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[HiResDes]

Hey headphone gaf, what do you think is the best cheap-ish headphone for classical/jazz/occasional rock music? Anything up to ~$120/£80 is good. Has to be over-ear and preferably closed.

Oh and also, is a 3.5mm extension cable going to have any noticeable affect on sound quality for headphones at this price?

I'd also recommend the Koss Pro DJ100 or Jaycar (HM5 Rebrands)

So I love the A161p, but the wires on them are terrible. One of them is about to rip :/ Amazon is processing a refund right now.

Anything else in that price range, or might just try these again.

These are a little more, but are comparable....Read the full review

I already own a pair of M50's. Is it worth it to spend another $150 on the M80's, or even the $120 on the LP2's?

V-Moda M80s have little to do with Audio Technica M-50s...M-80s would be a step up, while LP2s would be more of a sidegrade, but whether it is worth it or not is entirely subjective.

 

[Steve o 3000]

V-Moda M80s have little to do with Audio Technica M-50s...M-80s would be a step up, while LP2s would be more of a sidegrade, but whether it is worth it or not is entirely subjective.

Cool. Thanks for the help!

 

[jonhuz]

Just bought some Philips L1's, the bass needs reducing a touch. Does the bass reduction EQ preset on iPhone = iTunes bass reduction preset?

 

[The Big Rig]

I finally convinced my buddy to buy the M-100 over some Beats Studios. Should be here in a couple days, so hopefully he'll let me try them out.

 

[sixteen-bit]

I finally convinced my buddy to buy the M-100 over some Beats Studios. Should be here in a couple days, so hopefully he'll let me try them out.

lol cheeky. it sounds like you had selfish motives.

 

[thirty]

Sony MH1C

got these MH1C's in the mail last night and they sound like shit. i'm burning them in now, hopefully they improve in 2-3 days.

 

[HiResDes]

Are you sure you got the C's?

 

[AnkhWeasel]

Had my Momentums for a fair while now - big fan.
Solid sound - initially bassier than expected, which is actually good while on the go.
Comfortable, looks great based on my tastes and those of my friends.
Still not sure about using them as my day-to-day portables though, they're nice enough that damage or theft would really, really suck.

 

[The Big Rig]

lol cheeky. it sounds like you had selfish motives.

I cannot deny this.

 

[thirty]

Are you sure you got the C's?

yup. out of the box (non-retail packaging i should say) it had some moments of brilliance but there's a lot of crackling going on. again, i'll let them burn in for a few days before i make any hard judgments.

 

[edible_candle]

Why not consider the M80s now that they are about $150

+1 for the V-Moda M80s.

Audio-Technica ATH-M50s will give you sweaty ears after 1 hour of listening while immobile. Obviously this would be much worse at the gym.

The Denon HP700s are great sound-wise, a step up from the M50s IMO, but again suffer the same sweaty ears issue and while they can be run straight from an iPod, I'd say they aren't at their best without an amp.

The V-Moda M80s however are tank-like durable, play every genre of music perfectly, are on-ear so no-sweaty, really do NOT need an amp (it's almost detrimental!) and will give you a similar level of transparency, detail/microdetail and mids-focused sound as your HD595s.

Thanks for the help, the M80s are now at the top of my list! Causing less sweating is definitely a plus, as is the improved sound quality. I noticed that they are on-ear, as opposed to over ear, which is absolutely fine, but I would like to know if they offer a similar level of sound isolation and comfort as the circumaural headphones.

 

[HiResDes]

Thanks for the help, the M80s are now at the top of my list! Causing less sweating is definitely a plus, as is the improved sound quality. I noticed that they are on-ear, as opposed to over ear, which is absolutely fine, but I would like to know if they offer a similar level of sound isolation and comfort as the circumaural headphones.

Isolation is pretty poor, though sound leakage is actually pretty minimal. Comfort is good.

 

[Keylime]

Does anyone who is recommending the M80s all over the place actually own a set?

...because I have those cans and really dislike them. Not for the sound-signature, mind you. They sound fine...but the placement on your head is a major factor in sound quality.

You need to get the headband height and the ear placement just right in order to get the right sound and seal...otherwise they are pretty bad. After using them continuously for at least a couple months, I still never got great at finding that sweetspot.

The cord is actually annoying as well. The stitching gets frayed and bends in the cord are psuedo-permanent which sucks. The carrying case was excellent, however.

I dropped them for a pair of HD-25 IIs and never looked back. Tighter seal. No quesswork on the placement. Better sound signature (for me). Just as durable.

If the sound signature on the HD-25 IIs matches someone's needs, I'd say it's an easy recommendation over the M80s any day.

