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Best Over-the-Ear Headphones Less Than $300

post #1 of 23
11/25/11 at 11:43pm
Thread Starter 

I just joined head-fi.org as I was directed here to get advice. I have never purchased a quality pair of headphones. I want to purchase nice headphones so that I can listen to them while doing work at home or while just relaxing in the house. I won't be taking the headphones out of the house.

 

I need some recommendations for over-the-ear headphones around or less than $300. The number one priority is sound quality, although I don't want to sink a lot of money into this. I already put a lot of money into my home audio and would rather not spend a lot on headphones haha. I went to Best Buy today to demo the Sennheiser PXC-450 after being told that they carry them from both Sennheiser and Best Buy themselves. Well, I found out that they don't carry them at all. I have no local small audio shops that allow demoing headphones, so I'm stuck.

 

I listen to a wide variety of music, everything from alternative to rock to some hip-hop to movie scores to some pop. When it comes to my acoustic recordings or more vocal-driven songs, I highly enjoy the sound to be clear, natural, and airy. However, for the pop, hip-hop, and movie scores, I prefer the sound to be a bit more forward, but still natural. I don't like when headphones exaggerate the recording. I hate overpowering bass as those who have the Beats by Dr. Dre enjoy oh so much. I want the bass in the headphones I get to be accurate and not tinny, but not overpowering. Somewhere in the middle. I need headphones that will be comfortable to wear for quite sometime.

 

Please, no IEMs or on-the-ears. I'm solely looking at over-the-ear headphones. Size doesn't matter since I will be only listening to them at home.

 

Oh, and the source will be my Macbook Pro. I prefer to not have to drive the headphones from an amp. 

 

I am looking to get suggestions to compare so that I can choose what seems best for me. So far, the only two headphones I have been researching a bit are the Sennheiser PXC-450s and the Sennheiser HD 598.

 

Sorry for the LONG post. I just wanted to make sure I provided all necessary information. I would greatly appreciate some quick responses. Thank you!


Edited by hailofarrows - 11/25/11 at 11:47pm
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post #2 of 23
11/26/11 at 12:55am

Look At The Sony MDR-XB Range. Either Go With The 700's Or The 1000's 

 

why i like them: flat cords, nice build look, nice feel, comfortable, durable and attractive... 

 

bose is generally overpriced, and Dr. Dre's are only good for hip hop. 

Fashion Statement? Dre's

Comfort/Sound? MDR-XB's

Sound/Low Cost? Sennheiser

Low Cost But Feel Cheap: Skullcandy

 

My Pick XB 1000's $180 Online

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post #3 of 23
11/26/11 at 12:40pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phill-E View Post

Look At The Sony MDR-XB Range. Either Go With The 700's Or The 1000's 

 

why i like them: flat cords, nice build look, nice feel, comfortable, durable and attractive... 

 

bose is generally overpriced, and Dr. Dre's are only good for hip hop. 

Fashion Statement? Dre's

Comfort/Sound? MDR-XB's

Sound/Low Cost? Sennheiser

Low Cost But Feel Cheap: Skullcandy

 

My Pick XB 1000's $180 Online

Thanks for the quick response. My friend is also looking for headphones and more interested in the club sound bass. I will certainly recommend these to him. I looked at some reviews and they're all saying that the bass with these is absolutely incredible, but they lack the natural sound. I'm sure my friend will be very pleased with them though since he mostly listens to techno and hip-hop.

 

Have any other headphone suggestions that will perhaps give me a more natural tone, but still provide deep bass?
 

 

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post #4 of 23
11/26/11 at 1:20pm

Heya,

 

First reaction was to suggest the Sennheiser HD600... but you don't want to use an amp.

 

Based on the tone you described, but having a "deep bass" component, here's some potential options:

 

So, we move on to the Hifiman HE-300, Beyer DT880 32ohm, Fischer Audio FA-002W, AudioTechnica AD900, Denon D2000, Ultrasone PRO 650, etc.

 

Look a few up and see if they interest you.

 

Very best,


Edited by MalVeauX - 11/26/11 at 1:22pm
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post #5 of 23
11/26/11 at 1:57pm


I'm not sure if I would suggest the HE-300 -- their 93dB/mW with their impedance is pushing it for no amp. It might get loud enough for some people, though.

Quote:
Originally Posted by MalVeauX View Post

Heya,

 

First reaction was to suggest the Sennheiser HD600... but you don't want to use an amp.

