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Topic: Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones (Read 9882 times) previous topic - next topic
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Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Can anyone recommend a set of headphones that are comfortable (for extended listening), inexpensive (<$100), and sound good. They don't need to look good because they will only be used on my computer.

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #1 –
Forgot to add that it would be best if it had a long cord.

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #2 –
I use the Aiwa HP-X223, for some reason their site is down, so I can't link to them, they're $40 closed headphones, quite confortable too, with a very long cord.

I've heard Sennheiser HD 497s, some Sony MDRs(300, and 700, I think), and I still think these sound great(WAY better than the sonys). But hell, people here'll tell you to stay away from sony anyway.  B)

They sound great. IMO, they are just as good as Sennheiser in this price range, and better if you'd prefer closed headphones for this price to sennheiser.

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #3 –
Quote
But hell, people here'll tell you to stay away from sony anyway.  B)

Not me. I love the Sony V6 (not the V600). They are about $60.
flac > schiit modi > schiit magni > hd650

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #4 –
I have the Grado SR-60's and they sound great.  I use them on my computer, iRiver SlimX IMP-350, and my flash MP3 player.  I got them here for $69.00 USD:

HeadRoom

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #5 –
I plan to get me a pair of the Grado's soon.
flac > schiit modi > schiit magni > hd650

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #6 –
My favorite was the old Sony V6 (fold) or V7 (non-fold) which is widely used in pro situations (P7605??) but after obtaining a HD580, I prefer it because it is an around-the-ear but open back headphone, meaning more comfort.

P.

Forgot to say, used up a pair of V6 in a year, but the HD580 is three years old now, it only needed  new cord.

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #7 –
One possibility would be the Philips HP890 - one of the most comfortable phones ever made, no doubt.
Sound quality is good enough for most purposes (bass is a bit bloated and quality of highs isn't as good as one could hope, but otherwise its ok, imo).
Comes with a 10 feet detachable cord.

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #8 –
I've got a pair of used Sennheiser HD540 reference for <30€ at ebay and I love them. I don't know where's your location but maybe you could get something similar.
Let's suppose that rain washes out a picnic. Who is feeling negative? The rain? Or YOU? What's causing the negative feeling? The rain or your reaction? - Anthony De Mello

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #9 –
Another reco. for the Grado SR-60. Nice sound. Use with both PC at home and with portable CD-MP3 player.

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #11 –
I'm using the Sennheiser 497s now, they're pretty much cheap, and sound quality is good... Comfort however ... perhaps I have big ears, but after two hours of wearing, your ears start to hurt....

With regards to the Philips HP890, its sound quality really isn't that great. I owned a pair of them ( they fell apart early this month and I bought the new Senns ).. Way too much overemphasis on the bass...

But they're real comfortable, much more than the Sennheiser 497s. I wore them for 5 hours straight, no issues.
 

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #13 –
At the risk of beeing "me too", I'm also going to plug the Grados.

Funny story...  I was with a friend who was shopping around for speakers.  I happened to have my SR-60s with me, so I brought them in to the shop to see if they had headphone amps I could try.  They didn't but the guy said "hey, those are nice headphones."  My response was "yeah, definately for the price", to which he said "no, you're wrong, those are nice headphones."    A bit later we walked into a second store and I got almost the same response.

My buddy settled on the Vandersteens.
I am *expanding!*  It is so much *squishy* to *smell* you!  *Campers* are the best!  I have *anticipation* and then what?  Better parties in *the middle* for sure.
http://www.phong.org/

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #14 –
something to add about the Grados - they have quite a thick cord from the plug and into the ear capsules - tiny bit restrictive compared to ALL other headphones I've used.

But, they sound great, and very comfortable.

