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Budget Help!!! SENNHEISER/SHURE/AUDIO-TECHNICA

post #1 of 36
1/19/12 at 12:42pm
Thread Starter 

So I've been on this long venture to purchase a pair of full sized (around the ear) closed headphones.

I am in college, so I will be needing the sound isolation, but the "active noise cancelling" models really never appealed to me.

That said, again, I am in college, so my max budget is around 100-130 USD (more realistically, I don't really want to spend more than 100).

Through reading countless reviews, I've narrowed down my choices:

Sennheiser HD 448

Sennheiser HD 449 (basically the new 448)

Sennheiser HD 280 Pro

Shure SRH440

Shure SRH880 (don't really know if the upgrade from the 440s are really worth the price)

Audio-Technica ATH-M50 (Straight or coiled cable- don't really know which is better for my life)

 

I am a music major at a conservatory, so my ears are quite sensitive for precision of sound. However, I would not call myself an "audiophile." This is my first look into the higher quality headphones, and again, as a college student, I really do not have the means to collect four or five different headphones each costing over $400 for each type of music I listen to.

 

That said, the type of music that I listen to, is (probably the most hated answer) mostly everything and anything. My nature of my education has me listening to a lot of classical/orchestral music. However, I became a music major because of my appreciation with all forms of music that can be enjoyed by all types of people. I often listen to rock, oldies, jazz, pop, rap, reggae, country, hip-hop, electric, dubstep, and whatever else I'm missing.

 

I figure I want something that's "flat," whatever that means. Clarity in bass is a priority, but I'm not one of those guys who requires the Skullcandy Skullcrushers kind of bass. Notice how I said "clarity" not "explosions."

 

I don't mind the look of any of these headphones, so aesthetics are not an issue.

 

So what do you experts think? Which one of these should I buy? Or maybe there is another at this price range that haven't heard of. I am open to all ideas.

 

Please, don't tell me "you really should save up a little more and buy something of 'actual' quality." As far as I read, these are probably more than enough for me. Obviously, I know that there are better ones for more money. Perhaps one day, if I get enough money, I might buy something more expensive. But that is a topic for a whole new thread. Until then, I need a quality pair of good-sounding headphones that I can get for a good price.

 

Thanks!

 

Oh and last thing... apparently a few of these headphones are called "monitoring" headphones. What does that mean?

 

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post #2 of 36
1/19/12 at 3:53pm

Hmm, from that list I'd say the SRH440 have most of the traits you're looking for.  It has a neutral sound signature that offers excellent clarity with tight, well controlled bass.  The one thing to be careful of is comfort is a hit or miss.  A vendor with a good return policy is recommended.

 

The SRH440/840, HD280 PRO, and the M50 are all designed with professional recording and studio use in mind.  The relatively neutral and revealing nature of these headphone allows for users to hear recording flaws or produce music with the desired traits.  That is why they're referred to as monitoring headphones.


Edited by Digital-Pride - 1/19/12 at 4:04pm
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post #3 of 36
1/19/12 at 4:10pm

 

Quote:

Shure SRH440

Shure SRH880 (don't really know if the upgrade from the 440s are really worth the price)

 

The SRH840 is really better and worth the difference, only, and only if you have an amp, otherwise, buy the srh440 but like say Digital-Pride, some people can have comfort problem with the srh440 earcups. They are less deep than the srh840 earcups and the driver grill can touch the ears.

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post #4 of 36
1/19/12 at 4:31pm

I vote SRH-880 if you prefer a neutral sound and the Audio Technica ATH-M50 for everything else.  The Senn 280 pro are not very durable and personally the M50 sounds better.

 

ATH-M50 for slightly more bass and great durability.

 

SRH-880 for neutral sound

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post #5 of 36
1/19/12 at 5:29pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the input so far.

On Headroom (headphone.com), the HD448 and HD449 were very high in value ratings. Anyone have any opinions on these?

Sennheiser HD 449 and HD 280 Pro are basically the same price range. Why does Sennheiser have two around-the-ear closed back headphone models around the same price? Are they for different types of listening?

 

Thank you Digital-Pride for the explanation on the monitoring headphones. Then what are the HD 448 and HD 449 for?

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post #6 of 36
1/19/12 at 5:42pm

 

Quote:
Why does Sennheiser have two around-the-ear closed back headphone models around the same price?

 

Quote:
Are they for different types of listening?

 

You answered your question :) HiFi vs Monitoring.
 
