[KG Jag]

Alas, my old headphones are wearing out after seven (!) years of daily use.  They're Sony MDR-NC40s, not terribly great unless I turn the noise-cancelling on.  So I've decided I want some new headphones for Christmas.  I'm really in love with the Ultrasone PRO 750s, but unfortunately they're a bit out of budget.

Here's what I'm looking for:
--~$150.
--Will be used with the Asus Xonar DG soundcard--these will ALWAYS be attached to this computer.
--Listening habits: Asian Pop (think Sakamoto Maaya, Girls Generation!, that sort of thing), Epic Trance (Armin van Buuren, etc.), classical (particularly Organ or French Horn).  Really a bit of everything, but those three types make up about 80% of my collection.  I also do a lot of MMO-gaming, running both the game with sound and a VoIP client.  I don't play FPSes, though, so positional sound isn't really a big thing for me.
--Nothing in-ear.  Open or closed doesn't matter, I've used a wide variety of headphone styles and don't really have a preference beyond the no in-ear thing.
--I'd really PREFER something with non-leather/pleather covering on the pads.  It wears out, makes me sweat, and...turns my ears black.  Yuck!  So fabric, velour, something not leather/pleather.
--Some degree of isolation would be nice, but not actual noise-cancelling.  But if someone is yelling at me in Ventrilo, I would like my roommate to not actually know that my friends curse like drunken sailors.
--A certain bit of "classic style" is very much a plus!  The AKG 701s are my ideal in this regard--so pretty!
--I do not, at this point, have either a DAC or an amp.  I do, however, have a very large CD collection (hundreds and hundreds).
--A cord no shorter than 4'.
--Something comfortable, not too heavy and that doesn't feel like you're wearing a pair of bricks.  I wear my headphones every day for hours at a time.
--The big thing--this will be the sole audio output for this computer; it has no speakers.  So I'd like something versatile, something that will give me at-least-decent sound whether I'm watching the latest viral video hit or listening to a CD.

Thanks in advance!

Woe to my budget.  A friend just pointed me at the Sennheiser HD598s, which are exactly what I'm looking for--but a hundred dollars more than I'm looking to spend!  Anyone have any other recommendations?

Go downline to the HD 558, which has the same drivers as the 598. Also check the "Deals" thread in this section of the forum and see if Senn (and other vendors) is still running their sale (coupon code) and that one or both of these cans is still in stock.

 

[fjeena]

Woe to my budget.  A friend just pointed me at the Sennheiser HD598s, which are exactly what I'm looking for--but a hundred dollars more than I'm looking to spend!  Anyone have any other recommendations?

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO.
most comfortable headphones ive ever worn(velour pads). they do well in all genres of music, movies and are excellent for games. I think they hit every point u mentioned there.

do some research on them.

 

[KG Jag]

Woe to my budget.  A friend just pointed me at the Sennheiser HD598s, which are exactly what I'm looking for--but a hundred dollars more than I'm looking to spend!  Anyone have any other recommendations?

Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO.
most comfortable headphones ive ever worn(velour pads). they do well in all genres of music, movies and are excellent for games. I think they hit every point u mentioned there.

do some research on them.

The 770 Pro is a good can for what it does. Many basshead lites love it and it is very comfortable.

However, it comes with recessed mids (the Senn is know for its mids) and does not have the sound stage of the open Senn.

 

[fjeena]

The 770 Pro is a good can for what it does. Many basshead lites love it and it is very comfortable.
However, it comes with recessed mids (the Senn is know for its mids) and does not have the sound stage of the open Senn.

in that case lastdefenders , i would listen to KG Jag, because hes a lot more experienced than I am

 

[HamilcarBarca]

Quote:

Woe to my budget.  A friend just pointed me at the Sennheiser HD598s, which are exactly what I'm looking for--but a hundred dollars more than I'm looking to spend!  Anyone have any other recommendations?

 
Sennheiser HD-558?

 

[Snowawhoahoh]

TL;DR version at the bottom.
 
Hey guys, I've been DJing for about a year now, and am starting to play some gigs. I'm also a very competitive Counter-Strike player.
I previously had the Audio Technica A700 headphones, which died on me recently. They were great for gaming with their positional audio, especially when I used to have my Tascam MK-144 usb interface, I could tell where anyone was and felt like I had sound hacks. The Tascam interface also improved the bass which is generally weak in these cans I hear. I also enjoyed the A700's for sound production with the slight sounds that it can pick up on.
 
Anyway moving on... 
 
I'm looking for a set of cans that are more suited for DJing, i.e. movable parts for easy one ear use, while playing a gig. The A700's were fixed in place and it was a bit awkward DJing with them, with how large they are. However, I would like to not downgrade too much in positional audio quality for gaming.
 
With the stuff I've requested which headphones would you guys recommend for me? I've been looking at Sennheiser HD25-1's and also the Pioneer HDJ-2000's. Is there something better for my needs? Thanks in advance guys!!!! <3
 
 
 
tl;dr version: Good headphones for DJing and positional audio for gaming.

 

[Doc-holliday]

Audio Technica M50S: are mine faulty or am i just picky?

Ok so i will start off by saying I am not particularly knowledgeable about headphones and such.. This is the most i have ever spent on a pair.

I bought a pair of these headphones last week for listening to music through my Ipod classic and a fiio e5 using a line out adapter. They have had around 40 hours listening to break them in. 

