6/9—Be advised, I was looking for open cans originally, now for either but probably closed.
 
Hello all. I'm finally ready to buy some relatively nice headphones. I'm not an audiophile (yet...) but I would like some decent listening equipment. Budget is under $100. I want to get something comfortable (originally asked for open, also considering closed now, too), since I'll probably use them for listening to music or doing light gaming (Halo: CE, AssaultCube, etc.) for a couple hours sometimes. I know next to nothing about amps, so I'd prefer to avoid needing one right now.
 
I'm looking for some with decent bass since my KSC7s (annoying kid brother to the KSC75s, it seems) and Marshmallows are not exactly great in that aspect. I'm not a bass fiend, I just want one with decent bass.
 
I intend to use them for home listening, so a relatively quiet environment. I listen to industrial, post rock, operatic/orchestral rock, hard rock, alt rock, and soundtrack.
 
I'd like some phones that show details, I guess, but I don't think I'm too picky about accuracy. For some reason, about a year back or so when I was doing some research, I was really liking the sound (figurative) of Grado SR60s. From some recent reading, the quality and "fun sound" of Grados sounds somewhat appealing. If I end up going with SR60s, I think I would go with SR60is, just because, well... they're improved, right? If anybody thinks that wouldn't be the best idea, I'd be glad to hear.
 
I'm quite willing to buy used, recommendations as where to very welcome (I'm aware of the S/T section of the forum). As per the guide, I'm not too worried about getting the absolutely perfect pair for me right now, but I'd just like something that's a relatively good fit.

Hello And welcome to head-fi, and sorry about your wallet 
 
From what you're saying, the Shure SRH440's can be good for you. The bass is not boomy...but still they are good for the music genres you listen to. 

Thank you. I think my wallet will be okay for now...

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tasteful said:

Thank you. I think my wallet will be okay for now...

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that's what we all think when we start...

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earerror said:

 
From what you're saying, the Shure SRH440's can be good for you. The bass is not boomy...but still they are good for the music genres you listen to. 

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I'm not sure about the SRH440s as people are saying they need to be amped to sound good.
 
(BTW, is there a good newbie's guide to understanding amps and whatnot somewhere around?)
 

BTW, OP asked for open cans. SRH440 might be good but they're closed cans. I know what it's like when you really need open cans because you're talking on the mic while gaming. Even semi-open cans like some AKG or Superlux models can be annyoing. I'd recommend Alessandro MS1 simply for lack of a better alternative. The MS1 are most closely related to the SR80 and deliver excellent value for money at 99$ shipped. They might benefit from amping, though I never tried with a good amp myself, yet was pleased with the sound anyway. Comfort-wise, you're gonna have to mod to find out what's best for you. Maybe the standard pads will be fine, maybe reversed quartermodded hd414s might do the trick for you. If not, you might have to get grado bowl pads. Soundstaging isn't excellent with the standard cushions, so try different pads to increase the distance between the driver and your ear.
If gaming is more important to you, you might want to go with the Audio Technica AD700 (90$) but they're said to be a little bass-weak.
If music is more important, consider the MS1. I listened to NIN and mewithoutyou with the MS1 myself and they did especially well with the latter because they have a kind of in-your-face-sound which accentuate Aaron Weiss's talking and shouting vocal style. Not relaxing, yet very engaging sound especially with mewithoutyou and La Dispute. They are also forgiving to lower quality sources.
 
If there is a good sub-100$ alternative that is open, comfy and not bass-light, I'd be very interested as I recently sold my MS1 and almost regret having done so.

Hey thanks, that's some very specific feedback there. BTW, gaming is not all that important to me at this point, I'm not hardcore at all, mostly play for fun. And I don't have a mic right now. 
 
I'll take a look at MS1.

I'm not a hardcore gamer either, I play for fun as well (why else would you play computer games?), but I like good soundstage and positioning, and that is where the MS1 kinda disappointed me. My current Beyerdynamic DT-235 create a much better soundstage despite having smaller drivers. Unfortunately, I can't wear them for hours, though. I wonder, why did you ask for open cans? You don't use mics, ok. Do you talk while gaming? Do you eat crunchy stuff while gaming? Do you absolutely have to make sure you hear the doorbell ringing? If you answered all these questions with no, I don't see why you shouldn't use closed cans.

It's down to the MS-1s or the AD700s. With the AD700s you'll make a tradeoff - expansive soundstage but lighter bass impact.