I don't know the HD449, but the HD448 was a very good headphone for the price, a good mid centric headphone with good details.
 
HD448/449 are HiFi headphone for easy listening.
 
 

 

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post #7 of 36
1/19/12 at 5:57pm

You're welcome, glad I can help.smily_headphones1.gif  The HD400 line is more regular consumer oriented with a focus more on portability and compatibility with portable players like the ipod.

 

To your other question, the HD449 and HD429/39 are replacements for the HD428/38/48.  There's not many impressions of the HD449, but the few there are say the HD449 sounds very similar to the HD448.  I'd like to try HD449 myself and find out.

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post #8 of 36
1/19/12 at 8:05pm
Thread Starter 

Just to clarify (because I am paranoid like that) none of these choices are red flags right?

It seems that the HD280 Pros are not very popular.

 

DVDRey, what is the difference between HiFi listening and Monitor listening?

 

Digital-Pride, what do you mean by "regular consumer?" Would you not call yourself a regular consumer? Should I not consider myself one?

 

Thanks for all the help guys. 

I just want to break down my list.

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post #9 of 36
1/20/12 at 3:17am

 

Quote:
DVDRey, what is the difference between HiFi listening and Monitor listening?

 

A monitoring headphone has usually a more flat frequency range, sound is more neutral, detailled...their counterpart HiFI are much more forgiving, fun sounding, more colored sound and a more roller coaster frequency range,lol.

 

Quote:
Digital-Pride, what do you mean by "regular consumer?" Would you not call yourself a regular consumer? Should I not consider myself one?

 

I think Digital-Pride speak about "regular consumer" vs "audiophile consumer", like the beginner and the amateur.

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post #10 of 36
1/20/12 at 7:20am

Actually, I mean professional vs. any non-professional.

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post #11 of 36
1/20/12 at 8:17am

 

Quote:
Actually, I mean professional vs. any non-professional.

 

It was effectively more logical biggrin.gif

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post #12 of 36
1/20/12 at 10:00am
Thread Starter 

oh okay okay.

Right now I'm leaning towards the SRH440 and the ATH-M50.

But the ATH-M50 is considerably more expensive. Is it really worth it?

And like I said, I wouldn't consider myself an audiophile, but is it just a better listening experience with monitoring headphones? I ask because I like to listen to all of whats there in all of the music tracks, but at the same time, I like my music to sound good.

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post #13 of 36
1/20/12 at 10:17am

 

Quote:

Right now I'm leaning towards the SRH440 and the ATH-M50.

But the ATH-M50 is considerably more expensive. Is it really worth it?

 

Imo, not really. I prefer the SRH440 sound but the M50 is technically superior. SRH750DJ is also very good for the price.

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post #14 of 36
1/20/12 at 12:07pm

With regards to comfort and the SRH440 - the 840 earpads can be ordered later on down the road, along with a straight cable. If you get it all in one package, the final price will be about $150 in the US. I'd highly recommend getting the 840 earpad with the SRH440. It's not that much more money and makes a big difference in comfort and sound. Stock, it'll sound fine... but with a 15-20 dollar earpad, you'll add 50 dollars to the sound. The SRH440 and 840 comes stock with a coiled cable that I found to be really heavy and haven't pulled it out again after comparing it to the straight cable. It wasn't too bad though. There's no "recoil" in the coiled cable and it's really long so I could walk all over my room with it connected to my computer in the corner. 

 

The one thing that's not so easy to fix is the headband. The headband is a little heavy, which isn't a big deal, except it's a thick piece of rubber in there in place of a cushion like that found on Sennheisers and many other headphones. The weight, and the relatively stiff material, creates a pressure spot on the head. There is enough clamping force to let you suspend the headband a littel bit above the head, but only just. I don't mind it, but if you've a sensitive head (where a little extra pressure can cause headaches) then it's definitely something to consider. You can also try modding the headband later on down the road - there's a thread on that on Head Fi. Another solution is to get a little bean bag and sandwich it in between. Highly attractive solution, I might add. 

 

I don't have much experience with headphones, but I love my SRH440. Coming from decent PC speakers, the SRH440 showed me things in my music that I had never noticed before. Other reviews will probably be more detailed about the sound as I don't know exactly how to describe it, and definitely can't do a comparo. 

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post #15 of 36
1/20/12 at 1:08pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for the good advice phamkl. I might do that.

 

DVDRey, what can you tell me about the srh750dj? It looks very nice, but it still is considerably more expensive than the srh440.

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