Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Recommendations on Headphones ($300 price range)
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Recommendations on Headphones ($300 price range)

post #1 of 12
12/24/11 at 3:17pm
Thread Starter 

Hello! 

I am a avid reader of this blog, however just decided to join as I officially decided I need a pair of headphones, my current noise isolating ear buds are not cutting it for me anymore. I currently use the klipsch s4 ear buds. However, want something which depicts the bass more accurately. 

 

Requirements

 

1) The headphones must be portable as they will be used without a Amp 95% of the time, mainly with my computer at work or with my Ipod when traveling on a plane or train. 

 

2) I listen to music in all genres, mainly jazz/blues, classic rock, and Dave Matthews Band. However, I do occasionally listen to heavy bass music.

 

3) Price range is up to $350

 

4) Would like them to be aesthetically pleasing 

 

5) It must isolate out the sound of the train/plane, does not necessarily have to be noise canceling. Therefore, I believe they need to be closed/sealed. I am not worried about the sound leaking too much, although it would be nice if the headphones do not leak much. 

 

I have looked into some headphones and am having difficulty selecting a pair because there are so many out there. 

What I am currently considering: 

 

Possible Models? 

1) Klipsch Mode M40 - like Klipsch products(e.g.currently using klipsch s4 in ear headphones), the look(classy Beats like), and the fact that it has the ability to noise cancel, but have not seen any reviews. Nor have I had the opportunity to listen to the headphones anywhere. 

 

2) AKG K 702 - like the looks, read good things about it 

 

3) Beyerdynamic DT 1350- like the looks read good things about the headphone, is it any better then the Sennheiser. I know less people will have them which I like. 

 

4) Sennheiser HD-25 I Originals.

 

5) V-Moda Crossfade LP 2

 

ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OR SUGGESTIONS REGARDING THE MODELS I HAVE LISTED OR MAY HAVE LEFT OUT?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reply
post #2 of 12
12/24/11 at 3:31pm

The HD598s are the most beautiful headphones I have ever seen and they sound unbelievable. They are open, so if you plan on blasting your music at work then these wouldn't be the right pair for you. But if you keep them at a reasonable volume they don't bleed enough to be a major issue.

 

They have very strong tight bass but it is not overpowering at all. There isn't a genre I haven't loved on them yet, although electronic/trance/house is definitely not its strongest. 

 

They are incredibly comfortable as well.

 

If you are looking for a good closed pair of cans I would suggest the Shure 840s, although I have tried out the Klipsch m40s and was a fan of them as well.

 

Cheers,

Jared


Edited by Jgott44 - 12/24/11 at 3:32pm
Reply
post #3 of 12
12/24/11 at 4:02pm

Very poor suggestion! These have to drown out the noise of planes and trains, as well as be very portable, and you would suggest an open Sennheiser HD598?! 

 

I suggest going with the DT1350. Of all of the headphones you've thought about, those have the most isolation. They're one of the most isolating headphones at -19dBr. They don't need an amp. The bass on them is definitely rendered differently on them than it is on most headphones. Here are a few impressions about how the DT1350 does bass:

 

"very clean, but no body to it," "what little bass produced by the 1350 to be very clean and totally unbiased with very little exaggeration" "bass lovers might want to skip this one" "lacking any sort of fake resonant punch."

while simultaneously being

"Tight and bottomless bass" "more finely controlled (but still deep and heady enough to feel positively seismic at times" "Bass is FLAT. Extended. Tight. Tuneful." "The bass is alive and deep.'
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jgott44 View Post

The HD598s are the most beautiful headphones I have ever seen and they sound unbelievable. They are open, so if you plan on blasting your music at work then these wouldn't be the right pair for you. But if you keep them at a reasonable volume they don't bleed enough to be a major issue.

 

They have very strong tight bass but it is not overpowering at all. There isn't a genre I haven't loved on them yet, although electronic/trance/house is definitely not its strongest. 

 

They are incredibly comfortable as well.

 

If you are looking for a good closed pair of cans I would suggest the Shure 840s, although I have tried out the Klipsch m40s and was a fan of them as well.