 

Based on the tone you described, but having a "deep bass" component, here's some potential options:

 

So, we move on to the Hifiman HE-300, Beyer DT880 32ohm, Fischer Audio FA-002W, AudioTechnica AD900, Denon D2000, Ultrasone PRO 650, etc.

 

Look a few up and see if they interest you.

 

Very best,



 

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post #6 of 23
11/26/11 at 9:56pm
Thread Starter 

Which do you guys think is the better pair of headphones without an amp, the Sennheiser PXC-450 or the Sennheiser HD 598? Do you think that either of these will match the sound I'm looking for? 

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post #7 of 23
11/27/11 at 12:07am

Beyerdynamic DT 32-Ohm headphone have the least bass, may not be worth the extra cash.

The 250-Ohm versions (cheaper price), used with a headphone amplifier would be prefered .

 

I have the Sennheiser HD-558s (50-Ohm) and I like the sound, so the HD-598 (50-Ohm) should be really nice.

And that's well under your budget and 50-Ohm headphones should work fine with a Macbook Pro.

 

The Sennheiser HD-598 comes with a 1/4 (6.35mm) headphone jack, so you will have to use the adapter that comes with it.

Not really a big deal, just did not want you surprised if you order it.

 

 

Usually a headphone amplifier brings out the best in any headphone.

Fiio makes some nice little portable and semi-portable headphone amplifiers.

Prices from $25-$200

If your Macbook Pro has a LOD (Line Out Dock), Fiio have special cables that run from the LOD

to their headphone amplifiers which improve the audio sound for headphones..

They all so work with the LOD on the iPod, iPhone, iPad.


Edited by PurpleAngel - 11/27/11 at 12:10am
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post #8 of 23
11/27/11 at 3:45am
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the response, but between the Sennheiser PXC-450 and Sennheiser HD 598, which is better/will fit the type of sound I'm looking for?

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post #9 of 23
11/27/11 at 3:52am

deep bass with hd598 with an amp 

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post #10 of 23
11/27/11 at 4:01am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by eroarex View Post

deep bass with hd598 with an amp 



Would I need an amp with the PXC-450s? 

 

So you think the HD598 would be more what I'm looking for? 

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post #11 of 23
11/27/11 at 8:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hailofarrows View Post
Would I need an amp with the PXC-450s? 

So you think the HD598 would be more what I'm looking for? 


On the Sennheiser website the PXC-450 is listed as 150/750 Ohm.

So I'm guess that means it has to use a headphone amp (I think?).

T

he HD-598 is only 50-Ohm, so works with just about everything.

 

 

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post #12 of 23
11/27/11 at 8:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by PurpleAngel View Post


On the Sennheiser website the PXC-450 is listed as 150/750 Ohm.

So I'm guess that means it has to use a headphone amp (I think?).

T

he HD-598 is only 50-Ohm, so works with just about everything.

 

 

 

 

Yeah, no average modern onboard chipset will be rated for over 60ohms more than likely. I'm with Mal though, the first thing I thought of was the Senn HD600 and the HD598.
 

 

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post #13 of 23
11/27/11 at 1:20pm
Thread Starter 

I'm sorry for asking you to clarify, but I'm not too informed with audio when it comes to headphones. So, the PXC 450s wouldn't work with my Macbook Pro?

 

If they will both work with my Macbook Pro, does anybody know of pro's and con's of both the 450's and the HD 598? I'm a bit torn between the two. confused_face_2.gif


Edited by hailofarrows - 11/27/11 at 1:24pm
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post #14 of 23
11/27/11 at 1:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by hailofarrows View Post
I'm sorry for asking you to clarify, but I'm not too informed with audio when it comes to headphones. So, the PXC 450s wouldn't work with my Macbook Pro?

If they will both work with my Macbook Pro, does anybody know of pro's and con's of both the 450's and the HD 598? I'm a bit torn between the two. confused_face_2.gif


I do not think the PXC 450s would work with the Macbook Pro, never seen a 150/750 Ohm rating before, that's over my head.

Built in sound on computers is fine with any headphone in the 25-Ohm to 60-Ohm range, most headphones sold are in that range.

 

 


Edited by PurpleAngel - 11/27/11 at 3:21pm
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post #15 of 23
11/27/11 at 2:51pm
The Denons will work fine, 25 ohm impedance and a very nice sound signature.
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