while the sennheisers can't bend much at all.

• Budget - $100 max, but looking for great bang-for-the-buck mostly
  
• Source - Galaxy S3, desktop, laptop. Mostly 320 kbps mp3's
  
• Isolation - would prefer a pretty good amount, I'd like to use these for travel and walking about, as well as at home
  
• Preferred Type - closed
  
• Tonal Balance - balanced with a bias toward bass, especially sub-bass
  
• Past Headphones - nothing special, JVC marshmallow in-ear for music, Turtlebeach X-12 for gaming. Whatever I end up getting will be the best headphones I've owned so far
  
• Preferred Music - electronic, mostly dubstep (deep UK type, tons of consistent low frequency sub-bass, ex: Breakage - Rain) and hip-hop, some house and trance, but also metal, rock, indie, anything really
  
  The three cans I've been looking at, but I'm open to more recommendations:
  
  
• The Monoprice 8323 seem to be a great value, and I love the idea of a detachable/replaceable chord for travel, but I've heard these cans are insanely uncomfortable. I know I can replace the pads with velour pads, but I'm not looking to spend half the price of the cans or more on new pads, and I've heard you lose some bass from these when you do that.
  
  
• The ATH-M30 look like a great value, but I've heard they're a bit dull and may be lacking in bass.
  
  
• The Sony MDRV6 look like the most promising, but the massive chord length seems bad for traveling. Any home solutions to keep most of it wrapped up? Also, how is the bass on these?
  
  Basically looking for affordable, balanced but with good bass, isolated, comfortable for hour+ listening, and decent for travel.

hey guys, hoping to get some quick help on buying. Coming from an iPhone and the standard apple earbuds, I'm now using a Google Pixel and need a pair of decent, cheap-ish earbuds. I have a pair of OE Bose for more stationary listening so just looking for something small, portable, and decent to good quality. Went through the stickies on sound signature & usage, etc, so for reference:

• looking for IEMs (no over-ear or on-ear)
  
• using them primarily for my commute to/from work (~30m to and from + some street/walking time) and for short to medium drives
  
• need a mic for phone calls
  
• would love for them to be bluetooth but not required
  
• neutral sound sig - I listen to a range of music, podcasts, and calls on my phone so they need to be able to handle all 3 fairly well
  
• somewhat noise-canceling
  
• not really picky on over-the-ear vs straight down fit; whatever provides more value
  
• In Toronto, so you know... cold winters if it matters
  
• ~$50 budget
  
  I'd like to keep the price within $50 but I'm willing to spend a bit more if the value is that much better. Based on articles I've read and comments from others the Mpow Swift,MEE audio M6 PRO, ADV M4, and Brainwawz Deltas all seem like recommended, decent buys.
  
  Are the ones i've linked to fairly well received here? Are there any other recos anyone can give?
  
  Really appreciate any help. Cheers

• Budget: 250CAD/200USD (That being said I'm a teenager with his first job, if theres some god like headphones in the 200-300 range then lay them on me!)
  
  
• Source: PC/Phone (I'm not to worried about phone compatibility)
  
  
• Isolation: Isolation is always a nice feature but I play in a quiet room so it is not necessary.
  
  
• General Use: These will be typically used at home, but it would be good to be able to walk around with them.
  
  
• Type of Headphone: Over ear
  
  
• Balance: I'm a fan of bass but would very happily take a well balanced set of headphones
  
  
• Past Headphones: Nothing of note
  
  
• Music Taste: Crappy nightcore remixes / techno
  
  *Location: I'm buying in Canada
  
  I was one step away from pulling the trigger on some Logitech G933's before I discovered this subreddit. I already have a separate mic but would prefer to have a build in mic and the convenience of wireless appealed to me. After discovering this subreddit I looked through some posts on gaming headphones and two really caught my eye.
  
  
• Audio Technica ATH-AD700X
  
  -Noticed this after reading through Mad Lust Envy's guide to gaming headphones. The original ones reviewed are no longer on sale new and I've heard complaints about build quality and the 3M non detachable cable on the new ones. While it may be possible to modify the cable I'd rather not have to.
  
  
• Sennheiser PC 363D
  
  -I've been looking at these because they come with a very convenient mic as well as an attachable sound card for 7:1 Surround Sound. In terms of getting good positional audio Surround Sound is very appealing, although I may just be buying into the marketing.
  
  While audio quality for things like music and movies is important I am willing to sacrifice all round quality for good positional audio and a wide soundscape. These headphones will be used for fps games like CSGO and Arma 3 and I don't use my headphones for much else. These are pretty popular games so I'm sure that someone helpful on here could share their experiences. Everything I've seen of this community so far makes it out to be really good and I'm looking forwards to learning more. Thank you in advance!

It really depends on your budget, if you want to get something that'll last a while I'd suggest the following:

http://schiit.com/products/modi

This is the Schiit Modi DAC. A DAC is a Digital to Analog converter, it pretty much does what a soundcard does, but it's better than your average soundcard

http://schiit.com/products/magni

This is the Schiit Magni amp, often paired with the Schiit Modi DAC. You probably know what an amp does,

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Dynamic-Professional-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B00004SY4H

This is the Sennheiser hd600. It's a headphone that's been around for over a decade, and it still is one of the best price/performance headphones around. It will scale nicely with your equipment. It is considered to be very neutral, and has a marvelous soundstage.

The total price of this set will be $598. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? In my opinion, definitely. This will easily last you 5 years or longer. Although it would be wise to search for an used hd600, as they are often found for half the price.


I hope this helps you.. It better does, as I made this post on my phone, which is very laggy and I deleted everything by accident and had to start typing it all over again..


Feel free to ask any questions!

Posted yesterday with minimal response.

---

Budget: US$200 is a hard limit for everything, including any recommended DACs or amps.

Sources: Laptop computers, mobile device, and headphone-out jack to my (not-so-high-quality) home audio system.

Requirements for Isolation: Though I'll primarily use headphones indoors, I may be listening to my iPod in public. I'd therefore want good isolation.

Preferred Type of Headphones: Closed over-ear > closed on-ear > alternatives. I am not interested in IEMs.

Preferred tonal balance: Unsure; probably neutral? See "Preferred Music" below if that helps.

Past headphones: Mostly cheap, sub-US$40 on-ear eadphones or earbuds/IEMs. Over 10-15 years ago, I think I had the predecessor to the Sony MDR-V6, which I liked, though I had no decent frame-of-reference to which to compare them at the time.

Preferred Music: I actually listen more to podcasts than music; ideally, I'd like something that is a good complement to something like Radiolab, which has detailed, interesting sound engineering. In terms of music, I listen to rock (especially alternative), electronic, and mashups. I'd prefer healthy bass, but nothing so bass-heavy it creates a lopsided profile. I also expect to use these to listen to TV and movies as well as on my computer, but I don't do any gaming.

Miscellaneous: I'd prefer something that does not require an amp or DAC, especially since I may be using this in public with mobile devices. I'd also prefer something sturdy enough to last many years, including travel. Being able to replace the earpads would be a definite bonus. What the headphones look like is secondary to me, provided they're neither comically large, nor scream, "Expensive! Steal me!"

What I'm Currently Considering:

1. Sony MDR-V6: US$80 at Amazon.
   
   
2. Sony MDR-7506: US$85 at Amazon.
   
   
3. Audio-Technica ATH-M50: US$127 at Amazon. (Left to my own devices, I'd likely get either these or the ATH-M50x below on the strength of reviews and recommendations for headphones in my price range.)
   
   
4. Audio-Technica ATH-M50x: US$170 at Amazon.
   
   
5. Shure SRH840: US$200 at Amazon; very close to my budget's hard limit. (Considered primarily since it was suggested as an alternative to the ATH-M50/ATH-M50x.)
   
   
6. Whatever additions to this list you fine people may suggest.
   
   Addendum: Suggestions currently include:
   
   Beyerdynamic DT770, 80 ohms, via /u/TheJosablo; US$170 on eBay.
   
   Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro, via /u/DependantBlackWoman; US$172 at Amazon.
   
   Thanks for any counsel you can provide!

The $50 Klipsch IMAGE S4 are great for the price. I used mine for over 2 years before they broke. They won't be as durable as some IEMs but if you take care of them they're great.

These $55 VSONIC R02 IEMs are apparently pretty great, but I haven't tried them.

These $30 Monoprice over-ear headphones are supposedly great for their price. I've never listened to them though.

And there are always the $11-17 Monoprice earbuds. They sound awesome for how cheap they are, but they would benefit from better tips.

Those are just some of your options though!

First of all, the headphone buying FAQ and excel doc is wonderful. It encourages research before blindly posting, and I think that's great. I want to thank this subreddit for the straight-forward help. Okay, on to my 'requirements' now.

• Location: France
  
  
• Budget: "Entry Level" 75-150€
  
  
• Source: Laptop & mp3 player (Zune)
  
  
• Isolation: Closed, over-ear headphones.
  
  I don't intend to travel with these headphones, but I'd like to be able to wear them in a library without bothering others, and shut out the noise of a busy cafe, if possible.
  
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone: Full-sized
  
  
• Preferred tonal balance: I'm guessing Neutral.
  
  My "Preferred Music" might suggest otherwise, I'm not sure. I understand the mechanics behind what dark/warm, V-shaped, and Neutral sound means, but I don't know the differences in sound.
  
  In my recent reading, I read that having it sound like the music is playing inside my head could be undesirable, but I've always enjoyed that effect (albeit with low-cost IEMs).
  
  That said, I don't even know what an "open soundstage" would sound like. If y'all think I should try something new... well, I am here for advice and I intend to hear ya out.
  
  
• Past headphones: I'm a frequent buyer of 10-15€ IEM headphones.
  
  I've bought Phillips, Sony, Skullcandy, JVC and probably others. The last couple were Sony, I think. I like these because of they're easy to travel with and they're efficient in shutting out noise and not bothering others.
  
  Also, they're cheap to replace when I inevitably tear the cables. Headphones with a removable cable would be best... I'm a clumsy bastard.
  
  
• Preferred Music: Pretty much everything. I don't listen to much Metal or Pop music. I have a lot of tinny old Blues recordings, so detail clarity is important.
  
  
• Options: From the excel doc, FAQ, and the Head-Fi guide, I found these: NVX XPT100, KRK KNS6400, and Sennheiser HD280. If I understood correctly, these choices should help me to avoid an amp, for now.
  
  
• Other Info: I have high-frequency hearing loss in my left ear.
  
  Let me know if I'm heading in the right direction, or if I done messed up somehow. Again, thanks to the people who contribute to this subreddit. It's been an enlightening hour or so.
  

Budget - ~$70-120 but willing to go up if really necessary


Source - For home use on my PC, for gaming and all genres of music.

Requirements for Isolation - I share a room and do not live alone. So I suppose the more isolation the better. If less isolation helps with quality while not disturbing isolation too much though, I'd entertain the thought.

Preferred Type of Headphone - I honestly don't care as long as the quality for what I want is good.

Preferred tonal balance - I honestly can't say. Whatever's balanced?

Past headphones - Sennheiser 201s and 202s, both did the job for me just fine.

Preferred Music - I honestly listen to a lot of different genres, and play a lot of games on my PC.

I was looking for good quality suggestions for headphones that shouldn't bother the people that live with me, and found these:


Creative Aurvana Live! Headphones



Sony MDRV6 Studio Monitor Headphones



KRK KNS6400 Studio Headphones


Takstar Pro80 Headphones

Any opinions? I'm also open to other suggestion of course, I'd appreciate any help given. I game a lot and listen to all genres so I don't really have a specific niche for some particular headphone style. Not having to buy an AMP would also be cool, but I'm willing to hear suggestions for buying.

I'm looking for a comfortable set of headphones I can wear all day, that accurately and cleanly reproduce sound.

Budget - Theoretically unlimited, but I'm usually happy enough in the low-mid range.

Source - HiFiMAN EF2A

Requirements for Isolation - These will be used at work to drown out the noise of the mechanical keyboards my new coworkers use.

Preferred Type of Headphone - Over the ear

Preferred tonal balance - Studio monitors, I want accurate sound reproduction.

Past headphones - For years I used a pair of Sennheiser PXC-350's for travel and occasional office use. I love the sound but they are too tight on my head to wear comfortably for hours.

In the last few weeks I've tried out 3 different pairs:

• Sennheiser Momentum - I think these sounded good, but despite being sold as "over the ear" on me they were definitely "on ear". I returned them.
  
• Sony MDRV6 - I love how these sound. They're crisp and clear and everything sounds wonderful on them. The only problem is that they aren't quite big enough to fit over my ears comfortably. After an hour I have to take them off for at least 20 minutes.
  
• Sony MDR1R - These sound muddy compared to the MDRV6's, but they're so much more comfortable.
  
  Preferred Music - Vocal/R&B, Rock, Classical and occasionally Jazz. The first things I listened to when I got the two Sony headphones were Amy Winehouse, a Dvorak concerto, Pink Floyd and Joe Satriani.

I need a pair of IEMs for use outside of the house.

Budget: ~120 CAD. That's 92 USD. Budget is somewhat flexible.

Source: iPod Touch 5th Generation, Nexus 5, occasionally my computer.

Requirements for Isolations: Lots.

Public Usage?: They will be used almost exclusively in public.

Type of Headphone: IEM

Tonal Balance: Neutral

Past Headphones: Sennheiser CX 2.00, Sennehiser HD360, Sennhsier HD449, Sennheiser HD558 (The headphones I use at home currently)

Preferred Music: I listen to basically everything, from classical to punk rock, with the exception of pop country.

Location: Canada

I've been looking at the Massdrop for the HiFiMAN Re-00 and from what I can tell that's my first choice as of right now. I'm slightly nervous about the build quality, although considering that they improved the cable and they come with a case I think they're probably find (although please correct me if i'm wrong).

I'm curious about the Sennheiser Momentum In Ear, but don't know much about them so if anyone could tell me their tonal balance and whether you think they're any good or not that would be great.

I'm also curious about the Zero Audio ZH-DX200-CT. There was a thread talking about how great they are , but similar to the momentum's know nothing about them. So if anyone could tell me their tonal balance as well as any information about them that would be great!

If there are any IEM's that I've missed and you would recommend I'd love to know, but if not I just would like to know which of the three above you would recommend the most.

Also just in case I go with the RE-00 which cheap temporary pair of IEMs should I get until they're delivered. The JVC HAFX40B High Quality In-Ear Headphones or the Panasonic ErgoFit In-Ear Earbud Headphones RP-HJE120-K ?

On the case of your wants for a wide soundstage, the AD900x is in fact a great choice, but has bass quality over quantity and are very focused and have extreme treble and upper mid clarity. They are in fact good for games like CS:GO, but if you want to play battlefield with them, you'll want something like X2s which stretch your budget a bit, but are compatible with the VModa BoomPro which is great for the price but doesn't work with everything.

Your PC360s are Sennheiser HD595s with an attached mic basically, and the 595s don't have the widest soundstage at the price of either the 595s or the PC360s.

You may need an amp/dac combo for your 900x, so you can get something like this, which will power it just fine, but if you're on a desktop with a good motherboard, you should be fine.

