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.

---
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.

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.

What is your budget: 200 € that should include any potential Amp/Dac needed to run the cans

Source: pretty old Desktop PC. Integrated Realtek HD Onboard sound. Have a soundblaster. I don't know if it works properly though. Maybe I'll hook them to a PS4 too every now and then.

Isolation: Don't need to be totally isolated from exterior world. I'll use these mainly at night. Sadly I think I have to
dismiss open or semiopen cans because my wife will be at a 2-3 meters from me, sleeping. Maybe in the future can look into some open cans
for daytime use.


Used in Public? No, home office, interior only


Preferred type of headphone: Full size, circumaural.


Preferred tonal balance: I don't really know, and I'll explain. These will be my workhorse. I'll use them to play
music while working (work at home as an illustrator), skype with clients, discord with friends (I'll be buying the AntLion Modmic)
edit videos (not music videos though), Films, Youtube, Playing games...
So I guess they have to be a bit allrounder. That means neutral? Can't really tell, this will be my first pair of
"good" headphones, or the first pair I've done research instead of picking the first cans I saw on the shelf.

Past headphones: An assortment of cheap headphones and a couple gaming sets (don't even recall the names).
The ones I have now are a pair of Philips SHP2000. You can tell almost anything will be an improvement.

Preferred Music: I listen to almost everything, from classical to hip hop. Jazz, Blues, Rock, Metal, Folk. It really depends on my mood.
So not much help here either to go for a defined tonal balance I'm afraid.

Location: Spain, I have access to Amazon.es, Ebay, etc. Don't know much of this world so couldn't tell any place audio specific.

What would you like from your headphones? As I said I want them to be a bit of allrounder. I want to clearly hear the voices when I'm
voice chatting, Clear sound when playing music and Good sound when gaming. And since I'll be wearing them several hours a day, they should be comfortable.

I have an average (towards big because of hair) head and average ears but I do wear glasse so maybe that's a concern if the grip is too tigh.
I know all this "requirements" mean they won't be the best at anything but I'm not an audiophile either....yet, I guess.

I've been researching a lot of reviews, videos, forums and I've seen a lot of recomendations, and situations similar to mine.
So I thought asking here with the template would help me to nitpickc and better tailor the buy for me, since I'm spending that much (for me anyway, I know this hobby can go pretty crazy pretty fast).
In fact in my initial research I wanted to spend max 200€ inclusing the modmic (so that left 130-150 for the headphones) but looking and researching had me raising the dough destined to the cans by a bit everytime
just in case "this new ones they recommend maybe are much better".

I have a list of what I found after a lot of research. I don't even know if any of those will be any good for my situation. There are two "leagues" of cans there as you'll see,
but those really cheap ones I included because I see them recommended a lot as "sound as headphones double or triple their price". Maybe that's BS but... maybe not and I can save me some money

The ones over 200€ I might consider them if they are really, REALLY much, much, much better than any of the other options.
Since going over 200 would have me waiting a bit more to get the cash.

Here's what I have:

• Superlux HD681 and HD668B - 31€ & 38€ respectively at Amazon. These are the ones people recommend as "above their league" so I included them here. I know they're Samson ripoffs?
  
  
• Beyerdynamic D770 Pro - 125€ at Amazon. Another ones with a lot of recommendations, along with the M50X. Some say better, some say equal...
  
  
  
• Audio Technica ATH M50X - 135€ at Amazon. Seem people either love 'em or hate 'em. Youtubers favourite (not that that's a valid reason to pick a pair of cans for me anyway). I know there are way better options, they're here just because they fit into my price range
  
  
• Soundmagic HP150 - 150€ at Amazon. Seen a few recommendations for this ones.
  
  
• Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro - 150€ at Amazon. Seen them recommended here
  
  
• Sony MDR-1A - 185€ at Amazon. Late addition from a few reviews I read
  
  
• Audio Technica MSR 7BK - 185€ at Amazon. The bigger, better, improved brother of the M50X?
  
  
• Audio Technica ATH A900x - 219€ at Amazon. Seems these run for more than that, and people love them, but at that price they're out of my budget. May consider waiting for them if they're absolutely the best for my situation
  
  
• B&O BeoPlay H6 - 238€ at Amazon. Same as the A900x. These are also damn sexy looking like everything Bang & Olufsen does (but that doesn't count towards my decision ;D)
  
  Of course this is only a list of what I've found during my research, but feel free to recommend me anything you feel can be better for me even if not on the list.
  
  
  Thank you very much.
  

> 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)

Your post is going to be removed due to rule #1.

🎧 Headphones

Personal recommendations:

• AKG K52
  
  Sound: Has a large soundstage, good imaging, clarity and detail retrieval and decent separation. It doesn't over- or under-emphasize the bass or treble. The bass can sound a little muddy in e.g. blasts and explosions. I've explained the sound characteristics further down.
  
  Build: Is closed-back and over-ear. Durable and very lightweight. The cups tilt and swivel, so they should adjust to the shape of your head nicely. The earpads have decent quality and are soft and removable, but they're shallow.
  
  
  
• Philips SHP9500
  
  Sound: Has a medium soundstage, good imaging, separation and detail retrieval and very good clarity. It doesn't over- or under-emphasize the bass or treble.
  
  Build: Is open-back and over-ear. Durable and lightweight. The cups tilt and swivel and the cable detaches. The earpads have good quality and they're soft and removable, but they're shallow.
  
  
• Superlux HD668B
  
  Sound: Has a large soundstage, I'd say 50% bigger than SHP9500. It has very good imaging, separation, clarity and detail retrieval. It has emphasized treble and a small boost in the mid-bass.
  
  Build: Is semi-open-back and over-ear. Sturdy and lightweight. The cups tilt and swivel. The cable and earpads are detachable. The earpads have bad quality and are shallow, so I recommend replacing them with pads from HiFiMAN.
  
  
• Superlux HD681 EVO
  
  Sound: Has the same soundstage as HD668B. It has very good clarity and good detail retrieval, but has poor imaging and separation. It's warm sounding with deep bass.
  
  Build: Is semi-open-back and over-ear. Durable and lightweight. The cups tilt and swivel. The cable and earpads are detachable. The earpads have decent quality and are soft and detachable, but they're shallow and the drivers stick out quite a bit, so I recommend taking out the loose felt inside the cups, unless you're sensitive to treble, and replacing the earpads with pads from HiFiMAN or pads from Brainwavz.
  
  

  
  

  
  I also compare to AKG Q701, Audio-Technica ATH-AD700x, Beyerdynamic DT990 (600 ohms), HiFiMAN HE400i, HyperX Cloud, Monoprice Monolith M1060, Philips Fidelio X2 and Sennheiser HD700. I strongly advise against HyperX Cloud / Cloud II / CloudX if you don't need closed-back. I recommend K52 over them for closed-back. My evaluations derive mostly if not only from gaming (so take it with a grain of salt for music listening). I can't emphasize enough that perceived performance in headphones is relative.
  
   
  
  Highly regarded alternatives:
  
  

• Audio-Technica ATH-AD500x (open-back)
  
• Status Audio OB-1 (open-back)
  
• Status Audio CB-1 (closed-back)
  
• Superlux HD681 (semi-open-back)
  
• Superlux HD669 (closed-back)
  
• Superlux HD662 (closed-back)
  
   
  
  Terminology:
  
  
• Closed-back
  
  Headphones that have cups with solid shells that largely isolate sound from passing in and out.
  
  
• Open-back / semi-open-back
  
  Headphones that have cups with perforations/grills that allow outside sound to freely pass in and sound from the drivers to freely pass out. How loud you hear outside sound and how loud people around you hear the sound emanating from the headphones depend on your volume, of course. The sonic benefit to open-back is generally a big soundstage.
  
  
• Soundstage
  
  Perceived space and environment of sound. It can be compared to virtual surround sound; both attempt to produce the same spacious, three-dimensional effect. VSS can sound more ambient and immersive, which depends on the processor (CMSS-3D, Dolby, SBX, etc.), but it degrades the sound quality and diminishes detailing due to compression from digital processing. You might also experience less accurate imaging and separation if the headphone already has good imaging and separation. Note that a deep soundstage is equally important as a wide soundstage.
  
  
• Imaging
  
  Determines how accurately sounds/objects are positioned across the soundstage. And I mean where they are positioned and not merely what direction they come from. This distinction is important because being able to tell only what direction objects come from isn't good enough to me when playing against people.
  
  
• Separation
  
  Separating individual sounds from a range of sounds. Good separation makes it easier to filter out or discern overlapping sounds from other sounds and track them.
  
   
  
  ---
  
   
  
  

  🔊 Microphones
  

  
  

  
  

  
  Attachable to headphones:
  
  

• Antlion ModMic 4
  
  Uses a clasp system and is easy to attach and remove. Is compatible with all headphones. Comes with and without a mute switch.
  
  
• Massdrop Minimic
  
  Uses a clasp system and is easy to attach and remove. Is compatible with all headphones. Has a mute switch and is modular. Is only available via drops on Massdrop.com. I recommend requesting it if you want to wait for it.
  
  
• V-MODA BoomPro
  
  Connects to the headphone's jack, replacing the headphone cable. Is compatible with Philips SHP9500 and Status Audio CB-1. Has a mute switch and a volume control.
  
  

  
  

  
  Alternatives:
  
  

• Neewer
  
  
• Sony ECMCS3
  
  
• Zalman ZM-Mic1
  
  
• Blue Snowball
  
  
• Samson Go
  

> However, if the closed back headphones offer significantly superior sound, I would go with the closed back ones, or at least that's what the logic was. Sound wise, is there anything that a closed back model would improve, such as reducing the treble for example, or would the closed back not affect anything?

I don't think they are superior, just different. They are better for environments where you need isolation, though - recording, airplanes, transit, etc. Imagine closed-back being like ear-buds that seal really well. That's the best explanation I can give.

> Final question I promise. Do Amp's actually help the sound quality, and would they be worth the investment if I'm primarily gaming, watching movies, and listening to movies?

The first thing my dad bought me for college was an amp and two bookshelf speakers. He's always had an amp because he used speakers, but even older headphones had high impedance, so he needed an amp.

Today? You don't need an amp, IMO, for phone use. Those have pretty great DACS in them.

For quality audio from a computer? I'd say most system's built-in DACs I use don't fully drive the headphones to a volume I like most the time, or if they do, they distort. Most desktop speakers nowadays just amplify the sound out of the 1/8" jack.

So, in short, yes, I found having a little USB DAC/AMP to be very useful. Is it worth $100? I don't know, depends on your budget, but you can get a solid state DAC/AMP for as low as $20 nowadays:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PCM2706-CS4344-TDA1308-Parallel-Output-Protable-USB-DAC-headphone-Amplifier-/121425659280?hash=item1c45888590

For $80, I love my Schiit Fulla.

> EDIT: ONE MORE THING: I plan to get the 681 EVO's. Could you tell me the difference between the 681 evo's soundwise to the standard 681's? Are there any improvements? I heard that the treble on the 681's were extremely high.

I liked the classic 681s because they are an AKG K240 rip-off. I also have a pair of the AKG K240 600ohm headphones to compare to. As you can see they both have a very simple 'two bar and pad' headband. Their earphone pads are interchangeable, etc.

I like the 681s because they are great for both everyday listening and bass/treble heavy music - jazz, hip-hop, and electronica. I can't attest to the 681EVOs other than that they are $43 vs. $28, have a 'newer' design to them and may have a different sound curve, as you mentioned. I don't have a problem with the 681s (red), but the 681Bs (black) are the ones that were treble heavy. Check me on that though.

Hope that helps!

Have the M100 and love them for exactly the same purposes. I didn't like on-ear headphones but wanted something to complement my cIEMs for library, cafe work, and travel (for research) when I felt like more bass or soundstage than I get with IEMs.

I had the ATH-m50s earlier and liked them but found them quite bulky and plasticky. The plasticky I didn't mind as much as the bulk. Both in my bag and on my head. I felt like I had a space helmet on wearing them in public too. While that's more acceptable now with the Beats-invasion then when I had those, I wanted something much more flush fitting.

