Help w/Headphone purchase!

wal1885
wal1885 Posts: 27
edited July 2005 in Electronics
Ok so my Dad asked me to check out some stereo headphones for him for his birthday . I really like researching audio stuff but I have never even glanced at headphone anything. Are there certain features I need to look for? Any suggestions for brand/models? I would like to buy new for $100-150 but I realize there is a huge value in the used audio market so I might consider that as well.
5.1 HT Set up
Rti8 (Front)
Rti6 (Rear)
csi5 (center)
DIY Atlas 15"
AMC 2100 (towers)
Marantz 6100 (center)
Yamaha rx-v650
Post edited by wal1885 on
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  • Mjr7531
    Mjr7531 Posts: 856
    edited July 2005
    The best thing you can do is to go to your local Music Store/Guitar Shop (ie: Sam Ash, or some such equivolent) And give some different brands a listen. My dad and I did that and we got the AKG K240, That's one suggestion I'd throw at ya'. When you go, bring some Classical Music that you're familiar with, and just listen for detail.
    Lower impedance cans, comfortable design, replacable cords are all details that would be helpful.
    Good luck on your search,
    Matt
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  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited July 2005
    http://www.headphone.com/

    http://www.head-fi.org/

    I'm a big Sennheiser fan.

    Grados sound good for the price but are very uncomfortable IMO.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
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  • trubluluc
    trubluluc Posts: 2,067
    edited July 2005
    Same here.
    Sennheiser is high quality, great comfort, affordable (especially when you buy them discounted on Amazon.com or ebay.
    I have a pair of 650's and a pair of 600's which for whatever reason sound more open than the 650's.
    But I would highly recommend either.

    -Luc
    Originally posted by shack

    I'm a big Sennheiser fan.
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,606
    edited July 2005
    If you go to a Guitar Center, ETC. for headphones, pay close
    attention to the impedence of the headphones. The higher the number, the harder the amp has to work to drive them.
    Example: AKG has several models. The AKG k240 cans come in two flavors- the tradional 600 ohm and a new 55 ohm version.
    The 55 ohm set will work with just about anything. The 600 ohm WILL require a headset amp. Guitar Center has many good(not great) cans in your price range. But this is a lousy place to try out a set. A good stereo shop might have a better listening area, but will have a limited selection, with fewer choices in your price point.
    I liked the AKG k240 ($100), but the full over the ear design along with the simulated leather earpiece made my ears start to sweat after just a few minutes(of course, its a bit warm here in Texas!)
    Good luck with your search.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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