Best Headphones for Under $160
Jun 4, 2013 at 12:42 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 17
outlaw5150

outlaw5150

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I'm looking for a new set of headphones. I want something that fits my music style such as (metal,heavy metal,death metal) I enjoy bands such as Metallica,Van Halen,and Iron Maiden etc.
 
I have read nothing but good things about the Sennheiser HD 239, Grado SR125i, Grado SR80i. 
 
Which is the best for my price range and my needs?
 
Jun 4, 2013 at 12:49 AM Post #2 of 17
Welcome to head-fi
Sorry about your wallet. 
 
If you're planning to use them solely at the intimacy of your home or in a quite environment: Get the grados. 
 
BTW Do a search using "headphones for metal" and you will get more options
 
Jun 4, 2013 at 1:03 AM Post #3 of 17
Grados have strong mids and highs, and then great transient response. Transient response is how quickly the driver moves in and out of position in response to an audio signal. So better transient response means more detailed guitar sound. Because they are open headphones, they also have a wider soundstage than closed headphones, which often gives more separation between the instruments in the stereo image. For listening to classic rock, metal, and modern hard rock. I personally would rather have the SR80i than any other brand of headphone for under $200.

The biggest difference between the SR80i and the SR125i is that the latter will have a full sized headphone plug and the SR80i the mini plug for plugging into phones, mp3 players, and computers. I'd go with the SR80i. Then invest $20 in the L-Cush pads, and you'll get 80% of the way to the sound of the SR225i. :)

But like squallkiercosa said, Grados are not for portable use. Because they are open, you can hear your environment and the people around you can hear what you are listening to.
 
Jun 4, 2013 at 4:16 AM Post #4 of 17
To be honest, I haven't heard anything around $150 or less that matched the Sennheiser HD-280s. For metal, they are just awesome. The sound for the price is unbelievable. My brother and I feel like we have the secret pair of budget headphones. We love metal music also its for sure the main talk of music around the house.  Maybe I have a different taste (or an inexperienced one), I just got done with a huge thread on which headphones were right for me. That was because I bought the $400 Hifiman HE-400's. They turned out to be a bad choice. I prefer these HD-280's over them (especially for metal), which I bought years ago for $80. My recommendation is to buy the 280's try them out, if you don't like them for your music send them back. If you do like them, get a cheaper amp for them and enjoy. I have heard a $300 pair of headphones, granted they were marked down to about $150 from original price, the 280's put them to shame. The V-moda LP crossfade, they didn't come close in my brothers and my opinions. Those ones are around the same price. I can't say I have heard any Grados, I do hear them being recommended for rock music.
 
My last and final point is don't take anyones reviews and opinions too harshly and seriously even my own. Everyone here usually has very good information, but everyones ears are just too much different. I hate open headphones for metal, for example. They seem to work well with certain genres, but not metal. So if I read cel4145's post correctly, those grados are open. Beware the chances if dissatisfaction are real. Again, take this with a grain of salt. I haven't heard the Grados so I could be talking out of my ass compared to those things. Hope you find the right headphones, I know I'm still searching for mine. 
 
Jun 4, 2013 at 9:19 AM Post #5 of 17
fedelesk said:
To be honest, I haven't heard anything around $150 or less that matched the Sennheiser HD-280s. For metal, they are just awesome. The sound for the price is unbelievable. My brother and I feel like we have the secret pair of budget headphones. We love metal music also its for sure the main talk of music around the house.  Maybe I have a different taste (or an inexperienced one), I just got done with a huge thread on which headphones were right for me. That was because I bought the $400 Hifiman HE-400's. They turned out to be a bad choice. I prefer these HD-280's over them (especially for metal), which I bought years ago for $80. My recommendation is to buy the 280's try them out, if you don't like them for your music send them back. If you do like them, get a cheaper amp for them and enjoy. I have heard a $300 pair of headphones, granted they were marked down to about $150 from original price, the 280's put them to shame. The V-moda LP crossfade, they didn't come close in my brothers and my opinions. Those ones are around the same price. I can't say I have heard any Grados, I do hear them being recommended for rock music.

