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Fullsized Headphones for Hard Rock/Metal

post #1 of 18
1/7/12 at 3:44pm
Thread Starter 

Hello Head-Fi, I've been looking at full-size cans online for the last few days trying to decide what would suite me the best without any luck :(. This will be my first legitimate pair of big headphones btw. I'm a musician and have been playing guitar for around 9 years now, through a 100W tube halfstack and I love going to live shows if that's any help.

 

Style - Full size, closed back.

 

Budget - Around $100 USD, preferably less vs more

 

Music - Hard rock and metal mostly, with some classic rock mixed in. I don't want overpowering bass but something with decent bass would be nice. I also like listening to stuff similar to Opeth so some clarity between instruments is a plus.

 

Use - Mostly through my laptop (Vaio CW190X) and occasionally with my iPod Touch (2nd gen).

 

I was looking at the Sennheiser HD448's but it seems they are lacking in the bass department. I don't have an in-line amp, but I could purchase one if needed (within the $100ish budget) to get the sound I'm after. Thanks in advance!

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post #2 of 18
1/7/12 at 4:16pm

Grado SR60i or SR80i great for rock/metal, but they are open

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post #3 of 18
1/7/12 at 4:35pm

Creative Aurvana Live! is a regular recommendation for your price range and preference for a slightly bass enhanced sound.  Their price varies a lot at Amazon.com, but you can often times find them in the $60 range.  The CAL's use the same drivers that were used in the  Denon AH-D1001k headphones. 

 

Sony MDR-V6 is another headphone you should at least consider in this price range.  Adorama has them for $79 right now, they were lower before Christmas.  Extremely durable, may be a bit too cool in tone for you though. 

 

Others?  Possibly the Shure 440 or KRK 6400. 

 

 

 

 

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post #4 of 18
1/7/12 at 5:03pm
Thread Starter 

I'm not concerned with how they look (as long as they're not gaudy like the Senn 438's), sound trumps looks every time when it comes to music. I haven't seen the CAL's before, they look interesting. How do those and the Sony's stack against each other?

EDIT: Sony's website has these for $40 refurbished.. Are refurbs alright in the headphone world lol? Normally I'm not opposed to used/refurb gear, especially with guitars and the like.


Edited by FluxD1 - 1/7/12 at 5:08pm
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post #5 of 18
1/7/12 at 5:12pm

The Sony's are much more robust...people often use them for decades without destroying them.  Sound can be a bit too biased towards the treble for some, but these are excellent for discerning details in your music.  The CAL's have a warm tone, with more bass emphasis...more of a fun, engaging sound rather than analytical.

 

Edit:  Posted before your last edited question showed up.  If they are straight from Sony refurbished, I would imagine they would be fine.  But are you sure they are still available at that price?


Edited by Kerry56 - 1/7/12 at 5:18pm
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post #6 of 18
1/7/12 at 8:26pm

Shure SRH440's excel with guitars. 

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post #7 of 18
1/7/12 at 8:34pm

People are going to hate me but buy used audio technica ath m50s.

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post #8 of 18
1/7/12 at 10:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bcasey25raptor View Post

People are going to hate me but buy used audio technica ath m50s.



Not a bad suggestion! haha

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post #9 of 18
1/7/12 at 10:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bcasey25raptor View Post

People are going to hate me but buy used audio technica ath m50s.



Problem I'm having is trying to find a good deal on them, haha. Just kind of waiting around for the price to hit around the $100 range and then I'll bite. Sadly missed my chance earlier on Amazon, but hopefully tomorrow someone will be kind!

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post #10 of 18
1/7/12 at 10:58pm

I got my m50s for $100 used. I couldn't be happier. I prefer them sometimes to my other more expensive headphones.

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post #11 of 18
1/7/12 at 11:51pm

Sennheiser HD-518 is the best rock-headphone I've ever heard. Fast, solid, impactful sound. I think it's from the new dirvers, there is nothing in common with the ''old'' laid-back sennheiser sound.

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post #12 of 18
1/17/12 at 11:27am
Thread Starter 

So I wound up going for the AT M50's and couldn't be happier. They're not even broken in and the definition in the lower end is phenomenal to my ears... bands like Mastodon sound huge through these cans. I got them as new B-stock for $100 shipped and the left side had 2 very small marks on them.. I'll deal biggrin.gif

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post #13 of 18
1/17/12 at 11:38am

I was going to suggest M50's or used HD25-1 II.

 

Good choice!

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post #14 of 18
1/17/12 at 11:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by brat View Post

Sennheiser HD-518 is the best rock-headphone I've ever heard. Fast, solid, impactful sound. I think it's from the new dirvers, there is nothing in common with the ''old'' laid-back sennheiser sound.

Agreed, but he wants closed cans.

I'll vote CAL! too, it's a very good closed rock/metal HP. The MDR-V6 may be a little bright, especially without an amp, but with some EQ they fit the bill.
Edited by Magick Man - 1/17/12 at 11:50am
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post #15 of 18
1/17/12 at 3:17pm
Thread Starter 

After wearing them nonstop for 3 hours after I received them I noticed that the channels were wired backwards on the headphones. I got to reading up on here about fake M50's and I'm starting to think this pair is fake...

 

They're good fakes from what I can tell (grey logo on the headband and correct logos on the back of the drivers) but the headband stitching doesn't look quite right and there's some dips/voids where the padding isn't sufficient. Plus once I opened them up they looked like this, without the white pad

 

4508e716_img0075jo.jpg


Edited by FluxD1 - 1/17/12 at 3:23pm
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