Quality headphones under $80
Apr 4, 2013 at 10:38 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 15

flamel

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What I'm looking for:
- costs less than $100
- Decently stylish, but not necessarily glamorous (used both in public and in privacy of home/room, so willing to sacrifice some sound quality to get decent style)
- Great overall sound, with emphasis on bass (non-muddy)
- Decent sound leakage (doesn't need to be awesome, as long as it won't be too annoying at medium volume in public)
- Don't particularly care whether over or on-ear. Feel free to argue your case :wink:
 
So I've managed to cut down potential candidates for headphones to these:
 
-ATH-WS55 Solid Bass ($76)
-MEElectronics Air-Fi AF32 ($64)
- Creative Aurvana Live ($75)
 
Both the WS55 and the Creative Aurvana seem to promise great sound with pretty good style. However, I'm really leaning towards the AF32 because it also offers comparable sound, but has the additional perks of:
 
-  Being wireless OR wired (bluetooth +detachable wire)
- Discreet but present microphone
- Different colored options
- Cheaper :D
 
So, if you're familiar with any of the above headphones, feel free to advice me as to which is better, or if you've switched to another headphone from one of these (that still matches constraints I have), then feel free to share it and explain why you chose it!
 
NOTE: I'm new to the whole quality headphone scene, haven't spent more than $30-50 on a pair, haven't used better than Sony's MDRZX100 or a pair of skullcandies. And upon reading online reviews and watching youtube videos, I've decided that the best person to ask about good, quality headphones would be here. 
 
Apr 4, 2013 at 10:48 PM Post #2 of 15
JVC HA-S500, about $50 from Japan. It's better than all three on your list.
 
Apr 4, 2013 at 10:56 PM Post #3 of 15
I know the CAL!'s but you can do better. Example: Koss pro Dj100
(they are not necessarily bass emphasized, but they still have a good bass response)
 
Apr 4, 2013 at 11:00 PM Post #5 of 15
Quote:
JVC HA-S500, about $50 from Japan. It's better than all three on your list.

This^^. 
I had the WS55, and once I got the S500, I never used the WS55 anymore, so I traded them for a set of CAL!. I like the CAL! more than the WS55, but not as much as the S500.
 
Apr 4, 2013 at 11:37 PM Post #6 of 15
Quote:
JVC HA-S500, about $50 from Japan. It's better than all three on your list.

Googled it, doesn't seem to be sold at any domestic store. Would have to purchase international. Abit uncomfortable because of a previous experience with shipping internationally through amazon, but since a lot of the people that responded seemed to like this, I doubt it's gonna stop me. Thanks.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Achmedisdead 
 
This^^. 
I had the WS55, and once I got the S500, I never used the WS55 anymore, so I traded them for a set of CAL!. I like the CAL! more than the WS55, but not as much as the S500.

 
 
When you say you liked one more than the other, do you mean in terms of sound quality, or in terms of comfort? Kind of suprised I didn't come across the S500 considering it's relatively cheap price and performance. Thanks for advice.
 
Apr 4, 2013 at 11:41 PM Post #7 of 15
No one feeling like talking about the MEElectronics Air-Fi? I was leaning the strongest towards buying these considering they seemed to offer good sound with a lot of additional, welcome features.
 
Apr 5, 2013 at 2:55 AM Post #10 of 15
I actually haven't heard the other 2 headphones in your list, but out of the many closed headphones that I've owned/still own in the past (Denon D2000, HD428/419/Sony ZX700, Denon D1100, Amperiors, Philips Downtown, Audio Technica M50s), the CAL has always been my favorite at its pricepoint.  Only downside of the CAL is that it has kinda a puny wire and build quality (while not bad, doesn't seem extremely durable).  The comfort though is definitely among the best and it's sound quality is superb.  For 75 bucks, I would be surprised if anything can top it in terms of SQ and comfort.
 
Just my opinion.
 
Apr 5, 2013 at 3:00 AM Post #11 of 15
Look at my headphones list, many have come and gone, the CAL! is still here. They're the reincarnation of the renowned Denon D1001 back in the day. I got them for $40 awhile back, and I don't think any other cans can beat them at that price or under $80 for that matter (I have many before).
 
Apr 5, 2013 at 9:01 AM Post #12 of 15
I bought the CAL! and both S500 and S400 at the same time. I went into it thinking the CAL! would be better since at that time I consider JVC a cheap brand (don't ask long story).
After trying all 3 the same week, the S500 easily beat the CAL!, it had better bass (quantity and quality) and better mids, I returned the CAL! after comparing them to the JVC.
 
Apr 5, 2013 at 9:25 AM Post #13 of 15
Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but there are a pair of KOSS ESP6 HP on CL near me for $25.  Are these any good for that price?  Thanks!
 
Apr 5, 2013 at 11:06 AM Post #14 of 15
Quote:
Not sure if this is the right place to ask, but there are a pair of KOSS ESP6 HP on CL near me for $25.  Are these any good for that price?  Thanks!

Not really... I would avoid those unless you want them for the Novelty factor.
See Here
 
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Apr 6, 2013 at 9:00 AM Post #15 of 15
Thanks!
 

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