My last and final point is don't take anyones reviews and opinions too harshly and seriously even my own. Everyone here usually has very good information, but everyones ears are just too much different. I hate open headphones for metal, for example. They seem to work well with certain genres, but not metal. So if I read cel4145's post correctly, those grados are open. Beware the chances if dissatisfaction are real. Again, take this with a grain of salt. I haven't heard the Grados so I could be talking out of my ass compared to those things. Hope you find the right headphones, I know I'm still searching for mine. 
Click to expand...


Sounds like you need to try Grados, too :)
 
Jun 4, 2013 at 5:57 PM Post #7 of 17
fedelesk said:
Read my post many people were saying I would hate them actually. And thats my point here lol
Click to expand...


I posted in your thread and read it, remember? :wink:

But I could be right. Right now you have convinced yourself that all open headphones are bad because you don't like two that you have heard. That's like saying that all fruit is bad because you've only tasted oranges and blueberries and didn't like them. You should try listening to a lot more headphones instead of making generalizations based on two examples.

To the OP: I've heard the HD280s. They will certainly have more sub bass than Grados, but I find them uninspiring compared to Grados for hard rock and metal. I guess if someone is looking for a more neutral, studio monitor type sound they could be a good choice or if one prefers the Sennheiser type sound. Grados are often characterized as fun, with a colored sound. The collective member reviews of each tend to support my observations:

http://www.head-fi.org/products/grado-sr80i-headphones
http://www.head-fi.org/products/sennheiser-hd-280-headphones
 
Jun 4, 2013 at 8:29 PM Post #8 of 17
Quote:
cel4145 said:
I posted in your thread and read it, remember?
wink.gif


But I could be right. Right now you have convinced yourself that all open headphones are bad because you don't like two that you have heard. That's like saying that all fruit is bad because you've only tasted oranges and blueberries and didn't like them. You should try listening to a lot more headphones instead of making generalizations based on two examples.

To the OP: I've heard the HD280s. They will certainly have more sub bass than Grados, but I find them uninspiring compared to Grados for hard rock and metal. I guess if someone is looking for a more neutral, studio monitor type sound they could be a good choice or if one prefers the Sennheiser type sound. Grados are often characterized as fun, with a colored sound. The collective member reviews of each tend to support my observations:

http://www.head-fi.org/products/grado-sr80i-headphones
http://www.head-fi.org/products/sennheiser-hd-280-headphones
Click to expand...

Yep that's why I kept an open mind and said I could be completely wrong and to take my words lightly, you clearly didn't lol. Honestly though, its not quite that simple comparing open headphones to... fruit. If the HE-400s are supposedly better on the bass end, and I find them light, it's more like someone offering me a bitter fruit, without me knowing. Now I have tried that bitter fruit, and would like to stay away from any other fruit that is like that, whether its "slightly" better or not. I sure have convinced myself that open end is not for me, its pretty obvious actually. 
 
Jun 4, 2013 at 8:30 PM Post #9 of 17
To the OP, try the Grado's out, like I said I have seen them recommended a lot for rock music, and I will admit my hearing is obviously way off scale from the norm on these forums, so unless you want to feel that bass kick of the drum on your head (maybe some grados can do it anyway) grab the Grado's you'll probably like them. 
 
Jun 4, 2013 at 9:14 PM Post #10 of 17
fedelesk said:
To the OP, try the Grado's out, like I said I have seen them recommended a lot for rock music, and I will admit my hearing is obviously way off scale from the norm on these forums, so unless you want to feel that bass kick of the drum on your head (maybe some grados can do it anyway) grab the Grado's you'll probably like them. 
Click to expand...