Style-wise, the tank-aesthetic still stands out on the M-100s, but they follow the contours of my head really well and don't stick out like a pair of clamping headphones. Yet they still have great clamping pressure, thanks to the headband design, and are supremely comfortable. I spent some time with a friend's pair of M80s and find the sound similar but was surprised at how much better I liked the around-ear fit than the on-ear fit, and how little visual difference it. pic next to my philips downtowns, which are comparable in size to the M80s

That said, I find the price a tad high given the competition. You can easily justify it though if you like all the features plus the sound. If you don't need the fold-ability--they fold so small---or don't need the detachable cord with dual entry, you can get near the sound at a lower price point. (ok, maybe not if you're in a quiet house, but in the environment where you're usually listening to these, the improvements with the VModa can get lost or just don't have as much value)
The Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro is not all the way up with the VModa but close enough that if you're not in dire need of collapsible, bullet-proof headphones, you might want to audition.

But they are definitely the first full-sized headphones that I take everywhere and never feel like I have trouble stuffing into a bag or suitcase. Besides the size, the case is top-notch, as are the accessories. Fabric cord is far thinner than the studio cords on a lot of other options. And even where you find detachable cords, your options for 3rd party additions are limited or expensive. So, as long as you're enjoying the whole M100 package they are worthy of your consideration.

I've listed a few options, feel free to ask more questions.

Closed:

Alpha dog by MrSpeakers is a closed headphone that rivals some of the big boys out there, even the flagship open cans. The TH900 by fostex and LCD-XC by Audeze are their closest competitors, and those headphones cost almost 3 times as much.

Mad Dog by MrSpeakers is my other recommendation for a closed headphone, this one being almost half the price and not that much worse in most regards. Less refined than its older brother, but it's very often the go to choice for someone who wants a comfortable, premium closed headphone at a reasonable price.

Open:

The Hifiman HE-500 is an astonishing headphone for its price range, competing with flagship headphones, and it is a direct competitor with the LCD-2 by Audeze, which costs 1000$. Your biggest problem with these are the weight and their comfort issues, might not be your top choice, but it's still an excellent headphone

The Hifiman HE-400i might be a successor to the HE-400, but its sound signature is much more similar to the HE-500. Not as refined, but much lighter, this might hit your sweet spot for comfort and sound.

The AKG K712 is a really comfortable and relatively light headphone, and it's really well balanced. Some people experience issues with the treble peak that the K7XX series by AKG have, but this might the best price performer that I've listed.

The HD 650 by Sennheiser is a headphone that I personally own am very pleased with, and so are many, many others on this sub and on Head-fi. If someone wants to spend big on their first headphone, these are usually their first choice. Slight clamping, but generally really comfortable, I don't have any issues with them. The sound is beautifully warm and luscious, it's really nice for a relaxed and long listening.

• Budget
  
  $100-$300 flexible
  
  
• Source
  
  3.5mm jack on a laptop
  
  
• Where you mainly will use your headphones
  
  At work and perhaps occasional flights. Office doesn't have much chatter but has very annoying drone sounds from HVAC and buzzy fluorescent lights
  
  
• Requirements for Isolation
  
  The sweet spot would block out droning sounds but not people trying to get my attention without raising their voice
  
  
• Will you be using these Headphones in Public?
  
  Just at work and perhaps occasional flights. It's important to me that sound doesn't leak out to others.
  
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone
  
  I think full-sized, but on-ear may be OK too if comfortable for all-day use
  
  
• Preferred tonal balance
  
  Overall balanced
  
  
• Past headphones
  
  At home I've used in the past Sennheiser 280 pro (too busted up now and were never comfortable to wear for more than a couple hours) and currently Sennheiser HD 598SE. The latter in particular I love, very happy with the sound and they're terrifically comfortable to wear for hours on end. I'd probably just buy a second pair of these for work if I had some reason to believe they'd block/cancel the drone sounds well and they weren't open-back.
  
  
• Preferred Music
  
  Electronic, classical, jazz, talk radio
  
  
• What would you like to improve on from your set-up
  
  Currently I'm using cheapo in-ear buds at work and it's awful. While they're fairly comfortable for extended use, even at louder volumes they don't mask the drone sounds very well. Probably what I would value most in a set of headphones for this office would be noise-cancelling, comfortable for all-day use, and no leakage (closed-back). An attached microphone would not be a deal-breaker but doesn't matter either way.
  
  
• Things I don't know
  
  I've never owned a pair of active noise cancelling headphones. Is it a gimmick? Are they effective for something like this? Can I get a quality pair at this budget that meets my needs and has this feature? Or is it better to forget it and instead focus on something that (without too much bulk!) "muffles" well?
  
  Thank you!

My main headphones recently stopped working properly so I'm looking for a replacement. I would use them for gaming with a priority on immersion, and as I already have a modmic I don't need a headset. I do watch a lot of videos and sometimes films, so them being good for that would be nice as well, but it isn't strictly the priority.

Budget - I'd like to spend no more than £100 but if necessary I'm willing to go a little over.

Source - My computer, a DAC/AMP would be nice but that would likely be outside of my budget.

Requirements for Isolation - Only going to be used at home, I can use some other headphones when quietness is needed.

Preferred Type of Headphone - Full-sized

Preferred tonal balance - I think I'd want balanced?

Past headphones - Well my headphones that just broke were the Creative Aurvana Live! and I'm currently using Koss Porta Pros until I get a replacement. I can't really say what I like about them.

Preferred Music - Lately I've been listening to classical, and I would say it's my favourite, but I do also listen to Rock and occasionally Electronic.

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - Can't honestly say I know, I felt like something was lacking with my old headphones but I don't have the technical knowledge to pinpoint it.

Location - UK, mainly use Amazon Prime for purchases but if I can get it somewhere else for cheaper then I will.

Other - So I spent a fair bit of last night researching this and the headphones that got mentioned a lot were the SHP9500, the Audio Technica AD series, HD558/598 and sometimes the DT770/990.

The annoying thing is, while the SHP9500 are fantastic value over in the US, like $50-70, they're equivalent to $155 here, at least on Amazon. Now, I could get the 990 for about the same price (£109 for 9500, £104 for DT990) but I would have to get a DAC/AMP to power them, which would put it way over my budget, and the SHP9500's have a detachable cable, which sounds fantastic right now. However, I don't want to be spending money on headphones that are worse than others I could get for the same price.

I've seen the 559's but I don't know what the difference between those and the 558's is, but if they're the same, then I could get them for £89.99 from Amazon.

I've heard mixed things about the AD series and the cheapest ones are still expensive for my budget at £119, again on Amazon.

Trying to decide between these is honestly difficult considering that most of the reviewers and resources are from the US and so they're basing the "bang-for-your-buck" value on the prices of the items over there, where they're a lot cheaper. I'm not saying I'd only pick from these, just that they're the headphones that are mentioned the most when trying to find good open-back headphones for gaming on a small budget. If any of you guys can suggest headphones that are just as good, if not better, but at a better price for my region then I'd happily consider them. Thanks.

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!

Budget - $50 to 70

Source - Computer and sometimes phone (Xiaomi Redmi Note 2)

Requirements for Isolation - Working in my living room noisy parents and the banging of pots while cooking and naming new children (i'm chinese). but tbh its more for drowning out my parents chatting or my dad playing videos on his speaker beside me

Preferred Type of Headphone - over ear Circumaural design, need to be comfortable.

Preferred tonal balance - overall balanced or smooth mids (not too picky)

Past headphones - Steelseries Flux IEM (best sounding earphone's i have ever used), beyerdynamic mmx 101ie (a tad too bassy), Xiaomi Piston III (the closest i could get to the likeness of the steelseries flux iem), Xiaomi Hybrid Earphones (similar to Piston III, but i like the build quality a lot better; piston III for sound quality tho)

Preferred Music - Listen to pretty much everything TBH i can't single out a particular genre

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - Looking for a over ear Circumaural headphone with a very wide open sound stage.
These are more for studying, i want the sound to be more natural and not feel like its inside my head (if that makes sense). In terms of isolation, it needs to be there but doesnt need to be super great(again i hope that makes sense). I have an Amazon gift card so im limiting my search to amazon canada.

Headphones i've looked at:

https://www.amazon.ca/Audio-Technica-ATH-M20x-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR18/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484427734&sr=8-1&keywords=audio+technica+ath+m20x

https://www.amazon.ca/Sennheiser-Punchy-HD-451-Headphone/dp/B01DLWSMY4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484427960&sr=8-1&keywords=hd451

any suggestions are welcome so long as i can find them on amazon canada. If any one can offer any insight on the soundstage of the headphones i linked that would also be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all in advance!


Edit: Formatting

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

*Please read before giving advice

I am currently trying to decide between Sennheiser PXC 250 sound-cancelling headphones, and Sennheiser 280 Pros. The both are on sale for $79.99 (250: http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-1-sennheiser-pxc-250-ii-collapsible-noise-canceling-headphones / 280: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-280-Pro-Headphones/dp/B000065BPB) and I am curious as to whether or not the difference in $100 of standard price is considerable enough to get the 250s. I initially was looking for quality over sound-cancelling capabilities so I'm not sure if there is a sacrifice in quality between the two? Preferably I would like to get one of these two models but if you can suggest a pair of better quality for the price it would be seriously welcomed!

Budget -I am looking to spend $80

Source - Computer and Ipod

Requirements for Isolation -I will mostly be using these headphones in my dorm or in public so moderate isolation is nice

Preferred Type of Headphone - On-ear or full size preferably

Preferred tonal balance - Overall balance would be nice but a slight emphasis on bass would be welcomed (this may also be in part due to the fact that all previous headphones have been really weak with bass so any bass seems like a great amount)

Past headphones - I've used skullcandy IEMs (wires always got a short so I stopped buying them), on ears, which I am still using (sadly my best pair presently) and other cheap IEMs. I realize my past headphones have been...bad, to say the least so I'm looking to step it up a bit.

Preferred Music** - I listen to everything from groups like Disclosure (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93ASUImTedo), to Cake, to Justin Timberlake, to Macklemore, to Of Monsters and Men, and the like so a balanced pair will probably be best.

Thanks in advance!

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!

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.
  

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.

Budget - $100-$150 (although my max is $200 if they're that good)

Source - iPhone 5s

Isolation - Sound can't leak because I'll be using them in school. They're going to be my go-to for being in public so this is pretty important.

Type - IEM

Past Headphones - NAD Viso HP50. Love these headphones but I need something I can use in public since they look a little silly. Sound wise the're great although I'd like it if they were a little warmer. I also have the apple ear buds but they're extremely uncomfortable and always pop out of my ears when walking. Also, they don't sound that great.

Preferred music - I'm really into hip hop right now (Kendrick, Kanye). I like alternative music as well and some rock when I'm feeling it.

Additional Info - After checking around on reddit and innerfidelity I've narrowed it down to the Shure SE215 and the RHA MA750. I like that the 215 has such good isolation and base (plus they look cool) but the 750's seem to have better sq overall. The build quality is important too since I can guarantee they'll be seeing some abuse. I'm really looking for a fun IEM so if there are any better ones in my price range please comment and let me know. Thanks for the help!

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.

Been doing research and want o jump into getting good phones to use at home. I like the idea of a large sound stage but also like teh idea of closed backs to really pump bass. I'll be listening to a lot of genres, but mostly Jazz, Blues, lots of Hip Hop and Rap, and some Classic Rock. I love listening to the Doors, Nina Simone, rapper Nas Wu-Tang Clan, Led Zeppelin's Dazed and Confused, Black Sabbath. LOVE house of the rising sun by the Animals to give an idea of the sounds I'll be hoping to listen to. I'm looking for the most versatile head phones that would give me good play back and sound the crispest over the widest range of genres.