Also if you can buy the AD900x from USA amazon, they are like $176CAD which is extremely cheap.

I currently have JVC HANC250s, but I need a microphone to be able to talk to people while gaming. I did some research and it seems like I can do one of two things. Buy a new headset or buy an attachable mic. After some research it seemed like the HyperX Clouds or a ModMic would be my best choices.

So I was hoping to get an opinion on which choice would be better, adding a ModMic to my existing JVCs for $40, or spending an extra $35 and getting HyperX Clouds. Or, if there's a better gaming headset for that price range, those.


The "required" info is below, but maybe not 100% applicable to this situation.

------

Budget - Can spend the extra $30 for HyperX's, but would obviously like to spend less if the trade-offs aren't worth it.

Source - Almost entirely my PC. Definitely no amps or anything fancy.

Requirements for Isolation - Almost entirely used at home, so no isolation necessary. Either way, I could still use my JVCs for travel, etc.

Preferred Type of Headphone - I like my on ear JVCs even if they can be somewhat uncomfortable if I don't sit them correctly. I imagine the HyperXs would be a little more comfortable.

Preferred tonal balance - Balanced would be good, but everybody likes bass. I'm not an audiophile or anything, so it's not a huge deal.


Preferred Music - Going to be listening to music (rock, blues, funk, alternative, etc.), as well as playing games with big explosions and talking to people on TeamSpeak/ventrillo.


Location - Canada

Budget: ~$80 preferably, $110 maximum

Source: 3.5mm jack in a computer

Requirements for Isolation: None

I will not be using these headphones in public.

Preferred Type of Headphone: Full sized, preferably over-ear but anything will work. Long listening sessions need to be comfortable, and open eared headphones would be nice as well.

Preferred tonal balance: I'd prefer an overall balanced set of headphones. Most of the stuff I listen to has vocals so mid emphasis would be nice as well.

Past headphones: Logitech G430

Preferred Music: Usually Lana Del Rey and some other music

What would you like to improve on from your set-up: I'd like to have a headset that is somewhat sturdy. I understand that at this price range that this goal may not be possible, but it's one I'd like to keep in mind.

One of my friends recommended this and another recommended this, if that helps.

Budget - Around $200.

Source - Either my phone (Android Samsung Galaxy S6) or a CRT TV port.

Requirements for Isolation - A lot. This is the most important aspect of my purchase. As much noise canceling as possible. I will be wearing this at SSBM tournaments; it will need to block things ranging from casual conversations nearby to crowds or people chanting (I understand full noise blockage is probably not feasible, but as much as possible).


Will you be using these Headphones in Public? Yes

Preferred Type of Headphone - Full-sized closed over-ear. This is pretty much a requirement, in-ear is very uncomfortable to me.

Preferred tonal balance - This doesn't really matter, I guess I would rather have it be balanced overall but it's unimportant.

Past headphones - I currently have the Sony MDRV6 but it doesn't block enough sound around me. The fit is nice if that is relevant at all

Preferred Music - If I'll be listening to anything, it will be nature sounds or white noise.

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - I'm looking for more noise cancellation.

I basically want headphones with as strong of noise cancellation as possible. I'm thinking like industrial strength stuff if that exists for consumers within my price range. I would like to focus solely on the game I'm playing, and not on anything/anyone in the background :)

I am free to answer questions about this, as it might be an odd request.

• Budget: $200 flexible, preferably less but I don't want to stop myself from not getting as close as possible to what I want.
  
  
• Source: PC/Phone, maybe amp too in the future?
  
  
• Requirements for Isolation: I'm looking to use these pretty much everywhere: at home, in the office, airplanes, library, etc. isolation seems like it would be a must.
  
  
• Will you be using these headphones in public?: Definitely, library and office use.
  
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone: Closed over the ear, comfort seems like it will be an important factor.
  
  
• Preferred Tonal Balance: I'm not an experienced audiophile if at all, overall balanced would be great.
  
  
• Past Headphones: Don't think I have ever owned anything that was worth over $30, mostly IEMs and a few cheap on/over ear closed.
  
  
• Preferred Music: Pretty much anything; trap, jazz, folk rock, pop, edm, psychedelic rock.
  
  
• Improve from current set-up?: I am not very experienced so anything that improves sound quality and comfort would be great.
  
  
• Misc: I have been really drawn to these, and I keep reading over the resources, but I still feel so clueless due to my lack of any actual experience.
  
  
• Location: US

AKG and the K7XX is NOT a K702, and you can get the K702 for slightly less than the K7XX :/ go figure

Non the less, the K7XX has a bit more bass and also a bigger dip in the upper mid range, it's also more efficent to drive but more distorted in the low end. But the K7XX distorts less at like 100 dB. The K702 on the other hand has a little less bass and better distortion at like 90 dB though if you push the K702 much louder than that it turns to shit pretty quick. So if your listening or mastering/mixing louder than 90dBs then likely the K7XX will do better, and while I'm nit picking I didn't like the K7XX much when I heard it... too bassy but I enjoy the K702

Though a close friend of mine likes his K702 with a slight bass boost so I'm sure there are a lot of people like your self that will appreciate the slightly revised tuning of the K7XX, that and the improved efficiency make it better suited for the modern state of Hi Fi listening

Budget - $250

Source - Desktop PC as well as my iPhone.

Requirements for Isolation - 99% of the time, I use them at work, but as soon as my home desktop situation looks better I will start using them at home as well. It's not a cubicle layout at work. More of an open table, so I have somebody about 2-3 feet to my right.

Will you be using these Headphones in Public?

-No plans to use them in public areas aside from my work station.

Preferred Type of Headphone - On/Over Ear, no preference for open/closed back.

.Preferred tonal balance - Used exclusively for music, so slightly bass oriented, maybe neutral?

Past headphones - Currently using Sony MDR7506. Not that these are particularly bad, but I know I can do better. Super thankful because I was given these as a gift, and I wanted to actually do some research and don't mind spending some money on the pair I want that fits me best.

Preferred Music - Listen to a wide variety of music. Mostly Trap/Bass music and Classic Rock but love Folk, Alternative Rock, and go through occasional rap/hip-hop phases.

I'm an absolute noob when it comes to this stuff, so I'm hoping somebody can guide me. I'm going to give the purchase assistant tool a whirl, but like I said, I have no idea what I am/should be looking for. Appreciate any help!

Hello again guys. :)

I came here 6 months ago looking for help and advice before getting my current pair of Sennheiser HD 598s.

The 598s are really good and all, they met my expectations.

This was my first pair of actual audiophile headphones, and it was a great and fun experience, from researching to using the headphones.

As many of you predicted, I am now looking for something better and more expensive, now complete with a DAC and an amp.

I currently have my eyes set on the HIFIMAN HE400Ss.
I'm looking for a balanced or neutral sound signature, maybe even a bit bright. I do not mind the lack of a punchy bass as long as it's not completely void of any bass. I also like mid-treble heavy headphones, like my current pair.

I've done my research about them and they seem to meet what I'm looking for. I've however, read about the not-so-great construction quality and use of plastic of the headphones. This isn't really much of a concern since my focus is of course audio quality. It is however, something to consider.

For the amp and DAC I think I would go with the Shiit Vali 2 and Modi 2

This would be a grand total of $570 + shipping. Quite a big difference from the $100 I spent on my 598s (I got em' on a good sale on my country's amazon.

I was hoping you guys could tell me if I am making the right decision, your experiences with the headphones, a recommendation for a different headset or a different amp and DAC combo, etc.

The thing I would use them mainly on is definitely gaming, followed by listening to Rock, Soft Rock, Classical Rock, Classical Music, some Punk. I would also use them to plug in my guitar and digital piano, but not as much as gaming or music.

Note: The Philips X2 Fidelio have also caught my eye and was wondering how do they fare against the HE400Ss.

My budget would be less than $350-400 for the headphones, and around $300 for the amp and DAC.

Thanks everyone for their time :)

By the way, sorry for any mistake on my english, I consider my self good at it, even though mistakes pop from time to time.

Sincerely, Fritz.

Edit: Hmm, the BeyerDynamic DT 88s Also seem like an interesting choice to consider. The 600 ohm version is pretty tempting.

Budget - Prefer around $70 but can go upto $100

Source - Laptop (Dell 15RSE) or Mobile (iPhone SE)

Requirements for Isolation - Some isolation needed

Will you be using these Headphones in Public? - Yes

Preferred Type of Headphone - full-sized, or on-ear

Preferred tonal balance - overall balanced

Past headphones - Panasonic HJE120E (purchased and used multiple times over past few years) - Found them to be relatively neutral and giving more detail than "standard earphones that come with the mobile". But since they are IEMs, they are not comfortable for very long durations. Also, looking to step up to higher quality sound now :)

Preferred Music - Varies from Progressive House to Metal to Acoustic to sometimes just audio books. This is why I am looking for a good balanced pair of headphones.

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - More detail. More comfort for extended duration (for example, listening to music while working throughout the day, and while commuting).

Additional info - I'd prefer ones with removable cable.

Currently considering - NVX XPT100

Please let me know if the headphones I am considering right now match well with what I want, or whether I can step up from them to something better.

Thanks a lot :)

Budget $120

Source Nexus 7, ASUS Z77 Extreme4 Motherboard, PS4

Requirements for Isolation I don't mind being able to hear my surroundings a bit, I'd like very little sound leakage though. Isolation isn't a deal breaker unless the isolation is particularly bad for a closed headphone.

Preferred Type of Headphone Over-ear closed

Preferred tonal balance Never owned a good pair of headphones so I can't say based on experience, but from what I read I think neurtal/articulate/imaging/accurate/nice soundstage headphones would be best.

Past Headphones Best headphones I've owned have been super cheap ones. Best thing I've owned sound wise is a Turtle Beach PX22 Headset ($60)

Preferred Music I'm mostly using these for gaming/watching videos/listening to podcasts, I don't have a specific music I listen to, but the first real thing I plan to do with these headphones is playing Dragon Age: Inquisition, [here] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQDs5P42MNg) is the main theme for that, I like this kind of music atm.

Location USA

Headphones I Narrowed Down To - Feel free to recommend something else though

Sennheiser HD 380 Pro $114.99

[NVX Audio XPT100] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0093PVTPS/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3QWSZ44N8P3XH) $79.99

Audio Technica ATH-A700X $99.99 -

[KAM HP1] (http://www.ebay.com/itm/KAM-HP1-Reference-Headphones-for-Recording-Studio-Audiophiles-B-Stock-/221620705687?pt=US_DJ_Monitoring_Headphones&hash=item33999f9997) $81.44 Not much info on these, basing this consideration solely off [this] (http://www.head-fi.org/t/648810/review-kam-hp1-an-unknown-headphone-that-rivals-the-hm5) review

I think they're pretty great, but it depends on what you wanna use them for.

the M50x is a great portable closed-back headphone, so I found that they worked well to stuff into my backpack and use while studying in the library.

If you need something even MORE compact, then your money might be better spent on some good earbuds, like the Shure SE215.

Similarly, if you only want these headphones for gaming or some other at-home use, and don't care about portability, then you could buy a larger set of open-backed headphones. Something like the Philips 9500 or Sennheiser HD598 would be way more comfortable than the m50s, and give great sound, but with the main trade-off being that they're not portable.

• Budget - Not sure if sub $100 headphones would really require a DAC, but I've kinda sold myself on the FiiO E10K, so I would like to get that + sub $100, or if not required, max $180 but closer to the $150 range would be nice.
  
  
  
• Source - desktop pc only
  
  
  
• Would like to use these in my dorm room and forget where I am. Best isolation I can buy in this range please.
  
  
  
• Would like full sized over-ear
  
  
  
• I definitely appreciate good bass, but I'm fine with a more balanced or even possibly v-shaped sound
  
  
  
• Past headphones - JBL Synchros S300 for computer use, and iBeats for mobile use, and wasn't satisfied with either. Learned that I really really dislike on-ear headphones, and would like something comfortable for many hours at a time.
  
  
  
• I listen to a mixture of bass-heavy hip-hop, typical pop music, and classical piano. Not sure how helpful that is.
  
  
  
• Main requirements - isolation, good bass would be nice, but still usable for daily youtube video watching, ability to plug in a mic for occasional gaming purposes ( [this] (https://www.amazon.com/dreamGEAR-BoomChat-Detachable-Headphone-Convert-Headphones/dp/B01DBZJ77W/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1493339031&sr=1-1&keywords=boomchat+dreamgear+mic) is the mic I have and currently cannot use because the S300 has no 3.5mm jack), and long-term comfort. I had looked previously at the [NVX Perfect 10] (https://www.amazon.com/Perfect10-Over-Ear-Headphones-ComfortMax%C2%AE-XPT100/dp/B0093PVTPS) and the [AKG 553 Pro] (https://www.amazon.com/AKG-3280H00100-K-553-Pro/dp/B00X3MT7F6/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1493338874&sr=1-1&keywords=akg+553), but I'm very unsure about how decent they are, and also their ability to weild a non antlion modmic kind of mic

Budget - 200€

Location - Spain

Source - PC

Requirements for Isolation - Not needed. I intend to use them in my own room so isolation is not a concern for me.

Preferred Type of Headphone - Full-sized.

Preferred tonal balance - I don't understand about tonal balance, so I suppose that an overall balanced pair of headphones would suit me best.

Past headphones - Sennheiser HD201. I bought them for 25-30€ 3 years ago and I liked the quality(again, I'm not an expert) but I found them extremely uncomfortable. Over time the pain disappeared but I'm looking for a comfortable pair of headphones now, 60% comfort 40% quality I'd say.

Preferred Music - I listen to a lot of Rock, Metal, and Trance. Sometimes Indie too.

I'll start by saying I'm a total noob in the field. I started by reading this guide from the sidebar and some threads here and I found two interesting headsets: The A-T M50 and The A-T AD700X.

I was looking for very good comfort and overall sound quality. I'm a gamer and I spend all my free time on the PC(6-12 hours each day), that's why comfort is important to me. I play games casually, usually with the in-game music turned off while I listen to electronic music/rock.

Judging by reviews, those 2 headphones are comfortable but they're lacking bass. I don't really understand the concept but I suppose bass is important for my music tastes(rock and electronic music) so I backed out on the purchase due to my ignorance. I resort to you, hoping you could guide me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance!

Ooooo, yay I can actually contribute to something on here. So I basically had the same problem but I think it was a comfort thing in general that I wasn't happy with. I decided to look into some mods to improve the comfort and ended up going with the Sennheiser headband pad that you can get anywhere on Amazon really and some new ear pads. At first I was skeptical changing the pads cause I knew it would change the sound signature but after searching for awhile I found one person that actually did this and went with a hybrid pad. This was my initial thought cause I like the feel of velour on my skin but it's able to keep some of the lows with the pleather around the side. The guy who did this said it actually made them sound better by bringing the mids forward without changing anything else really ( if I remember correctly) and felt much more comfortable. So I decided on buying them and I can attest to them feeling way better and I actually agree with them sounding better too. The mids are definitely better and the bass is recessed ever so slightly but overall a must upgrade if you're unhappy with the comfort.