 

Cheers,

Jared



 


Edited by SanjiWatsuki - 12/24/11 at 4:03pm
Reply
post #4 of 12
12/24/11 at 4:05pm

I must have missed that train/plane part! Yea I guess my suggestion isn't very helpful then frown.gif

 

I like the Shure 840s a lot though! 

Reply
post #5 of 12
12/24/11 at 4:08pm

The Sennheiser HD380 pro at $145 on Amazon look so tempting. I have read several reviews of it which were great. The only issue I have with using closed headphones is that one's ears can greatly overheat with extended use. This is much more of a problem in hot weather than cold cold weather. Large closed headphones are also bulky to carry around. I guess that is why iems are so popular for portable use. I have trouble getting a good fit with iems, although I haven't tried Comply tips yet. I have been told that Comply tips solve the problem of getting a good seal, however they need to be replaced every month or two.

Reply
post #6 of 12
12/24/11 at 9:21pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by SanjiWatsuki View Post

Very poor suggestion! These have to drown out the noise of planes and trains, as well as be very portable, and you would suggest an open Sennheiser HD598?! 

 

I suggest going with the DT1350. Of all of the headphones you've thought about, those have the most isolation. They're one of the most isolating headphones at -19dBr. They don't need an amp. The bass on them is definitely rendered differently on them than it is on most headphones. Here are a few impressions about how the DT1350 does bass:

 

"very clean, but no body to it," "what little bass produced by the 1350 to be very clean and totally unbiased with very little exaggeration" "bass lovers might want to skip this one" "lacking any sort of fake resonant punch."

while simultaneously being

"Tight and bottomless bass" "more finely controlled (but still deep and heady enough to feel positively seismic at times" "Bass is FLAT. Extended. Tight. Tuneful." "The bass is alive and deep.'
 

 

 

 

Thanks for the suggestion... I will look into it a little more and purchase it tomorrow..
 

 



 

Reply
post #7 of 12
12/24/11 at 9:50pm
Thread Starter 

Any suggestions regarding circumaural headphone in that price range? 

Reply
post #8 of 12
12/25/11 at 7:45am

A closed all rounder headphone with good isolation, easy to drive, relatively comfortable, portable and under 200$ = HFi780. There is better choice for open, but closed with all your choice, its not easy.

Reply
post #9 of 12
12/25/11 at 3:32pm
Thread Starter 

How bad would the isolation/leakage be for open? What suggestions do you have for open headphones? 

Reply
post #10 of 12
12/25/11 at 3:39pm

Expect zero isolation to come from open headphones and a lot of sound leakage. For an idea, take off your current headphones and point them toward yourself. That's about the level of sound leakage that comes from open headphones. 
 

Quote:
Originally Posted by dsclaw88 View Post

How bad would the isolation/leakage be for open? What suggestions do you have for open headphones? 



 

Reply
post #11 of 12
12/25/11 at 3:58pm

 

Quote:
How bad would the isolation/leakage be for open? What suggestions do you have for open headphones?

 

Anyway, if you want use an headphone in a train or plane, you must buy closed headphone or IEM, imo.

 

Without an amp, there is also much lesser choice. Open headphone and very efficient like HD598, AD series, grado line...

Reply
post #12 of 12
12/25/11 at 8:13pm
Thread Starter 

I had custom IEM from Sennheiser and they just were still not comfortable, guess my inner ear is very sensitive. Talk about a waste of money. Anyway after discovering that there are tiny amps (fioo amps I believe), I would not mind also purchasing the necessary amp to make my listening experience better. I assume  this will open up my options for a $300 price range.  Thank you all for your suggestions. I have been looking at all the models recommended so far and discovered some models of my own.

 

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by DVDRey View Post

 

 

Anyway, if you want use an headphone in a train or plane, you must buy closed headphone or IEM, imo.

 

Without an amp, there is also much lesser choice. Open headphone and very efficient like HD598, AD series, grado line...



 

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Headphones (full-size)
Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Recommendations on Headphones ($300 price range)