(sigh)

If you want pressurization, you have to go with closed headphones, except maybe for the Ultrasone 2900s (you'd have to ask the owners of those). But that's not a requirement for most people for rock.

Personally, I don't know why people are so excited about just pressurizing their head. I have two 18" subs in my living room, and it's quite different when you feel it hit your chest. If you are a true bass head fanatic wanting bass you can feel, save up for the JTR Captivator Pro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlpqBoQ1hoQ
 
Jun 4, 2013 at 9:44 PM Post #11 of 17
I've heard a lot of good things about the Grado, which probably makes them the best bet for the price. I've had two friends with the Beats headphones and both have had them bust after a few months without actually giving any warning! One of them thankfully had a warranty, but I'm thinking that they will probably break again as soon as it's up.
 
Jun 5, 2013 at 9:08 AM Post #12 of 17
Quote:
fedelesk said:
Yep that's why I kept an open mind and said I could be completely wrong and to take my words lightly, you clearly didn't lol. Honestly though, its not quite that simple comparing open headphones to... fruit. If the HE-400s are supposedly better on the bass end, and I find them light, it's more like someone offering me a bitter fruit, without me knowing. Now I have tried that bitter fruit, and would like to stay away from any other fruit that is like that, whether its "slightly" better or not. I sure have convinced myself that open end is not for me, its pretty obvious actually. 
Click to expand...

I just got my X1's last night and they are bass monsters. Probably on par with the bass of the M-Audio Q40's in terms of quantity. Quality is much better though. I'm only mentioning this because they are open headphones that sound drastically different from my HE-400's.
 
As for this thread, I wholeheartedly agree with the Grado recommendation. the MS1i or SR80i should fit the bill very well.
 
Jun 5, 2013 at 10:48 AM Post #13 of 17
Dont rule out the 125is, great for Metal if you like the sound sig. Try them out.
 
Jun 5, 2013 at 11:18 AM Post #14 of 17
Quote:
fedelesk said:
To be honest, I haven't heard anything around $150 or less that matched the Sennheiser HD-280s. For metal, they are just awesome. The sound for the price is unbelievable. My brother and I feel like we have the secret pair of budget headphones. We love metal music also its for sure the main talk of music around the house.  Maybe I have a different taste (or an inexperienced one), I just got done with a huge thread on which headphones were right for me. That was because I bought the $400 Hifiman HE-400's. They turned out to be a bad choice. I prefer these HD-280's over them (especially for metal), which I bought years ago for $80. My recommendation is to buy the 280's try them out, if you don't like them for your music send them back. If you do like them, get a cheaper amp for them and enjoy. I have heard a $300 pair of headphones, granted they were marked down to about $150 from original price, the 280's put them to shame. The V-moda LP crossfade, they didn't come close in my brothers and my opinions. Those ones are around the same price. I can't say I have heard any Grados, I do hear them being recommended for rock music.
 
My last and final point is don't take anyones reviews and opinions too harshly and seriously even my own. Everyone here usually has very good information, but everyones ears are just too much different. I hate open headphones for metal, for example. They seem to work well with certain genres, but not metal. So if I read cel4145's post correctly, those grados are open. Beware the chances if dissatisfaction are real. Again, take this with a grain of salt. I haven't heard the Grados so I could be talking out of my ass compared to those things. Hope you find the right headphones, I know I'm still searching for mine. 
Click to expand...


I never heard 280 but I've heard 380 which is said to be a huge improvement over 280. I wasn't really impressed with it, but if you can get it for $150 I guess it's a good deal.
 
Jun 5, 2013 at 11:36 AM Post #15 of 17
I would have to second (third, fourth?) the Grado SR80i phones.  I've got a set of Senn HD598s for classical/instrumental, and some ATH-A700 (closed phones) for work, but neither set can really compare with Grados for Rock.  I primarily use my SR80i phones for music on the order of Audioslave, Metallica, and most general rock. 
 
 
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