Got about $150 to spend... best headphones for the money? - Page 2

I doubt you'd want your first foray into headphones to be one involving a pair of cans and an amp.... it's kind of a mess if you're new to this.

I prefer the:

$100

Grado SR-80

Alessandro MS-1

Shure SRH series

Audio Technica ATH A700

$200

Denon D2000

SR-225

$300

Grado SR-325

Alessandro MS-2

AKG K601

Beyerdynamic DT880

A cheap very effective amp is the uDAC2 from NuForce. It needs USB power to run though which would be just fine for me.

Well they are both correct. Nothing needs an amp but almost everything gets/sounds/scales better with an amp. Its just how the cookie crumbles in this oddly structured audio world. lol

Mate, save $30 more and get the HD598 for $180. That or find a cheap pair of AD900s. They are both much better than what you have listed. The Grados are excellent for rock, but the HD598 and AD900 are extremely versatile and sound great with pretty much everything.

Yes it is. I love mine its smaller than my ipod touch and is ultra portable. There are many reviews on it so for more info I say see those. Im not very good at describing the technicalities of amps so Im not much help but all I can say is that it is a very nice little amp. Very powerful as well. Really for the price you just cant go wrong.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmd004 

I see you have a Fiio E11... is it a decent amp for the money?

I don't think people need an AMP per se. I think they just need to evaluate what source they're playing music out of. For your usage, the SR-225 will do fine without an amp, but if you plug it into say, a decent cd player or an LOD from the ipod to an amp you'll be amazed at how well they scale.

For most purposes and intents ths SR-80 is pretty **** good for half the price, and then you can just spend the 100 bucks on something else. The SR-225 does give you more of everything though

Okay, I realize I'm a noob too... but from one noob to another - you can have some really great cans with excellent sound for the amazing price of $80.  The MB Quart QP805HS (300Ω).  Mind you I'm not affiliated with this ebay seller AT ALL - just trying to pass on a GREAT deal to a fellow headfi'er:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360381010086&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

I bought these based on a recommendation from headfi member Acix - see this thread:

http://www.head-fi.org/t/563535/best-headphone-for-monitoring-bass-guitar-in-live-performances#post_7690531

These are perfect for my intended use - monitoring my bass playing in a band.  Mind you, I have an amplified source in the hearback unit.  So if you buy these for yourself - you will need an amplifier.  As Uncle Erik states earlier in this thread - spend the rest of your money on an old quality stereo amplifier and you will not be disappointed.  I have a '79 Yamaha CR-2040 and it has two headphone jacks so you can A/B different headphones.  The sound is amazing!

Hope this helps.  If you have a total budget of $300, this would be a really solid route.

Thanks,

placeboe

another vote for ms1i!

Grado 225 or Shure 840