Brainwavz Hybrid Memory Foam Earpad - Black PU/Velour - Suitable for Large Over The Ear Headphones https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZGGG3KY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_5KE4Bb714QMK3

I love my MadDogs by Mr. Speakers

They are a mod of the Fostex T50RP, here's a good review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCIRlC_TSrQ

Some say they require an amp, I bought a small FiiO E12 which is small and portable, but it's not required to get them up to a good listening volume. I listen to everything from Rap/Hip-hop to EDM to Classical on these guys, had them 2 years. Might upgrade to the Alpha's soon.

If you want more of a lifestyle headphone, I'd go with something like the Sennheiser Momentum or the VMODA M100

People also rave about the Beyerdynamic DT 770, someone else will have to weigh in on those, I've never heard them. I hear they are on the bassier side, but not overwhelming. Not sure what Ohm option will suit you best, so do some research on that if you're interested in those cans.

Finally, if you want to go cheaper, bought these for my buddy last year to use as office cans, I'm pretty sure he just never takes them off. Very neutral sound, light, but durable, I love them but my ears stick out and touch the drivers which gets irritating after a while. Part of the reason I went with mad dogs is there's plenty of room for my Dumbo sized satellite dishes.

Good luck.

To expand a little bit on what ImKrimzen is getting at...

This community is really, really hardcore about headphones. I say this in an affectionate but matter-of-fact way: we are a bunch of elitists who mostly look down our noses at products like the one you're asking about. Most gamers here prefer to use an awesome pair of headphones with a regular 3.5mm audio hookup, and then attach something like this mic to it. This tends to give you better value for your money than buying an overpriced gaming headset. Now, playing on console is a little more complicated...I've never even used a mic when console gaming, but if you can find a way to set that up via a bluetooth mic or something, then you can always just use the PS4 controller's headphone jack to plug in a regular pair of headphones and then go to town. (Or alternatively, your TV's aux out if it has one, or optical digital out through a DAC.) Here are a couple of relatively inexpensive headphones that have an absolutely stellar reputation around here for gaming. (And will also bring your movies and music to another level.)

Less expensive

More expensive

Most expensive (or actually not, because they're on sale)

Edit: Oh, just one important thing to note: this is /r/headphones 101, but since you're new, I'm just going to assume you may not realize that all those options I linked are open-back headphones, which means that they do not isolate sound well and they leak your sound out. In other words, other people around you can hear your stuff and you can probably hear noises in your environment, so if you need sound isolation, get a closed-back pair like this. But the advantage of open-back is that you generally get better-quality sound for your dollar, and the sound stage is always better, meaning the locations of sounds in your 3D headspace are very detailed and precise. This is really awesome for immersive gaming and movie-watching, so people love open-back headphones for those uses.

I'm not sure if you'd be able to acquire them locally, but a good set of neutral headphones with great isolation are the Fischer Audio FA-003. This pair of headphones have been rebranded by both Brainwavz and NVX (sorry, Amazon US links):

• Brainwavz HM5
  
• NVX XPT100
  
  I, personally, have the NVX versions. With a direct signal, these headphones have a neutral sound signature. But listening to the tracks you've provided and using an equalizer via my Creative Sound Blaster E5, I'm able to really emphasize the bass response in these headphones and make them more fun (try Porter Robinson's song "Language").
  
  These headphones require a pretty simple amplifier to give them good volume. Your MacBook Pro will have no problem driving these headphones, as I've used mine with them and had no issues.
  
  As for isolation, these have the best isolation of the headphones I own. As a result, you'll hear more, and the people around you will hear less. I don't have to turn the volume up much to enjoy these, and even at those low volumes, I can't hear anybody around me talking or making noise. I've used these at the office at work, and they're great.
  
  As for the issue regarding warmth, I really don't experience that with these. And I've not had any Bose headphones (although that will change next week) to support or counter your claims of them making your ears warm.
  
  Let me know if you have any questions!

Budget: $120-170

Source: PC on-board audio. Mostly music and some gaming.

Isolation: Closed. I work from home but sometimes my bro plays Xbox on the TV in the same room.

Preferred Type: Over-ear

Tonal Balance: I like bass but also all around balance would be good.

Past Headphones: SMS Streets by 50 IEMs. I really like the isolation and bass on them.

Preferred Music: Jazzy music, instrumentals like Bonobo, Zero 7, Nujabes when I'm chilling, and dubstep/trance mixes when I'm working.

I spend a lot of time on my PC (I watch movies, work and game on it) especially over weekends, so I'd like comfy headsets I can wear for extended periods.
I was initially looking at the HyperX Cloud headsets, but browsing around the net and this sub the last few days keep bringing me to the Audio Technica ATH-M50x headsets and I'm willing to sacrifice the built-in mic for better sound. I'm not an audiophile but I once listened to Sennheisers and I absolutely loved how good the music sounded.

So, I'd appreciate some suggestions. The M50s are quite pricey so I'd like some alternatives.

Thanks guys, looking forward to the epic experience.

I've had my beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro 80ohm for more than two years now. I have enjoyed them very much but I would like to try out a new pair of headphones with a totally different sound.

I'm also looking for an inexpensive amp (under $50) to use at home because the 770s can be too quiet sometimes.


Budget $130, but flexible.

Source Xonar DG

Isolation Don't really care, I'm using these alone.

Type Over Ear or On Ear. Must have earpads like velour or other fabric. no pleather.

Tonal Balance not V-shaped, more forward mids, less bright treble, larger soundstage, open sounding,

Past Headphones

Superlux HD681 (A poor mans beyerdynamic. Very bright and could be harsh but good value. A little uncomfortable because of the terrible earpads.

Panasonic HTF-600: warm sounding, someone told me it is a poor mans Sennheiser HD-650.

Usage Gaming (singleplayer and multiplayer) like Fallout 4 and TF2

Music Pop, Rock, Alternative, Ambient, Soundtracks

Headphones I am looking at

Ultrasone HFI-15G I'd like to try on-the-ear and like the smaller/lighter design.

Audio Technica AD700x or AD700

AKG K16PRO I love AKG headbands (the Superlux used a knockoff version and it put little pressure on my head like the beyerdynamic dooes sometimes). It's expensive, though.

I will switch between the 770s and these headphones if one headphone does something better than the other.

Thanks for the help! :)

Morning everyone. I'm a bit indecisive right now. At the moment, I have the Sony MDR-V150s that are slowly going kaputt (cord issues). I don't need a new pair per se, but noticed Amazon had some headphones for a pretty decent price. Right now, I'm looking at Seinnheisser HD218 (Used) or the Sony MDRZX100 (Used/Refurbished). I'm open to other suggestions though.

Budget: $20ish. Really don't want to go over, but I can

Source: Either my desktop or phone (HTC EVO Shift, not sure if that matters)

Isolation: Indifferent. I suppose some would be nice. I use them while on bike rides, so I like being able to hear a little of what's going on around me, but I'm observant so it's not a big deal.

Preferred type: On ear, though I'm not opposed to the clips like these

Past headphones: My only "real" pair of headphones are the ones I have now, which are the Sony MDR-V150. From what I can tell, they deliver a solid sound. Comfortable cushions and not much of a hassle. Cord can be too long at times. But I'd rather that than too short.

Preferred music: I listen to a lot of different things. But mostly electronic (trance, electro house, Psybient, etc), rock (math-rock, prog, post hardcore, etc) and recently a lot more hip hop (Not really bass heavy, doesn't matter too much).

So yeah, wondering if those two I'm considering are worth it, if it's a good idea to buy used or refurbished or if you have any suggestions for something better around that price range. Thanks in advance.

My current headphones, the Hyperx Cloud, is shorting out in one ear. I'm thinking of repairing the cord myself or take it to a repair shop. However, I would to have something in mind just in case that doesn't work out. I might just buy a set of HyperX Cloud Pros, replace mine, or get one of the better versions. Currently using some small, bad sound quality, but durable in-ear headphones for the moment.

• Budget: $50-$70 USD. Highest I'll go is $80.
  
  
• Source: My PC and my TV (using a RCA adapter)
  
  
• Requirements for Isolation: I would like enough so someone 5 ft. away can't hear what I'm listening to, but I would like to be able to hear people that are trying to talk to me.
  
  
• Will you be using these Headphones in public? Nope, I have small in-ear headphones as stated above.
  
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone: On-ear or full-sized
  
  
• Preferred tonal range: Not sure
  
  
• Past headphones: HyperX Cloud. Everything about these headphones were amazing, my only problem was that the wires are not very high quality as one of the extension cords started shorting out and now the main headphone cord is doing the same thing, also the cords are prone to becoming tangled (might be my own fault) and becoming unable to ever be fully straight again, since the braiding and the plastic will come off (again, part of it is from being tangled up so much). Also I have a big head so I could do with some bigger headphones. If it wasn't for the bad wires, I wouldn't replace them unless I got enough money to buy some real high quality ones that are over $100
  
  
• Preferred Music: Mostly soundtracks from video games and TV. Youtube playlist of some of the stuff I listen to. Also a Spotify playlist
  
• What would you like to improve on from your set-up? Better cords, but other than that nothing in particular.
  
  I usually play games like Skyrim, The Witcher 3, Factorio, Minecraft, Kerbal Space Program, Terraria, Mass Effect, Rust, Garry's Mod, and Dark Souls. I watch a lot of Youtube videos, anime, and TV shows like Supernatural, Game of Thrones, and House of Cards. A built-in microphone is required as I don't have enough room in my current setup for a regular microphone.

tl;dr: It's not worth it, get a good headphone, please, so you may finally ascend your ears, and look down upon all the peasants below.

 

For any of your needs, the 840 won't come close to what other $350 headphones will buy you. Let me suggest some stuff, taking in account the fact that you want bass and soundstage.

I want bass: Philips Fidelio X2, $250

I primarily want soundstage, but also a little bass: Sennheiser HD 650, $250-$500 (usually retails around $300)

Keep in mind those are open headphones, they will leak a lot of sound, but that's good, that gives you a great soundstage and strikingly good sound. FYI you might also want an amplifier with these, especially the HD 650.

I want something between the former: One of the Beyerdynamics, I'm not sure which to recommend, $120-$250~

You also need a mic, the Antlion Modmic is the best in this department

 


Simulated Q&A:
> But I want Bluetooth

Sorry, can't help there. There is probably some good Bluetooth headphone, however.
> But I need surround sound.

Most surround sound in headsets are simulated, including the one in the 840. This means you're never getting "true" surround sound, only virtual surround, which any headphone can produce with the right software, and there's no shortage of Virtual Surround software.

Do not waste your money. Do feel free to voice any concerns.

own some hd598's, hope i can help

i don't have a nontwist cable to test, but im pretty sure you need a nontwist cable to put into your headphones. you need to twist to shove them in all the way(if they aren't in all the way, you will only get sound out of your left ear, or quiet sound, or other stuffs). essentially no, you cannot use the headset without locking the cable into place.

i step on my cables a lot, and imo this is actually perfect. it keeps the cable in the jack perfectly. if you keep pulling on it for some months it'll seem to come loose easier, but cables are dirt cheap to replace in stead of you usually needing to get new headphones when you inevitably break your cable (went through 5+ headphones before i got my sennheisers)

i recommend grabbing one of the replacement cables sold on amazon. they hold into your pc jacks better than the cable+2.5>3.5mm adapter that it comes with in the first place. i got the 3m and it's been great (i broke my old one due to twisting it really really hard inside the jack with my chair, completely my fault. other than that it's held up great.)

i really don't understand the need to not have the twist mechanism, it's pretty beneficial. is there any reason why you'd actually need to remove it?

Hey there, I'm pretty new to this subreddit! I would love to purchase a new set of cans but I'm very indecisive at the moment. I seem to have answered my own questions by filling out this form but I still cannot decide on what to get. I'm looking to pair a set of headphones with a Dac and Amp of some sort. Recently I have been leaning towards the Beyerdynamic DT990 Premium 600Ohms (As they are on sale on Massdrop for $219.99 CAD), but I'm skeptical on how I'm going to drive those headphones with such a low budget. All help is appreciated thank you very much!


The headphones I've been researching on so far:
Sennheiser HD598

Beyerdynamic DT990 Premium 600Ohms

Audio-Technica ATH-AD700X


Budget: $300~$500 CAD

Source: Looking to buy an Amp/Dac combo

Requirements for isolation: None, just for personal use in my home

Will you be using these headphones in public: No

Preferred type of headphones: Open back

Preferred tonal balance: Balanced would be nice along with a decent bass.

Past headphones: I'm currently using a pair of Kingston HyperX Cloud gaming headset. Mic quality is subpar and and the sound is not too good for my liking.

Preferred music: Indie/Rock, Alternative, EDM, Hip-Hop. (I'm pretty much open to all genres of music but above is what I usually listen to).

What would you like to improve on from your set-up: Coming from a pair of Kingston HyperX Cloud's, I would like to improve on sound quality all together.

Location - UK

Budget - ~£60, flexible on price. Lower is also perfectly fine.

Source - Will be using them for Console gaming mostly but with a chunk of films and music also. So a bit of everything but mostly gaming.

Requirements for Isolation - Will be using them at home so no preference here, open or closed is fine.

Preferred Type of Headphone - Over Ear / Circumaural. I have a large head and fairly large ears and will be wearing them for fairly long periods of time for gaming so large cans would also be preferable.

Preferred tonal balance - Not too sure, whatever is best for the things which I will be doing. Maybe a bit more on the Bass side.

Past headphones - I am new to the world of decent headphones so my past consists of the bog standard apple and in ear Samsung earphones etc.

Preferred Music - Fairly general taste in music, little bit of everything but probably favour R&b/Rap and dance/ electro a bit more.

Notes - I have spent the past week looking into getting a pair of headphones but I am still fairly lost as to what to get with such a huge variety. The AD700s and Senn 558s and other models above those are widely recommended but they seem to cost almost twice as much in the UK as they do in the US and so they are out of my price range which is disappointing.
Audio Technica M50s and Senn HD 518s can be had for around £80 but they are really pushing it price wise for me unless they are definitely worth it. Found some cheaper Senns like the 419s or the 429s but what is their quality like? Sony MDR-V6s are also another pair i have seen recommended.

Obviously for gaming I would pair these with a clip on mic of some description. something like the Zalman clip on or similar and a 2 to 1 splitter to plug into the DS4 controller. The dislike of gaming headsets is well known but never the less I have seen a couple recommended here and there and they are reasonably priced so it's not a total loss if they are useless: [The Logitech G430] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00CJ5FPUE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=2LHKRQNKZ0EPX&coliid=I1XWGCGB108WMV) and the Plantronics GameCom 780.

PS4 will likely be my console of choice that I will be using these for if that makes any difference. I have seen lots of talk about surround sound in relation to gaming headphones but a lot of it seems to be for PC, will it function properly on consoles too? does anyone know if the sound would be impacted if I was to plug into the controller jack or the USB slot on the console?

Thanks in advance.

Well the HD600 is the most obvious upgrade choice.

They need amping, but they're not hard to drive and they scale well with amp quality. This means you have some flexibility when it comes to the amp. If you plan on upgrading to a better amp in the future, grab an UCA202 for the time being, and save for a $100+ amp for later. If you want an amp now and are not looking for an upgrade in the near future, get a FiiO E10K or SMSL SD793-II.

