Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Best Rock Headphones - $350.00 or below
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Best Rock Headphones - $350.00 or below

post #1 of 47
2/8/11 at 10:12am
Thread Starter 

So, I need to buy some headphones, and I have heard people say that the Grado Sr225i is the best rock headphone for the money, but is there anything else you would recommend up to the 300-350 price range over the Grados?

 

Is there anything in that price range that handles rock as well, but also handles acoustic/jazz/classical better?

 

Personally, I want a clear and powerful bass (nothing that completely overwhelms the mids and highs though), strong mids (so sick of headphones with tons of bass or treble and no mids), and clear, crisp highs (however, I do NOT want harsh highs whatsoever. My ears are really sensitive to the piercingly harsh and crisp highs that some headphones have)

 

Thanks.

Reply

Gear mentioned in this thread:

Shure SRH 440 Professional Studio Headphones (Black)
Denon AHD2000 High Performance Over-Ear Headphones
Powered by NexTag
Ultrasone HFI-780 S-Logic Surround Sound Professional Headphones
Powered by NexTag
post #2 of 47
2/8/11 at 12:25pm

Grado 325i or 225i, read comparisons on both and try them out if you can.

Reply
post #3 of 47
2/8/11 at 12:43pm

Some more suggestions for ya:

 

AKG K240, K601, K702

 

Beyerdynamic DT 770, DT 990

 

Denon AH-D2000

 

Sennheiser HD25-1

 

Shure SRH 440

 

Ultrasone HFi 580, HFi 780

Reply
post #4 of 47
2/8/11 at 12:48pm

It seems that the Grado's are the ones you want, unless you need closed. The Beyer DT990 may also be a good choice for you.

Reply
post #5 of 47
2/8/11 at 12:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Digital-Pride View Post

Some more suggestions for ya:

 

AKG K240, K601, K702

 

Beyerdynamic DT 770, DT 990

 

Denon AH-D2000

 

Sennheiser HD25-1

 

Shure SRH 440

 

Ultrasone HFi 580, HFi 780



Are the Beyerdynamic DT 770/990s at all like the 880s? I bought the 880s a while back but they did not have a strong enough low end.

Reply
post #6 of 47
2/8/11 at 1:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldsoulrevival View Post

So, I need to buy some headphones, and I have heard people say that the Grado Sr225i is the best rock headphone for the money, but is there anything else you would recommend up to the 300-350 price range over the Grados?

 

Is there anything in that price range that handles rock as well, but also handles acoustic/jazz/classical better?

 

Personally, I want a clear and powerful bass (nothing that completely overwhelms the mids and highs though), strong mids (so sick of headphones with tons of bass or treble and no mids), and clear, crisp highs (however, I do NOT want harsh highs whatsoever. My ears are really sensitive to the piercingly harsh and crisp highs that some headphones have)

 

Thanks.


You just described the Sennheiser HD 600 to the "T".

Reply
post #7 of 47
2/8/11 at 1:13pm

I may be off base here, but I believe the best "rock headphone" is also the best headphone, and at your price, I think it's clearly the Sennheiser HD650. As long as your music is recorded well, they provide a fairly great soundstage, excellent instrument separation, and fill out the low end nicely. One thing I've noticed about them (I recently got them) is that they make drumming sound amazing. You can very clearly and distinctly hear everything the drummer in a rock band does. Again, it really depends on what you're listening to, but well-recorded bands like the Live Phish releases and, like, The Walkmen and Talking Heads sound amazing through the HD650s.

Reply
post #8 of 47
2/8/11 at 1:28pm

The 650's aren't known to be best at anything, rather good at everything. The 650 will also need an amp.

Reply
post #9 of 47
2/8/11 at 1:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldsoulrevival View Post

Are the Beyerdynamic DT 770/990s at all like the 880s? I bought the 880s a while back but they did not have a strong enough low end.

 

The DT 770/990 have a stronger low end than the DT 880 along with a more aggressive overall sound signature.

Reply
post #10 of 47
2/8/11 at 1:36pm

I can't recommend the 225i more. They are an absolutely amazing set of cans. Also, if you are looking for mids then you can't go wrong with Grados.

Reply
post #11 of 47
2/8/11 at 1:51pm

     Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsoulrevival View Post

So, I need to buy some headphones, and I have heard people say that the Grado Sr225i is the best rock headphone for the money, but is there anything else you would recommend up to the 300-350 price range over the Grados?

 

Is there anything in that price range that handles rock as well, but also handles acoustic/jazz/classical better?

 

Personally, I want a clear and powerful bass (nothing that completely overwhelms the mids and highs though), strong mids (so sick of headphones with tons of bass or treble and no mids), and clear, crisp highs (however, I do NOT want harsh highs whatsoever. My ears are really sensitive to the piercingly harsh and crisp highs that some headphones have)

 

Thanks.


I've not heard the Grado SR225i, but the Sennheiser HD 25-1 is great for rock music. It has impactful bass and a clear presentation and is easy to listen to.

The Sennheiser HD 600 is more neutral sounding and plays most musical styles well. Both of the Sennheisers are pleasant to listen to music with.

 

Between the two Sennheiser models I listed, if you want a great rounder go for the HD 600; if you want a good all-rounder that is PRaTicularly great for rock, go for the HD 25. smile_phones.gif

Reply
post #12 of 47
2/8/11 at 2:05pm

SR225 FTW....

 

Cheers

 

 

SR225 1.jpg

Reply
post #13 of 47
2/8/11 at 2:17pm

Since you're looking for bigger bass, I'm going to recommend the HFI-580. Incredibly impactful bass without infringing on the mids. In comparison, the DT 770 feel like they have very washed out mids.

Reply
post #14 of 47
2/8/11 at 2:51pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bmichael View Post

I may be off base here, but I believe the best "rock headphone" is also the best headphone, and at your price, I think it's clearly the Sennheiser HD650. As long as your music is recorded well, they provide a fairly great soundstage, excellent instrument separation, and fill out the low end nicely. One thing I've noticed about them (I recently got them) is that they make drumming sound amazing. You can very clearly and distinctly hear everything the drummer in a rock band does. Again, it really depends on what you're listening to, but well-recorded bands like the Live Phish releases and, like, The Walkmen and Talking Heads sound amazing through the HD650s.


I second this. If you have warm resolving components in your chain the HD650 is a great rocking can with energy and deep bass. Anyone that says otherwise hasn't heard them properly. Distorted guitars on this headphone sizzles, with amazing textures. It sounds like the MS-1i on steroids on my setup. eek.gif

Cue the "veil" brigade.
Reply
post #15 of 47
2/8/11 at 3:02pm

I quite like the Grado HF-1 for rock.  It has noticeably more bass than SR225 and tamer highs.  The poor man's RS-1.  I do agree with BlackbeardBen and think that your description headphones with rich bass, soft treble and great non-rock abilities describes the HD600 pretty well.  

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)

Gear mentioned in this thread:

Shure SRH 440 Professional Studio Headphones (Black)
Denon AHD2000 High Performance Over-Ear Headphones
Powered by NexTag
Ultrasone HFI-780 S-Logic Surround Sound Professional Headphones
Powered by NexTag
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Best Rock Headphones - $350.00 or below