I want to get a new set of phones and have a max $80-90 budget. I have made a list, but remember these have to be easily driven AKA NO AMPS. I dont want to spend 150 on up to listen to 70 dollar cans. anyway pleas suggest the best buy for me, here they are:

Needs to be driven easily aka no amps

sennheiser hd497...........about $75

Sennheiser HD-280PRO Love the fold up feature ........... $90 My fav from the list, but hope they dont need amp

Sennheiser HD-270 They look great!!.........65

Ministry of Sound DJ1001.........80 Never heard of these but seem cool

Ministry of Sound DJ1003 DJ Headphones.........55

Sony V-6.......65 Dont like the sound of analytical stuff so much, but never heard em for myself

Koss KSC35........40

Philips SBC HP890 Dont want to spend the 100 or more or spend the time to find these


Feel free to suggest other cans if im missing something really worthy

I don't know anything about the Ministry of Sound headphones or the Senn HD-270s off the top of my head.

What kind of music do you listen to? What exactly are you using the headphones for? I would recommend different headphones for different situations, but since I have a few of the headphones you list, here are my thoughts on those.

If you are looking for headphones to walk around with, the KSC-35 can't be beat. I don't like walking around with my Sony MDR-V6s for several reasons and the HP890s don't leave my dorm room, ever, they're just too bulky.

For taking headphones places that are stationary (ie library, in the car but not driving, at work) I'd certainly recommend one of the closed headphones, either the V6 or the HD280. Obviously that distinction has a lot to do with what you are willing to spend, apparently the HD280 is worth the extra money but I wouldn' t know. However, if I'm going to be using headphones in private for extende periods of time, I prever the HP890s without a doubt over the V6 -- they are so comfortable and unobtrusive.

I really don't know much about the HD497 headphones but I've been worried about them due to build quality concerns. I know a ton of people here have them and can give you an opinion.

As far as the V6 goes, the analytical nature of the headphones isn't something that I notice all that much. I mostly notice the noise they make when I move my head and the heavy bass, but I know I differe from others in that evaluation. By the way, the V6 folds up smaller than the HD280.

If you could give us more of an idea about your habits and music preferences then we can help you shorten your list. It is recommended that you listen before you buy, of course.

p.s. are you in the U.S.?

OPEN Headphones - Your best sound

IMHO, the best value under $50 is still the Koss 60 Ohm lineup (KSC35/PortaPro/SportaPro/KSC50). I have had the Sporta's for a while and they have never failed to satisfy as great portable phones. Although I have never heard them, the KSC35's are reputed to be even better for only a few $$'s more if you can find them.

Going upward, I might suggest the Grado SR-60's. Easily driven without an amp and the only can's under $60 that give the Koss' a run for their money if not better.

I can't stand the Sennheiser 497. VERY cheap construction, questionable comfort. For these reasons, and the fact that the sound is not all that awesome (at least unamped) I cannot recommend them. The above two choices are far better for less $$.

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CLOSED Headphones - Only if you really need this type for isolation from within and without. Better sound will almost always be found in open designs at the same $$ point (at least under $100).

Sennheiser 280s are the best sounding closed headphones under $100, IMO. They are less bright than the Sony V6 and therefore less "fatiguing" during long listening sessions. Soundstage is decent for a closed phone. But comfort is questionable. They are tight fitting from the sides. This does help give greater isolation than the Sony's though. Also, the top headband padding exerts alot of downward pressure that I eventually found quite annoying. If sound and isolation are more important, go for the 280's. If comfort is more important and you absolutely need a closed phone, get the V6's. Otherwise, look at the open models described above.

I have never heard nor seen the other models you mentioned.

ImMersion, I'd eliminate the Sennheiser HD-270 off the list. That model is part of Sennheiser's mostly screwed-up (or should I say ********-up?) "bionetic" line that was introduced in 1999. All of the models in that line (except the HD-590 and possibly the HD-495) are mediocre-sounding at best.

As RMS pointed out i forgot to metion what i listen to. I mostly enjoy trance/techno/house but rap (and the vocals associated with) come in a close second. Every once in while i listen to rock/alternative stuffs.

I am not biased toward open or closed headphones, but the reason I prefer the hd280's are because they are arguably the best sounding (from what Iv heard from the forum) closed cans and I will mainly use my next set of cans in my dorm halls study room where it is crowded and not very spacious, so I might piss other people off.

Damn I live in very suburban area and we have lots of shopping centers/malls/electronics stores but by my luck (or lack thereof) none of them have working listening stations. The headphones are there, but the cd player usually doesnt work. And this is at the 3 closest circuti city/best buy/ and good guys. So i have noting to bass my decision on but suggestions of u good folks

ImMersion---

Jpelg and RMS have covered the bases well here.
The Ministry of Sound phones are wretched V700DJ clones that only IGN could love... (this is a bad thing, trust me!)

If you need closed phones, the 280s offer the least compromises for under $100. (Indeed some reviewers feel the 280s match up superior to $150 Beyers, so they are quite a value!). The V6 is cheaper, but offers more of a typical closed designs problems (i.e. recessed mid range, and a flat soundstage.)

The comfort issue on thw 280s cited by Jpelg is a concern for some, but I have never minded the comfort myself. Also, comfort can be improved by stretching the phones, and/or by buying Beyer 250 velour earpads for $23, which can be put on the 280s in place of the standard Senn earpads.

KSC35s and SR60s are great phones, but for your "stealthy" needs, I think the 280 is the best choice.

happy shopping!

ImMersion,

In my limited experienceSenn 580 and Koss KSC-35) and with the recommendations of other, the Koss KSC-35's can't be beat, especialy for the price.

I bought mine from Martin O'Malley...mrtibbs@worldnet.att.net @$20. I like my first one so much that at that price, I ordered two more. One to keep in my gym bag and the third as a spare, as these are now discontinued.

Martin apparently bought a bunch of these from some liquidator when they were first obsoleted so has several more (I think).

The 280 is your best bet. Closed is going to be better in your situation and they're within your budget. If you've read the reviews then you know just how good people think the 280 is. If you want something better you're looking at 2-3 times as much.

(HBZ)

Quote:



deS, who would those reviewers be, and where? (just a curious question)

I can't help you much, but do NOT buy the Ministry of Sound. They are not worth the money.

Hey Mac---

here'e the thread I was thinking of:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...hlight=280+250

I myself only heard the 250s for a brief audition once and I seem to remember them as being more "musical" than the 280s, but the 280s have grown on me and my audition of the Beyers was a few months back, so I can't really say for myself...

I know there are a lot of Grado lovers in here so I want to know how hte grado 60's compare to the senn 280 pro on a scale of 1 to 10 for their sound reproduction. I dont mind if either cans are a bit "musical" cuz that is exactly what I am using them for.

Immersion---

always tough to quantify---but if you insisit:

SR60=7.5 out of 10
Senn 280=6.5 out of 10

in terms of musicality. However, that said, the Grados are far easier to thoroughly hate as the sound and comfort are thoroughly idiosyncratic.

Wow now I am confused. The grados can be found for 60 and the senn are around 80+. Delenda u said that the senn can almost match the beyer but now they are not as good as the grados? Please clarify.

edit: corrected spelling

Supposedly, the HD497's sound better than the SR-60's and SR-80's....

And supposedly, the HP890's sound better than the HD497's.

Remember how open often sounds better than closed at any given price point? That is an example of this..

However, I would DEFINITELY go with something that isolates a LOT of outside sound and is durable... so I think HD280 Pro's are your best bet...