You can also try simply using them straight out of your PC for starters, if you happen to have a higher quality motherboard by any chance you may be pleasantly surprised by its ability to drive them, and you can postpone getting an amp and save the $30 for the UCA202.

I'm one click away from buying the Philips Fidelio X2, but before I did that I was just wanting to make sure I was making the right choice.

I'm just after some open backs that have solid bass and would be good for listening to hip hop and playing games on, am I making a good decision in buying these or is there another set that would be better? I've read great reviews for the X2 so I'm ready to buy them if they're the best set to get.

Hello all! Wanted some advice/info on this. I am mostly gaming but also will be using for some listening to music. I was looking to get HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset (https://www.amazon.com/HyperX-Cloud-Gaming-Headset-PS4/dp/B00SAYCVTQ) but also discovered Sennheiser HD 598 SR Open-Back Headphone (https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-SR-Open-Back/dp/B06WRMZZ45/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8). Yes there is a ~$70 difference but if the Sennheisers are that much better I'd buy them instead in a heartbeat!

However, all the reviews for the Sennheisers on Amazon are for the "Without Microphone" model. No reviewer talks about the microphone and I am inclined to believe this is a new feature. So my question is, would I be able to use the mic for gaming or just "calls" as it mentions in the description. Other than that there is no real info about the microphone model.

At the moment I think I'll get the Sennheisers because I can use them away from gaming as well since they aren't an exclusive gaming headset.

But I'd really love to hear if anyone knows about the mic on the chord that comes with them and if they can be used for audio input on my PC for gaming (pretty darn tech-illiterate as you can tell!).

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

Hey people! I'm new to the headphone game and I'm trying to upgrade. I've been looking at these four, but I'm still not sure if these are my best bets:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AIO8XVA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_6?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001ARCFA/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=A34VCPZVL7E6XQ

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BDX1IVW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A30DTQ2AMNXSE

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00001WRSJ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A13BNE3P7C8THK

Here are my specs below. Are any of these good bets, or is there a better one I'm not listing:


Budget - $80 USD or under, preferably around $50

Source - iTunes on iPhone, corded

Requirements for Isolation - I'd prefer a little but not super important

Will you be using these Headphones in Public?- Yes, at work mostly

Preferred Type of Headphone - On ear

Preferred tonal balance - Probably balanced, but I'm open to anything

Past headphones - Audio-Technica ATH-M30

Preferred Music - Very varied, I try a little of everything. Lately I've been into Elvis Costello's Get Happy!! and the Hamilton soundtrack.

Improvement- I would like to upgrade a little bit, but not a ton. Very budget conscious. I'd like these to last at least a year or two.

Heya! I was looking for some IEMs for work and general use and I'd love some advice.


Budget - Something around 50€

Source - Computer or Android Phone

Requirements for Isolation - Would be super helpful a lot of isolation to make calls in public but also be comfortable at home.

Preferred Type of Headphone - IEMs

Preferred tonal balance - I've read that Balanced is the best for conversations, but I'd like to listen to some music and play games with them.

Preferred Music - Prog Rock and Metal

Location - Spain. Would love to use amazon.es


I made some research and those are my current options:

• Xiaomi Pistón 3
  
• Brainwavz M1
  
• MEElectronics M6 Pro
  
• SoundMagic E30
  
• SteelSeries Flux

I am new here, but I'm looking to get some iems, and heard the Carbo Tenores were pretty great. I found these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0093VVP0Q/ on amazon, but heard that they are usually like $50 and didn't want to end up with counterfeits.

The order is fulfilled by amazon, so I'm not sure if that makes the seller any more reputable, but if anyone has any experience with this seller, I would like to know what it is.

Thank you for the help!

Absolutely, and I don't think it would look bad with black pads on white headphones personally.

Here are the ones I bought. They took a little effort to put on there, but are very snug and don't move around. (The amazon picture isn't correct, as it looks like they are the plastic/leather pads, but what you get is the velour) http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0016MF7W2/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These Shure pads apparently work as well, although I don't have any experience with them. Looking at the reviews they seem like they fit a little bit looser and can freely spin a little bit. http://smile.amazon.com/Shure-HPAEC940-Replacement-Velour-Headphones/dp/B005OM06RG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395931310&sr=8-1&keywords=srh+840+velour

When I get home tonight, I can take some pictures of them on my M50's if you'd like. I love them and well worth the $20 I say.

For your friend:

I recommend that she picks up a pair of Beyerdynamic Custom One Pros. You can get them here: http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-Custom-One-Pro-Black/dp/B008XEYT48/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1369159044&sr=8-1&keywords=beyerdynamic+custom+one+pro

They are great headphones and only have a 16Ω impedance so powering them is not going to be a problem.

Another headphone I would recommend would be the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 32Ω edition. Similar to the Custom One Pros but with a little better bass response. You can get them here: http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-DT-770-Pro-Studio-Headphones-Limited/dp/B008POFOHM/ref=sr_1_5?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1369159022&sr=1-5

For you:

Coming in right at $400 is the HiFiMAN HE-400. I haven't listened to these myself but I hear that they are the best headphones you can buy for $400. You can get them here: http://www.amazon.com/HiFiMAN-HE-400-Planar-Efficiency-Headphones/dp/B007ZG32I4/ref=sr_1_3?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1369159720&sr=1-3

However, if you really want to step up I suggest you stretch your budget to the $500 mark and pick up the Sennheiser HD650. These are some of the best headphones out there and would be a considerable upgrade from what you currently have. Check them out here: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-650-Headphones/dp/B00018MSNI/ref=sr_1_1?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1369159720&sr=1-1

I honestly think that if you have the money for it then that is the way to go. I think the HD650s are more suited to the kind of music you like than the HE-400s anyway.

Ok, I am looking for a pair of headphones and I think that the Audio Technica ath AD700x are what I am wanting right now but I have a few questions.

Is this current price a good price for them? (140 dollars)

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-AD700X-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S332TQ/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1420005082&sr=8-13&keywords=audio+technica

How much worse are the AD 500x's? They are quite a bit cheaper and I'd like to save some money if the upgrade isn't worth double the price.

I see these ones on ebay. Would you consider them a safe buy? http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Audio-technica-ATH-AD700X-Audiophile-Dynamic-Open-Air-Model-Headphones-F-S-/181629786949?pt=US_Headphones&hash=item2a49fa9b45

Budget - Less than 150 dollars and really cheaper if possible. I dont have a ton of money and anything should be an upgrade from 12 dollar ear buds.

Source - Either my computer or my galaxy s5. Nothing to fancy. Almost always my computer though.

Requirements for Isolation - None really. I'll be wearing them pretty much only in my room.


Past headphones - Like I said, I have a 12 dollar pair of earbuds.

Preferred Music - I want my headphones to make pink floyd sound great. Basically tailored around their sound. Not a huge fan of bass.


edit: I also do a fair amount of gaming so I would like a nice sound stage.

Hmm. If you were in the NY area, you could stop by the Head-Fi meet next Saturday.

Looks like you just missed a recent Head-Fi meet in Ohio. Keep an eye out for meets near you.

Other than that, I would say try out good cheap headphones (and IEMs), and if you end up enjoying any of their qualities, there are always logical upgrades.

For example:
1.) If you purchase the Koss PortaPro and enjoy the warm tilt and thick bass, the HD 650, LCD-2 and ZMF Omni are logical upgrades.

2.) If the RE-400's or Carbo Tenore's neutrality floats your boat, give the HD 600 (smoother with less sub-bass) and HE-400i (brighter with more sub-bass) a spin.

Learning to read measurements is a great help as well. Lots of great stuff available for cheap (especially with IEMs), if you look around. =)

If you really do grow to love this hobby, you can make a habit out of buying and selling headphones, amps and dacs used to keep things fresh. /r/AVexchange and Head-Fi's classified section are reputable places to do this, although I have no experience with them.

They're light and you can adjust their clamping, and they might be the best you can do in your budget. Which, and I'm being blunt here but it's the truth: your budget doesn't really afford you the opportunity to be picky here. You could buy the Monoprice 8323 and add Brainwavz velour ear pads or these Beyerdynamic ear pads (http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-EDT250V-Headphone-Pads-Black/dp/B0016MF7W2) and get more comfort, but you could be spending more than the headphones themselves (on Monoprice for $16, more on Amazon) for the ear pads. Same situation with the KSC75, they're $15 and use the same drivers as the PortaPro, but more comfortable quality ear pads seem to run as much as they do. Maybe that's worth it to you. But I think your money's best spent buying the best sound quality you can and dealing with whatever annoyances may possibly exist.

Budget - around US$150 and US$200 (can be a lot more like US$600, depending on durability; so a good margin here)

Source - computer (PC/Notebook)

Requirements for Isolation - Not sure, to be honest. I will use them only at home/work.

Will you be using these Headphones in Public? - No. Not at all.

Preferred Type of Headphone - Over the ear (with mic is a plus but not required)

Preferred tonal balance - high. volume. like, really loud. I don't understand that much but I need something capable of act almost like a pc speaker because I have some hearing problem (yes, literally)

Past headphones - Sony Pulse Elite Wireless. 3 of them.

Preferred Music - rock, metal, pop, ost games and others. since I only want a loud one is not really important, I guess.

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - I don't like they break in like 6-8 months. I hate the input for USB/charging cable because it stops working in a few months. I have 3 pairs of this thing and I really like the volume; really high/loud (I don't use that "bass impact" at all). I did buy a Razer Kraken V2 and, I don't know if was something with the computeres I tested, but this had really low volume (other people confirmed too) - but they were very confortable. I would like to keep volume high as the Pulse Elite and, if possible, a bit more confortable - since I keep it 10 hours a day and use glasses; but volume is top priority.


Hope you guys can help since I have no idea where/what to search. SPL/sensitivity seems to be something overlooked by the companies and not a standardized measure.

the assistant gave me two choices: NVX XPT100 and Brainwavz HM5 but I don't know if any of them are as loud as Pulse Elite

I just ordered a pair of these tonight, but I'm lost on what amp to get. I am completely new to any sort of advanced audio like this and have only owned gaming headsets and meh-tier earbuds all my life. With that in mind, I don't think I have the most discerning of ears yet and it would probably be a waste to spend 200 on a Schiit stack or 02+ODAC combo, especially considering that's over double the price of my headphones! I would prefer to keep amp/DAC totals to be in the $100 ballpark.

 

My first question - is a DAC even necessary for these? I'm still not entirely sure what it does, since all of the explanations I've seen have been in audiophile jargon that is gibberish to me. Can I get away with running only an amp or a amp/DAC combo?

 

A cheap option I've seen while shopping around is a amp/DAC combo as mentioned previously. I've heard SUPER mixed reviews of pairing these 250-Ohm headphones with a Fiio e10k, some saying it works great, but others saying the complete opposite. I've also heard good and bad things about SMSL products like the SMSL SD793-II, one mention highly recommending the iBasso D-Zero Mk2, and another few people recommending the CMOY.

 

What are my best options here? I would appreciate any help I can get. Sorry for the long post and thank you!

Budget - $150 - $200 CAD, $250 MAX

Source - I phone 5 SE and computer

Requirements for Isolation - Yes prefer Isolation. Using while traveling on bus, walking, at school (can get noisy sometimes). Using while studying

Preferred Type of Headphone - Over ear preferred unless IEM is very comfortable.

Preferred tonal balance - I like Bass but for studying it can get annoying, so balanced I suppose?

Past headphones - cheap OEM earbuds (Samsung, apple) and KZ Zs3

Preferred Music - Deep House, [Rap]
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmRXzrbZ89Y)

Location -Canada

Other relevant info - slightly bigger ears. Lol

Current Black Friday Opportunities

Sony MDRXB950B1 - CDN$ 123.00

Bose QuietComfort 25 - CDN$ 229.00

Sennheiser PXC 480 - CDN$ 199.95

beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO - CDN$ 232.45

Sennheiser HD 598 Cs - CDN$ 158.95

ATH M50X - CDN$ 168.00

Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus - CDN$ 184.37

Jaybird X3 Sport Bluetooth Headphones - CDN$ 89.99

Shure SRH440 - CDN$ 109.00

I would love to hear your experiences with either of these and which one you recommend given my situation. Or even other ones not from this list you suggest. I would love to purchase one this weekend. So your advice is much appreciated.

Thanks everyone

Hi!

I've never cared much about headphones... Until recently. I've gotten into searching for the best deals I can find on Amazon, and so far have been looking at some pairs like these and these.

• Budget - 40 at the max. I know, it's a challenge, but I've seen some 200+ headphones on sale on amazon for prices like that.
  
  
• Source - Mostly my MBP, but occasionally on my iOS devices
  
  
• Requirements for Isolation - I'm not really focused on isolation.
  I don't want to sacrifice anything else for isolation, but if it's there, I don't mind.
  
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone - Circumaural. I want to stress that I am really focused on comfort. As comfortable as possible, even at the cost of sound quality. Also, if possible, I would like bluetooth, but if it takes away from the quality, then I'm fine with wired.
  
  
• Preferred tonal balance - Are you a basshead, particularly fond of a smooth midrange, strong highs, or do you want an overall balanced pair of headphones?
  
  
• Past headphones - I have owned nothing but crap. Some Apple earbuds. Some Sony MDRZX100s. Some Logitech Bluetooth H800s. Most anything would be an improvement.

I only got one response yerterday so,

• Budget: £200 at most.
  
• Sources: PC and my HTC One.
  
• Requirements for isolation: None.
  *Preferred Type of Headphones: Over ear, I hate on ears and I do not like IEMs very much.
  
• Preferred Tonal Balance: Neutral, mayble slighlt warm, I'm unsure about this.
  
• Past Headphones: Sony MDR-V55s These are very uncomfortable for over 30 minutes, but they sounded OK. I have some Soundmagic E10s for portable use.
  
• Preferred Music: I listen to entirely rock/metal usually prog metal.
  
• What I'm Currently Considering:
  
  Sennheiser HD598 This looks quite good and is meant to be quite neutral. These are in the middle of my price range.
  
  Beyerdynamic DT880 PRO These are meant to be very comfortable - I quite like the look of these
  
  Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO These are similar to the DT 880s (not in sound apparently), but they are apparently more comfortable than the 880s. THey are also much cheaper than the 880s
  
  AKG K702 The design of these is appealing and that they meant to be detailed in sound.
  
  AKG Q701 These supposedly sound better than the K702s in that they have more bass These are the very most that I am willing to spend.
  An yother suggestions would be appreciated!

Budget: Let's say ≤ $100

Source: My phone or laptop (Macbook Pro)

Requirements for Isolation: It would be a bonus, but yeah sn't that what headphones are for? To block out the noises and not disturb others.

Will you be using these Headphones in Public?: Maybe on the bus or airplane.

Preferred Type of Headphone: IEMs seem to never stick in my ear and I can't imagine they will be high quality. I would say IEM are very convenient and portable. Full-sized is probably the highest quality I assume, but they are too big for me. Ear-on is I think the middle ground. The clip-on ear https://www.amazon.com/Koss-KSC75-Portable-Stereophone-Headphones/dp/B0006B486K like these are probably the best. They aren't too big and aren't susceptible to breaking the head part.

