Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Looking for best headphone under $200
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Looking for best headphone under $200

post #1 of 16
7/4/09 at 1:20pm
Thread Starter 
Hi everyone,

I just bought the AKG k240 from a retail store for $100 and I'm not to happy with them. I feel that the bass is flabby and undefined and the highs are dull to non-existant so I am planning to return them. Is this considered a good headphone in that price range?
Now I'm looking to spend between $150- $200 for the best sounding headphones. They need to be able to be powered by and ipod, have decent bass and the highs have to be clear with very little "roll-off." I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks for taking the time reading this post and thanks in advance for any suggestions/recommendations.
Reply
post #2 of 16
7/4/09 at 2:00pm
well, I would go for HD595. Excellent sound, and only one of the "Big" sennheisers that you can use without an amp.
Reply
post #3 of 16
7/4/09 at 2:15pm
Quote:
Method (Skippy): The model number button comes off very easily. Just grab the button with a pair of pliers and twist it off. Now they look like those Alessandro-Grados. Using some bent-tip needle nose pliers (probably easier to grasp the buttons than normal pliers) in a twisting motion should be safer.

Note: Grado may now be gluing the button to the grill. Soften the glue by applying hot air from a hair dryer before carefully twisting/lifting off the button. If the glue is not softened first, attempting to remove the button could destroy the grill.
from HeadWize - Project: The Collected Grado Headphone Mods by "Skippy" et al.

Be careful with the blow dryer; people have melted the grill before.
Reply
post #4 of 16
7/4/09 at 2:18pm
I am not sure he'd like the HD 595. This may be misconceived, but it seems like the OP is looking for sweeter, more brilliant highs. I don't think that the HD595 is gonna deliver that.

How long have you listened to the K240? You may want to listen to them for a week and see if your opinion changes

As for a suggestion, I am not sure. Look into the beyerdynamic DT660's. I'd like to recommend DT880's, but those require an amp.
Reply
post #5 of 16
7/4/09 at 2:21pm
I think the SR225's suit your needs. They don't need an amp, but a good amp can make the sound even better.
Reply
post #6 of 16
7/4/09 at 2:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nullstring View Post
I am not sure he'd like the HD 595. This may be misconceived, but it seems like the OP is looking for sweeter, more brilliant highs. I don't think that the HD595 is gonna deliver that.

How long have you listened to the K240? You may want to listen to them for a week and see if your opinion changes

As for a suggestion, I am not sure. Look into the beyerdynamic DT660's. I'd like to recommend DT880's, but those require an amp.
Hmm, I was under impression that Beyerdynamics are only for total bassheads with no highs? I have not heard them and if I'm wrong I might consider getting myself a pair, I'm looking for a good closed cans.
Reply
post #7 of 16
7/4/09 at 2:46pm
Beyers have plenty of highs; many will say too much treble. They lack mids.
Reply
post #8 of 16
7/4/09 at 3:18pm
You can try some Ultrasones, here more info: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/ult...arison-401879/
Reply
post #9 of 16
7/4/09 at 3:20pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Oedipus Rex View Post
Hmm, I was under impression that Beyerdynamics are only for total bassheads with no highs? I have not heard them and if I'm wrong I might consider getting myself a pair, I'm looking for a good closed cans.
The two cans from beyer that I've heard described with the words "bass farts" is DT770 Pro 80ohm, and the DT990.

Most others are as Atothex describes.
Reply
post #10 of 16
7/4/09 at 3:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tarkovsky7 View Post
I just bought the AKG k240 from a retail store for $100 and I'm not to happy with them. I feel that the bass is flabby and undefined and the highs are dull to non-existant so I am planning to return them. Is this considered a good headphone in that price range?
Sounds like you need an amplifier. Are you using one?
Reply
post #11 of 16
7/4/09 at 3:35pm
I love my AD700 but their bass is very tight so depending on the music you like may come across as bass light. They have marvelous treble and midrange though and are definitely able to be driven without adding an amp. They also have great detail so are able to pick up alot of modulation that other headphones simply turn into one tone and they have a massive sound stage.

Also if bass is important you might want to try a pair of Philips HP910's they are cheap like dirt on Ebay and have very nice bass. I prefer the midrange and treble of the AD700 over them myself though. The HP910 is VERY COMFORTABLE though. Also these do not need an external amp to sound good.
Reply
post #12 of 16
7/4/09 at 4:09pm
Thread Starter 
No I'm not using an amplifier. I would prefer a headphone i can use without an amp but would consider getting one if it's the only way to drive good headphones with an ipod but i would prefer a pair that an ipod can drive.

thanks everyone for the imput so far. I'm still undecided and confused. Maybe i should keep the akg k240's and get an amp? People seem to imply they are good headphones.

More help would be appreciated

thanks
Reply
post #13 of 16
7/4/09 at 7:39pm
The K240 are a very demanding pair of hps and require a pretty solid amp to power them because certain models are 600ohm pair of headphones.
If you already don't like the sound of the K240 that won't change much if you get a amp.
You make want to looking into Audio-Technica and Denon line of headphones it may suit you better and their low end headphones don't require a amp to sound good with a ipod.
Reply
post #14 of 16
7/4/09 at 7:57pm
Depends on what music you listen to!
Reply
post #15 of 16
7/4/09 at 9:06pm
Do you have the newer 240S's or the 240mkII? Both of those are 55ohm and can be driven by an iPod. My 240S's don't sound like you describe them at all. Maybe yours need some burn in time. Mine improved a lot after some good burn in. The bass is not the best I've heard, but it's far from the worst...the mids are sweet, and the treble more than adequate. I have the 240S, but the newer 240mkII is supposed to be even better. You might like the sony mdr-7506's. A lot of people like them and consider them a 'fun' headphone. They're more forward sounding than the 240's, but I prefer the AKG sound by quite a large margin. Just my $.02, but I would give them a good burn in, before trying something else. Just put a CD on repeat and let them play overnight or during the day when you're out.
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Looking for best headphone under $200