After my research I'm deciding between the pricey but well regarded Sennheiser HD 598 and the more affordable but good bang for your buck Audio-Technica ATH-M30x. I'm just curious if I should shell out the extra $ for the 598 or settle for the AT M30x. The Senn have wider freq range and are open so better sound stage but are more $ the AT are closed and have a narrower freq but are less $ wondering if anyone has any points that might put me over the edge on one of them. Thanks.

I would honestly recommend the Sennheiser Momentum.

They are around 150-160 new but you can get a used one for 120 from Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00AZZNXOK/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

I know you might be hesitant on buying used from Amazon, but from my experience usually they come in very good quality. But If you aren't interested in used headphones, if you can stretch your budget $20 I'd really recommend the sennheiser momentum 1.

I actually have the Sennheiser momentum 2 currently on-hand and it's sound is almost identical to the sennheiser momentum 1.

They are definitely perfect for EDM, decently comfortable, doesn't leak very much and perfect for portable use.

Trust me, get the Sennheiser Momentum 1 if you can. IMO they are much better than the M50x

• Budget - $350 total (including amp/dac), give or take $50
  
• Source - Computer, using stock motherboard sound. I intend to use part of my budget for an amp/dac though.
  
• Requirements for Isolation - None.
  
• Will you be using these Headphones in Public? No, strictly at home
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone - Full sized
  
• Preferred tonal balance - I now know exactly what I want. A warm, mildly bassy headphone (I don't expect thumping, I know it's still going to be an open headphone), with a mid-forward (vocals) primary focus. I expect to wear these for hours a day, and don't want fatiguing highs. Lastly, directional sound accuracy is very important as these will double as gaming headphones (although music is definitely the priority)
  
• Past headphones - Current and only half-decent pair of cans for reference are the HD280s
  
• Preferred Music - Electric of all kinds. Electric rock (Celldweller, EDEN), D&B (Pendulum), generic EDM (Chainsmokers, Kaskade) and occasionally rock/metal variants (Evans Blue, Iron Maiden, 10 years, Disturbed, Fight or Flight). I know the variation makes this tough, but if it makes it easier, rock is the focus here, with electronic being the secondary focus.
  
• What would you like to improve on from your set-up - I definitely want more clarity on the vocals, without sacrificing bass (too much) as that is a huge focal point of the genres of music that I like. I also want a real sound stage, hence why I'm dabbling in openback. I notice with closed back, when it gets heavy in certain songs (Pendulum, for example) I can not for the life of my discern any of the instruments. It just sounds like someone singing to a jumbled clusterfuck of noises (exaggerating a bit, obviously)
  
  Now with all of that said, I am currently looking at the AD900x, HD 598s and HD 558s. Prices are all very affordable for a first open-back headphone. I crossed out the K702s as I hear it is weaker on the lows and focuses more on highs, but feel free to try and nudge me in that direction as its still on my radar. My budget still has a lot of wiggleroom with these headphones, so also feel free to nudge me in a more expensive direction if you feel you need to. Thanks.

Budget - My budget is about $290 dollars

Source - A Samsung Galaxy S5, an Asus ROG laptop, and an Xbox One controller

Requirements for Isolation - I don't need a ton of isolation, although obviously some would be nice.

Will you be using these Headphones in Public? Probably not, maybe rarely

Preferred Type of Headphone - Full sized

Preferred tonal balance - I like the sound to be overall balanced with not too strong treble and a bass that is pronounced but not muddy or overbearing

Past headphones - I currently have a pair of Bose QC15, which are nice for the noise cancelling, but aren't exactly the most incredible sounding headphones in the world. I also have a pair of cheapo JVC earbuds which sound suprisingly nice given they were only $7

Preferred Music - I listen to lots of different kinds of music, but if I had to narrow it down it would be classic rock/rock/metal/etc

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - I want a pair of headphones that sound great (duh) and potentially be used with the mic I have. Right now I think I've narrowed it down between the V-MODA Crossfade M-100s along with the XL Memory Cushions
or the Blue Mo-fi headphones, which are on sale on this website for $270 dollars. The Crossfades seem like a better choice at the moment because I already own the mic, and I don't think the mic would work with the Blue headphones, but the built in headphone amplifier seems pretty nice too.

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.

Looking for an upgrade to my ATH-M50s with a better sound stage. They are great for work/travel with the noise isolation from being closed back, but I'm looking for something a bit better for home use. I'm also looking for something a bit comfortable to wear for long periods, as the ATH-M50, and my AKG headphones are both tight on my head and I can only wear them for an hour or so before needing a break.

 

• Budget - $200-$350
  
  
• Source - Fiio E17 Alpen, possibly buying Schiit Stack in future for my home setup.
  
  
• Requirements for Isolation - Using at home - Gaming, Music.
  
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone - Over Ear, Open Back. Looking for comfort and quality
  
  
• Preferred tonal balance - Heavy bass but with clear Highs and Mids.
  
  
• Past headphones - Audio Technica ATH-M50, AKG K81DJ, Corsair Vengeance 2100 (gaming only)
  
  
• Preferred Music - Electronic, Trance, Chillstep, EDM
  
  
• Usage - Mainly listening to HQ audio/FLAC, or while gaming.
  
   
  
  I've looked at the Sennheiser HD598, and I'm not sure how much better they would be. The Sennheiser HD600 are a bit out of my price range right now. I wonder if it's too late to get in on the Massdrop Sennheiser HD6XX deal? I'd definitely consider other models.
  
   
  
  
  I also rather like the Audio Technica wing designs. I will want to try them on to see if they are comfortable though. I've seen the "rubber band" trick to get them to stay firmly. The ATH-AD900X might be an option, but I'd appreciate other recommendations.

Budget: sub 80$

Source: PC, sometimes smartphone.

Requirements for isolation: prefer open, since they are more comfortable, but open to compromises.

Will you be using these Headphones in Public: no.

Preferred type of headphone: full size preferred

Preferred type of balance: balanced, but i think at this price point I'll take what sounds best.

Past headphones: Reloop RH 10. Liked them very much in terms of sound, but they turned out to be very fragile.

Preferred Music: EDM

Location: Ukraine, but the purchase itself will be probably within the US. Might look at the EU, if the deal is right, not familiar with the market though.

Potential headphones: shp9500(s), OB-1 (really nice price on this one on Amazon 50 bux only), maybe ATH-M30x. Open to new suggestions.

Edit: also looking at AKG K 240 and LyxPro HAS-30, but design wise LynxPro looks like my former reloops, which turned out to be not very reliable. Certified refurbished ATH-M40x deal looks nice, but I've had no experience with this type products.

Thank you for your help in advance :)

Shit is getting expensive here. I managed to buy my pair of m50x for 120 not that long ago on amazon.ca. But I doubt you will be able to find them for that price now.

I can list a few options for you based on popular products.

Closed headphones:

Sennheiser HD 280 PRO
They are 112 right now, so a good deal. The only thing with them is that they are super analytical, so they have a very flat response.


Audio Technica ATH-M40X
The little borther to the m50x. Still a good pair of cans. A little less bass but still have the same sound stage as the m50x. Going for 130.

Open Headphones:

Audio Technica ATH-AD500x
These are a no brainier if you want them for gaming. Open sound stage really makes for good location accuracy. Still great sound quality for other uses. They are super open, so they won't be good for walking around. 130.

In Ear:

RHA MA750
No one will argue with these. They sound amazing, come with all the tips you could want. Have a great sound stage for in ears. A little pricey at 150 but so worth it.

Shure SE215
I loved these. I used them until they fell apart, then I upgraded to the MA750. Warm mid forward sound. I would recommend getting some comply tips for them. They go for 125.

Budget: $150-$200

Source: iPhone 5S, Laptop, PS4 controller jack

Requirements for Isolation: Isolation needed, as I will be using them in a shared apartment space for music/gaming, so I don't want to disturb or be disturbed. I'm not interested in active isolation.

Preferred Type of Headphone: Must be full sized, I've never had a pair of on-ear that didn't hurt after an hour.

Preferred tonal balance: Preferably Neutral, but bass skew wouldn't upset me too much as long as it isn't too bad.

Past headphones: Skullcandies, nothing more expensive than that.

Preferred Music: Electronic, Pop, Accoustic, Classical.

I've been looking for a while, and I think the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x are a good choice. Is there a set that would meet my needs better for roughly the same amount or a little more? (Up to $200) I realize these don't have an inline mic, which would be a huge plus, so if there's a comparable set with mic, I would love to know about them. Thanks!

EDIT: Now also considering the Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro and VERY strongly the Sony MDR-1RBT (bluetooth enabled AND wired) which would be excellent because I like listening to podcasts during the day.

If you value comfort and also have a DAC + amp setup, why not try for something from Beyerdynamic? I only suggest Beyerdynamic as I know they are extremely comfortable, and can very easily benefit from that DAC + amp whereas the Sennheiser HD598s won't necessary see any benefit.

Since you don't need to worry about bothering others, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 pro is an open design headphone. Here's a link - the 250 Ohm pro is $165, seems well within your budget.

I only suggest these headphones as they will easily benefit from your Magni + Modi stack, as well as being open design, give you a larger soundstage for more accurate gaming. The Sennheisers are an excellent choice as well, I just feel like you could probably do better for the money and with a source like that.

Well the higher the impedance the harder to drive the headphones, thats the basics of it. In DT990s case the 600ohm is the best sounding one, but not by much. The DT990 250ohm premium is almost as good. The DT990 32ohms is also pretty good. You will only be able to tell the differences when listening to all three of them at the same time. But i think the one you were considering must have been the Pro 250ohm model, which is quite a bit different compared to its premium counterparts. It is more uncomfortable, has a smaller soundstage with muddier bass. It is also the cheapest at 200$. If I were you I'd go with the Premium 250ohm or 32ohm models. They both cost around 300$ new and run around 200$-250$ used(on Amazon via Amazon warehouse). If you get the 32ohm model you CAN skip getting an amp, as it wont be necessary, it will certainly improve the sound but wont be necessary. With the 250ohm premium an amp becomes a necessity. If you're going with a brand new 250Ohm premium then just get that along with a AMP+DAC like the E17 or if you want to go cheaper get the E11(it is the same amp as the E17 but without a DAC). You can skip getting a E9 as it wont give as much benefits and would unnecessarily push you overbudget. This should cost you about 440$ if you buy from Amazon(New DT990 Premium 250ohm + Fiio E17 or E11, with the E11 you'll be in budget but will loose on getting a DAC. Or you can get a used DT990 Premium 250 ohm(check out the 4th listing that lists it as like new, if Amazon says it is like new it means it will impossible to differentiate it from a brand new one) with a E17 to stay within budget

Budget - $125. Really don't want to spend more than $100 unless you can convince me.

Source - Dell laptop

Requirements for Isolation - All the isolation. I don't want to hear around me, and I don't want them to hear me.

Preferred Type of Headphone - Closed. See above. I want solitude and I don't want to bother others with my music.

Preferred tonal balance - Probably can't really tell the difference in mids and highs, but I love bass.

Past headphones - Grado SR80i. Sounded great, but they're open so they didn't block out noise and everyone could hear me even at low volume, which is not what I want. Also the pads pressing against my ears for awhile hurt pretty quickly.

Preferred Music - Alternative Rock, Hip Hop, Ambient/Post Rock, Trip Hop

Misc - I tried my friend's Audio-Technica ATH-M50 and it was incredible. A little big, but I did like the coiled cable. The cable on my SR80 has gotten twisted a lot from storing it in various places. I will use these primarily for studying and occasionally watching TV or movies on my computer. I love the M50, but the price tag may be a bit too high. Should I go for the M40x or the M30x? How much "worse" is the M30x than the M50? Are there alternatives that are better for the price? Also I have Amazon Prime which is why I keep linked to Amazon haha. Saves 10-15 bucks.

Apologies for wall of text, and thank you so much to whoever helps me out!

Budget: <$300 (can hover around/slightly above $300)

Source: HTC One, Macbook. I have a FiiO model E06 amp I lost the charger to (can you point me to a charging cable that will work? The amp looks like this).

