Headphone recommendations

danlarson
danlarson Posts: 89
edited January 2009 in Electronics
Does anyone have any headphone recommendations in the $100-200 price range? I tried the Sure sound isolating earphones but hated them-- they plugged my ears just fine but I wasn't impressed with the sound quality.
Post edited by danlarson on
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  • DeusExa
    DeusExa Posts: 491
    edited January 2009
    First, determine whether you want headphones, earbuds, or IEMs (IN ear monitors). That depends on your usage and application.

    For IEMs, I recommend Ultimate Ears, and headphones, Audio-Technica (AD700/ES7, Sennheiser (HD555/595), or Beyerdynamic Dt770, at that price range. OF course, decide if you want open or closed, and some more specs.
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  • hockeyboy
    hockeyboy Posts: 1,428
    edited January 2009
    I have been happy with my Sennheiser HD 555's which I use often. I ultimately paired it with a CMOY headphone amp like this which really made it awesome.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/Portable-Headphone-Amplifier-CMOY-AMP-HEADAMP-HI-FI_W0QQitemZ260348270083QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item260348270083&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
    My Main Gear
    Mitsu HC5000 (Proj.)
    Marantz SR8001 (AVR)
    Sunfire TGA7200 (AMP)
    Marantz DV7001 (SACD)
    Samsung BD-P1500 Blu-Ray
    LSi 15's (Front)
    LSiC (Center)
    LSiFx (Surrounds)
    DUAL SVS 20-39 CS Plus     (Passive Subs)
    Marantz IS201 I-Pod Dock[/SIZE]
    Panamax M5300EX
    Carada Criterion 106" Brightwhite Screen
    Sunfire TGA 5200 & (4) B&W 605's in the party room
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2009
    you should be able to get a cecent pair of Senn 600's for that kind of money,if you don't mind buying used.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited January 2009
    are grado`s any good ?
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2009
    My experience with Grado was very good,and from a service issue,,and I kept them until I heard some Senn's thru a tubed HP amp.The synergy with the headphone amp and the Senn's was better suited for me. I don't think that you are gonna get hurt buying either,, just a matter of preference.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited January 2009
    I recently purchased these for my girlfriend's NuForce Icon/Laptop rig.

    http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-A700-Closed-Back-Dynamic-Headphones/dp/B000E9VKUQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1232832110&sr=1-3

    Great sounding set of phones! Very neutral with plenty of bass, not fatiguing at all Plus they're pretty comfortable. For the price they're going for now, I'm tempted to buy a set for myself.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited January 2009
    I agree. Sennheiser, there's a reason there used in a lot of recording studios!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • sda2mike
    sda2mike Posts: 3,131
    edited January 2009
    beardog03 wrote: »
    are grado`s any good ?

    Si!:cool:
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  • beardog03
    beardog03 Posts: 5,550
    edited January 2009
    I did love my Senn 650`s, but would like to try some Grado`s
    Cary SLP-98L F1 DC Pre Amp (Jag Blue)
    Parasound HCA-3500
    Cary Audio V12 amp (Jag Red)
    Polk Audio Xm Reciever (Autographed by THE MAN Himself) :cool:
    Magnum Dynalab MD-102 Analog Tuna
    Jolida JD-100 CDP
    Polk Audio LSi9 Speaks (ebony)
    SVS PC-Ultra Sub
    AQ Bedrock Speaker Cables (Bi-Wired)
    MIT Shotgun S1 I/C`s
    AQ Black Thunder Sub Cables
    PS Audio Plus Power Cords
    Magnum Dynalab ST-2 FM Antenna
    Sanus Cherry wood Speak Stands
    Adona AV45CS3 / 3 Tier Rack (Black /Gold)

    :cool:
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  • danlarson
    danlarson Posts: 89
    edited January 2009
    I'm looking mainly for phones for listening at work. I found a Behringer headphone amp (MA400, found it on Amazon for $25!) and am looking at either the Sennheiser HD-555 ($105) or the Yamaha RH5MA ($48) based on recommendations here. From what I've read, the Grados in this price range might be a bit TOO leaky for the office.

    I most likely will use these 4+ hours/day, depending, either on laptop music or from my iphone. Any further recommendations? :) Especially in this price range (up to $200) and between these models. I like to listen to rock mainly at work (linkin park, nin) but listen to all ranges.

    The Sennheiser HD-555 ships direct from Amazon so the return policy is good if I don't like them. :)
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,414
    edited January 2009
    I have had mt Grado SR80's for about 15 years and am very happy with them especially with the newer style ear foam covers.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • danlarson
    danlarson Posts: 89
    edited January 2009
    Ok, here's what I came up with:
    Sennheiser HD-595 Premier Headphone (192)
    Behringer Monitor Headphone Amp MA400 (25)

    Brings the total to about $225. I think that's the best I can get in that range... the grados do look good, but I think the Senns will blow them away. And shoot-- it's Amazon, I can always change my mind.
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