Another headphone recommendation thread

[quadtec]

Hi,

I wondered if anyone could recommend me a pair of good, cheap headphones (hopefully below £25). I'd like something similar to the PX100s - good quality, lightweight, with a headband and preferably open. I was looking at the Philips SHL9500s - even though they're closed, they don't look like they isolate too much, which is a plus for me - what are your opinions of these?

edit: also, sorry if this is in the wrong forum - not sure if it should be in the full-size forum

[Ed Seedhouse]

I think it's hard to beat the PX100s at any reasonable price.

[FALC0NR14]

These should fit your budget and needs Koss PortaPro - High Quality Sound Stereophone: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

It is hard to beat the PX100's but if you wanted you could get the PX200's
Sennheiser PX200 Black Closed Mini Headphone Black: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

[Pianist]

I would also recommend that you check out OVC HC1000. Also, here's a good review of them as well. This reviewer apparently liked them more than Senn PX100s. They also isolate a bit and certainly leak less than PX100s and so are suitable for a wider range of environments.

[Ed Seedhouse]

Originally Posted by FALC0NR14

It is hard to beat the PX100's but if you wanted you could get the PX200's
Sennheiser PX200 Black Closed Mini Headphone Black: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

The Porta Pros are very good, pretty much the match of the PX100's IME. The Senn 200's on the other hand have not gotten very good reviews and a comparison of frequenccy response curves from Headroom show a much inferior frequency response and a lot higher distortion levels from the 200.

The 200 is about 20 db down on the 100 below 100hz.

[captian73]

saw the iGrados going for £25 on play.com. the igrado's are sharper, clearer and deeper than the Sennheiser twins! Play.com (UK) : Grado iGrado Headphones (Black) : Electronics - Free Delivery)

[quadtec]

Originally Posted by Ed Seedhouse

I think it's hard to beat the PX100s at any reasonable price.

That might be true. I really liked my PX100s - until they broke and I found out I couldn't solder it back together because of the wires used by Sennheisier - so I'm trying to avoid Sennheiser products now. If I can't find anything, I might just buy another pair though.

Originally Posted by FALC0NR14

These should fit your budget and needs Koss PortaPro - High Quality Sound Stereophone: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

It is hard to beat the PX100's but if you wanted you could get the PX200's
Sennheiser PX200 Black Closed Mini Headphone Black: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

I might go for the Koss ones - but why do they look so awful? As for PX200s, I had a pair of those and broke them too... Maybe I should add durable to my list of criteria.

Originally Posted by Pianist

I would also recommend that you check out OVC HC1000. Also, here's a good review of them as well. This reviewer apparently liked them more than Senn PX100s. They also isolate a bit and certainly leak less than PX100s and so are suitable for a wider range of environments.

These look pretty good and apparently could be better with some modding. Going to see if I can find it somewhere cheap.

Originally Posted by captian73

saw the iGrados going for £25 on play.com. the igrado's are sharper, clearer and deeper than the Sennheiser twins! Play.com (UK) : Grado iGrado Headphones (Black) : Electronics - Free Delivery)

These would be great, if it weren't for the horrible neckband...

Thanks for all the replies

[captian73]

Originally Posted by quadtec

These would be great, if it weren't for the horrible neckband...

Thanks for all the replies

Believe me that's what I thought. for ages (over a year) The neck band thing put me off. However, I took the plunge, and I have to say that they are the best in their class. Far better than the twins, so be brave, take the plunge.

if you don't like them, you can always sell them on ebay for a profit.

Headphonedeals.org » Blog Archive » $53.00 bid for a pair of $49 (brand new) iGrado's. Used Grado's increase in value!

[quadtec]

It's true that I don't have any experience with neckbands. But I'm not going to wear them outside, anyway, so I might as well go for less "discreet" headphones.

I see that you've got Sennheisier PX30s - what are they like?

[ljokerl]

Check out the Soundmagic P10s. I find them similar to my PX100s in terms of tonality, though they are more recessed and have a wider soundstage. Pretty comfy, too, once you manage to get them on.

[captian73]

Originally Posted by quadtec

It's true that I don't have any experience with neckbands. But I'm not going to wear them outside, anyway, so I might as well go for less "discreet" headphones.

I see that you've got Sennheisier PX30s - what are they like?

The PX 30's are O.K. but they're beginners headphones really,

[quadtec]

Originally Posted by ljokerl

Check out the Soundmagic P10s. I find them similar to my PX100s in terms of tonality, though they are more recessed and have a wider soundstage. Pretty comfy, too, once you manage to get them on.

Thanks, I have been looking for more info about these but haven't seen many reviews. Do you know of any?

[ljokerl]

Originally Posted by quadtec

Thanks, I have been looking for more info about these but haven't seen many reviews. Do you know of any?

TopPop wrote an excellent review a few months ago. I've written another one myself with comparisons to a few portables I own. Should be posted today or tomorrow (soon as I can get my camera working).

[THAY BRAN]

The iGrados definitely have more grunt but for 17.99 the koss portapro are a bargain.thats uk pounds by the way.


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