Preferred tonal balance: I have no idea what this part means lol. I don't listen to rock, punk, or anything too loud. I listen to J-pop, OSTs, Classical sometimes, and that's it. Nothing crazy or screams

Past headphones:

Used to own an open ear clip on headphones I got from the airplane. I liked them because they are easy to use, but didn't like the ear pad because on hot days it makes me sweat. I currently own a JVC headphone that I bought from London Drugs.

I don't hate them, but don't like them either. I didn't like them because when I plugged my headphones into my computer there seems to be a really quiet static noise and after putting my headphones on for a long time, they hurt my ears. Also the earpad isn't real leather so the sweating issue is a problem. I also found it recently that I just don't like how "importable" it is (inconvenient to carry) and I can't stuff it in my pockets

Preferred Music: Looks like I answered this part already! Mostly soft J-pop, OSTs from Anime, Classical Music (no orchestras). No scream loud music like Rock, Rap, etc.

What would you like to improve on from your set-up: Hm better sound quality, softer, cooler pads, and portability.

Location- I am in Canada, but I got a $100 Amazon.com Gift Card so I can shop there. But if there is somewhere else I can purchase, let me know.

Budget - <30 bucks

Source - phone, computer ds maybe. I love general use

Isolation - i guess light isolation? I seem stupid saying light isolation but I want to be able to focus on the game or music while walking but talk to friends right next to me. (this is a stupid explanation)

Preferred type - after a life of using earbuds my inside ears dont look so good, trying to cut down on that, I would say maybe over ear

Tonal balance - Neutral as possible, I am not too particular about how something sounds, if it needs to be bass boosted to sound better then was it really good in the first place?

Past headphones - Koss Ksc75 (was great headphones but annoying to be sure) and the Koss portapros (actually really good but as of now one side lost sound)

Music - Anything that sounds great goes on my playlist, even rap, which I usually despise

Improvement - something that will last long hopefully, portapros lasted me for more then half a year (bought it in june)

I was also looking at this thing right here the mic I pretty much do not need, but otherwise everything looks nice otherwise

Note: I am a complete idiot so if you cringe while reading this shit, angrily suggest a reccomendation

Budget:Under $100

Source: iPad (used for multiplayer through Skype and music), laptop

Isolation: Little to no noise leakage

Type: Either in-ear or on-ear headphones, although I'm slightly hesitant to on-ears because I think that the sound won't be as immersive.

Tonal Balance: Overall balanced

Current Headphones: Apple Earpods

Music Preferences: The music that I listen to is quite diverse (from orchestra to rock to Broadway to C418). I also often watch Youtube videos and use Skype on my iPad to play multiplayer games, mostly Minecraft.

What I am looking for: I am looking for headphones that have at least a small soundstage (anything better than Apple's Earpods). I have been looking and found some pairs that interest me:

• Creative Aurvana Live!: I hear they have a good soundstage. They also look pretty.
  
  
• Sony MDR7506: I have heard the most good reviews on these.
  
  I am not looking for the absolute best, but the best in comparison to others in the same price range. I am also not looking for the best-looking headphones. Suggestions are welcome.
  
  And lastly, as thanks in advance for any and all help that I may or may not receive, here's a porcupine.
  
  (•ᴥ• )́́'́́'́⻍

I would have a look at the Philips Fidelio L2 which is a fairly fun sounding headphone without becoming overly bloated in bass or too sharp in the treble. It also provides a reasonable amount of isolation for a semi-closed headphone.

Alternatives to look at would be:

Sennheiser HD 600: Fully open so minimal isolation, very balanced sounding, requires an amp to get the best from it. Probably the best buy under 300 quid at the moment but it really does benefit from good upstream components.

MrSpeakers Mad Dogs: Closed (good isolation) planar dynamic, very popular, good fairly balanced sound. Amp not required but it does benefit. Quite large and heavy.

If you're not worried about isolation there are a lot of options that are great for using at home in a relatively quiet environment. These are open back so although they don't isolate particularly well they have a very wide soundstage and great detail and clarity.

$70 Philips SHP9500 HiFi Precision Stereo Over-ear Headphones (Black) - cheap but good

$170 Sennheiser HD 598 SR Open-Back Headphone - These are widely considered the best value for money

If you want something more isolating (closed back);

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x Professional Monitor Headphones, Black

r/headphones has a huge resource in the sidebar with more options as well.

Here's my copy/pasted response to this sort of question because it comes up so often.

---

Get a pair of headphones and a mic.

If you want surround sound with your headphones, go for the Asus Xonar DG($24) as your sound card. It is very inexpensive and offers Dolby Headphone(ie, it allows you to have virtual surround sound on any pair of headphones - certain headphones work better with this than others, check out this thread at Head-Fi for a plethora of headphones reviewed with Dolby Headphone in mind).

As for the microphone, the common choice is the Zalman zm-mic1($9). Another great choice if you want a better microphone is the Antlion ModMic($33).

As for the headphones, this is a very personal thing. Do you want to be able to accurately pinpoint the location of footsteps in first person shooters? Go for something that is reviewed well by Mad Lust Envy in his thread. Good choices would be the Audio Technica ATH-AD700, the AKG K701/K702/Q701, the Sennheiser HD558/HD598. All of these are open headphones, which tend to be better if you want positional accuracy, but if you'd prefer a closed pair, the Beyerdynamic DT770/DT880(partially open) are rather good. Keep in mind that the Beyers and the AKGs should not be used without an external amp. The other ones should be fine to run off the sound card.

If you don't need pristine positional accuracy in first person shooters, you could go for a huge number of different headphones to suit your tastes. Here is a great thread on Head-Fi comparing many different headphones.

Budget: $50-$150

Source: PC (No SoundCard), HTC One M8, iPod Touch 5th Gen, Audio Technica AT-LP120-USB (turntable, analog and digital out)

Isolation: Not needed

Public Use: Not typically.

Preferred Type: On-Ear

Preferred Tonal Balance: Clear mids and tenors with a large sound stage. I'm not a professional and have no idea how to explain.

Past Headphones:

• Monoprice Over-Ear (These hurt after more than 20 minutes and they make me ears feel like they're burning, which is why I'm now wary of over ear, it may just be a bad experience)
  
  
• Koss SportaPro
  
  
• Panasonic RPTCM125A Buds
  
  
• Brainwavz Delta Buds
  
  Preferred Music: Indie, Folk, Electronic, Rock, Jazz, Classical, Hip Hop
  
  Other uses to keep in mind: Gaming (Huge PC Gamer), Binaural Listening
  
  What I want to improve: I've been using Koss Sportapros for the last year after the Monoprice headphones I bought were feeling pretty mediocre, but I'm looking for a sound upgrade, something that I can better or actually enjoy the quality of my record player from/that makes it worthwhile to rip things in FLAC.
  
  Everything I read was pointing me to these but I'm not sure if I want to try over ear headphones again since I'm going to be wearing them 2 or 3 hours at a time usually.
  
  Another user suggested these as they are on ear but a lot of the reviews I was reading were saying the voices are mids are kind of attenuated and the quality isn't that great, for $85 it just seems like I'd be better off eating the $10 and the bit of discomfort and going with the Sony's but I was hoping if I upped my budget a bit I might be able to find something better in an on-ear option.
  
  Thanks in advance!

Curious – the Mi Piston IIIs are usually pretty good. Did you have issues with them?

Zero Audio's ZH-DX200 are pretty good in terms of durability. Have pretty great sound isolation as well for their price and pretty comparable to Piston III in general.

Usually recommend the Piston II, the Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear (too expensive for you) or the Zero Audio for what you're looking for (more details on all this here and here)

• Budget - $150-200 USD
  
• Source - Primarily PC and Pixel XL
  
• Will you be using these Headphones in Public? In my office at work (no one sitting within 20 feet of me). Also for travel, but not for daily commute.
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone - Over Ear/Full; wired
  
• Preferred tonal balance - Neutral - I prefer clean bass that still has some pop, but not enough to muddy the detail.
  
• Past headphones - VSonic GR06; VSonic VSD5 - both wired IEMs - I liked the sound profile (great imo at the <$80 price range), but the durability isn't very good. Using a pair of Treblab XR500 for the gym and commute.
  
• Preferred Music - Kinda all over the place - primarily 90s/2000s alternative & rock, with plenty of metal (Megadeth, Mastadon) and orchestral thrown in. Some hip hop and pop, but not enough to gameplan around.
  
• What would you like to improve on from your set-up - Mainly I'm just ready to get ahold of a pretty nice pair of headphones. My VSD5s are suffering from a poor connection in the left ear, so it's time to replace them. I picked up a pair of [Anker Vortex] (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BKN8Q79/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1) on a whim a couple days ago, and while I guess they sound alright for the price range (especially being wireless), the sound is far too thin for my tastes.
  
  I was eyeballing the Sennheiser HD 598 SR, but I'm not really sure about the pros/cons of open vs closed back, and would love a high level explanation of that if someone could provide it.

I completely agree, and was considering bringing this up myself. $20 for a $5 Monk+ with a braided cable isn't as good a value as the KSC-75 at $15. They're both cheap, portable solutions with low isolation. They cater to the same needs.

The Monk+ is great at $5, but if you're going to be spending $15+ then the KSC-75 is definitely better for the money. People love collecting those Monks, though, which is understandable.

Edit: The KSC-75 is currently $10 on Amazon, which makes them even more of a great value for the money.

I have been through quite a bit of earbuds, but they all annoy me when I start to sweat. On top of that, I nearly got ran over by a car speeding over a red light, while wearing my former Sennheiser cx 300... So no more outside sound isolation when running for me.

The KSC-75 has been an awesome choice for me. Great fit and excellent sound.

After buying a pair 1½ years ago and seeing how amazing they are, I purchased 2 other pairs to have in reserve. Don't do that. My first pair is still going strong and show no sign of tear or wear. :)

I'm not the guy that suggested you the Philips Fidelio X2s but there are quite a few used on amazon for $198. They're fulfilled by amazon, so if you don't like them then you can always send them back.

I'm wearing a pair right now and love them, they're very fun to listen to. They're great for all-around listening, vocals, the bass, it's a jack of all trades IMO.

AKG 701/702's or Senn 598's are both good choices in the $250 to $280 price range. The Senn's are more comfortable for long listening (headband on the AKG's can be hard on the head) but I prefer the sound of the AKG's. I will note that the AKG's require quality amplification. Laptops/sound-cards/MP3 players aren't going to do these any favors.

ATH-M50's are a popular choice more in the price range of the mdr-xb500's. Not having owned either of the Sony's or the M50's I can only go off reviews. I get the impression however that they have about the same bass accenting characteristics.

The ATH-AD700's I think are a really good all around headphone, especially at just over $100. The purple throws some people off, but it grows on you. I use this set for everything from late night gaming, tv/movie watching, and of course listening to music.

I'd recommend using these as a starting point. Read some reviews on Head-Fi or amazon (many head-fier's post reviews there, especially on quality or popular headphones).

Budget - 150$

Source - Laptop mostly

Requirements for Isolation - A must have. Will be using at home when it's really loud most of the time.

Preferred Type of Headphone - Conflicted between IEM and full-size right now. I want the portability and isolation of the IEMs but I feel like I can get so much more from regular headphones at the same price point.

Preferred tonal balance - Nothing really preferred since I'm new to all this

Past headphones - Cheap 20$ hand-me-down from a friend

Preferred Music - All sorts

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - I want something durable that'll last for a good while. Need isolation above all else though.

I've been looking at the Shure 215 and the RE400 as my top picks so far. But I can get the ATH m40x for the same price as the 215s. Any advice?

Edit: The m6 pros look like a nice cheaper alternative too.

Hello everyone, just picked up some Beyerdynamic 770 Pro 32 Ohms over the weekend and I'm absolutely loving them so far.

Even at the risk of sounding like a dumbass, I'm stumped. They sound great but I'd love for them to potentially sound even better. I have a SMSL SA-50 Amplifer which powers my Micca MB42X speakers. This setup worked extremely well in the past as all I had were some crappy Steelseries Siberia V2's for gaming.

But now do I need more equipment to have my headphones sound as good as they possibly can? I know very little about DACs/Amps or audio equipment in general but from what I do know I'm missing something crucial.

Sorry if my question is vague and please let me know if you need more information!

Thanks for any help you can provide.

I would use your headphones for a bit and see how much you enjoy them as is before adding a DAC. There are also some more economical DAC/Amp combos like the SMSL AMP/DAC(63$ and the one I'm currently using for my K7XX's).

People also recommend the FiiO E10K 76$

/u/zeospantera who seems to be pretty knowledgeable about this stuff has a good guide here where he says

"DAC's and Amplifiers. Do I need? I'm not going to say everyone will benefit from a good dac and amp. But everyone can benefit from a good dac and amp. Soundstage, Low-end, clarity in highs can all be improved by an amp no matter if a set of cans is Easy or Hard to drive. A dac or an amp or combination of both can make a world of difference but unfortunately you won't know if you benefit until you try."

Hopefully that helps.

> Balanced except for bass, which I'd like to be strong if possible.

That's unfortunately not how it works. If you have a strong bass presence, mids will suffer. You can't have strong bass in a neutral headphone. People also tend to confuse more bass vs. good bass. Good bass is subtle and may have less of a kick to it, but it has texture.

> Isolation: Some or none

Since you state you'll be using these headphone with a phone, I assume you want to wear them outside and in public. In this case isolation is an absolute requirement. Open back headphones will leak the music to the outside and people around you can hear what you are listening to.

I suggest you take a look at these models:

• Brainwavz HM5 // NVX XPT 100: Very comfortable, neutral sounding headphones with a surprisingly wide stage for a closed back headphone in this price range. Unfortunately, they are rather bulky and cannot be easily carried around; they are meant to be used at home.
  
  
• ATH M40X. A good looking and neutral sounding model (with a light bass tilt) that has a detachable cable and swiveling cups. Can't really be beaten at the current amazon price. But naturally this pair has its disadvantages as well. The relatively small pleather pads only allow for sufficient comfort (nowhere near the godlike HM5 / XPT100 pads) and the soundstage is rather "intimate" (read narrow / small). However, the music you mentioned doesn't really benefit from great soundstage and I think the M40X will be a good match.
  
  If you want to go all out on the bass: V-Moda LP2

Budget - 150- 280$

Source PC

Isolation would like them to be open

Type honestly no idea, the regular kind of headphones that goes over your ears

Balance would like a decent bass but also very balanced otherwise

Past headphones a pair of siberia v2 ´︵ゝ`

Preferred music anything that sounds good with some exceptions like any kind of heavier rock, metal and anything between those but also not the new pop music. really like music like Frank Sinatra for example

Stuff I want preferably I dont want to spend money on a amp/dac so if possible I dont want them to need one (I think the Philips Fidelio X2 requires one) Im going to wear these very long periods at a time so comfort is a must and if possible ventilation aswell.