Isolation/Noise Canceling: I want to use these out and about, so noise isolation (not canceling) is a requirement.

Preferred Type of Headphone: Full Size, Over Ear (Closed), Reasonably Portable. For examples, I'm looking at the [Sennheiser Momentum]
(http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Momentum-Headphone-Brown/dp/B009QV15DU) and VMODA M100. Anything like these.

Importance of aesthetics: Sound is paramount, but I don't want hideous cans on my head. As long as it looks reasonably cool I won't mind. Aim for this, or any of the above examples.


Owned headphones:

• ATH-M50: loved these but they broke a while back.
  
• JVC HA-RX700: nice, inexpensive over ear stereo headphones but are 1.) too bulky and cumbersome for listening outside the home 2.) are open eared.
  
• VMODA Crossfade M80: really enjoyed how these sounded. Only problem is I prefer over-ear sets.
  
  The other pairs I've owned are some inconsequential earbuds.
  
  Primary Genres: Priority #1 Sorry if I'm assigning these bands to the wrong genres
  
  
• Indie Folk/Pop/Alternative. I guess another example is Phoenix.
  
  
• Pop Punk. A Part of Me by Neck Deep is another song indicative of what I like.
  
  
• Acoustic/Indie Rock/Folk (?) See City and Colour, Hozier, Mumford and Sons, Noah and the Whale, Shakey Graves, Keenan O'Meara, The Head and the Heart, Florence + the Machine, George Ezra, Ben Howard, Lewis Watson, Eric Hutchinson, The Old Hello's, Walk Off the Earth, Noah Guthrie, and more. Kind of a jumbled bunch of artists but I don't know how to differentiate between these. Here's another example.
  
  
• "Singer-Songwriter:" some of the above artists kinda fall in here.
  
• Modern Soul/Funk. Also see St. Paul and the Broken Bones.
  
  
• Alternative/Indie Alternative(?): See We Were Promised Jetpacks, Two Door Cinema Club, Bastille...
  
  Other Genres: These aren't the types of music I listen to very often, and when I do it's usually when I'm working out; therefore, I probably won't be using these headphones anyway.
  
  
• Hip-Hop See Chiddy Bang, Kid Cudi, Lupe Fiasco.
  
  
• Electronic. Pretty much just any chill, synth pop/indie electronic like this. Passion Pit, The XX
  
  Tonal Balance/Sound Preferences: The takeaway from the genres: not sure. I want a versatile, balanced headphone. No overpowering Bass.
  
  Thanks a ton for any recommendations you share!

I have a Birthday coming up and I really am low maintenance but I love music and appreciate a great pair of headphones. I am looking for clear and crisp sound with balance, no emphasis on bass or anything like that. That being said, these 3 models are a good price range for my family, which would be the best for my needs?!

Sennheiser RS120

Sennheiser HD 429 S

Audio-Technica ATH-M30x

Back when I was researching this myself, there were a few threads mentioning that the Beyerdynamic Velour pads negatively affected the sound. Don't remember details, but the AKG velours seem pretty universally accepted as the pads to get. Have them on my Superlux 668b/Samson SR850 and love them. :)

Edit: And wow, the HD681s are only 29.95 on Amazon right now. Have enough headphones but having a hard time passing a pair up...damnit...lol.

Here are some threads on various forums I had bookmarked to look through if you have the time (literally hundreds of pages) which should have all the pad info in them somewhere:

Superlux Express Train

The Superlux Superfans Thread

Superlux Fan Club, For music lovers with tight budget :D

Superlux HD-681 modifications

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 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.

I'll leave it to the one and only ZeosPantera to explain the differences. I've never heard either headphone, but his conclusion is pretty definite.

To be perfectly honest, the Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro probably sound as good and certainly look as good as the V-MODA M100, and they have the 3.5mm input for use with a V-MODA BoomPro, and they're cheaper. Especially used.

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.

Sound Review:

First let me say that the best way to describe them is to say they are nothing like my HD650s. Really if the HD650s are dead north, these are dead south. They have pronounced mids and highs, small bass, but they are exceptionally clear. You hear details that simply did not exist before. They take quite a bit of power to drive (the OTL wouldn't drive them properly). Anyone should be able to build these for less than $200. I would say that at that price point these are a great value. I dont know that these will be my go to headphone, but they are definitely different than anything I have ever used before.

EDIT: Do not use self adhesive felt on the drivers, get non adhesive stiff back from Michael's or similar. This will give you nice strong bass, with excellent extension. These bad boys sound amazing now. Now if I could just get the pads to stay on better...

Information:
Original thread.

Stuff to buy:
Fostex T50RP
Sticky Stiff Felt
Modeling Clay
Shure Replacement Pads
Double Sided Scrapbook Tape
Silverstone Audio Block

So my old setup was the Behringer UCA202 > Dayton Audio DTA-100a > Dayton B652 / Beyerdynamic DT 990 250OHM

While I know this setup isn't the most ideal setup I was looking for an all in one solution for my speaker / headphone amp needs. However while I liked the Dayton DT100a amp, it was causing a humming/buzzing even at fairly low volumes (I think this was fixed in the new DTA120 version).

After some research, and even asking a few questions to /u/zeospantera I discovered that there are very few alternatives to the DTA (at that form factor). So before I invested in another amp I decided to go the very cheap route (Re. Free route) and give an old receiver I had laying around a chance at doing the double duty as headphone/speaker amp before I laid down more money for a different solution.

The amp in the picture is an old Denon DRA-365R. While I don't have a ton of experience with high end speaker or headphone amps it does sound MUCH better than my previous DTA amp and there is no hum/buzz.

I have no doubt that a more expensive DAC than the U202 + a dedicated headphone amp would be better, but I was very happy with my free solution.

As I understand it the quality of the headphone amp portion on receivers can vary very widely, but so far I'm happy with my "free" headphone amp solution.

I've got great news for you! I found a setup for 257 Euros that I think you'll love! Beyerdynamic DT 880@ with Dac! and Hybrid Tube amp@

This was my first real set up, and I loved it! The DT 880 sounds phenomenal with Classic Rock, Indie rock, Acoustic and classical, the Hybrid Tube amp has more than enough power for it and will REALLY flesh out the sound of the headphone, the UCA 202 is a dac I still use to this day [with my laptop and at work] all in all, I think you'd be VERY happy with a set up like this!

Additionally, here's some feed back about that little amp you can read through the thread if your curious about how amazing the DT 880 Pro is :3

I just got the 8323's this weekend. I really like them so far, but as I have kind of a huge head, the headband is a bit painful over time. I found this (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00862522A/ref=ox_sc_act_title_10?ie=UTF8), which is said on head-fi to greatly improve comfort.

So far, the sound is great, the price is better, and I'm totally satisfied. I also listen to a wide range of music, and so far, super satisfied.

Link to head-fi's thread on 8323 comfort: http://www.head-fi.org/t/617416/extra-comfort-on-monoprice-8323

Well... To be honest you did get a audio interface designed to work with guitars and singer style microphones... When what you needed was an external soundcard.

There are major audio interfaces by the music industry. And your cool USB soundcard has some of the more popular ones... Yay! But it does not have what you want. Booo!

Your soundcard/interface is not designed for 3.5mm jacks. so you will need adapters to make it work.

On the front you have two XLR inputs or you can use them as TRS inputs. Pre sonus calls them "2 combo XLR/¼” mic/instrument inputs"

TRS inputs are big headphone jacks... 1/4 inch type. They would go in the middle of the inputs on the front. You would feed your mic in there. How? You can get an adapter that will allow your 3.5mm headphone jack to fit 1/4 headphones to fit the front area. Something like this... Can get them at Radio Shack pretty cheap. Make sure they are stereo and not mono though.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/400307-REG/Sony_PC234S_PC_234S_Mini_Stereo_3_5mm.html

You would need two of them, one for the headphones (labeled "phones") port in the back of the interface, and one for the mic part in the front of the interface.

If you are going to make music you got the right interface. If you are only using it as a really good soundcard, there are others that would fit you better. Like this...

http://www.amazon.com/Syba-SD-CM-UAUD-Adapter-C-Media-Chipset/dp/B001MSS6CS/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1410104831&sr=8-15&keywords=audio+interface

Or if you got monies... this

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Blaster-Surround-External-SB1560/dp/B00EZT7RE4/ref=dp_ob_title_ce


At the beginning I called one an audio interface and the other a sound card. Audio interfaces are a card that focus on the interface part, meaning the recording/band aspect of music and their connectors.. Sound cards are just making sound like the audio interfaces, but they don't include the band interfaces/ports/jacks and usually go to 3.5mm jacks like your headphones want.

Hope this helps.

Thank you.

I looked it up, but still don't know what "Nuetral", "warm" etc. means in the context of music, without hearing it at least. Basically I just want to get something that "Brings the boom" like the MDR XB500's

To give an example, this is the "type" of bass I listen to. and would like a pair of headphones that really bring out the bass:

[Tyga-Faded] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbouTdwOrVw)(Don't care for the song, but like the bass)

Tech N9ne- On the Bible

Kutt Calhoun-Self Preservation

With that in mind, are the headphones you listed the best kind for the job?

Any of these good for the job?

1

2

3

Thanks again

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)

Hi! I'm trying to decide between the Sennheiser Momentum and beyerdynamic DT 660. I'm open to other suggestions though! I've been looking at the DT 660 for a while, but I haven't had a chance to try them out. I feel like they are pretty close to what I'm looking for, but the Momentum feels like a safer choice.

• Budget - ~$200
  
  
• Source - iPhone / Macbook Air
  
  
• Requirements for Isolation - The more isolation the better. I'll be using these in mixed company, mostly at home around my girlfriend / family.
  
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone - Over-ear
  
  
• Preferred tonal balance - I'm looking for overall balance. Almost a flat response, but I would like some versatility (e.g. music, movies, ASMR, video games).
  
  
• Past headphones - I've been using the Sennheiser HD448 for the past five years, Apple EarPods for the past two years, and ADDIEMs for the past six months. I like the balance on the HD448 and ADDIEMs, but the EarPods are a little bass-heavy (aside from not being very clear).
  
  
• Preferred Music - I listen to film scores almost exclusively. Some of my favorites include 'How to Train Your Dragon' and 'Man of Steel.'

Sounds like the Klipsch S4 would be good on the less expensive end of your range, and the HiFiMan RE-400 would be good on the upper end of your range. I also think highly of the Etymotic MC5, MC3, or HF5. Then there's the trusty Shure SE215, but I don't think it'd go as well as some of the others according to your music taste.

Of all of those in your price range, I'd recommend the RE-400s or HF5s. Both are great IEMs. The RE-400 is highly recommended around this subreddit.

If you're willing to stretch your budget, there are also the Rock-it R-50s, which have great mids and highs, which I recommend for rock/metal/indie/classical.

Pretty much. A high amount of bass "hides" mids and highs therefore reducing clarity and soundstage/imaging.

You can still have good bass as in tight, defined etc. but yes, if you enjoy a good amount of bass, you'll have to trade off clarity and soundstage.

There's the Beyerdynamic DT 990 250ohms who's shaped in 'V' (good bass, neutral mids and bright highs) that are known to have a wide soundstage but that's the only one I can think about.

They might need an amp though (O2 will do).

• Budget - Around 200 bucks Canadian ( Maybe a little more)
  
• Source - My desktop and my Fiio E17K
  
• Isolation - None needed, less isolation is a bonus because I want to be able to hear others, but it doesn't matter that much.
  
• Public? No, purely for home use.
  
• Preferred type I prefer over-ear, but am open minded for on-ears
  
• Tonal Balance Emphasis on mids or highs, don't care too much about bass. Also want to avoid reference/ neutral headphones.
  
• Past Headphones I use these for gaming [ATH-AD900X]
  (https://www.amazon.ca/Audio-Technica-ATH-AD900X-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S331VU)
  and these for travel and school Sennheiser Momentum In-Ear. I like them both for their purpose, but I'm not particularly fond of the Sennheisers shrill highs, and I feel the Audio Technicas are a little too neutral for my music.
  
