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Can someone please recommend a newbie audiophile some cans?

post #1 of 13
6/26/12 at 6:51pm
Thread Starter 

Hi all,

 

Last summer, my girlfriend bought me some Beats Solos. I am not a big fan of them and I do not really like them. However, I didn't have any other headphones at the time and I kept them to make my girlfriend happy.

 

Now, I am ready to upgrade my cans. I just moved into a new house and paid for an overseas trip so I have set a budget of $160. I know it's not much, but hopefully I can get something decent for that price.

 

I listen to all types of music, from classical to hardcore rock to dubstep, and usually have headphones on for 5+ hours each day, so they must be comfortable. They must also be over-ear.

 

I would like closed headphones that leak little so I can take them on the train and bus with me. I don't want to look like a dork on public transport, so obviously the cans must be relatively good-looking.

 

At the end of this year, I will be flying to Europe in a long plane trip so I would like headphones that isolate plane engines etc. well (I'm not a fan of active noise cancelling headphones, however).

 

I am not really an audiophile yet but I am ready to dive into the audiophile market. The headphones should have good, clear, high quality sound.

 

By a friend, I have been recommended the Audio Technica ATH-M50. These look good and seem to be well-built and durable, but apparently they sound great as well.

 

Can anyone recommend a set of cans that satisfies my budget and needs?

 

Thank you very much!  happy_face1.gif

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post #2 of 13
6/26/12 at 6:58pm

Consider this:

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD25-1-II-Closed-Back-Headphones/dp/B000TDZOXG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340762305&sr=8-1&keywords=sennheiser+hd+25-1+ii

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post #3 of 13
6/26/12 at 7:10pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks for your reply Matt!

 

The Sennheiser HD 25 II headphones look good, but do the pads sit on top of your ear or go completely around your ear? I'm probably using the term "over ear" incorrectly. I meant that the pads should go completely around your ear. 

 

What are your thoughts on the Audio Technica ATH-M50s? They seem like the perfect headphone for me, but I'm not sure.

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post #4 of 13
6/26/12 at 7:11pm

^ +1 though they can be a bit clamping for long periods of time but I love mine. I use it as my portable headphones and they're great even without an amplifier. I've had closed headphones before that seal like a vacuum and it's hard to hear people from the outside but when I took it with me for our family vacation, the sound of the engine was still noticeable. People here will tell you though that most active noise cancelling headphones will have bad sound quality so you'll be better off looking at closed headphones.

Also, the HD25-1's are very customizable, I've seen people change pads and wires to suit their needs. 

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post #5 of 13
6/26/12 at 8:23pm

Build quality wise, the HD-25's beat the M50's. They are literally indestructible headphones, and they look cool. Get the adidas version and you'll be happy. 

Clamping force goes away in time. 

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post #6 of 13
6/26/12 at 8:53pm

What about an M80? Not as high a clamping force and pretty well regarded as an all rounder.

 

I personally don't like the M50 and it's not very comfortable either...

 

The HD25 isn't a winner on comfort, but it created less pressure on top of my head than the M50 did. I just found the M50 kind of boring. 

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post #7 of 13
6/26/12 at 9:25pm

m80 and hd25 are not over ear (circumaural)?

 

i am not an audiophile but you may want to try KRK KNS8400, denon D1100, denon D1001, Creative Aurvana Live, besides your m50 as your choices. all under 160usd, looks good, and sounds ood, and feels good (comfortable).

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post #8 of 13
6/26/12 at 9:30pm

No. They're Supra cans. Meaning they sit on your ear. You could try the LP2 which is more bassy than the M80, but over ear...or wait on the M100. 

 

The Denons would be a good choice as well...Oh, and the CAL is supra as well, though the clamp force is low.

 

Another suggestion would be the Koss Pro DJ100 (or 200). Amazing headphones for the price. My pick under $200.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dyaems View Post

m80 and hd25 are not over ear (circumaural)?

 

i am not an audiophile but you may want to try KRK KNS8400, denon D1100, denon D1001, Creative Aurvana Live, besides your m50 as your choices. all under 160usd, looks good, and sounds ood, and feels good (comfortable).

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post #9 of 13
6/27/12 at 12:06am

If you're a new to headphones then the Audio-Technica M50s would be a good start.

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post #10 of 13
6/27/12 at 12:46am

i was thinking of recommending the M50 too

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post #11 of 13
6/27/12 at 8:35am
The m50s aren't good looking x(

But then again I didn't like the HD 25 at first too.

+1 on the koss pro dj100 but they need an amp to sound great or better. The m50 or the HD25 don't need it.
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post #12 of 13
6/27/12 at 8:47am

the M50 were my first pair of cans. imo they look great. matte black with a silver ring around the logo. they go over the ear and you wont need an amp, unless you're usin a galaxy S2.

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post #13 of 13
6/27/12 at 9:18am

They do sound their best amped, but so do the HD25. Though they all sound great unamped as well.

 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jjacq View Post

The m50s aren't good looking x(
But then again I didn't like the HD 25 at first too.
+1 on the koss pro dj100 but they need an amp to sound great or better. The m50 or the HD25 don't need it.
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