Location I do not live in the US but rather in Sweden, would be very nice if you would take the time to check if the product is available in sweden using either Prisjakt or Amazon DE if you choose to check on Amazon DE make sure the product can be shipped to sweden, if you choose to check on Prisjakt then my budget will be around 1200-2400kr

I think that is all the info you should need but let me know if I missed anything

Hi ,

So I currently have the apple earpods , but after 1 year and half of daily usage , they're in pretty bad shape and I'm not sure if I should buy them again or if there are better choices for the same price range , so here I am !

Budget - 5-60€

Requirements for Isolation - Some isolation would be cool I guess , even though I usually use them in quiet places.

Will you be using these Headphones in Public? Yes , at the gym and at work mostly.

Preferred Type of Headphone - I've always used earbuds , I don't mind IEMs if they're better than earbuds in my budget.

Preferred Music - I mostly listen to classical , pop and rock.

I also did some research and found those two :

SoundMagic E30

Zero Audio Tenore

Not sure if they're good or better than my apple earpods , but they're in my budget , feel free to suggest something else of course !

Thank you !

Budget - €200, but if you have the perfect headphone for me don't let that hold you back!

Country - The Netherlands (I have access to Amazon.de)

Source - PC, preferably with a ViModa Boom Pro

Requirements for Isolation - Passive Isolation

Preferred Type of Headphone - Full-sized

Preferred tonal balance - Overall balanced

Past headphones - HyperX Cloud

Preferred Music - I listen to a wide variety but mainly listen to these kinds for music. ;"Cage The Elephant (Rock), Biggie Smalls (Hip-Hop) and Adventure Club (Electronic)"

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - More comfortable, better sound and preferably a detachable cable.

I am incredibly happy with these headphones. They are very comfortable and do a great job of keeping noise out, I can mow the yard with them on and still easily listen to talk radio with clarity. I really enjoy the quality of sound for the price as I tend to destroy my headphones quickly.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007SP2CO2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I just wanted to thank this subreddit for all of the helpful information!

The design difference is on-ear (your picture) versus over-ear (what you're looking for).

The Sony MDR-V6 is only a little above your price range (the price fluctuates between $60 and $90 on Amazon, currently $69) and is easily one of the best sub-$100 sets out there. Their sound quality and comfort should be much better than the HD201s, and they're built to last. They have good sound isolation; you could probably get better with earbuds but then you'd be sacrificing a lot of comfort and durability.

I don't know if someone else could provide a better set for metal, but the V6s are great for all-around use.

Not sure about the whole digital thing. From what it sounds like, dongle + headphones works fine. Medium-high end headphones would be best IMO. I currently have Sony MDR-7506's for headphones (I got them for $75-ish (ONLY use that link if you buy them (unless Sony or another trusted website sells 'em cheaper, but as far as I know, this is the best (when price is shown))-Sony sells them there, not the other listing)), and they're amazing. A slightly older model of them have been made since the 70s/80s and these since the 90s. They're great, and actually they are way better than my cheap ones before. More stuff is heard even in MP3, even more with FLAC. Now that I have my new phone, too, I can listen to FLAC on there, no worry about storage. While I'd recommend that, I don't know what you're going to use, and I don't think it'd matter to you now (especially considering that I listen to FLAC at home, mp3 on the go (while out, BG noise cancels out a lot, so I don't hear as many things, so mp3 is fine, as of not having anything to play FLAC on the go)).

If you have any other computers, shoot 'em my way. I'm not great at everything (and I just switched to Android, so my iPhone knowledge is getting worse by the day (at least as soon as I get the SIM set up (call center is only open certain hours, too late now))), but I'll try.

Im looking to upgrade my headset for gaming and music listening. Currently im looking into the Steelseries Siberia 200 and the HyperX
I like these because the fact the mics are removable/retractable so i could use them to listen to music. They also fit in my budget nicely under $100. I have seen some people like a headphone + attachable mic combo instead. What would anyone recommend for a mic and headphones combo under $100 good for gaming and music? Should i go for one of the gaming headsets or the combo? I heard that you maybe need a soundcard or something if decide to do the combo way? Any help is appreciated!

Budget - $100-$200

Source - Playstation 4 Pro.

Requirements for Isolation - Looking for use in my house! Not to wear them in public at all.

Will you be using these Headphones in Public? No.

Preferred Type of Headphone - Over the ear

Preferred tonal balance - I really don't know 😅😅😅

Past headphones - The PlayStation's Gold headset

Preferred Music - Mostly rock, heavy metal, but my priority is the gaming performance! And a solution to use voice chat with a built in microfone or a mod mic.

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - Just want a good value when it comes to audio quality and convenience for my gaming nights! I was thinking in the Sennheiser HD 598 but i don't know if it will work properly with the PS4! Finally I saw this pair in Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B06WRMZZ45?th=1&psc=1), they really came with a mic?

I Need something more comfortable to wear at home then my Sennheiser HD280 pro.

• Budget - I am hoping to spend between 75$ and 200$. But slightly flexible.
  
  
• Source - I will be plugging these into a PC or Phone.
  
  
• Requirements for Isolation - I will be using these at home/work so not too much isolation is needed. Some is ok.
  
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone - On ear.
  
  
• Preferred tonal balance - Balanced is preferred.
  
  
• Past headphones - Sennheiser HD280 pro: I replaced the ear-pads with velur ones and upgraded the headband. I like the sound and the isolation for some situations, however after a while they begin to hurt. I Need something more comfortable to wear at home or work that I can wear for longer without my head feeling squeezed and something with less isolation.
  
  
• Preferred Music - I listen to classical music: Symphony Orchestras, opera, piano and violin. Vivaldi and Beethoven are my favourite. I listen to folk rock like Elliot Smith, James Taylor and Joni Mitchel. And I listen to hours of podcasts and Howard stern. As well as some Jazz.
  
  
• Location - US and I would like to buy on Amazon
  
  after reading the http://www.head-fi.org/a/headphone-buying-guide
  
  I am thinking I want:
  
  (MT) Audio Technica ATH-AD700x, $120-$160. Great comfort and decent build quality. Weak bass though it has some impact, detailed mids and highs with no fatigue. One of the best soundstages in the price range. #1
  
  or the cheaper:
  
  Audio-Technica-ATH-AD500X
  
  Any ideas or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
  

I agree, you'll be much better off getting a dedicated set of headphones that can also be used for listening to music anywhere, not just gaming. For headphones under $50, look at: ATH-M30's, Panasonic RP-HTF600-S, and if you want to go a little above $50 - take a look at the Sony MDR-V6.

Then, I would recommend this microphone: Zalman ZM-Mic1.

This, in my opinion, is the easiest and cheapest option to get the best of both worlds: sound quality and comfort.

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD598's I use for gaming with a modmic and I like them a lot. They are open back which is good because it creates a larger soundstage making it easier to locate sounds. The down side of an open design is that it doesn't provide much isolation allowing outside sounds in and your music to bleed out. They are great for music and are very comfortable. You can currently get the black version from Amazon for $169 (you have to choose the with mic option, but you can still use the modmic instead of the inline mic).

Sennheiser also makes a closed back version (the 598C) but I haven't tried it personally. I think the open back design is ideal for gaming as long as you aren't worried about background noise and don't plan to use them on the subway or at work. If you prefer a headset with an integrated mic you could check out their Game One as it is supposed to sound almost as good as the 598 but has an integrated mic. The white one is $159 on Amazon right now so you'd save some money, however if you get the modmic you'll be able to use it with any future headphones you might purchase.

Hey guys, I was just recently introduced to the world of headphones by a friend, and I have been doing some research on what I want. I would appreciate any help you guys could give me.

So far the only reference point I have is the Audio-Technica ATH-M50s, so you can probably see that I don't have much experience.

Here is what I want:

• 100% mobile
  
  
• No amp (but I am considering getting a mobile amp if the price:performance is worth it)
  
  
• Somewhat stylish, I don't buy for looks but if I am wearing these in public I don't want to look that stupid
  
  
  Some other info about me that could help:
  
  
• Was originally looking at active noise cancelling, but due to poorer sound quality I have drifted away from it (I am around loud music a lot, specifically drums)
  
  
• Going to be a freshman in college next year, pretty big university (another reason for noise cancelling/isolation)
  
  
• Price range will be weird, I am mainly looking for good price:performance
  
  
• Probably won't be used for gaming, but I do play on my PC
  
  
  Here is what I am looking at so far:
  
  
• Philips X2/27 Fidelio Headphones
  
  
• Audio Technica ATH-ANC9
  
  
  
  I would greatly appreciate any advice you guys can give me. Thanks in advance!

When I used the HM5 pads that everyone here raved about, I found that it cooled off my ears considerably. The MDR-7506 keeps a very close contact with your ears, whereas these are so big that there's room to breath. These would seem ideal but they're out of stock on Amazon so you might have to look elsewhere.

Pure velour always seems to exacerbate the problem for me. I don't have issues with the HD598 or HD600, but they also have way more roominess than MDR-7506s have. As a direct comparison, I tried some Massdrop velour pads on my M50x in a desperate attempt to make them comfortable, and I found them to be pretty muggy and hot. When I switched to the pleather HM5 pads, they became cooler, more comfortable, and sounded better. The velour on my DT770s actually makes my head hot despite the roominess because there's tons of velour surface area touching your head, so I think the velour HM5 pads might have the same issue but I'd enjoy hearing what someone else says.

For $20 shipped, the pleather HM5 pads are incredible IMO.

Seconded on /u/Quicksilver16's Vmoda recommendation.

For pure bass, Ultrasone DJ1 pro works too but for the price the Vmoda is better built, even before you get to sound quality.

If you prefer over-ear to the VModa's on-ear, there's also the bassy brother to the classic Ath-M50, the Pro700mkII where you get a (in my opinion) key upgrade with the detachable cord. Also, nicer construction for the mobile user as it's built for traveling DJs rather than as studio gear.

I actually gave a full-day workout to the budget-beater Monoprice 8323s today. Though the DT250 pads as an upgrade are almost a required addition and unfortunately double the price, they make for an astonishingly good $45 (total) set of headphones. They benefit more from quality sourcing than the VModa M-100s, which don't change much when I go from iphone to laptop to usb dac/amp, but for the asking price that's not a deal breaker. Wouldn't mind seeing some reviews on the new Beats-looking Monoprices too. For $50 that might be a great package.

• Budget - $200 flexible, definitely not more than $300
  
  
• Source - Xbox one, possibly a gaming pc in the future, iPad (I am open to using additional amps and/or DAC)
  
  
• Requirements for Isolation - none
  
  
• Will you be using these Headphones in Public? - no
  
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone - full-sized over-ear
  
  
• Preferred tonal balance - I’d like a smooth, audible mid-range, treble that is clear but not shrill, and bass that has a defined thump without overwhelming any other sounds. I wouldn’t call myself a basshead, but I’d like to be able to feel the power of an explosion in a movie.
  
  
• Past headphones - AKG Y50BT. I liked the overall sound, but I want something with a wider soundstage for gaming.
  
  
• Preferred music - I won’t be using these for music as much as for gaming or movies, but when I do listen to music I don’t stick to a particular genre, I listen to anything from Shelter to Gravity to Paradise to Mine.
  
  I’ve considered the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Premium and the Sennheiser HD 598 SR, but I’m not sure if the 598 would have enough bass or if the 990 treble would be too shrill.
  
  Thank you in advance for your advice! It’s greatly appreciated.

I don't know if these earphones are still meme'd much around here anymore as I haven't been on here in a few months but I own the Zero Audio Carbo Tenore's which I find are pretty damn good under the $50 mark. Just make sure to treat them with care as the strain relief on some units can be slightly shoddy.

https://www.amazon.com/AUDIO-ear-stereo-headphone-Tenore-ZH-DX200-CT/dp/B0093VVP0Q/

• Budget - less than $80, if possible
  
  
• Source - Laptop mainly (though sometimes iPhone), 3.5mm jack
  
  
• Requirements for Isolation - Preferably some to a good amount of isolation (my family can be loud)
  
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone - Over-ear, but they must be comfortable with glasses! Any glasses-wearers out there who can help me?
  
  
• Preferred tonal balance - Overall balanced
  
  
• Past headphones - Apple earbuds. I need something better.
  
  
• Preferred Music - Film scores and soundtracks, mainly. (e.g. Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, anything John Williams etc.)
  
  
• Location - US
  
  Again, these are going to be worn with glasses, so I'd like something that's A) Comfortable, and B) Durable (the frames won't wear them off).
  
  Some I've been looking at:
  
  Superlux HD-662 Closed Back
  
  Sony MDRV6
  
  Superlux HD 681 (Semi-open, I know, but worth considering given the price)
  
  Sennheiser HD 439
  
  Or anything else you suggest! Thank you!

Sony makes two great headphones at that price

The MDR XB500 is great but be warned, it is very bassy(I tried playing Mass Effect and could barely hear anything over deep noises)

The MDR V6 is a very neutral headphone, and is also great for most genres

These are both great headphones but personal preference takes precedence(hey that rhymed). Find what works for you, but the V6 is a great place to start

Also, IEM's(earbuds) at that price range tend to suck, so i would stay away from those

Skip both, stick with the Kingston Hyper Cloud2 or (much more preferably in my opinion) the Sennheiser GAME ONE. Both will provide you with both a decent mic, amazing comfort, and a great soundstage.

If you really want to go all out, you can get what this sub will probably recommend: a plain open-back headphone for music purposes with an attachable Antlion Modmic to pick up your voice. Recommendation would be Sennheiser (I'm a big sennheiser guy) 598 Black Special Edition (Link). This, paired with the ModMic, is an astounding combination for relatively cheap. Highly recommended.

I would keep the Sennheiser Momentums for portable use and the Sennheiser HD 600 for home use. Every other headphone I would just ditch.

The HD 650 is not an improvement in sound over the HD 600, so why would you pay for it at all? A wise man wouldn't.

The AKG K7xx headphones are good but certainly not a better headphone than the HD 600. They are about the same, I'd say. So why pay for it? A wise man wouldn't.

If you want a good reference headphone, instead of the MDR V6, I would go with these: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR7506-Professional-Diaphragm-Headphone/dp/B000AJIF4E/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1417479633&sr=1-1&keywords=sony+mdr+7506

The 7506 is going to give you a bit more clarity due to a more emphasized treble than the V6. Both are good though, and buying both the 7506 AND the V6 would be equally as pointless as buying both the HD 600 and the HD 650.

I suggest getting a different 6.3mm to 3.5mm adapter, as the one that comes with the HD599 tends to put a lot of stress on the 3.5mm jack, as you may already have noticed. Something like this adapter from Sennheiser will work great:

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Cable-Adapter-Female-6-3mm/dp/B008JGWY2Y

The Grado adapter should work fine as well and is cheaper:

https://www.amazon.com/Grado-Mini-Adaptor/dp/B001DK1ZVO

And there are other adapters like this one for Hosa which are cheaper still:

https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-MHE-100-5-Right-Angle-Headphone-Adaptor/dp/B000068O6B/

Or just use the shorter cable with a 3.5mm connector that comes with the HD599 if you can. Anyway, that's a great setup to get started on the hobby. Now you can feel free to never visit this sub again to save yourself some (ok, probably a lot of) money.