• Music I listen to a good amount of nu-metal bands like Slipknot, Avatar, Korn, Ghost, System of a Down, and Megadeth + plus a little bit of jazz like John Coltrane
  
• What would I like to improve I'm just looking for headphones that are a bit more specialized for jazz and metal, unlike my current audio gear.
  
• Location I live in Canada, so prices in Canadian would be appreciated. Thanks.
  
  I've also been looking for headphones myself but am stuck between the Motorhead Iron Fist, the ATH-M50X, and the Grado sr80e, any new suggestions are welcome, though.
  

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.

Hi guys, I am looking for headphones ideal for gaming, especially FPS (primarily CS:GO). My two top picks are Audio-Technica's ATHAD500X and the Sennheiser HD598. If you have any other suggestions that you think are better, then please recommend them.

Isolation-None

Budget - Flexible, however, ideally nothing over $200.
Source - PC Aux port

Will you be using these Headphones in Public? No.

Preferred tonal balance - I'm a noob when it comes to auditory specifications. All I know is I need headphones with ideally large soundstage and clarity to hear distinct, yet soft noises (e.g. a sudden footstep).

Past headphones - I borrowed a friend's ATHAD500x (listed below). I liked it, but I was wondering how it would compare to the Sennheiser HD598.


Audio Technica AUD ATHAD500X Audiophile Open-Air Headphones

--OR--

Sennheiser HD-598

Assuming price is not a significant factor, would the Sennheisers provide me significant better soundstage and clarity and a better overall gaming experience than the AT's listed?

I wouldn't screw with an internal soundcard. At best, you will spend a bunch on something that is essentially a great DAC that can only be used with a desktop. At worst, you will have something that works great 90% of the time and experiences stuttering and static the rest of the time (I have had HORRIBLE luck with internal sound cards, even decent ones).

I'm a fan of the Behringer UCA 202 via USB audio. Cheap, it works, and the quality is pretty great for the price. Here is some technical info. The RCA outs are pretty much good to go for an amp. The headphone output is decent, and can be great with some modifications The modifications are not for the inexperienced. These components are not designed to be replaced manually by humans.


Edit: just noticed you have $100 to spend total and don't have headphones yet. Spend it all on headphones. No question.

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 !

Ohh okay. A lot of the USB soundcards you see on Amazon are just for computers and might not work with the vr headset, but they are all only a few dollars and it would be pretty cheap to test. This one looks like the best, and some people report it working with the ps4, which is a good sign that it may work with the vr headset.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001MSS6CS/

A mixamp or DAC will easily convert any USB source to stereo for your headphones, but they are usually bigger than the usb soundcards.

Can you get audio from the same source as the vr, or do you need it to come from the vr headset?

I would personally recommend the Hifiman RE-400, a great all around headphone tat should work with most genres. Very easy to listen to, decent isolation, and currently on sale for $80. I personally use them to walk to class on a daily basis. The microphonics (cable noise) can be pretty annoying depending on what I am wearing, but they can be eliminated by over ear wear. They are also super comfortable and light.

If you have you mind set on the MA750s, Newegg is currently selling them for $80 as well.

Enjoy your headphones!

Yes. /u/I_eat_mangoes is pointing you in a good direction. Definitely need an amp. I also recommend looking into the O2 or the O2+ODAC Combo. I've heard really good things about both. The Schiit Stack - Magni and Modi - are a little less expensive. The nice thing about them is you can just get the amp at first and add on the DAC later if needed.

I have a UCA202 floating around somewhere, and the sound is surprisingly good for the money. It certainly might be all the DAC you need.

If you can only afford one thing, I would get whatever amp you can afford and add a DAC later.

Well said. Although there are quite a few high end users who seek better sound with something like a Sennheiser One/Zero. I'm sure many of those would be better off with some $200 headphones and a $50 mic as well as a $50 dac/amp. It was more meant for those type of people, although you can also get good sound on a budget with something like Audio Technica AUD ATHAD500X with a V-MODA BoomPro for a total of about $100. Still more than the budget $50 headset, but if you're rocking a GTX 1080, you might as well go for better sound as well for a better overall experience.

And that's where you guys come in. I know nothing about good audio, but I have recently started following this sub. When I saw that post, I immediately thought that this is r/headphones material. I may well have been wrong though :)

These: www.amazon.com/dp/B009S333U4/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_9aKHub1A2NY00

Super comfortable like the most comfortable things I've ever put on my head. I have the 700's and they are awesome sounding and great for gaming.

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.
  

My Sennheiser HD180's broke after 4 years of use and now only outputs from the left side without any tension on the wire. Now I'm looking to upgrade with a budget of $100 CAD, tax-in. I'm trying to find something with similar but more refined characteristics however I'm having trouble finding what I need/want. I'm only going to plug them into my laptop or phone for home use 95% of the time. I watch a lot of movies and listen to a lot of hip-hop, so looking for all-round headphones with good bass.

Basically what I'm looking for is:

• Over-ear cups
  
• 3m+ length cord
  
• Better audio quality than HD180, more clear, better bass
  
• Light and comfy (Good for 4+ hours)
  
• Very durable (3+ years use)
  
• Under $100 CAD with tax
  
• CANADA ACCESSIBLE
  
  
  I've found these so far:
  
  
• Superlux HD 681
  
• JVC HARX700
  
• Sennheiser HD 449
  
• Sennheiser HD 205 II
  
• Koss Ur40
  
• JVC HA-MR60X
  
• Monoprice 8323 (No Amazon Prime or other retailer in Canada that sells it for under $50 so it's kinda out)
  
• Samson SR850
  
  
  Not really sure which ones I should get or just go the safe route and buy the HD201's. If you guys have used any of these, let me know :)
  
  Edit: Trying to decide between the Samson SR850's or the Superlux HD681 Evo.
  

Maybe someone can correct me, but according to the manual for that receiver, it has an output impedance of 470ohms. That's a bit high for HD800s (and just high in general, like most AVRs jacks).

You're also possibly double amping it by amplifying the signal out of your MacBook and then again in the receiver. I think people tend to overstate this as a problem though.

Apple usually has a good reputation for DACs, but a cheap external DAC like this one will feed a line level signal to your receiver at least. This DAC just got an update with a new DAC IC that people are excited about.

You'll find tons of amp recommendations for the HD800 here so I won't even bother going into much detail.

Ultimately though, if it's loud enough and it sounds good, I wouldn't bother tinkering unless you really want to.

Everyone: Thanks for the help. I assumed it was some electrical issue on her computer's end, but good to know a USB sound card works as a workaround and I don't have to go to her office and crack her computer open :) I decided to spend a few bucks to get the best-reviewed one on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IRVQ0F8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A29Y8OP2GPR7PE

Thanks again for the help!

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!

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?

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 :)

I am buying a new headset to use for VR, gaming, and for music. I am done using cheap $20 USB headsets. My kids are at the age I can tell them not to touch my headphones. So this is my into into good sound.

I have settled on an open backed headset from reading many reviews and because I hate the feeling of suction cups on my head.

Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X Audiophile Open-Air Headphones
Seemed like a really nice option in my price range.

I would also probably get: Antlion Audio Muted ModMic I like the ability to clip it to my monitor or headset if I like.

I have an on Board HD VIA AUDIO (VT2020) on my GIGABYTE (GA-Z77X-UD3H) motherboard.

Should I also save up for a better sound card?

Any other recommendations with:

• price range ($200CAD)
  
• open back (heard it sounds better and I need to hear those damn kids)
  
• stereo (no need for weird 5.1/7.1 as I will be using this for VR as well)
  
• Mic (I like ModMic 4.0 or built in mic)
  

• closed one for portable use / quiet times: Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro
  
  
• Sony MDR100AAP currently a very nice sale on amazon!
  
  open back for home / desktop use leaves you with a ton of options depending on your favorite sound signature:
  
  
• Sennheiser HD579 you can demo them at MediaMarkt (at least in my area).
  
  
• beyerdynamic DT990 32 Ohm if you prefer a strong v-shaped sound (bass and treble elevated). very nice cans for non-serious music listening (pop / EDM).
  
  
• beyerdynamic DT880 32 Ohm for serious / analytical listening. great for classical / jazz / progressive rock

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

TL;DR

> Budget: $100-$150 (somewhat flexible, but I would rather stay in this range)

>Source: 3.5mm

>Requirements for Isolation: In home, but there is some background noise from my pc and others possibly in the room.

>Will you be using these Headphones in Public?: No

>Preferred Type of Headphone: Over-ear

>Preferred tonal balance: I prefer a little extra bass

>Past headphones: Logitech G430 (shudders. After raising the bass in an EQ they weren't awful, but the quality is far from great)

>Preferred Music: Rap, rock, pop, and electronic.

>What would you like to improve on from your set-up: Much clearer audio, more immersion in games, less distortion in certain frequencies/areas.



Looking for a quality pair of headphones for mainly pc gaming but also for music. My budget is around $100-$150. Also, I prefer a slightly heavier/more pronounced bass on a pair of headphones. This is because I mainly listen to rap, rock, pop, and electronic music.

I am not sure whether I should go for open vs closed. I want to get a pair of open headphones, but I heard that sound leaks in and I do not want to hear background noise. I never used an open pair of headphones, so I could be over/underestimating how much noise leaks in and out of the headphones.

The two pairs of open headphones that I have been looking into are the Sennheiser 598 (I prefer the black special edition) and the Audio Technica AD900 / AD900X. Both of these are open headphones. Are there some good closed headphones that sound great at this price range?

In games, I want a little more immersion and less distortion. I feel that my Logitech G430s fail to do this and take a lot away from the game.

If you need me to include any more information, ask and I will update this comment.

hmm, I have both of those for years now and never had this issue even with extensive usage (for a period of time, I had been using them for 6+ hours a day, even 12+ hours on weekends). I don't think there's anything you can with the Logitech pair, but I replaced the Steelseries earpads right away as they were too shallow for me and hurt my ears.

Replacing the Steelseries pads is no different than replacing it on other common headphones. You just pop them off and slip the new pads on. There is even a notch on the plastic cup so it's even easier to do than other headphones.

I use these on them: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MFDX4YO/ref
They also have pleather versions of you don't like velor or don't want to be arsed with cleaning the lint off the velor from time to time, but it is definitely cooler (temperature wise) and a lot more comfortable than the pleather version.

Anyway, they are a little tight (don't be afraid to apply force when putting these pads on) but fit perfectly without any trimming or anything. As I've said, all you have to do is use the notch on the cup and just spin the lip of the pad on the cup. If you are having issues, I suppose I could do a video or something, but should be simple enough.

EDIT: oh, and as for your headband, there are "replacements" for those too that you can snap over like these:
http://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Leatherette-Universal-Sennheiser-Beyerdynamic/dp/B00862522A
http://www.amazon.com/Headphone-Sennheiser-Audio-Technica-Replacement-Protector/dp/B00OF71WWO

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.

My father recently tried my Beyerdynamic DT990 Premium headphones with some tunes from his iphone, and loved it.

I pretty much want headphones as close to these, but for $100 instead of $230.

Things he seemed to like in particular:

• All the songs sounded "very crisp" or "sharp"
  
• He loooved the stronger base on these (vs his usual headphones)
  
• The open headphones were definitely a like. I think it gave more of an encompassing sounding music
  
  Any suggestions?

"Problem is, I only have about 100 bucks to spend and he wants over-ears."

Uhm... There is no such over-ear Beats product for that price. The 2013 studios and the Solo2 are both well made, have metal construction throughout the headband, and sound just as good, if not better, than alternative bass-heavy headphones. I would say the V-Moda M-100 is better sounding, but not the LP or the LP2.

The real reason why you don't want to buy the Beats is because you don't want to pay for them.

The beats Studios 2013 cost $199 on Amazon.

The V-Moda M-100, that I said was better than Beats, $60 more.

The V-Moda LP2, which is worse than Beats Studios, cost $60 less than the 2013 Studios.

