I need headphones


If there's anyone here who knows about these things...

I'm looking for good headphones that aren't too expensive (around $50, can be a bit higher). I've read many reviews, but I'm still not sure what to get. Right now I'm considering the Sennheiser PX 100 Collapsible Headphones and the Sennheiser HD 215 Extreme DJ Sound Headphones.

What I'm looking for is good, rich, clear sound (at least for the price level) without too much bass (I like bass, I just don't want it at an extreme volume where it thuds into my head), comfort, and something that isn't going to snap apart on me. I'm also not sure I want headphones that drown out all other noise, as 1. I'd kind of like to be able to know what's going on around me and, 2. somehow it doesn't seem healthy to have noise that powerful in your ear. Sizewise, ideally I'd like just the average size headphone.

Anyone have any thoughts to offer me? Thanks.

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"Why spend your life making someone else's dreams come true?"

-- Ed Wood, the movie

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I'd like to know this too, I need quality headphones

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Well, I ordered the PX100 and wasn't pleased with them. They didn't sound as good to me as my broken old Sony MDR-V300 headphones. They were also small and just... not so cool. And the were way too complicated to take out of/put back in their stupid case. I sent them back. Not sure what I'll do now.

_ _ _

"Why spend your life making someone else's dreams come true?"

-- Ed Wood, the movie

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which bigger that better.

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James Woods-only one who reads the script before acting in it.

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Thanks sooooo much for the help, here, folks. I finally just bit the bullet and bought a pair of headphones that was a good deal more expensive than I wanted. They're alright. Best thing I could find in an actual store, and buying online without listening is just too confusing.

_ _ _

"Why spend your life making someone else's dreams come true?"

-- Ed Wood, the movie

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I use $550.00 Shure 530 earbuds for main listening. I'm not trying to brag or be a dick, but I mention this because for casual listening when I am too lazy to grab the Shures and just want something that goes on and off fast and easy I use these, in fact more than half the time I am using the ones in the link.

http://www.amazon.com/Koss-PortaPro-Headphones-with-Case/dp/B00001P4ZH /ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1197322859&sr=8-1

They fold up quite small, are about $35.00 and I have never heard anything as good at twice the price. Honestly they are not a big step down from my main units and I am very, very picky about the sound of headphones (or speakers).

matt2873 - Why....oh why you morons defer to 'experts' is anyone's guess.

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I recommend Koss Porta Pro too. For that price they are good.

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LOL, Anyone who spends half his time Ripping on TC's beliefs is a friend of mine, might have to add that board to my list.

matt2873 - Why....oh why you morons defer to 'experts' is anyone's guess.

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The nicest sounding headphones I've owned were Sony MDR-V7 ... unfortunately, I loaned them to a friend (what was I thinking?) and he managed to destroy them completely. And unfortunately they are a rare model, maybe only sold in Japan in the '90s.

The Sony 7506 "pro" headphones are supposed to be good; you may have to go through some kind of pro sound or musician retailer to get them. (One high-end loudspeaker designer uses them as a reference!) The MDR-V6 is probably the same, the V600, maybe not.

I've got a pair of the MDR-V900 headphones: they're pretty heavy on the bass, and in theory will play loud enough to either overcome or cause extreme deafness. Two of my co-workers went and bought their own after hearing mine. Maybe it was just because mine were bigger than theirs.

Best headphones for the buck are the Koss "The Plug" in-ear phones; you may have to make custom foam plugs, because if they don't seal properly there's no bass. But, when they do fit, they're probably 75% as good as the MDR-V900 headphones, for less than 1/10 the cost. Plenty of bass.

I've got an old pair of the classic Sennheiser HD-414 "on the ear" 'phones; they sound nice, but compared to the other headphones there is no bass.

Another brand I've heard good stuff about is Grado. If you can find someplace that has them, give them a listen.

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I have Grado 60's, one of the few full sized headphones that can take the low power of a MP3 player and deliver decent volume. They a have very good sound and give you what most portables don't (for under $200.00) a good soundstage and decent imaging. (Their other full sized phones will not get any volume out of a portable. )

It's close to audiophile for $70.00, downside, these are full sized phones. Wear them on the street and people will think you have earmuffs on. I stick with the others because they defeat the purpose of a portable rig. (though at home for the couch they come out a few times a week, otherwise they are for the home theater rig and then I don't much like headphones at all most of the time.

matt2873 - Why....oh why you morons defer to 'experts' is anyone's guess.

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