Was really not happy with my M80 purchase.

 

[The Big Rig]

It might just be my head, but I haven't found any problem with placement on the M-80. I've found the pads to be pretty forgiving, giving a good seal from different angles. With the cord, I just use the clip that comes with it and my cord doesn't fray or rub.

For sound signature, I've listened to both now and hated how fatiguing the HD-25's highs are after a little while. But that's my taste. To each his own.

 

[3N16MA]

It might just be my head, but I haven't found any problem with placement on the M-80. I've found the pads to be pretty forgiving, giving a good seal from different angles. With the cord, I just use the clip that comes with it and my cord doesn't fray or rub.

For sound signature, I've listened to both now and hated how fatiguing the HD-25's highs are after a little while. But that's my taste. To each his own.

Same. Not my taste and also it was a pain to wear because of my big head.

 

[twofold]

I'm going to be going travelling for a year or so and I'm looking for a solid pair of headphones that are well built, portable and sound good. I was thinking of grabbing a pair of Sennheiser HD25s but I was worried that they may be a little difficult to pack since they don't fold up. It's really important that they can live through a bit of punishment - I don't want a pair of headphones that will stop working after a few months.

Any thoughts?

got these MH1C's in the mail last night and they sound like shit. i'm burning them in now, hopefully they improve in 2-3 days.

Mine sounded awful with the medium tips but they sound great with the larger ones. They're very detailed but the bass comes on slightly too strong. I don't have any issues with crackling or anything like that, either. I hate the cable on it, though. I wish Sony would have used a normal one instead of the current cable.

 

[Keylime]

I'm going to be going travelling for a year or so and I'm looking for a solid pair of headphones that are well built, portable and sound good. I was thinking of grabbing a pair of Sennheiser HD25s but I was worried that they may be a little difficult to pack since they don't fold up. It's really important that they can live through a bit of punishment - I don't want a pair of headphones that will stop working after a few months.

Any thoughts?

Definitely accurate that the HD25s don't fold up, but they are pretty darn rugged. I was throwing them in my bag every day to/from work for about a year before I switched to my Trumpets as my commuting set.

If you like the HD25s and are just worried about their durability, I think you'll be more than covered on that front assuming you aren't literally throwing them on the ground on a regular basis or something.

...to that end, the M80s would be much more durable if those suit your tastes.

 

[Jomjom]

Anyone know where I can buy a cheap headphone stand (doesn't need to actually be a headphone stand). I'm looking for something under $10. Thanks!

 

[twofold]

Definitely accurate that the HD25s don't fold up, but they are pretty darn rugged. I was throwing them in my bag every day to/from work for about a year before I switched to my Trumpets as my commuting set.

If you like the HD25s and are just worried about their durability, I think you'll be more than covered on that front assuming you aren't literally throwing them on the ground on a regular basis or something.

...to that end, the M80s would be much more durable if those suit your tastes.

Thanks! The M80s look fantastic, and they're not overly expensive in the UK, either. Any opinions on how they match up sound wise to the HD25s?

Edit - Just saw your previous post - shame you're not too happy with it.

Well, apparently V-Moda offer a 60 day test drive thingy and I can return it if I'm not happy with it. I think it's worth a go. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[HiResDes]

Anyone know where I can buy a cheap headphone stand (doesn't need to actually be a headphone stand). I'm looking for something under $10. Thanks!

OP...

 

[Jomjom]

OP...

Ah sorry I should have been more clear. I left out that I'm looking for something I can pick up at a store near me right now during my lunch break. I've heard the banana holders can be had at Walmart? Is there anything else that's cheap like that?

 

[Kukuk]

I think I'm going to trade my CD900ST's for some K501's. Anyone have any experience with the K501's?

I've heard the K500's, which were pretty great sounding, and that's why I'm even considering the K501's as an option. But I guess the K500's sound pretty different from the K501's, so any opinions on them would be great.

There's lots of testimony for them on head-fi, but most of it is really old, and I'd be interested to see how they stack up against more current headphones. The only real thing I could take away from it all is that they are definitely better than the K701's.

 

[HiResDes]

Ah sorry I should have been more clear. I left out that I'm looking for something I can pick up at a store near me right now during my lunch break. I've heard the banana holders can be had at Walmart? Is there anything else that's cheap like that?

Hose Hook

I think I'm going to trade my CD900ST's for some K501's. Anyone have any experience with the K501's?

I've heard the K500's, which were pretty great sounding, and that's why I'm even considering the K501's as an option. But I guess the K500's sound pretty different from the K501's, so any opinions on them would be great.