I'm a bit of a headphone nut, and currently have the following:

Sennheiser HD600
Sennheiser HD580
Sennheiser HD480-II 600ohm
Sennheiser HD414
Beyer DT-311
Beyer DT-231 Galactic
Grado SR-60

If you can find Sennheiser HD580 at the right price, they are much better than the Grado's - has bags more detail. I picked up a new pair in the UK for £79 last week, so you may have some luck. Noticeably better than the Grado's.

Within your price limit, the Grados are best, but check the length of the cord - mine are quite short...
--Tosh

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #15 –
Another plug for the Philips HP890 'phones - the lush detail and soundstage always puts a grin on my face. I listen to many music genres and its performance ranges from good to jaw-droppingly awesome. The only negative point would be its sluggish bass, not too bad though.

Here's a good review of the HP890 at Head-Fi.org.

Cheers,
CD

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #16 –
I'm going to "unplug" the Grados, at least around the usual noisy PC.  In fact, I'd recommend either closed, in-ear (etymotic type) or noise-cancelling phones for use around a typical PC, unless you like a constant background of white noise along with the music, and perhaps cranking the 'phones to an unhealthy volume to drown out the fans.

I'm saying this because I've got a pair of Grado SR-60's that are sitting in a closet unused due to this issue.

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #17 –
All these Grado recommendations and no mention of the Alessandro Music Series line which are very good deals. Alessandro MS1 for $99 (free shipping), from what I've read at head-fi it's like a cross between a Grado SR80 & SR125. Those will probably be my next headphones.

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #18 –
Quote
I'm a bit of a headphone nut, and currently have the following:

Sennheiser HD600
Sennheiser HD580
Sennheiser HD480-II 600ohm
Sennheiser HD414
Beyer DT-311
Beyer DT-231 Galactic
Grado SR-60

please , what do you think of Beyer DT-231 ?
i can buy at 65 €, and Grado SR-60 is at 160 €... (i live in france)
thank you.
Music is my first love.

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #19 –
A good headphone for PC listening is also the cheaper Sennheiser HD500 fusion. They take a lot of punishement, are easy on the ears, and are clear enough for most listening (nice bass too). The HD580's would be much better, but if you're going budget, don't pass these over too quickly. Also, try before you buy - go to a store with a CD player or test on one of their good hi-fi's. Even if you don't buy from them, at least you'll have a feel for what you're going to get.
"If at first you don't succeed, skydiving wasn't for you."

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #20 –
The Grados are definitely your best bet if you don't mind open headphones.  I use a pair of Grado SR-80's which cost about $90 and sound amazing.

If you're primarily going to be using the headphones in a noisy environment (if your computer has a noisy fan, or you're in a room w/air conditioner running, etc) the Grados are not ideal because they don't block any outside sound, as someone mentioned above.  In this case I would recommend Sennheiser HD280 Pro which are, in my opinion, the best set of sub-$100 closed headphones.

Also, regarding the Grados, some people find them uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time due to the way the driver rests directly on the ear.  I find that it doesn't bother me too much but sometimes after I've had them on for about 2 hours straight I'll need to take a short break and remove them for a bit.

head-fi.org has great forums for discussion of this stuff if you want to do some more research.

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #21 –
Quote
i can buy at 65 €, and Grado SR-60 is at 160 €... (i live in france)
thank you.

IMO 160 Euros is way too much for SR-60s, you can do better for that much money (they're only $60-70 in the US). There's some posts with some info on DT-231s on Head-fi. Maybe you can sort through this seardh of DT-231:
http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/search.php?...ng&pagenumber=2

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #22 –
Best $100 Grados you can get are the Alessandro MS1's ($99 shipped).

You may want to glance at this list. Head-Fi is a great resource.

Comfort, Price, Quality Headphones

Reply #24 –
Another vote for the Sennheiser HD280 Pro headphones.

Very, very accurate, closed, foldable and superior sound IMO to anything at their price point. Significantly better than Sony MDRs IMO.
$99 on amazon.

  Add $50 more for the HD580's, some of my personal favorite headphones of all time.