It has an optical out so if you want a cheap dac/amp combo you could use the SMSL SD 793II and if your PC has an optical out you can use it with that too.

http://www.amazon.com/SMSL-SD793-II-PCM1793-DIR9001-Amplifier/dp/B00A2QLPJM

Also according to this thread on gamefaqs

http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/691087-playstation-4/69310423

It does support USB dacs but I have no experience with this so you should do more research.

As for the 'flat' sounding of headphones I'm fairly certain the 598's are fairly efficient though I think an amp could possibly help tighten the bass region due to the 300ohm peak at 100hz IIRC.

http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/SennheiserHD598.pdf

Something like E10k also has a bass boost which may be helpful if you find them too bass light. But that's usb so you should do research on that.

http://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E10K-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2

Budget: $40usd hard limit

Source: PC (board specs) and occasionally via my phone.

Requirements for Isolation: At home, don't wanna disturb parents sleeping upstairs though.

Will you be using these Headphones in Public?: Rarely, if ever.

Preferred Type of Headphone: Full-Sized, Circumaural, wired, active.

Past headphones: SteelSeries Siberia V2 - I don't game anymore however, and my interests have shifted more towards higher audio quality (without a need for a mic for example).

Preferred tonal balance: Not sure about this one..I'm guessing neutral/balanced?

Preferred Music: Vocal/progressive trance, alternative rock, hard rock, and occasionally classical.

What would you like to improve on from your set-up: I'd like a taste of the audiophile life, and if possible, detachable cables :)

Thinking about:

• [$40] Sentey Thorx LS-4430 HD - these are relatively new in the market and seem well designed (detachable tangle-free cords, finish, etc) and have good reviews. I was about to hit buy until I saw the specs and got a bit worried about the "high" THD (1.5%)
  
  
• [$40] Edifier H840
  
  
• [$40] JVC HARX700
  
  
• [$34] Sennheiser HD 429
  
  
• [$28] Superlux HD 681
  
  
• [$26] Monoprice 108323
  
  
• [$26] Sound Intone CX-05
  
  
• [$25] Sentey LS-4422
  
  
• [$18] Sennheiser HD 202 II
  
  Which one should I get (with your experience/reasoning)? Am I missing any other great ones?

Budget - 150 NZD including shipping so about 15-30 for shipping but would be happy with a cheaper one if good value for money

Source - phone

Requirements for Isolation - will be using in public and quiet locations

Preferred Type of Headphone - over ear(like hd598), closed back don't really want to disturb people with music

Preferred tonal balance - balanced I guessed? Not really fussed

Current headphones - sennheiser h598 cs. maybe a bit more base?

Preferred Music - usually 70s such as the 70s playlist from spotify

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - something that i can wear in noisy and quiet places without being disturbed too much or having others hear my music

Location - New Zealand


Was orginally looking at these monoprice 8323 but wasn't really sure of much difference between the two styles. Open to other suggestions of headphones

Cheers

EDM emphasizes bass and chill works well with neutral sound signatures. I provide a recommendation for both types of headphones.

$155 - [Sennheiser HD 598] (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Over-Ear-Headphones/dp/B0042A8CW2/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1421483424&sr=1-1&keywords=hd+598) (Neutral)
For the price, boasts a large soundstage and refined sound. Sometimes too refined, sounding boring as well. A great first step into the world of headphones.

$300 - The [Philips Fidelio X2] (http://www.amazon.com/Philips-X2-27-Fidelio-Headphones/dp/B00O2Y2MZG) (Bass)
In my opinion, an amazing all-around headphone. Strong bass means EDM sounds alive and energetic, although at times too uncontrolled. For $300 I give the X2 my strongest recommendation.

Which one of these would give me the best sound quality (mainly mids) and comfort for long gaming sessions (~3h)?

• Superlux HD668B - £34.95
  
• Monoprice 8223 - £17.59
  
• Audio-Technica ATH-M20X - £39.00
  
  Or any other suggestions?
  
  Budget: <£40
  
  Isolation: Open, but I don't mind.
  
  Past headphones: Gamecom 788 headset (broken) - I found the sound quality to be very good.
  
  Size: Over-ear
  
  Preferences: Longevity and comfort.
  
  Thanks :)

Hello.

So, I'm looking to buy headphones, and I was recommended the HyperX Cloud Gaming Headset and the HyperX Cloud II. Can anyone who owns one of these pairs of headphones answer my questions?

This is my current pair of headphones. It is really uncomfortable and makes my ears sore easily. It's very unlikely, but if you've owned the same pair of headphones, how do they compare to each other?

How is the leather? Will it break down like bonded leather?

How about the comfort? Does it squeeze on your head a bit? I wear glasses so this is an issue for me.

How much sound does it block? Because my current pair of headphones does not block sound at all. Not really looking for sound-blocking headphones (so I might not consider the second option for its noise blocking features), I just want block out background noises and my loud CPU fan.

And most importantly, the sound quality. The sound quality is important for me because I tend to play a lot of rhythm games and FPS games.

Thanks, and have a great day.

I'm looking at getting a new headset with a mic for gaming and online communication.

• Budget: About $100 CAD. I can go a little higher, but I'd prefer to stay relatively budget-minded.
  
• Source: They'll most commonly plug into either my PS4 controller, or my computer. I've heard some of the more powerful headsets need additional power or something? But they're probably outside of my budget anyway. I don't know if those would work out of a PS4 controller, either.
  
• Requirements for Isolation: I'll be using it at home, so there's not a big need for isolation, although sometimes I use it at night, and don't want to wake the family.
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone: I guess the best ones for gaming would be full-sized or something? I don't have much experience with headphones, just the occasional IEM and my current headset, which is:
  
• Past headphones: Microsoft LX-3000. It's not the greatest thing in the world, but it was $30, and that was really all I cared about. It creaks/rubs whenever I turn my head, move my jaw, or otherwise make any motion, which transfer directly into my ears. It's a plasticky, irritating sound, but I don't know if that's just a characteristic of headsets in general, or just the cheap ones.
  
• Preferred tonal balance: Not an audiophile, so I'm gonna go with balanced? I probably wouldn't notice the difference.
  
  I went to the purchase assistant, and looked at the options there. I was thinking of a SHP9500 with the V-Moda boom, but I'm hearing both praise and criticisms at the 9500 (overhyped, etc). Also, I was only able to find them for $130, which is a little more than the ~$60 USD the assistant had. The alternatives I'm looking at are the Superlux 668B ($57), 681 (about the same price), or the 681-EVO ($72). However, I don't know if there's compatibility between the V-Moda and any of these, I've never used a mic that didn't come attached to the headset before. If I look for an all-in-one package, maybe a HyperX Cloud ($104)? I'm just going by the recommendations in the Assistant page here, I've got no idea what I'm doing, I just want the best value for my dollar, and a headset that doesn't creak.
  
  

I actually found these on this sub, ending an exhaustive search for amazing IEMs I could afford. They are the best audiophile purchase I have ever made. The bass is deep and round and tight and powerful, the mids are strong and intricate and well balanced, the highs are lucid and crystal clear, and the soundstage is incredible.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0093VVP0Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Interested in AKG K240 as an intro to good headphones without breaking the bank. The soundstage is appealing for listening and for gaming. I want something I can enjoy without extra DAC/amp spending to find out if this is going to become a hobby I spend more on. Is there a less expensive option to suit the same requirements, or is there a similar priced option that's better?

---

Budget - Flexible. Interested in a get-your-feet-wet <$100 set

Source - Phone, chromebook, Wii U, PS4

Requirements for Isolation - None

Preferred Type of Headphone - Full size

Preferred tonal balance - Neutral

Past headphones - ipod earbuds, LG/sony bluetooth, random over ears

Preferred Music - rock, acoustic, electronic, classical

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - NA

---

Curious about the Philips SHP9500.
I'm not too big on IEM's, but if these zero audio ones are that good for the price, I could be convinced.

Audio Technica's M50x These are what i used for competitive FPS for a couple years, sound great on media and awesome in game. I personally favored the AD700 for long sessions and for FPS as i found the positional accuracy even better than the M50x.



if you dislike the stock earpads on the m50x These velour ones are marvelous.

Well what headphones do you currently use? It's possible that there are some measurements somewhere online. Another option might be to start with a relatively inexpensive pair of neutral headphones, especially since you mentioned in another comment that you have a wide range of listening taste and you might be interested in something balanced. If you take the neutral approach, but prefer to EQ them, then that might help you decide what/if you want to upgrade.

If that sounds good to you, I would recommend the [NVX XPT 100] (https://smile.amazon.com/Perfect10-Over-Ear-Headphones-ComfortMax%C2%AE-XPT100/dp/B0093PVTPS?sa-no-redirect=1) a neutral and relatively inexpensive over-ear, closed-back headphone. Here is a review that was linked in the headphone purchase assistant if you would like to know more. If you are looking for a differnt form factor headphone, you could look through that purchase assistant for other neutral headphones.

So I'm finally gonna replace my Skullcandy Slyr gaming headset with some real headphones!

After doing a bunch of research I've narrowed my decision down to two choices: the ATH-AD700x and AKG K612PRO.

While I like the look and better build quality of the AKG's, I haven't heard as much about them as far as sound quality (meanwhile hearing nothing but good things about the 700x's soundstage and clarity). As much as I do love me some bass (and pretty things), I do a lot of competitive gaming, so being able to place sounds/direction is really important. Thoughts/recommendations?

• Budget – 50-100$ (or very close if improvement is large for a few extra bucks)

• Source - Desktop

• Requirements for Isolation – Don't want to wake up people or disturb the quiet work office.

• Will you be using these Headphones in Public? Yes

• Preferred Type of Headphone – full-sized over-ear

• Preferred Music – Rock, Epic Music, Classical, and I play games a lot ( a large variety)

Im currently stuck in between NVX XTP100 and CAL. What will give me the best bang for gaming (BF4, LoL, D3, etc.) and is there anything else that's close? How much better is the sound quality of one compared to the other? Is the extra 40 bucks for XTP100 worth it if it is indeed better? I need to order today or tomorrow :/

http://www.amazon.com/NVX-Over-Ear-Headphones-ComfortMax-Cushions/dp/B0093PVTPS/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top?ie=UTF8

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-EF0060-Aurvana-Live-Headphones/dp/B000ZJZ7OA/ref=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_t

I'm going to try and make this as short as I can, so I recently purchased this Amp/Dac from amazon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/SD793-II-PCM1793-DIR9001-Digital-amplifier/dp/B00A2QLPJM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481146272&sr=8-1&keywords=SMSL+SD793-II+PCM1793+DIR9001+DAC+Digital+Audio+Decoder+amplifier+-+Black

I plugged these headphones:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Technica-ATH-M30X-Professional-Headphones-Black/dp/B00HVLUQW8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1481146229&sr=1-1&keywords=audio+technica+ath+m30x

into the headphone jack at the front and used a 3.5mm to RCA adapter at the rear to plug my amp into the "line out" jack on my computer, all well and good, but I'm pretty sure I've screwed up somewhere.

I have both the PC volume and Amp volume all turned up to MAX, and sound the amp is reproducing is so quiet, like real whisper quiet. I've checked both the amp/cans are compatible, checked what I ordered was actually an amp and not just a DAC (just in case I made a rookie mistake), checked I used the right cables etc, but the amp doesn't seem to be producing any, well, amplification.

Any help would be appreciated,

What you're missing is the AKG K702, which is 124 GBP on amazon.co.uk. You'll need to use a mini-XLR to 3.5mm jack to fit the BoomPro. And yes, it's worth going over 100€ for them.

Since you're in Germany I have to point out that there's a seller offering Logitech UE6000 for 35€ on amazon.de. Excellent value for money and they fit the BoomPro. Not in the same league as K702, but if you're looking to save money it's an amazing deal.

They are super durable- Once you get the ear pads replaced, they can last for years. I've had mine for a few years; used them at home and on the job (live sound) daily. They still work good as new. Great cans. I'm glad you like them!

It's basically a Audio- Technica AD500 or AD700 (The AD700X and AD500X sound essentially the same, as far as I can tell, while the X versions might have slightly more bass). The AD900 would be an improvement on this sound signature towards neutrality, whereas something like an AKG K7xx would be a substantial increase on the low end of this sound signature, and a decrease in the peakiness of the treble, which creates an overall similar sound signature, but one which is much more pleasing to most people.

In terms of an actual label- it's mids focused, with a 10k peak.

Link to measurements- AD500

Link to Amazon- AD500X

[Link to measurements- AD700]
(http://www.innerfidelity.com/images/AudioTechnicaATHAD700.pdf)

Link to Amazon- AD700X

$40? Sounds like a set of Samson SR850 will be the best thing you can get your kid.

https://www.amazon.com/Samson-SR850-Semi-Open-Back-Reference-Headphones/dp/B002LBSEQS/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1525894323&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=Samson+SR850&psc=1

They are going to be far superior to any Beats or Skullcandy offering. They also look way better too (IMO.)

If you're just picking out what looks coolest, you're going to be replacing them often, as those particular brands aren't well known for quality of sound, or durability of construction.\




There's also the Koss PortaPro ( https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-koss-porta-pro-x-headphones ) , Koss KSC75 (https://www.amazon.com/Koss-KSC75-Portable-Stereophone-Headphones/dp/B0006B486K/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1525894494&sr=1-7&keywords=Koss+portapro ) , Sennheiser HD206 ( https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-206-Closed-Back-Headphones/dp/B06X92G8HG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1525894606&sr=8-1&keywords=sennheiser+hd206), Monoprice 8323 (https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=8323&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8IqH4LD52gIVHLjACh1L1Am4EAQYASABEgJxY_D_BwE),


for headsets (headphones with an included mic): Logitech G230, is a good low-budget option.

You could try a cheap but good headphone off amazon and return it if you don't enjoy the added detail, accurate soundstage, and overall better sound.

For in ears: RE-400

For around the ears: AD-700 or the newer AD-700X

For around the ears and closed (they isolate at the sacrifice of soundstage): M50

I'd give one of those a shot, see if you enjoy the added quality to your music/games/movies, and if you don't, who cares, amazon has a great return policy.

Budget: <$100

Source: PC / Phone

Isolation Requirements: Some. I'd like to play music at low-medium volumes without others hearing it. I will be using these outside and in public.

Preferred Type of Headphone: N/A

Tonal Balance: Neutral or V shaped

Past Headphones: Shit

Preferred Music: Electronic, Techno, Trance, Indie, Folk, Punk, Rock, Alternative, Pop, Reggae. Also stuff like Neutral Milk Hotel with interesting vocal melodies, horns n shit. But I also love bass.

So I'm looking to buy a new pair of headphones, and I've never owned a decent pair in the past. I've narrowed my search down to two particular pairs of headphones that I'm interested in. I'd like for you guys to help me decide which pair would be better for me or if there is a better choice for <$100

http://www.amazon.com/KRK-KNS6400-Studio-Headphones/dp/B004ARSMXQ#customerReviews[1]
http://www.amazon.com/NVX-Over-Ear-Headphones-ComfortMax-Cushions/dp/B0093PVTPS/ref=pd_cp_MI_1[2]

This is my first time really looking for some serious headphones now that I have some disposable income.

