Need help deciding on headphones <$100 | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

echopath · Nov 26, 2011 at 9:31 PM

So I'm looking to buy some closed headphones that are less than $100. I've been doing some research and I've been eyeing these:

Audio-Technica ATH-M30: $50
Sennheiser HD448: $60
Sennheiser HD280: $75

Which of these would be worth buying? I saw that the 448's have had several negative reviews on this site, but I can get them for a decent deal.

If there are any other suggestions, please feel free to post them here. Any help is appreciated!

zazex · Nov 26, 2011 at 10:10 PM

Shure 440
Grado 80i
Sony MDR-7506 (pro version of MDR-V6 - many claim the two are identical
other than the name; many claim otherwise)

If I were buying, I'd buy the Grado's. They have a really nice transparent, open, and dynamic sound.

HDMan · Nov 26, 2011 at 10:37 PM

Fostex T50RP - $74 http://www.head-fi.org/t/452404/just-listened-to-some-fostex-t50rps-today-wow/5100#post_7920977

It's a no brainer really

5101 posts for a $74 headphone.

SanjiWatsuki · Nov 26, 2011 at 10:41 PM

Just realize that to make the T50RP shine you need an amp capable of pulling over 2V and also have to do modding work. Without that, it has a odd ^ response curve and doesn't really outshine the rest of the headphones in the price range. With modding and a good amp, however, they blow everything in the price range away.

What type of music do you listen to?

Quote:

hdman said:
Fostex T50RP - $74 http://www.head-fi.org/t/452404/just-listened-to-some-fostex-t50rps-today-wow/5100#post_7920977

It's a no brainer really

5101 posts for a $74 headphone.

PurpleAngel · Nov 26, 2011 at 11:15 PM

Creative Aurvana Live $72
Cups are on the small side, barely fits around my ears, but nice sound.

Echopath, what sources are you going to be plugging your headphones into?

echopath · Nov 27, 2011 at 12:06 AM

Quote:

sanjiwatsuki said:
What type of music do you listen to?

I listen to practically everything, but if I had to narrow it down, pop and hip-hop.

Quote:

purpleangel said:
Creative Aurvana Live $72
Cups are on the small side, barely fits around my ears, but nice sound.

Echopath, what sources are you going to be plugging your headphones into?

My computer mostly, but sometimes my iPod as well.

PurpleAngel · Nov 27, 2011 at 12:22 AM

Quote:

echopath said:
I listen to practically everything, but if I had to narrow it down, pop and hip-hop.
My computer mostly, but sometimes my iPod as well.

If you get the Fiio E6 portable headphone amplifier, with the Fiio L3 or L9 cable, it should bring out the best or at least improve the sound of any headphone used with the iPod.

zazex · Nov 27, 2011 at 5:59 PM

Quote:

purpleangel said:
If you get the Fiio E6 portable headphone amplifier, with the Fiio L3 or L9 cable, it should bring out the best or at least improve the sound of any headphone used with the iPod.

+1.

For hip hop especially, and for pop as well, another choice which I thought of overnight is the M Audio Studiophile Q 40.
There's a lot to like about that headphone; especially its very solid bass. B & H has it for just a touch over $100
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/529902-REG/M_Audio_9900_52308_00_Studiophile_Q40_Closed_Back_Dynamic.html

HDMan · Dec 2, 2011 at 9:33 PM

Quote:

sanjiwatsuki said:
Just realize that to make the T50RP shine you need an amp capable of pulling over 2V and also have to do modding work. Without that, it has a odd ^ response curve and doesn't really outshine the rest of the headphones in the price range. With modding and a good amp, however, they blow everything in the price range away.

What type of music do you listen to?

Here you go, have fun.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/583371/t50-response#post_7938001

echopath

New Head-Fier

zazex

Headphoneus Supremus

HDMan

100+ Head-Fier

SanjiWatsuki

500+ Head-Fier

PurpleAngel

Headphoneus Supremus

echopath

New Head-Fier

PurpleAngel

Headphoneus Supremus

zazex

Headphoneus Supremus

HDMan

100+ Head-Fier

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