I was expecting a punchy bass from the review and I can barely even hear the bass on some tracks. I am not a "bass head" by any means but I am a professional bass guitarist and not one to struggle to pick out the bass notes.

The headphones just don't sound particularly "active", is the word I would call it (apologize for my lack of terminology), they sound slightly dull, although i think the highs and cymbals do sound great. 

On some tracks which have a heavy bass such as Jamiroquai- "feel so good" I am hearing distortion in the bass part. The EQ on my Ipod and e5 are flat.

Main reason I am asking this is because I heard great reviews about these phones and heard they have a solid punchy bass which mine just don't. If anything the bass sounded more refined on my HD202's.

Thanks very much for reading, again I apologize if anything I am saying does not make sense to you headphone gurus.

No i can completely see why you describe them that way. A similar type HP that will be a significant upgrade in the points that you are describing wld be the kns8400.

I am thinking you would benefit from an e11 amp as well to be able to flip a switch on certain tracks to give a bass boost without flabbing everything out.

 

[ebjred]

Looking for closed headphones that have more highs than sennheiser momentum, which are too low and less bass than vmoda m100

considering beyerdyamic dt1350
Sony mdr-r1
sennheiser HD 25 or amperior

or other suggestion around these size

 

[KG Jag]

Looking for closed headphones that have more highs than sennheiser momentum, which are too low and less bass than vmoda m100

considering beyerdyamic dt1350
Sony mdr-r1
sennheiser HD 25 or amperior

or other suggestion around these size

Have not yet heard the Sony, but you are on the right track with the Beyer and Senns (make sure it's the HD 25-1 II). The Senn HD 25-1-II is probably the best deal, unless you were about to pick up an Amperior from Senn on Black Thursday/Friday morning for $200.

 

[VitaX]

I'm looking around the net for a pair of headphones. I currently have the Sennheiser HD-555s which are great headphones. I just wanted to upgrade a since I'm becoming more of an audiophile these days. The sound card I'm using at the moment is the HT Omega Claro. The genres of music I typically listen to are rock and metal. Some examples are: Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Mother Love Bone, Alice in Chains, Rage Against The Machine, etc...
 
I would say the maximum amount I'd be willing to spend is around ~ $300 on a pair. I'm also thinking about getting an amp to drive them but I'm sure a lot of the headphones in that price range don't necessarily need one. Still I'd like to hear some thoughts about possible options and what people have to say on the subject.
 

 

[28980]

Sub $100 portable over ear can, (works well outside), for a non audiophile friend. Preferably in pink or blue.

 

[trio1000]

Hey im looking for some help and I hope someone can reply.
 
My current sound set up is pretty much nonexistant (built-in speakers on my monitor lol) so I am looking for a nice upgrade. Im looking for a desktop headphone setup for gaming, music and movies.The games include fps among others so I would like some surround sound headphones I hear is good for knowing where stuff is coming from.
 
After some research and looking at my budget, ~$300, I like the beyer dt990 pro 250ohms headphone. They have a low cost and the reviews seem very good. I also need that surround sound for it so then I looked and found the xonar dg soundcard. It includes dolby headphone for that surround sound, is cheap and has just about everything I need. I have a small motherboard with a PCIe and PCI slot available. The PCIe slot is right next to this big videocard and im scared a sound card on there might block the fan or worse might not even fit so that makes the xonar card even better for me being a regular PCI card.
 
My problem arises from people complaining that the built amp in the soundcard isn't enough to power the dt990 250ohm headphones. I got a couple bucks left over from the soundcard and headphones ~$50 for an amp or something. I saw the fiio 10 and 11. But with the 10 i dont think i can hook it up to the sound card because its usb and the 11 would require me to plug and unplug all the time to charge it.
 
So im new and need some recomendations to getting the dt990 to work with what I got. Any suggestions?

 

[Extra]

Hey,
 
I'm looking for a $300 or under semi-portable headphone. Over or on ear is fine. Mainly going to be used in a noisy home, the bus, and in school during study hall, so closed, minimal leakage headphones are preferred.
I mostly listen to bands like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime, 311, Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, and other lighter rock bands. So a warm, slightly bassy headphone sounds good.
I'd like them to look decent, and for reference I love the looks of the Sony MDR-1R and the Philips Fidelio L1.
Just ask if you need any more info.

 

[Bboy500]

Yes... but the biggest problem here is that you're wanting a lot of bass but also good soundstage for gaming. In most cases, closed-back headphones have better bass response, but at the cost of soundstage.

So if you prioritize gaming over music listening, then I would be ready to sacrifice a lot of the thumping bass, and vice versa. I suggested the Q701 because it has a decent amount of bass for an open can. If it's not enough for you, then always a little bit of eq'ing can set things right. And btw you will want to amp these. I suggest the Fiio e10, which also comes with a bass boost switch (not much, but still noticeable).

EDIT: Just realized you had $400 to spend on headphones. I would go for the Hifiman HE-400 then.

That is exactly what I was looking at!

They seem perfect for me and just at my budget, thank you!

Also I already bought the Fiio E10 so that shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Shankster]

Quote:

Thats great, but I really need something with a removable cord. Will I be making a mistake if I just go with the Numark Red Waves?

 


I've personaly never tried them so i cannot speak for their quality and such. Look around for a headfier who owns or owned them, sorry i cant help you with those.