I don't think the Beats Studios are overpriced anymore. They improved the sound quality. The fit and comfort of the Studios is amazing. The only downside to the Studios is that they leak sound. If Beats can fix that, then they will have some very competitive headphones for the price.

The HD598 is good, but I'd also look into the AD900X if you liked your old headphones. The bass and treble extension should be much better, and the soundstage will remain very nice and open.

A good amp/dac to consider is the FiiO E07K which has EQ settings for bass and treble, so you can flavor your music even more to your tastes.

So the current price of the Sennheiser Momentums are $198. Are there better closed over-ear headphones out there around the same price range or is Momentum the best bang for my buck?

I listen mostly to stuff like this and this and would mostly use my laptop and phone as the source. I live in New Zealand but could just import stuff from the US easily. Cheers!

EDIT: Would the Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO suit me better?

The info in this thread should be helpful to you:

https://www.reddit.com/r/headphones/comments/9xmsye/got_he400i_on_sale_are_massdrop_he4xx_better/

Personally, having owned an HE-400i for about 2 years, selling it off a year ago, and only just getting a used pair of HE-400 in recent months, I prefer the older HE-400 sound by far - and I provided some of my thoughts in the above thread as well. With that said, these are just my opinions, having experienced both, and at the end of the day, a working headphone is going to be vastly superior to one that is falling apart.

If it is an available option for you, Amazon has vendors that are currently offering it for less than Hifiman themselves, at $165, and as long as it is offered through Prime, will have a much friendlier return policy in case you may not find the newer 400i's sound to your liking:

https://www.amazon.com/d/Electronics-Store/HIFIMAN-HE-400I-Full-size-Magnetic-Headphones/B00MULH672

Although I would give some thoughts to do a headband swap, as a viable option as well, if you want to preserve the original HE-400.

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,

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

Budget: $200 or less

Source: movies and video games on desktop & laptop pc

Type: gaming/over ear headset with mic

Sound the Superlux 681 sound fine to me

Past Headphones many, but currently Superlux 681

PROBLEM: I'm not super concerned with sound quality. like I mentioned the superlux sound good enough to me. my real problem is fit. I have a tall head and big ears. I have to max out the extension on the superlux and they still clip my ears and are very uncomfortable after half an hour to an hour. I've tried on some turtle beach headsets at best buy, but the 2-3 test models just didn't have enough reach to keep from pinching the bottom of my ears. I get the feeling this group is more audiophile oriented, but I'm hoping someone has some advice.
thank you.

Great post, as usual. One additional thought - if you do the bass port mod on your T50RP Mk2s, consider the Shure 940 velour pads. Yes they rob some of the bass (hence the bassport mod) but if you are purely looking for comfort, after the alpha pads the velour 940s are super comfortable.

I have both the headphones but I prefer the sr80is more for the sound stage and the sound signature. The bass is controlled, the mids upfront, and the highs bright but not harsh. These are a little bit uncomfortable when I first got them, you can bend the band out a little and you can get cushions for the band if you want. These pair are lighter on the head compared to the m50s

The m50's highs sound harsh to me, the mids a bit recessed and the bass a bit boomy. For comfort I replaced the stock m50 pads with velour pads. These pair are a little heavy on the head and the clamp on them is pretty tight but will loosen and be more comfortable with use.

What it really comes down to is if you want the headphones to be open back or closed depending on your needs. Also your preferred sound signature.

I listen to mostly rock, jazz, alternative, indie and some classical if that helps any.

It's a very simple mod: http://www.amazon.com/Replacement-Leatherette-Universal-Sennheiser-Beyerdynamic/dp/B00862522A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1405565300&sr=8-1&keywords=grado+headband

Basically, I thought the Audeze padding would have been really good and that I wouldn't have to worry about hotspots, but that wasn't the case. Luckily, I had this (used with my Grado 325is) and it fit pretty well. The last buttons can snap together. If you don't mind the aesthetics (or lack thereof), it really, really helps with comfort.

If you get open back headphones you should hear pretty much everything outside your headphones- pads matter a little bit for sound isolation, but not a whole bunch when you have open headphones.

I don't know your price range, but under $100 you can get some pretty good options for gaming. All of these recommendations don't have emphasized bass which should help with details like footsteps. Out of all these I prefer the Philips shp9500 because they're the cheapest and you can get a headset mic for them

SHP 9500 they're cheaper on newegg

AD500X

HD559

http://www.amazon.com/HIFIMAN-HE400i-Full-size-Magnetic-Headphones/dp/B00MULH672/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1451327461&sr=8-1&keywords=he400i

HE400i, definitely one of the best deals of the year on a $499 headphone that was considered a steal even at that price.

Compared to DT770: better comfort, open-back, less mid-bass (kick drum), more sub-bass (dubstep bass drop), middle frequencies that sound distant on the DT770 will be brought more forward into the mix - you get a more balanced sound, closer to how your music was made to sound, this is also just my opinion but I notice these headphones really bring out the little details in hip hop, you can hear exactly how the rapper is moving his mouth, if that makes any sense

Get a Magni/Modi 2 for $200 and enjoy one of the best set ups for your music tastes

I've never been here before so I'm sorry if I miss any information. I'm here because the right ear on my headphones went out and I need some advice. I don't know much about headphones but a few years ago I bought a pair of Sennheiser HD 280 Pro from a friend. I can't afford to buy another pair right now so I'm wondering if there are any cheaper pairs where I can get a similar quality. I mainly used them to listen to music or watch movies/TV on my laptop. Also, I really like the over the ear style. Thanks for any future help.

What kind of music does she like? I got my girlfriend a Grado SR325e for her birthday, used in like new condition (with a set of the larger G-Cush pads) they are a pretty great price to performance for headphones you can drive optimally out of a cell phone.

The Grado SR60e is good, I'd recommend you get G-Cush pads as well for comfort.

The Sennheiser Momentum isn't bad and comes with a lot of color options since you want something feminine.

The Sennheiser HD598 is a great price to performance but isn't very portable, and is open back.

A little more information may lend more ideas though.

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.

Budget : ~£60 (Would be willing to go slightly over)

Source : PC

Isolation : I will only be using these at home so isolation isn't important.

Preferred Type : Ideally Full-sized, but really I just want something fairly comfortable

Preferred tonal balance : Slightly more bass would be nice

Past Headphones : Nothing worthy of note (just cheap IEMs)

Use : I'll mainly use these for gaming and maybe a little bit for music (no specific genre), and only for a couple of hours at a time.

Location : UK

I've looked in the gaming headphone thread but looking elsewhere I have also seen a lot of other suggestions and am having trouble making a decision. (eg ATH m30x, HD 429, Creative Aurvana Live!)

Thanks in Advance for any help or suggestions

Hey guys, really noobish and simple question. Getting slightly nice (for me) headphones. Choosing between the Sennheiser 558 (recommended by the sidebar wiki) and the 280, which someone recommended.

They're both ~70 used on Amazon. I like the look of the velour on the 558s. I've read reviews/comparisons of both but honestly it's not giving me a whole lot, the reviews seem to disagree with each other. I like the closed aspect of the 280s, but I also like the 1/4" jack of the 558s (for plugging into my audio interface).

I assume they're pretty similar, right? Any advice about which I should go for?

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.

Sennheiser Momentum

I'm strongly considering biting the bullet on these. I had shit quality headphones my whole life, got a pair of beat solo hds and was thoroughly impressed. I'm ready to take the next step up, but I don't want to make a dumb decision. These seem like really well-rounded headphones, and I mostly play games and watch netflix/youtube videos with the headset. I also saw this Sennheiser Momentum 2.0

But it says it's for Samsung Galaxy. I have a blackberry and an iphone for music. Do new iphones use different jacks? Does it have a 3.5 mm jack? I am retarded to this stuff, so please take pity on me right now

EDIT: I should also say, an old game called Riven is what's driving this decision. It sounded so crisp, so real and powerful that it made me realize how important audio is. Cyan is doing another game called Obduction, and I want to have a really good set of headphones for when that comes out.

DOUBLE EDIT: Also, someone said the DT880s have better soundstage. Are these better? Will I need an amp?

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.

To my ear the M40X is the superior set as well. Might I also recommend these supremely comfortable earpads.

This could be a pretty good choice: http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-Custom-One-Pro-Black/dp/B008XEYT48/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1371531632&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=beyerdynamic+custom+one+pro

They are over-ear and has adjustable settings for the openness of the headphone (which will affect the sound you hear, i.e. shifting the slider to closed setting will improve noise isolation and give you more bass). Sounds great, flexible, and is currently on sale for $213.

Need a bit of tech support.

I have Sennheiser HD 598s, which sound amazing and I love them. But they are WAY WAY too loud.
I have my pc volume mixer set to 1%, and then still watch videos and play games at like 10% internal volume.

As far as the rest of my setup goes, I'm using this USB sound card
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B001MSS6CS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

with no DAC or anything.

Is it possible I have a really warped idea of how loud hearing damage occurs at, and I should just crank everything up? I don't really want anything to be louder though.

I've spoken to some friends who have already really pushed me to buy a DAC but I'd love your opinions first. And if I get a DAC, would I have to return to using my on board sound card instead of the USB card?

I used an antlion modmic. The product actually doesn't interact with the 598's cable at all. It's a separate cable and the mic is attached with a magnet.

I plug it (only the mic, not the headphones) into a Sabrent USB Soundcard (otherwise the mic hisses and is quiet). With this cheap ($7) soundcard it sounds great and is crystal clear.

The Modmic works with all headphones due to the fact that you just attach it and it's ready to use. However, the cables can get tangled EXTREMELY easily so I recommend taking advantage of the included cable clips and maybe getting a cable sleeve should you go the Antlion modmic route.

Lot of people like these:

http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-Custom-One-Pro-Black/dp/B008XEYT48

and this guy, who reviews a ton of stuff and is generally thought of as a pretty good, non-biased reviewer liked them quite a bit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDBWrSENTps

They sound like they'd fit your sort of music and such, definitely read some reviews on them before you buy, just to make sure they're what you want, but I think they'd be good at least.

So I love my m50x's, but the earpads are trash. I bought the HM5 pads but they sounded awful, and I found that it was because the lip that held the earpads on covered a part of the driver. Long story short i cut a bit of the lip off and now they sound fantastic, but theyre completely ruined and need tape to stay on. So my question is, what are the best earpads for the m50x's? Love the feel of the HM5's, so will these mess up the sound? Please help!

I was told that the M50 is the best can for the money. and that a dac and headphone amp will make better sounds.
I got a Beringer DAC because that is supposed to be the best:
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UCA202-Audio-Interface/dp/B000KW2YEI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1395338586&sr=8-1&keywords=behringer+dac

Right? Like i said i am a noob sorry

Oh, I'm so sorry, but I bought it from a third party as Used, Like New. He doesn't have another listing, but there are always new listings being posted under the third party sales. The cheapest like new listing right now is $190 with Prime shipping. Link

For isolation you need IEMs, they are of course lightweight aswell. I don't know what your experiences are with the fit, but usually they come with a lot of different tips so any of those should fit pretty good and tight.

Take a look at the RHA MA750 or Shure SE215 for example, those get recommended a lot.

I'm looking at the following options, probably gonna pick up the 598s unless someone gives me a good reason not to.

Beyerdynamic DT 770 --$130 + tax

Sennheiser HD598--$130

ATH-AD900X--$140

I'm updating my current system from scratch, and currently have the sound card built into my Z97 motherboard.

Do I need a dedicated sound card to adequately run the 598s, and what amp should I pick up?

Budget $200 hard limit, would like to not go above $185

Source Right now I'm plugging everything into the sound card that came with Z97 PCMATE motherboard, but am willing to get a dedicated sound card +amp

Requirements for Isolation Don't care

Preferred Type of Headphone Must have a good soundstage, prefer over ear open but don't care that much

Past headphones nothing of substantial quality

Preferred Music Rock and a bit of everything, will also use for some gaming (thus the good soundstage)

They're running on a Behringer DAC along with a Dayton dta-100a. I got them based on the suggestions by /r/zeos as recommended by /r/audiophile. I the 2.0 system off /r/zeos because it's about the perfect setup for student housing, and the amp also works for headphones. There are better headphone amps out there, but it definitely gets the job done at a pretty damn good price.

