quality headphones that wont break?... under $50?

I really do not think you can find any good quality headphones for $50..but a very reliable brand is Sennheiser. I have a huge head and these cans are so comfortable, it doesnt feel too tight and also it is adjustable. But for $50, the Sennheiser HD 419's are pretty good. Heres a Link:

 

http://www.sennheiserusa.com/around-ear-headphones-portables-hd-419-mid-size_504173

 

check out the 429's as well, theyre $80

Check out used Shure SRH440. The hinge is metal and the arms are made of thick plastic. Seen them used on Amazon for $35-50. I bought mine new for $65. Mine took a ton of punishment outside for almost half a year before I gave them away.

Poeple think I have lost my mind but there are some decent Avio cans at Radio Shack around this price.

superlux 668b - that should be close to indestructible. 

How Tough is the Koss Porta Pro? I know people mod the tar out of it [and it sounds pretty good] but I wonder how it works on the Toughness factor... 

They're not the most solid. I broke the cable connection to one ear when I snagged it on my bicycle while dismounting. Also the little plastic tabs holding it together and the bits sticking out to hold the earpads in place aren't very tough either. Overall the headband seems solid so far, and I havn't been put off by the swivel mechanism either... it's just the little details. 

 

I've taken them apart almost completely to do open up the grills more, and while the design is good and functional with modular pieces that are easy to replace, I do find myself handling them with care.

 

The only plus is that if they do break - lifetime warranty.

 

Let me also chime in with another recommendation - a 2nd hand AKG K240 or variant (better look for the newer ones that don't need strong amping).

Heya,

 

The Philips Stretch is pretty durable and inexpensive. I have one, sounds decent for it's cost.

The Hesh 2.0 is also pretty durable, with detachable cable and all. Sound is actually decent.

 

I actually have both. They're not something you'd normally see pushed around here, but I try everything under the sun because you just never know until you try.

 

Very best,

Very nice, seeing as you definatley have seniority on the site as well as plenty of great reviews, your recommendations are pretty solid. But I demo'd a pair of Silly little Sony MDR ZX100s and simply put... low end headphones sound decent enough to validate their price, granted compared to my Dt 880's the detail was poor, the highs where shallow the bass was weak and there was a lack of finess that comes from the Dt 880s and Lossless Audio, still was it TERRIBLE no it wasn't. My point the cheap o cans can be well worth the money they cost! 

Spend $68 and get a Sony V6. Many people are still using this headphone 20 or more years after buying it.

zomg are they still selling them :D

My suggestion if you want to stay around your budget and get something nice, check out the used section here on head-fi and see if you can get a good deal on a nice set of phones. this for example : http://www.head-fi.org/t/633528/fs-beyerdynamic-t1-fostex-t50rp-modded

Has some modded t50rp for 77 bucks. Not bad for some orthos.

Nice post, heck I wouldn't mind those my self! 

Agh, Turtle Beach, I hate them. Everything of theirs seems to disintergrate within a few months. *remembers his nightmare with the Z1* xD

 

What kind of music do you listen to?

 

 

Without knowing what music you listen to, I think of the  Monorpice 8323, JVC HARX700, or Superlux HD681. I recommend the 681 over the 668b

Edited by Supertoaster - 10/28/12 at 6:15pm