Headphone selection

polkerfan

Hey, everyone. It's been a LONG time since I've been on here, but I do need some solid advice on choosing a new set of headphones. Currently, I just have a cheap $15 pair of Sony behind-the-ear headphones. Of course, they are just used when the wife and little guy are trying to sleep at night. But I'd really like to upgrade to a much nicer set of headphones that I can use for when I watch movies or play a vid on my PS3. I do have a 5.1 surround system (Denon AVR-591) and ALL POLK speaker set-up. Is there a nice ALL-AROUND set of headphones that will give me much more of a "surround" feel or improve 'spaciousness' when I watch movies or play vids on my PS3 and also sound great when listening to music, that won't cost an arm and a leg? I look forward to all of your suggestions. (Not sure if this was the proper category to address this question in.)

Thanks!

chumlie

GRADO SR80i. Best i've found for the money. You will not be sorry. Can't be touched in its price range IMO.

Tour2ma

polkerfan wrote: »

... that won't cost an arm and a leg?

Define "arm and a leg".

george daniel

Tour2ma wrote: »

Define "arm and a leg".

+1 on that

polkerfan

Thanks for the input so far. The Grados look nice. Hopefully they sound equally as nice, whether watching a movie or playing a PS3 game. As far as an 'arm and a leg' goes, I was looking at a pair of 'TURTLE BEACH' headphones and some 'TRITTONS' at Best Buy. The guy there said that the T.B.'s actually had surround sound built into them, and both the Trittons and the Turtle Beach headphones were $150 to $270. I guess not really an 'arm and a leg' but at least a few digits Just need something that will make movies and vids sound WAY better than my cheap Sonys.

Any other ideas? Thanks!

chumlie

They do.

coolsax

have heard many good things about the Ultrasone that Keiko has recommended.. also good for it if you don't need immense bass and can live with open cans is the Audio technica AD 700 many gamers use these b/c of their ability to image and place sounds properly.

skrol

I had a set of Grado SR80 for many years and really enjoyed them very much. This year I upgraded to the SR225i and love them even more. The open design of the Grados give them a very nice spatial presence. The down side is that they do not block out any noise in the room. They are great for those late nights when the house is quiet and you don't want to disturb the family with music or movie.

If noise blocking is an issue, go with something that seals around the ear or an in ear monitor. For an IEM, I can recommend the Denon AHC-751 and replace the silicone tips with memory foam, which is what I use with my portable listening.
Stan

polkerfan

Hey, guys. Thanks everbody for the input so far. Coolsax,Keiko, Chumlie, Skrol... This is why I appreciate these forums so much. Just great opinions from real people. So right now it sound like Grados really fit the bill. Not sure if I can find these locally (which I'd prefer). Hey, Skrol, noise cancelling will not be much of a factor due to nearly complete silence in my theater room after the family is asleep. And Keiko and Coolsax, I was actually looking at the Ultrasones on Amazon. Don't know anything about them, so sell me on them! Anybody have opinions on Sennheisers, maybe Bose, or Trittons (like Best Buy would sell?)? I guess my limit is $100. Of all of these headphones that have been mentioned, are they the best for games AND movies? Thanks!

Just to reitterate- I am lookning for the BEST all-around headphones for movie watching AND PS3 gaming.

Tour2ma

polkerfan wrote: »

Thanks for the input so far. The Grados look nice. Hopefully they sound equally as nice, whether watching a movie or playing a PS3 game. As far as an 'arm and a leg' goes, I was looking at a pair of 'TURTLE BEACH' headphones and some 'TRITTONS' at Best Buy. The guy there said that the T.B.'s actually had surround sound built into them, and both the Trittons and the Turtle Beach headphones were $150 to $270. I guess not really an 'arm and a leg' but at least a few digits Just need something that will make movies and vids sound WAY better than my cheap Sonys.

Any other ideas? Thanks!

Surround seems an odd concept for headphones, but folks swear it works.

If gaming is in the mix, don't you want a set with a mic? Strictly based on Amazon reviews and I bought Turtle Beach's Ear Force X41 for my Son-in-Law so he can MW3 with his fellow military buds. And they're wireless to boot...

Don't know the Ultrasones. I've heard, but not owned, Grados... very nice. I owned some open air Sennheisers that were OK at best. For the little headphone listening I do I still use my old, factory refurb'd Koss Pro 4AA's... almost 40 years old and still in warranty.

Regardless of your choice, at this late date I'd sit tight, hope for gift certificates (not too late to drop hints) and in a matter of days your buying power is going to increase considerably...

Tour2ma

An understandable preference... but my old 4AA's have the added benefit of developing neck muscles...