Also been looking around and debating between Philips X1 or Denon D600 or Sennheiser HD 598 or V-MODA Crossfade M-100 or Beyerdynamic-770-PRO-80 or Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro or ATH-AD900X

Im really leaning towards the Custom One pros since there on sale for 179.99 on ebay but are they better then Sennheiser HD 598?

Also how big is the difference between noise cancelling headphones with Open/Closed ones and would it matter with music playing?
Thank you so much for your advice :)

I'm looking for an alternative to the HyperX Cloud II. They're very comfortable and I'm actually pretty happy about them, but they create a popping/crackling sound when I have the mic plugged in.

I exclusively listen to all my PC audio through headphones. I don't use external speakers at all. I mainly use my headphones for watching movies, TV shows, and Skype (so having a mic is important). Any good recommendations that won't break the bank? (I live in Canada so any headphones with a US price will probably be more expensive in Canada)

Edit: IS this a good deal? http://www.amazon.ca/Sennheiser-280-PRO-Headphones-Black/dp/B000065BPB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454167040&sr=8-1&keywords=Sennheiser+HD280+Pro

Budget - $80-$100 total

Source - PC and Moto X

Isolation - Semi-open at worst, closed preferable.

Type - IEM and over

Balance - Flat or slightly bassy, not V

Past - Meelec A151 and Klipsh S4-II

Music - Variety of techno

When the A151s broke, I ordered the S4s and a new jack. Was pleased when jack worked and hated Klipsh's flat cable. Now the jack is broken again and I'm looking for new buds. I'm reposting from yesterday in an attempt to get more opinions.

I've been looking around this sub, and I've whittled my list down to these, with durability being the advice I'm searching for:

IEMs:

• Meelec A151 - Great sound, pretty durable, but bad plug joint. Strongly considering.
  
• Meelec M6 - Said to be extremely durable, but I'm worried about getting lo-fi sportbuds sound.
  
• Monoprice 8320 - Heard they sounded great for the price, but it's the price and the gimmicky chrome plastic that has me worried.
  
  Cans:
  
  
• Creative Aurvana Live! - Read that they're weak as paper, and a bit pricey for me.
  
• Monoprice 8323 - Numerous reports of the headband cracking and losing one side of sound.
  
• Sony V6 - VERY pricey, but I found a comment thread complimenting them, hence their inclusion.
  
• Superlux HD668B - Supposedly better quality than the 681(Evo)s, and a dollar cheaper. Maybe.
  
• Superlux HD 681 Very well sounding for the price range, but also very leaky.
  
• Superlux HD-681 Evo - Highly rated and look to be awesome, strongly considering.
  
  Again, I'm looking for price, but durability is currently more important.

Budget: $100-$150, willing to go a little higher if a good deal is available.

Source: Nexus 5

Isolation: Some isolation is definitely a necessity. Part of my day I am surrounded by quite loud/obnoxious people in an already noisy environment. My old Bose QC15's were good at blocking the ambient noise but I would rather have something that could shut out loud/sporadic talking and yelling.

Preferred Type of Headphones: I am probably looking towards IEMs for isolation and no sound leakage. I am willing to stay with Closed Over-Ear headphones if it holds well in terms of isolation and sound quality.

Preferred Tonal Balance: The most I can say here is that I'm not a basshead and prefer clarity. I usually try to do a lot of research before coming to a recommendation thread for a possible purchase so it doesn't seem like I'm wasting anyone's time, but I am absolutely lost here. This would be my first real enthusiast purchase (unless you consider Bose QC15 quality headphones, which I've been told isn't so) so I don't know much in terms of tonal balance. Maybe my music suggestions would give a better idea of what I'm looking for.

Past Headphones: Bose QC15. I bought into the advertising like four years ago, but they are starting to break and I'm looking for a more serious purchase. I liked that the quality was much better than the simple ones included with iPods and such, but I've been told by friends that Bose are frowned upon in the headphone community and that I can get much better for much less. I have also read that ANC is not as good as isolation in IEMs.

Preferred Music: I listen to mostly Alternative and Indie Rock. Some bands that I listen to just off the top of my head are: Alt-J, Phoenix, Bastille, Cold War Kids, Foo Fighters, War on Drugs, Death Cab for Cutie, CHVRCHES, and anything else like those I probably listen to as well. I also enjoy listening to acoustic covers of popular songs.

I should also mention that durability and portability are important features for me, I will probably be using these quite often.

HiFiMan RE-400's seem to be the leading candidates for me right now.

Sweet thanks for the info, would this http://www.amazon.ca/Ultra-Low-Latency-Interface-Digital-Output/dp/B000KW2YEI work fine with the M40x's or should I get something a tad better. I don't want to spend too much on this but I also want the best sounding audio I can get with the M40x's and if I have to spend another 20$ more than that I would.

Maybe you should also consider the Sennheiser HD-280. Build quality is even more tank-ish than the M50s, excellent tight bass response meant for rock and in-game explosions. Coiled cord is fantastic and stretchy. Love them. http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-280-Pro-Headphones/dp/B000065BPB

I would recommend open back and suggest Audio Technica ATH AD500x. I found a pair on Amazon for 72$ so hopefully thats close enough.

I have the 900x ( their big brother) with sheepskin ear pads and I love them. The soundstage is vast and precise and I hear that they Are great for gaming

Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X Audiophile Open-Air Headphones https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009S333U4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_zhQSCbZC68XB1

https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M20x-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR18/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1466752971&sr=8-3&keywords=audio+technica+ath
This one should be pretty good, this whole lineup of audio technica is amazing. this one is probably over your budget, but I've heard great things about it https://www.amazon.com/Status-Audio-Studio-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B01BE1EEEG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1466753028&sr=8-3&keywords=status+audio

Budget - ~$100-150, USA

Source - Behringer UCA202 USB DAC (1, 2)

Isolation - I want dat soundstage. Open

Preferred Type of Headphone - Over ear

Preferred tonal balance - Neutral, bass is cool though

Past headphones - m50s, they're great but have a narrow soundstage

Music - A little bit of everything (drum and bass, rock, metal, trap, electronica, EDM, house) and games

I've been looking at the 558s and they seem like the fit for me. Any advice?

Also, looking for a <$15 microphone for gaming with friends. Suggestions?

Budget - <$220

Source - Desktop PC

Requirements for Isolation - None

Preferred Type of Headphone - Over-Ear

Preferred tonal balance - Not sure

Past headphones -Sony Mdr-xb950/b Extra Bass Headphone. Nice and comfortable, good bass.

Preferred Music - I watch a lot of movies and play a lot of video games. I listen to EDM/Rock/Big Band/Orchestral/pretty much all types. I cant pick a genre that I listen to the most

What would you like to improve on from your set-up - Not sure

I want a good pair of headphones where I can close my eyes and listen to nice orchestral pieces or big band pieces and be taken away, hearing all the individual instruments. But I also want it to have some kick when I listen to edm and play video games. I've done some research for my price range and i've looked at these two pairs of phones: AKG k 550 and HIFIMAN HE-400I

I'm having trouble because I feel like both of these headphones excel in different areas but I don't know which one i'd prefer.

Here are some examples of music: Haywyre, Dave Brubek, Orchestral, ODESZA

I just got from amazon. Fit the m40x perfectly and make them so much more comfortable. But not everyone agrees with the sound. Some people think changing pads ruin the m40x. IMO there's a slight decrease in bass. But I think the comfort and increase of soundstage is worth it.

Xiaomi Pistons owner here, they were actually my first good earphones/headphones.

As far as I know when compared the Pistons 2 are way better than 3 in terms of audio quality. I never tried anything else from them since I moved on to better ones.

If you like serious affordable IEMs please get [Hifiman RE-400] (https://www.amazon.com/HiFiMAn-Electronics-RE-400-HiFiMan-Headphones/dp/B00AWLEAH6)

Note: sound signature is flat

I'm going to assume you're talking about the HE400S. I'm currently running a pair with the Schiit stack and I think it's a good improvement over just running it straight. By far the biggest improvements came from replacing the stock pads and the grill mod. Pop the plastic rings off of the outside of the cups, and take off the thin sheet of cloth. Then pick up these. Those pads are really a game changer, and I think you'll get a bigger improvement from those two things for 30 bucks.

Budget: up to $150 (Preferably under $125)

Source: iPhone5, MacBook Air

Requirements for Isolation: Excellent. This is the biggest challenge for me--I am a university student who struggles immensely to focus with background noise. I would like these to be my number-one tool to zone in.

Preferred Type of Headphone: IEM or closed over the ear, more preference for IEM in order to use while exercising as well.

Preferred tonal balance: Balanced. I do not want the bass to be sub-par, but am not terribly picky.

Past headphones: Nothing fancy. When in need, I borrow my friend's Audio-Technica ATH-M50, but those do not block out noise enough for me.

Preferred Music: Jazz, Classical, and Indie/Rock/Funk

Location: California, Usa. (Library, bookstore, dorm in which conversation is happening, coffee shops)

I was considering the Etymotic Research HF5 or Shure SE215-K but am concerned that they will not last longer than a few months, as the low-star rating on Amazon suggest.
Alternatively, I am considering the RHA MA750 but worry that the bass will be lacking and the sound will not be balanced--also, the Amazon reviews don't acclaim their noise reduction at all, which is very important for me.

Many thanks!

Hey guys Happy Holidays! This is my first headphones purchase and am a bit worried I might mess it up. Did a lot of research and reached this headphone the Audio-Technica ATH-M30X.

This fits my budget of less than 70 dollars, is over-ear and collapsible and provides some noise isolation.

I have 4 days to decide which headphones to get from amazon.de and I was wondering what you guys think about this one and/or if there's something better that provides better isolation and/or more comfort while wearing them.

I won't be wearing them in public and won't need them to be portable. Just needs to be convenient to wear for 5 hrs+.

Thank you guys for the help!

There are indeed crazy custom fees, but not more than double the prize, which would still be cheaper than buying them here.

Would you say the closed ones or the open ones are the best of this particular kind?

Budget around £90

I've been looking into getting a headset and I was either going to get the SteelSeries Serbia V2 or the Hyperx Cloud but i got recommended [this] (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00029MTMQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=26U53TNS2CUQM&coliid=I1RJ68F25WDC11 ) and this but are these truly going to be better than just getting a headset?

Is there a massive difference between the Audio-Technica ATH-M30x and the Audio-Technica ATH-M20x? I'm looking for $50 headphones, but if the M30x is worth an extra $20 I can still buy it. I'm currently using these.
Edit: I found the Creative Aurvana Live! Headphones on Amazon for $60. I've heard amazing things about those.

You might be interested in looking into the Superlux HD 681. They are a good set of starter cans and they fit right into your price range. Lots of reviews on them as well so you will know exactly what to expect. There's also the Monoprice DJ cans and a few other Superlux sets like the 668B for a bit higher price (they're more bass heavy than the 681)

http://www.amazon.com/Superlux-681-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B002GHIPYI

Hi! I'm looking for closed on-ear headphones around ~£30-40 (45-60$). Initially, I was interested in Sony's MDR-XB450, but after a quick search it seems like bass is not very well defined, just loud. I'm mostly interested in a well resolved mid and low range, especially at high-bitrates (I usually listen in FLAC). I'm also planning to use them outside, so they need to be well isolated.

After browsing through this sub and head-fi.org, I've found the following options:

1. Audio-Technica ATH-M20X: the only obvious problem with these is that the cable is too long! I couldn't find any cheap M40X's.
   
   
2. Sennheiser 504291 HD 202: these are very cheap, but I don't think they are as good as option (1).
   
   Any suggestions?
   