Budget: $100

Source Onboard audio from my motherboard. I am not an audiophile by any means, plus I don't have that much desk space, so I feel as if a DAC/Amp wouldn't be worth it for me.

Usage: Almost entirely for PC gaming.

Isolation Would really only be using these at home, so not necessary.

Will you be using these headphones in public? Nope/

Preferred Type of Headphone: Over the ear

Preferred Tonal Balance: I would say more balanced.

Past Headphones Currently I am using a Logitech G430 headset for mainly Discord chatting, as well as a discontinued AKG K141 that I found in my dad's music stuff. I love the sound of the AKG but I find them extremely uncomfortable after a while.

Preferred Music: Classic rock in all sorts of genres. Mainly heavier sounding bands like AC/DC.

From looking around this sub and from Amazon recommendations, I have found that people tend to recommend the Sennheiser 558 or the HyperX Cloud. I know gaming headsets are frowned upon here, but I have heard that the HyperX Cloud is better than most other ones, and I do like the built in mics of headsets, although I do have a desktop mic as well.

There should be a website where a bit of audio plays and you can adjust the bass, treble, mids, whatever and then gives you advice on what type of headphone you should get...

I'm not really sure what I like. I think I like mids over bass tbh and I was considering these [Sony MDRV6 Studio Monitor Headphones] (https://smile.amazon.com/Sony-MDRV6-Studio-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00001WRSJ/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1502253560&sr=1-6&keywords=Sony+XB500) as it's in my price range and a good name like Sony. Also has a cord. If anyone can recommend something similar in that price range feel free.

I'm looking for some good headphones which can be used for music producing and screwing around in FL Studios. Maybe some DJ-ing.
I mainly listen to electronic music. I'd like if there could be no to little sound leaking. Or maybe there could? I wouldn't really mind some, but not too much.


My budget is 200-300 $ and I'm trying to find some good deal this Black Friday, but there's just so many and any would be an upgrade for me (really, I only used pretty shitty headphones before).

The deal on Sennheiser 598 C is very tempting, but I'm also considering HD 650, Beyerdynamic 990 PRO, Audio-Technica ATH-M50x or even these AKGs. Seems like a good price.

I've also been recommended Sennheiser 25 HD II and I'm really lost between all these stuff. Would HD 8 also be worth a check?
I'd like it balanced, but to pull on the side of electronic music.


Im located in Europe so I mainly check amazon.de, it and uk for deals.

In order of price:

• Creative Aurvana Live! (NOT THE LIVE 2).
  
  
• Audio Technica ATH-WS1100
  
  
• Phillips Fidelio X2 The Fidelios L1 are also good on bass.
  
  
• Beyerdynamic DT770
  
  
• V-MODA M100
  
  
• Massdrop x Fostex TH-X00 (Mahogany have the best bass, Purplehearts have the most bass, Ebony have the most controlled bass)
  
  
• Fostex TH900 Simply, the best bass headphone money can afford. Its craaaaaazy.
  
  
  There are others that people like to recommend the old Denons, specially the D2000 that can be found cheaper in Ebay, but its a pain in the butt to find, same with the MDR-XB1000.
  
  
  Some people will also mention some JVC ones, but i havent had the chance to try them. Btw some people will recommend the HE400i and please no stay away from them. Stay away from Planars in general if you want Basshead levels of Bass, the LCD-2 Pre-Fazor being the only exception (i tried it like a year ago so i dont remember a lot but i liked it).

3 4 Suggestions :

Creative Aurvana Live New is outside of your budget but there's some used (Like New) on Amazon that's pretty close to $50. They say over-ear but it might be on-ear if you have large ears.


Panasonic HTF600 Warm and bassy. Price has been high on these for some reason. I bought these over the summer for under $30. Still a good buy at $40.


Monoprice 8032 All about the mids, decent bass. Headband got uncomfortable after extended use. Might need to invest in a headband like this


Limitless Creations HP3BK Forgot about these, $40. Rec'd by /u/keanex.

I got this and I have Sennheiser 598 too. It's definitely better than my motherboard onboard audio but you need a spdif optical out on your computer. The most obvious is the bass sounds better. The 598 don't require an external amp but most computer cheap out on audio. Most Apple products have pretty good DAC and amp, so not much difference if you listen 598 on your iPod or iPhone.

Alright so I was going to buy a pair of the Sennheiser HD 598s, but I'm a bit skeptical because they are open backed. I listen to a fair amount of loud/explicit music like Nine Inch Nails, and don't really want others hearing Trent say "I want to fuck you like an animal" while I'm listening to The Downward Spiral.

That being said, there is a closed back version of this pair, but they are significantly cheaper ($170 vs $124). Why is this? Are they worse quality? I assumed the closed pair would sound just as good, just more isolated and less like the sound was coming from around you.

Here are the prices and products in question:

Open: https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-SR-Open-Back/dp/B06WRMZZ45/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1500737087&sr=1-3&keywords=sennheiser+hd+598


Closed: https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Cs-Headphone/dp/B01JP436TS/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1500733493&sr=8-4&keywords=sennheiser+hd598

Is it just a really good deal? I was planning on getting a pretty nice pair for around $150-$175, and the open pair seemed to be that, but I don't really want others hearing my music.

I've not listened to the Phillips Fidelio X2 but the ppl on this sub seem to recommend it often. Might suit your preference for bass.

My personal recommendation would be the HE-400S. Sits right in your budget, excellent mids and solid bass. The bass might not hit as low as other cans, but it sounds well defined and not muddy to my ears. Furthermore, the bass can be elevated using leather pads.

Also, I've also heard wonders about the HE-400i, if you can find it on sale, you should grab that. It's probably worth more than the X2 and the 400S. However, these cans need decent amping to work to its full potential.

Great headphones! It's one that I always recommend to friends on a budget. As for the replacement pads, you have 2 options the way I see it.

1. Buy either genuine or knockoff ones that are the same as what are on there now. Something like this.
   
   or 2) A lot of people like these Beyer pads for the V6/7506. I've never tried them, but I'm sure you can find more info if you search around.
   
   Either way enjoy the cans!

help guys, pros n cons between Beyerdynamic DT 1350 , Beyerdynamic T50p, and Beyerdynamic DT 770.

trying to decide on headphones, but confused. looking for somethign with quality. somethign an ipod can drive (likely going to go with 32 ohm ones), and something where sound doesnt leak, all of these are closed so hopefully not a problem.

http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-DT-1350-80-Supraaural-Monitoring-Applications/dp/B004QMH8KI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1380655501&sr=8-2&keywords=beyerdynamic+DT1350

http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-Tesla-Portable-Stereo-Headphone/dp/B003UGZ9UW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1380655467&sr=8-1&keywords=beyerdynamic+t50p

http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-DT-770-PRO-32-Headphone-Monitoring-Applications/dp/B008POFOHM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1380655436&sr=8-4&keywords=beyerdynamic+dt770

thank you guys so much again

lookin for headphones for iphone. something i can wear all day at work. music type : edm, deep house, trance. i tried on the beyerdynamic 880 and 990s in a store and they were great, just open back and leaked alot of noise. hence y i am lookin at closed back versions of beyerdynamic. open to advice bout what is best, or something outside of these 3.

I know this is a really low budget, but I'm a college student so here it goes...

Budget $30; flexible.

Source: PC/iPad

Isolation: Some. Mostly for home use, but it'd be best if it had some noise isolation.

Preferred type of headphone: On or Over-Ear, I've never tried full-sized.

Tonal balance: mid-range

Past headphones: amateur here. iPhone earphones, Energy System earphones... So nothing that counts here I guess.

Preferred music: Symphonic metal (think Nightwish, Epica?), electronic, pop, rock... Bass is not my main interest, though I like a strong one.

Location: Costa Rica, though I usually buy online (Amazon, eBay, Threadless) and have it sent to a company that ships it to me (this extra shipping is apart from the provided budget).

EDIT:
Some options I've seen, but I don't know if they're actually any good:

AmazonBasics

Sony MDRZX100 ZX Series

Monoprice 108323

the Zero Audio Carbo-Tenore's have them. These under $60 headphones have been described by /u/OJneg as among the best IEM values ever. I bought a pair during the initial hype train and I think they are a terrific value. and sound very good.

Well since the Roccat you had before was worth $150, I'll use that as a baseline. If you're willing to spend the same amount for only headphones, I'd say go with the Audio Technica ATH-AD900X. If you want to get a mic with it, get this Sony ECMCS3. if you wanna save some cash, you can go with the AD700X or AD500X and buy the sony mic i linked. Another alternative is the Philips SHP9500 (which is what I use for gaming) with a V-Moda Boom Pro Gaming Mic. if you also wanna step up your microphone game, you can also get a ATR2100. I say that mic and not a blue yeti or snowball because the 2100 is a dynamic mic, which means it doesn't pick up a lot of background noise. This is useful since the AD series and the SHP9500 are all open back headphones so the sound leaks out. this is great for gaming though, since it provides a wider sound stage and helps with positioning in games.

So far the Bose Sound True II for apple seems pretty good. Too bad the deal wasn't for the android variant of it :( https://www.amazon.com/Bose-SoundTrue-around-ear-headphones-II/dp/B0117RFX38/

Don't think Im taking a chance on those bose earbuds. All the reviews rip it's Build Quality apart. I mean IEM's are mostly plastic but how do you make it that bad lol.


Sennheiser 598's SE are back on sale for 110$ 10$more than the lowest. Pretty good if you want open back. https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Over-Ear-Headphones/dp/B0126HISOO/

Pink Cloud II's for 75$ is pretty good. One of the best gaming headsets for your money. https://www.amazon.com/HyperX-Cloud-Gaming-Headset-PS4/dp/B00Y09G6H8/

Beyer Custom Street?!?! what are these? Bassier versions of the custom ones? Now even sure if it's a deal at 99$ https://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-Custom-Street-Headphones-Black/dp/B00UK7ZQXO/

Other than the usual cheap ass wood earbuds and shitty gamer headphones this sale seems kinda sad :(

So far pretty good for entry level stuff but that's the "amazon" usual so it seems with every big sale.


edit: So in 2 hours this is supposed to drop in price, anyone hear anything good about these? I might bite to try them out as I'm currently using shit for iems. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OQG7IC2/
--

8AM PST these are going to drop in price, I know they are very popular :P https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001B1QENY/ DT880 250 Ohm O.o
--

832AM Brainwavs hybrid pads are lined up for sale https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZGGG3KY/

You might want to try the Monoprice MHP-839.

Some people prefer it to the M50s (me included). I have both and I pretty much only use the Monoprice cans. And for 30 bucks you can't go wrong.

I ordered a pair of [these] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MMEI8W/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) today and I'm pretty excited to get them. They are known to be "basshead" phones.

I'm all about getting the best quality for the lowest price. With all that money saved you could add in a portable amp even though it's not necessary.

I have a set of NVX headphones.

They meet my needs really well but occasionally I feel like my laptop (lenovo yoga) can't push them hard enough and my phone (galaxy s5) definitely cannot.

I'm not a huge audiophile (can't quite hear the difference in lossless on the tidal thing but could be my setup...) and am just looking to drive these a bit, would an amp be beneficial in my position?

Quick edit: I mostly use these headphones at home on my laptop but would occasionally like to use my phone. (+added details)

Hello,

I'm looking for a headphone amp for my newly purchased AKG K7XX.

I checked Zeos guides and I am pretty interested in the SMSL SD793ii. In addition to my K7XX I also have powered monitors (M-Audio BX5) so the RCA output + volume knob are a nice bonus.

Budget : less than $100
Source : Behringer UCA202 or SPDIF from the computer
Country : Belgium

Will it work as I think it will? Is there a better choice?

Since you want something that doesn't break the wallet yet sounds great for gaming and general use I highly recommend the HyperX Cloud either the newer version or th first one. In regards to comfort, quality and features they are great. It also comes with a detachable well-grounded mic (it doesn't crackle when you move it).

You mentioned you're from Spain so here's a link to Spanish Amazon - http://www.amazon.es/gp/aw/d/B00JJNQG98/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1453640737&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=hyperxcloud 70 euro currently. Can probably find it cheaper locally.

So im a huge noob when it comes to anything audio pretty much. I bought astros originally for gaming on my xbox and migrated them over to pc with me. I wanted to get into higher quality headphones as I enjoy listening to music and while these work they aren't the best. My question is What Amp should i pair with these Sennheiser HD 600 headphones as when i just ordered them I didn't even know I needed one. Any help will be much appreciated, and im looking at 200 and below. Thanks
Link to Headphones: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004SY4H/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Phillips X2 which you often seen on Amazon around $200-220ish.

Sennheiser HD598 which I heard is going to be as low as $99 during Black Friday but even at $150 is great.

The AKG 7KXX is a Massdrop exclusive that pops up fairly frequently (if you request it, Massdrop will notify you when they are available again) and you can find them second hand online

I have not used the MX50x myself but they get a lot of hate here on reddit. People find them very muddy and many seem to prefer the M40x over the M50x. If you don't mind buying an amp, Sennheiser HD600 and 650 are probably the king of midfi and the most popular audiophile headphones in the community for good reason.

Plantronics RIG if you absolutely must has teh gaymin herdset. It comes with a console-compatible DAC/amp do-dad (soundcard).

I would highly suggest getting all separate components. I use a Syba DAC (soundcard) but your onboard sound might be just fine - only get a soundcard or external unit if you hear crackles, pops, etc with your mobo, or need more volume, imo. For headphones, NVX XPT100 is a safe and comfortable bet. Just add a ModMic and you're good to go!

Price: ~$50

Usage: Play games like PUBG, Rainbow 6 Siege, CS:GO and need an in-ear headphone.

Reason why I don't use full headsets: I can't wear ordinary headphones because they hurt my head and make me feel uncomfortable (I tried a few). So I need to settle for in-ear earphones.

What I found so far: I have narrowed my search down to these two based on the following criteria

>Bass: Low

>Mid: Neutral/Emphasized

>Treble: Emphasized


>I used this site to compare:

>https://sites.google.com/view/headphoneadvice/iem-earbuds/category-100?authuser=0


The two earphones I made a shortlist of are:

_

Zero Audio Carbo Tenore

Zero Audio Amazon link

____

and



Mee Audio M6Pro

Mee Audio amazon link

_____

They are both listed as the sub $100 IEMs that have decent ratings on Amazon (a good estimate for durability) and feature the following (which seems to be best for gaming apparently):

>Bass: Neutral

>Midrange: Neutral

>Treble: Emphasized

>Isolation: High


I was hoping if someone could help me choose between the two or at least refer someone to me who knows about IEMs?

I am looking for something on a budget that will allow me to hear footsteps and small movements in game. Also something that is relatively durable for the price and won't break down on me within a week.

The Monoprice 8323 are pretty good headphones that are super cheap. One problem with them is that they are uncomfortable for some people. If you find the comfort lacking grab these earpads. I know it's weird that you are paying almost the same amount as the headphones for it but you should also realize the sound quality of the monoprice headphones is on par with $100 headphones. So you are still saving $50. Read Steve Guttenberg's take on them. He is pretty knowledged on headphones. I use these at work everyday and I love them.