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Headphones under $40?

post #1 of 22
12/27/11 at 12:41am
Thread Starter 

In the last month I have bought a pair of Beats Solo HDs for my brother (yeah I know, but to be honest he wanted them more sowoff than sound quality) for Christmas, received a Bose IE2 as a Christmas gift, bought myself a pair of Audio Technica M50s, and helped someone choose to buy a Creative Aurvana Live!, so I have now become the "Help me pick some headphones out" for people around me.

 
Someone wants a pair of over or on the ear headphones and their budget is under $40. It is a weird budget and he won't go any higher. He is mostly into mainstream music like hip-hop and pop.  I figured I would give it a shot since this forum seems to have such a range of experts. After looking at the topic ranking a bunch of portables, and several other posts about low-end headphones I have a list (in no particular order). Please help me choose him something, or make a suggestion under $40.
 

JVC HAS700
MEElectronics HT-21
Sennheiser HD 202 II
Denon AH-P372K
Panasonic RP-HTX7
Sony MDR-XB300

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post #2 of 22
12/27/11 at 12:51am

If it doesn't have to be portable, I'd say the Superlux HD681. I've seen nothing that can beat that thing in the under $50 bracket.

For some other cheap options, there is always the Monoprice MHP-839 (they go by Monoprice Premium Hi-Fi DJ Headphones or something crazy like that on their website) which is $21 and is also a beast for its price bracket. I'd suggest it over the Sennheiser HD202 II every time. 

 

I'm sure there are other really good options, but those were just off the top of my head. 

Quote:
Originally Posted by joeylw View Post

In the last month I have bought a pair of Beats Solo HDs for my brother (yeah I know, but to be honest he wanted them more sowoff than sound quality) for Christmas, received a Bose IE2 as a Christmas gift, bought myself a pair of Audio Technica M50s, and helped someone choose to buy a Creative Aurvana Live!, so I have now become the "Help me pick some headphones out" for people around me.

 
Someone wants a pair of over or on the ear headphones and their budget is under $40. It is a weird budget and he won't go any higher. He is mostly into mainstream music like hip-hop and pop.  I figured I would give it a shot since this forum seems to have such a range of experts. After looking at the topic ranking a bunch of portables, and several other posts about low-end headphones I have a list (in no particular order). Please help me choose him something, or make a suggestion under $40.
 

JVC HAS700
MEElectronics HT-21
Sennheiser HD 202 II
Denon AH-P372K
Panasonic RP-HTX7
Sony MDR-XB300



 

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post #3 of 22
12/27/11 at 1:01am

I still have the RP-HTX7 and its a good headphone if not better. ljokerl made a review on these you can check it out on his 95 headphones reviewed post. Also you can do mods with it. 

 

A plus if you like others to call you a jet fighter pilot.smile.gif

 

We always have the HT-21 out of stock here so I did not try that one.

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post #4 of 22
12/27/11 at 1:13am
Thread Starter 

Awesome! Thanks for the quick responses. I will look up the Superlux and the Monoprice headphones. I have seen some stuff on the Monoprice already, and they seem cool.

 

To answer the question, no they don't have to be portable.

 

*EDIT* 

The Monoprice are sold out....bummer. But the Superlux are available on Amazon under $40. Those look pretty good. Any other thoughts?

 


Edited by joeylw - 12/27/11 at 1:25am
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post #5 of 22
12/27/11 at 1:54am

Try Panasonic HTF600

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post #6 of 22
12/27/11 at 2:12am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by FearSC549 View Post

Try Panasonic HTF600



 

Those look good too. So many choices!!

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post #7 of 22
12/27/11 at 2:26am
Any of the superlux headphones will be your best choice.
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post #8 of 22
12/27/11 at 2:39am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by pjs42 View Post

Any of the superlux headphones will be your best choice.


 

It looks like I might be ordering him the Superlux tomorrow. I really wish he would just put $20 more in so I could order a CAL! for him. But at least there are some choices at $40.

 

Keep the info coming, and thanks so much!

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post #9 of 22
12/27/11 at 3:23am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pjs42 View Post

Any of the superlux headphones will be your best choice.

If he doesn't need that portability factor, then definitely this.
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post #10 of 22
12/27/11 at 3:33am

From all the good reviews on the Panasonic HTF600 lately I've come to think very highly of them, should give them a try.

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post #11 of 22
12/27/11 at 4:03am
Thread Starter 

So my new short list is

 

Superlux HD681
Panasonic HTF600

Panasonic RP-HTX7
 
They all seem pretty good. 
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post #12 of 22
12/27/11 at 4:21am

I would still try to convince him to get a CAL!   $60 is not a lot in the headphone world - so being adamant about spending only $40 seems silly.  People report the CALs being on-par with the M50s and other >$100 phones.

 

If not that then probably a superlux (Samson SR850?).  Or one of the Koss on-ears (portapro, KSC75)

 

I would be wary of the RP-HTX7, I've heard its very muddy.

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post #13 of 22
12/27/11 at 4:44am
The HTX7.... only for people that enjoy mud with terrible, terrible and artificial mids, and boomy as all hell bass.

I quite enjoyed the JVC HAS700 when I had them, and I absolutely loved the CAL which is worth the $60 and then some.
Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 12/27/11 at 4:46am
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post #14 of 22
12/27/11 at 4:48am

CAL!s are good for the price, about on par with Superlux but just shy of M50 level IMO.

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post #15 of 22
12/27/11 at 4:53am
Thread Starter 

I think I am going to go ahead and order him the Superlux.

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