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zephyr90 said:

I'm not a hardcore gamer either, I play for fun as well (why else would you play computer games?), but I like good soundstage and positioning, and that is where the MS1 kinda disappointed me. My current Beyerdynamic DT-235 create a much better soundstage despite having smaller drivers. Unfortunately, I can't wear them for hours, though. I wonder, why did you ask for open cans? You don't use mics, ok. Do you talk while gaming? Do you eat crunchy stuff while gaming? Do you absolutely have to make sure you hear the doorbell ringing? If you answered all these questions with no, I don't see why you shouldn't use closed cans.

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Can somebody link me to an explanation of soundstage for newbies? I think I understand it a little, but I'd like some more info.
 
As for open, I'm not completely sure. I guess maybe I have the impression that they generally sound better and are maybe more comfortable (and have airflow to your ears). Any light on the topic is welcome, I'd be willing to switch if closed would work better. I guess maybe closed would also be better for listening to music in situation with a little bit of noise (not a lot, you know, just household stuff... fans, distant lawnmowers, phones, etc).

 
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mr joboto said:

It's down to the MS-1s or the AD700s. With the AD700s you'll make a tradeoff - expansive soundstage but lighter bass impact.

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Hey wait! What about SR60is or SR80is? Though I do like the idea of the massive phones on the AD700s. Haha.

Considering the MS-1s are technically SR-125 equivalents, they're better value IMO, especially since they're still Grados but are more suited to all-round music.

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mr joboto said:

Considering the MS-1s are technically SR-125 equivalents, they're better value IMO, especially since they're still Grados but are more suited to all-round music.

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But for a "noob", SR60s might be just fine - I know for myself they were "good enough" to wear as primary headphones for many years until they became too decrepit to wear all the time. Habituation and partial apathy turned "good enough" into "awesome", because I really couldn't find any flaws with the SR60s. I hadn't/haven't heard SR80s/SR125s/MS1s, so my comfy pad-modded SR60s were just peachy.
 
The "value" decision is more or less up to the OP to make - does he want to save $30 odd bucks for his first pair of headphones? Also, I treated my SR60s like crap; I feel "less bad" about ruining the resale value of a $70 headphone instead of a $100 headphone.

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mr joboto said:

Considering the MS-1s are technically SR-125 equivalents, they're better value IMO, especially since they're still Grados but are more suited to all-round music.

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Duly noted; yeah, I knew they were Grado manufactured, but I appreciate your description.
 
 
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ikarios said:

But for a "noob", SR60s might be just fine - I know for myself they were "good enough" to wear as primary headphones for many years until they became too decrepit to wear all the time. Habituation and partial apathy turned "good enough" into "awesome", because I really couldn't find any flaws with the SR60s. I hadn't/haven't heard SR80s/SR125s/MS1s, so my comfy pad-modded SR60s were just peachy.
 
The "value" decision is more or less up to the OP to make - does he want to save $30 odd bucks for his first pair of headphones? Also, I treated my SR60s like crap; I feel "less bad" about ruining the resale value of a $70 headphone instead of a $100 headphone.

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This may be very true. I am not an audiophile, I have never owned any high quality 'phones. The SR60s also seemed to be highly recommended for this price range... and very well known and modded. I could always trade up, too. So that's something to think about.
 
Kind of waiting for any more comment on open vs. closed 'phones for what I'd be doing; zephyr90 said some about it.

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mr joboto said:

Considering the MS-1s are technically SR-125 equivalents, they're better value IMO, especially since they're still Grados but are more suited to all-round music.

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I believe you are wrong here. I remember an Alessandro representative stating that they're most closely related to the SR80s. They would be an unbelievable bargain if they were based on the SR-125. They still are a good bargain if they're based on the SR-80s. Anyway, the MS1 are definitely not technically equivalent to any headphone, save the MSi. All of Alessandro's headphones are modified Grado versions, so none of them is "technically equivalent".

 
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But for a "noob", SR60s might be just fine - I know for myself they were "good enough" to wear as primary headphones for many years until they became too decrepit to wear all the time.
 

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That's probably a good idea. By getting the cheaper SR60s first, he can check whether he is happy with the Grado sound and comfort, and maybe later upgrade to MS1s.
 

MS-1 - SR125
MS-2 - SR325
MS-Pro - RS-1