There's lots of testimony for them on head-fi, but most of it is really old, and I'd be interested to see how they stack up against more current headphones. The only real thing I could take away from it all is that they are definitely better than the K701's.

K501s are rare and notoriously hard to drive, so without a really nice setup I don't think they stack too well to AKG's current offerings.

 

[Kukuk]

That's what I had heard. Since they aren't low impedance, and they aren't high impedance it's hard to get them the current they need. I think my amp did a pretty good job with the K500's, and their amping requirements aren't all that different.

If they're anything like the K601's, I might have a little weaker upper-treble response, since the impedance on the K601's spikes in the upper frequencies, but otherwise they should sound just fine. That's a pretty big "if" though, since I think each generation they change the drivers.

I'm kind of curious about this mids and soundstage, though. Some people have said they have an absolutely massive soundstage, while others say they have a smaller soundstage than the K601's or K701's. I think they'll probably end up having a smaller soundstage with my amp, since I had trouble getting a very big soundstage with the K601's. I think the Little Dot I+ is just inherently intimate sounding.

 

[HiResDes]

Have you heard the Q701 yet?

 

[Kukuk]

Nope. My usual headphone store, 32 Ohm Audio, closed up shop, so I haven't been able to listen to a lot of new headphones.

 

[f0rk]

Are Sennheiser HD558s OK for £130? For PC games and music.

 

[Gigglepoo]

Question for those who know audio equipment.

I have an HTC Detail (Sprint's version of the Evo Shift) and, until recently, I had no complaints with my listening experience. But the pair of headphones I had been using died, and it's been a painful quest to find a suitable replacement.

The problem is, every pair I use has interference. After doing some research, I found out that a design flaw means headphones with longer jacks don't fit right. So, I just need a small jack, right?

Well, I'm also peculiar about my headphones. I don't want to wear the big ones in public, and anything that goes into my ear canal is uncomfortable. I've been using this pair for a couple weeks and then picked up these at my local Walgreens, but even though both are comfortable, they have longer jacks so the sound distorts.

Does anyone know a pair of headphones with a short jack that hooks on my ear?

Thanks in advance!

Oh, and if you're curious, the pair that died (and worked perfectly) were from a Sony Walkman (MP3 player), but I can't find anything like it on their site.

 

[Geneijin]

Question for those who know audio equipment.

I have an HTC Detail (Sprint's version of the Evo Shift) and, until recently, I had no complaints with my listening experience. But the pair of headphones I had been using died, and it's been a painful quest to find a suitable replacement.

The problem is, every pair I use has interference. After doing some research, I found out that a design flaw means headphones with longer jacks don't fit right. So, I just need a small jack, right?

Well, I'm also peculiar about my headphones. I don't want to wear the big ones in public, and anything that goes into my ear canal is uncomfortable. I've been using this pair for a couple weeks and then picked up these at my local Walgreens, but even though both are comfortable, they have longer jacks so the sound distorts.

Does anyone know a pair of headphones with a short jack that hooks on my ear?

Thanks in advance!

Oh, and if you're curious, the pair that died (and worked perfectly) were from a Sony Walkman (MP3 player), but I can't find anything like it on their site.

By short jack, you mean a 2.5mm jack instead of the standard 3.5mm? Have you tried an adapter? And if so, how was your experience with using one?

 

[Gigglepoo]

By short jack, you mean a 2.5mm jack instead of the standard 3.5mm? Have you tried an adapter? And if so, how was your experience with using one?

I have no idea how big the jack is. I got that information from this website, so I'm not even 100% sure it's right. But it makes sense. I've never tried an adapter. I didn't even realize that there were adapters for my issue.

 

[Fou-Lu]

Headphones with the best bass for under $100?

 

[HiResDes]

Headphones with the best bass for under $100?

Best or most?
Noontec Zoro or Sony XB500

 

[Kipp]

Does anyone here have any experience with the HE-400s? If so, would I be disappointed with those if I used them with no amp for a while? Obviously an amp would improve them, but are they still great headphones without one?
I currently have no amp and I essentially want to justify a $400 purchase by saying that it'd be the same money as buying a DT 990 600 and a E7/E9 combo to power it. I would get an E17 or something similar sometime in the next 6 months or so probably, but it'd be nice to space out the big spending a bit...

 

[MC RaZaR]

Just got the VSonic GR02 Bass Edition for $38. They are great for the price.

 

[FantasticMrFoxdie]

I asked this in the other thread, but it would probably be best here:



have any of you used the Monoprice HiFI headphones?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/p..._id=1082302&p_id=8324&seq=1&format=4#feedback

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57337747-47/how-good-can-$21.59-headphones-be/

There are supposedly top quality and really cheap.

