HD201?

[Corrupt^]

I'm currently looking for a decent but cheap headphone for lans. It needs to be decent, not perfect, CLOSED and less then 70 bucks.

I came across the HD201, but I'm wondering, is it any good? I mean, it's so damn cheap xD If anyone has any other ideas, feel free to tell me but keep in might it has to be a brand which can be easily found in stores.

I was thinking about getting a HD280 aswell, my old one broke but that thing did kick ass for gaming. But right now it seems rather useless to spend $100 on a headphone which I will be using 3 days every 2 months...

And how does the HD201 compare to the HD212pro?

And another very important thing is that the headphone is either symmetrical or has swappable cables (left and right).

[fraseyboy]

The HD201 are good for the price IMO. They don't isolate THAT much, but better than open headphones. Don't know how they perform for gaming though...

[Tech2]

Don't expect miracles from a HD201. You are getting what you pay for: a cheap headphone that sounds OK for the price. They are rather crappy when compared to nearly any other decent headphone. For occasional gaming use I suppose they would be fine and you certainly wouldn't have to worry about tossing them around or losing them. I only use mine anymore to spare others the noise when practicing on my keyboard.

[episiarch]

The HD201 sounds quite good if powered well. A regular PC or laptop soundcard usually won't power it very well (and it will sound pretty indifferent as a result), but something a little more powerful like a Turtle Beach Audio Advantage Micro will. It doesn't isolate much at all, however, and it doesn't deliver much bass. Cable is symmetrical but not swappable.

I am not sure what the ideal solution to your quest is. FWIW I have always felt that my old Sony EX71SL gave remarkably good positioning cues for 3D gaming. It's cheap, somewhat isolating, decently bassy for gaming, and pretty comfortable.

[Corrupt^]

Sounds like a better go with a HD212 Pro then, I remember that one being somewhat half decent but I can't remember how the isolation was. Isolation is a rather big deal as lans here in belgian are infested with idiots yelling in a microphone @ stage during play off matches :x

[espire]

Well, Sennheiser just silently released the HD201 GAME, which looks to me to be no different from the regular HD201 but shiny silver and double the price. However, they may have improved isolation, bass, spatial imaging, etc., so maybe you should call them to find out.

[redrich2000]

The Beyer DT-231 is a much better choice. The HD201 is cheap but really not that great. I find the DT-231s to reasonably balanced and neutral. They are not fully circumaural though, but reasonably comfortable.

[texashorn91]

For $20 HD201s are incredible. You won't regret upgrading though. The $50-$70 range is much better. Good Luck!

[johnanderson]

Theyre not bad for the price but they do sound alot darker and analytical than the ksc75. I wouldn't consider them unless you have an amp or if you recable.

[texashorn91]

Recabled 201s? Seriously? I doubt that its worth the work. Just get something better in the first place.

[Canucklehead]

IMHO, the HD 201 are great headphones for the price. The build quality sucks, the pads suck, the cable sucks, the everything sucks, except for the sound quality, and that's the only thing that's really important (for music that is). I don't game so I'm not sure how they would perform in that regard. I think the really loud microphonics (is that the word?) in the cable would make them pretty useless for gaming.

[Flagger]

what about AT A500's?

[episiarch]

I've only owned the A900, but if it is any indication then the A500 should be very nice for LAN parties. It is super comfortable, really the best comfort you could hope for for hours of play, has pretty decent isolation, and has plenty of boom on the low end as well as pretty decent range overall. I was not crazy about the A900 as a music headphone (odd midrange colorations) but for gaming it'd be a fine choice.

The one downside of an A500 for LANs is that it's rather large, doesn't fold, and has rather more breakable-feeling moving parts than your average headphone, so it needs to be transported with extra care.

On the lower end of cost another one to consider is the Panasonic RP-HTX7. It doesn't cost much (about $40US IIRC), provides more isolation than something like the HD201, is easier to drive, and won't take up too much space in your bag.

[WittyzTH]

not recommend HD212pro. Its bass is very bloated like fart, and get the treble roll-off.

[Bon]

I have the 212's and a pair of a900's and k701's. Still listen to the senns when the cans might be in for a bit of rough treatment and not after any special experience.