I'm looking to buy these headphones:
http://www.amazon.ca/Superlux-681-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Headphones/dp/B002GHIPYI

I'm on a very strict budget, and cant go more than like 4 bucks CAD over this price is there a better pair (For gaming, CS:GO mostly for the same price.)

Thanks in advance. :)

Ah, I think i have the perfect headphone. The V-Moda M100 is a very bassy headphone that is also quite good. Here's a review from a very reputable headphone reviewer. I think they'd be perfect for you.

I use the [Shure 940] (http://owww.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005OM06RG) velour pads with my m50s. A lot more comfortable and fit perfectly

Sennheiser Momentum Over-Ear Headphones fit all your criteria and they're currently just under $200 on Amazon.

Sennheiser also just announce the Momentum M2 which feature better pads and supposedly better sound. Those would be a bit more expensive though.

Edit: Nevermind, just noticed the old Momentums don't fold so only the M2 which do fold would fit all the criteria.

Hello people, so, my friend recommended me to upgrade to a headphone with standalone mic. I already ordered the mic but now I’m looking for some headphones to go with it. I will use them mainly for gaming but also listening to music and watching some shows. I kind of panic ordered the HyperX Cloud II because I bought the mic but hadn’t chosen the headphones yet so I quickly bought these (I will refund it if you guys recommend something else). After researching some more I got to the Sennheiser HD 598SR or Audio-Technica ATH-AD500X.



• Budget - ~€120, I kept increasing my budget because found out my budget didn’t have good quality headphones.

• Source - Right into my desktop.

• Requirements for Isolation - Is not something I'm worried about.

• Will you be using these Headphones in Public? - No, only on my desktop.

• Preferred Type of Headphone - Over-ear.

• Past headphones - Currently I’m using a Logitech G230(Got it for half the price as on the amazon link though). The thing I like about the G230 is that is it over-ear so that is what I’m going for again.

• Preferred Music - 80% of my library consists of stuff you find on Monstercat. The other 20% is stuff like this: [1] - [2] - [3] - [4] -

• Location - Location is in The Netherlands, so I can still buy from amazon.de if it's not available here.



So right now, my questions are:

1. Should I refund the Cloud II and get one of the two above?
   
   
2. In case 1., which should I take or is there something else that is better for my needs around or lower than my budget?
   
   
3. Or should I just forget about it and use my current headset and just disable the mic?
   
   
   
   Thank you!

Thanks for the reply.

I have narrowed my searches down to 3 headbands.

1. Sennheiser Foam Headband Pad
   
   
2. Mayflower Electronics Fostex T50RP Comfort Headband
   
   
3. This random clip-on headband that I found since I couldn't find the beyerdynamic one you mentioned
   
   Out of all the 3, I think I like the Mayflower one the most. It looks really comfortable.

That's what I've been reading. Thanks!

Is this good? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MSS6CS/
I saw it recommended on the few places other people were having this issue. I also don't mind spending a bit more if its something nicer.

Or would you recommend anything different (I have Amazon Prime so that is preferred)?

It seems like there are a lot of questions today but I'll give it a shot.

• Budget - Up to $50 based on Amazon prices.
  
  
• Source - Most likely my CMOY or the output of a Creative Audigy SE. :\
  
  
• Requirements for Isolation - Closed. Even though I'd love to try some opens, I'm in a noisy living room next to the TV.
  
  
• Will you be using these Headphones in Public? No
  
  
• Preferred Type of Headphone - Over ear, full sized.
  
  
• Preferred tonal balance - Balanced or slightly warm.
  
  
• Past headphones - JVC HARX300 were the ones I had when younger, that's all I could afford and what I had available. They were ok, I mean I'm not a pro, but they made my ears hurt almost every day. Besides that I have ssome Sony MDR-ZX600 for the street.
  
  
• Preferred Music - So many different things... But I don't want to choose my headphones Die Antwoord. I'd say that I want them to play The Clash, The Smiths, Talking Heads or Supertramp maybe.
  
  
• What would you like to improve on from your set-up : I just need some over ear headphones that are VERY comfy and easy listening, not tiring deep bass or crispy treble.
  
  I have some candidates:
  
  Audio Technica ATH-T200 ($29): https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-T200-Closed-Back-Dynamic-Headphones/dp/B0093GXOCI/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_sims?ie=UTF8
  
  Audio Technica ATH-M20x ($47): https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M20x-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR18/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
  
  Samson SR950: https://www.amazon.com/Samson-SR950-Professional-Reference-Headphones/dp/B00CBPJLFW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1474656499&sr=8-2&keywords=sr850
  
  I'd consider the Monoprice but I rather buy from Amazon, 2 day shipping and easy returns.

Hey guys,

I'm looking to purchase the beyerdynamic DT990 but they have 2 versions on amazon. Can anyone help me out and tell me what the difference is between the 2 and if the more expensive one is worth it?

Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO Headphones - 250 OHM https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0011UB9CQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_OJuYzb3WF39YS

DT 990 Edition 250 ohm HiFi headphones https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00193FT26/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_xSuYzb2K7KEET

Thank you.

Budget: <50 euros if possible

Source: PC, Smartphone

Isolation: im indifferent

Will you be using this headphones in public: yes

Preferred type of headphones: Only over ears

Preferred type of headphone: Bassy - Balanced

Past headphones: Hyperx cloud 2, JBL T210.

Preferred music: Jazz, Lo-fi, Chill, Electro swing, but even sometimes rock.

Hey guys if anyone has reccomendations for me that would be great.

Im trying to find an over ear headphones. Maybe Bluetooth would be nice as im going to use this while commuting as well, but i wouldn't mind having a wired one if the performance is worth the hassle.

im going to use these headphones for long periods of time so i would really want to avoid any sort of in ears or on ear headphones because those things hurt like hell after youve used them for a few hours.

Im considering: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HVLUR18/

or

https://www.amazon.com/Mpow-Bluetooth-Headphones-Wireless-Memory-Protein/dp/B072J9CNHH
any other reccomendations would be great!

I would not go with the ones you suggested, as there isn't much information on them from reputable audio sites. For your budget, many people suggest the KZ ATE, a huge bang for buck performer. They are actually under your budget at £13. Here they are on Amazon.co.uk I have a pair and I can vouch for their stellar performance at a low price point. I also recommend stretching your budget a bit to buy the Zero Audio Carbo Tenores, my favorite IEM under $50. They actually seem to be a bit cheaper in Britain only being priced at £26. These will perform like IEMs priced around $120 and above. No matter which you choose, you will be happy though.

Me and a friend are trying to find some really good headphones for music and gaming, but we're aware of "gaming" headsets, so we're trying to stay away from them. We both like the Audio-Technica ATH-M30Xs and the LyxPro HAS-30s. I'm wondering, are these headphones good for gaming and surround sound?! Thank you!

EDIT:This is all probably a stupid question, but that's anyway :P

I recently bought 32 ohm DT990's and really like them (so comfortable) but the motherboard on my desktop is too cheap and awful to really drive them well (even at one 32 ohm). Right now, I'm using a cheap usb adapter to drive the headphones and my mic (something like this) and I feel like that's preventing me from getting the most of my headphones.


I'm looking at getting a Fiio E10k, but would like to know if this is a worthwhile purchase, or if there are any other products I should look at for combined Dac/Amp under $100?

> I've looked at the list of recommended headphones, but I'm not really sure what sounds I should be looking for.

You actually seem to have a pretty god idea. You're right to be looking for closed-back, both for DJing and for listening in public spaces. The first two you listed would be fine choices. Right now on amazon (US) the ATH M30x (the bigger brother of the M20x) is on sale for just a few bucks over your budget. ($68) http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M30x-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUQW8/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1449095248&sr=1-2&keywords=ath+m20x

Stereo, however I would recommend investing in a better soundcard or an external DAC.

Something like this is cheap, portable and will provide a massive improvement over an onboard soundcard.

I have the Custom One Pros, they have superb sound quality, great bass which is also adjustable, and they do not require an amp because they are 16 ohm. The price fluctuates a lot. I bought mine for $170 on amazon.

Edit: Link

These http://www.amazon.de/gp/aw/d/B00A39PPCG?cache=dde91668e048973cfc07618624a71c9a&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1413028434&sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1. They are 289 euro and perfect for your use. If you don't find them comfortable (I find them to be comfortable enough), they have more comfortable replacement earpads. I have these headphones myself.

I'm not Canadian but since I'm bored I found these

Sennheiser HD 380

Sennheiser HD 280

Shure SE215 (Just bough a pair of the clear ones not 2 hours ago :D)

Those are all the ones I could find without posting ones that have already been posted in their own thread by other users. Hope it was helpful anyways

I'm not at all familiar with open headphones at that price point, but for what you want them for closed back sounds like the way to go.

My first suggestion is the JayCar Pro Monitor. At only $50 it is good value and you probably couldn't do better, at least closed back, for the price.

If you can stretch your budget you are into Shure SRH440 and Sennheiser HD280 territory. Of these I would personally go for the Shure.

Next time click the green link at the top of this subreddit (Daily Headphone Purchase Advice thread) :)

But go for the superlux, you could also consider this https://www.amazon.co.uk/P-Howard-HD681-Superlux-Headphones/dp/B002GHIPYI (better bass, than the one you have, but the one you posted has better soundstage)

Im also liking the Tascam TH-02 (which i actually own)

THANKS a lot for the reply mate

> Are the Sennheisers loose when you wear them? Do they feel like they're going to fall off?

Well, not FALL off, but yeah a bit loose

Also, I was looking at getting these Audio Technica ATH-AD700X or the ATH-AD900X ones. I like everything about them as it is, but was wondering if those 'wing' style headbands would make the fit a bit tighter

I need to choose between these two headphones, but if there is a better pair for $50, then I am open to change.

Silverado

and Audio-Technicas

I am an emerging audiophile, with little prior experience. I will use them mostly for listening to music.

Sound quality is my number one priority, but I am also looking for good sound isolation and powerful bass.

New Momentums right at the cusp of your budget.

New V-Moda M100 also at 200 exactly.

If you wait a little bit these go on sale. I got the M-100 in 'Phantom Chrome' for 150 during Black Friday (I know... it's 6 mos. away).

If you check the used for V-Moda on Amazon, there are 'like new' and refurbished for 160 to 180, free shipping.

I would recommend that if you get V-Modas to fork out 20 bucks and get the XL pads. They make a big difference!

Hello! The headphone jack on my laptop recently broke and is unusable. I'm currently using Sennheiser 598 headphones.

Would something like this or this be a good workaround? Will the sound quality still be okay?

I could spend up to $30 if these won't work well though.

Thanks for the help

DT990 Premium 250ohm is 170$ on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-990-Premium-250-Ohm/dp/B00193FT26 I know it's 30$ over but the build is much better. I've had issues with the pro's adjustment brackets. Anyways they're really good for movies and games.

For an amp, you could start out small with an FioE10k or MiccaOrigin+. Or buy a magni and run it off your computers' DAC for awhile and buy a modi later on. Up to you.

edit: Also dont get the 32ohm 990. I heard they aren't as fast as the higher ohm.

picked mine up just about 6 years ago and I just got some HE400s yesterday. Have fun!

I still love mine, they are super beefy, but the headband will go at some point. This replacement works, I promise. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00862522A/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I need a DAC & Amp to use with my Philips SHP9500s on my PC.

Budget: $50 - $100

Necessary Features: USB Input, External Power(non portable)

My onboard audio sounds pretty good (Asus Z97-AR motherboard), but it is very noisy. I also have this cheapo USB adapter which sounds awful, but it's quiet. I use the audio adapter for my V-Moda Mic and I plan to keep using it because the mic is very clear with it.

 

The most recommended products seem to be the Fiio E10k and the Micca Origen. I think the Micca is perfect, but it's over budget. The Fiio has all the features I need too, but reviews seem to be mixed about actual sound quality.

My biggest question is whether there is an appreciable difference between the 192kHz Micca and the 96kHz Fiio. Also, are there any other obvious contenders that I'm overlooking?