 

[thirty]

I'm going to be going travelling for a year or so and I'm looking for a solid pair of headphones that are well built, portable and sound good. I was thinking of grabbing a pair of Sennheiser HD25s but I was worried that they may be a little difficult to pack since they don't fold up. It's really important that they can live through a bit of punishment - I don't want a pair of headphones that will stop working after a few months.

Any thoughts?



Mine sounded awful with the medium tips but they sound great with the larger ones. They're very detailed but the bass comes on slightly too strong. I don't have any issues with crackling or anything like that, either. I hate the cable on it, though. I wish Sony would have used a normal one instead of the current cable.

hmm, I'm actually gonna go with the smaller tips. Hope it doesn't sound too bad.

 

[leng jai]

R1s jus arrived in the mail. Arousing packaging indeed. Pics and impressions to follow later.

 

[Geneijin]

I have no idea how big the jack is. I got that information from this website, so I'm not even 100% sure it's right. But it makes sense. I've never tried an adapter. I didn't even realize that there were adapters for my issue.

I see. I ask because it sounds less of an issue and more like it's by design. Have you ever tried comparing the difference in jack size between your old Sony Walkman phones and your new ones? Even a cheap 3.5mm extension cable may solve this issue of yours instead of having to find specific headphones, hoping to resolve this.

 

[f0rk]

Are Sennheiser HD558s OK for £130? For PC games and music.

Anyone? I notice the 598s are in the OP, is it best to just spend the extra £30 are get those instead? I like the design as it's the same as my PC350s

 

[yogloo]

I just bought sony MDR V6. Did I make the right choice?

 

[Keylime]

Thanks! The M80s look fantastic, and they're not overly expensive in the UK, either. Any opinions on how they match up sound wise to the HD25s?

Edit - Just saw your previous post - shame you're not too happy with it.

Well, apparently V-Moda offer a 60 day test drive thingy and I can return it if I'm not happy with it. I think it's worth a go. Thanks for the heads up.

Worth giving them a go, for sure.

I'm a very lonely dissenter when it comes to the M80s so it's entirely possible that you'll love them and I'm just a crotchety old man :lol

 

[sixteen-bit]

I just bought sony MDR V6. Did I make the right choice?

I like mine. Just look out for fakes.

 

[HiResDes]

Anyone? I notice the 598s are in the OP, is it best to just spend the extra £30 are get those instead? I like the design as it's the same as my PC350s

Yeah and also check out the Goldring DR150, which is a bit cheaper.

 

[HiResDes]

Does anyone here have any experience with the HE-400s? If so, would I be disappointed with those if I used them with no amp for a while? Obviously an amp would improve them, but are they still great headphones without one?
I currently have no amp and I essentially want to justify a $400 purchase by saying that it'd be the same money as buying a DT 990 600 and a E7/E9 combo to power it. I would get an E17 or something similar sometime in the next 6 months or so probably, but it'd be nice to space out the big spending a bit...

Consider the Fischer FA-011's and the Sparrow

 

[yogloo]

I like mine. Just look out for fakes.

Wow. that's a scary thought. I bought them from amazon and not from the resellers. Can't wait!

 

[sixteen-bit]

Wow. that's a scary thought. I bought them from amazon and not from the resellers. Can't wait!

Once they arrive double check to make sure they're authentic but if you got them from Amazon directly you should be fine.

 

[yogloo]

Once they arrive double check to make sure they're authentic but if you got them from Amazon directly you should be fine.

Will do! Thanks a lot for the info.

 

[thirty]

HiResDes, my MH1C's are turned out to be great after only 24 hrs of burn in, no more crackling. will chime in after another day of burn in. thanks for the tip.

 

[mackattk]

I think I have narrowed it down between the AKG K/Q701, and the Denon HP700.

I have always absolutely loved the styling of the K/Q701. On the other hand, I really liked my old Denon headphones (AH-D7000). I am leaning toward the K/Q701, but not sure if it is worth 2.5 times the price over the HP700's.

 

[Theonik]

Today I managed to lose my HD555s. (Long story so I'll get to the point) I have to buy new ones. And since replacing them would be more trouble than its worth I want to ask for suggestions.
I have the NFB11.32 amp, and was considering something between the HD650, DT880/pro or AKG K701 (cheaper options would be welcome as well, I want a nice upgrade from modded HD555 basically. Also the NFB should be more than capable of driving these right? Another side question, seeing as these cannot be portably driven are too fancy to haul around any suggestions for something to use on the vita and iPhone? Budget for that should be at less than £80 might consider closer to that if worth it.