[Halftrack]

Alright, so I might be (and probably am) just another noob.
I'm in the market for a good pair of full-size headphones, preferably around $100, but willing to go up to $200.
Now here's the kicker: I'm a student in Canada, where few companies dare venture. As a result, I can't buy anything online. I'll need to buy from a store.
I hope I'm not trying to go for too much at once, but... I have a super.fi 4 along with a PX100 (and numerous crappy sonys), and I'm hoping to get around as much detail as I'm getting with the UEs. I'd like to be able to lug them around (size isn't a factor, just whether I need an amp). Lastly (and most importantly), I want the best SQ I can get.
Any suggestions?

EDIT: I live near toronto. This bit of info might make the search easier.

 

[paaj]

search the FS forums and see if there is something you like there, sr325 often goes for about $200, hd600/650 k701, dt880 ... all should fit in (if available).

 

[Kawai_man]

Hi the most recomendations your probably going to et for headphones under 200 *Im assuming your asking for ones that dont need amps to sound good* are

Audio Technica ATh-ad700 - open headphone
Audio Techinica ATH-M50- Closed
Sennheiser Hd-595- open
Sennheiser HD-555 - open
Grado sr 60. sr 80 sr125- all open
Beyer Dynamic Dt770- semi open i belicve

 

[Halftrack]

Great, thanks.
Off to ebay, I suppose.

 

[paaj]

did you try the FS section of this forum? lot's of Grado's going, and i seen an HD600. You probably can't post there, but sending a PM will work.

 

[Kawai_man]

Of those ones I own(ed)

are the ad700s grados sr60, sennhieser hd555

For me I liked the hd555 and the grados more the ad700s sounded like everything was too distant for and it kinda harsh highs.

I still want to try the athm50s and the dt770s

 

[Acix]

You can get the K-701 around $200 on the FS forum. But you will need an amp or a nice sound card to drive them, and to get better sounds.

 

[tvrboy]

If you don't want to amp them, you are probably looking at SR-225/325 or HD-555

 

[fluffygdog95]

When I had the HD555s they sounded quite nice to me. :] Some find them to be a bit bass shy, if that is the case for you...All it takes is a little EQ bump. Besides that they are quite nice cans.

 

[gevorg]

For maximum details under $200 go with properly amped Grados. For all-around headphones under $200, consider Denon D2000, they scale up well and can be later modified to be highend headphones ("markl mods", woodie, cable, etc). If you want to go unamped, your best bet is probably Sennheiser 595 (80 ohm version).

 

[priest]

Amazon, not some reseller, is selling the AH-D2000 for $220 right now. Which makes me mad because I paid $300.

 

[duanepo]

$300 is quite a lot for the D2000... ouch...

 

[brunomau]

Hey, guys.
This thread is kinda old, but I'm doing my homework. I've read a lot and, instead of starting a new thread, I'm going to make use of yours, Halftrack. I hope you won't mind my intromission.
A have the same question as Halftrack, except that I'm Brazilian and importing anything is prohibitive because we are overtaxed here. Anyways, I'll be in Miami during christmas week.

Is the DT 770 Pro 80ohm a good option around $200?
Are they better or worse than the denon ahd2000?
Main application would be gaming (thats the reason for the dt770, its said to have loads of booms!), driven by asus xonar essence stx.
Is there any good phone store in Miami, where I could listen to them? Or am I better off buying from amazon and sending the cans to the hotel?
So, can you guys help me?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Auxint]

I have a pair of dt770/80's and for gaming they're alright, but I much prefer my a700's due to the soundstage being significantly better.

Never heard the d2000's so can't help you there.

I'm sure there's a number of audio shops in a city like Miami, try and find one and test some out. Some other favorites for gaming are the sennheiser 555's and the ad700's, but I've never listened to either so can only recommend based on others impressions.

 

[Spasticteapot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by brunomau /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hey, guys. Is the DT 770 Pro 80ohm a good option around $200? Are they better or worse than the denon ahd2000? Main application would be gaming (thats the reason for the dt770, its said to have loads of booms!), driven by asus xonar essence stx. Is there any good phone store in Miami, where I could listen to them? Or am I better off buying from amazon and sending the cans to the hotel? So, can you guys help me? Thanks in advance.

I have a feeling that an amp (even an el-cheapo CMoy) would make a big improvement for either of those headphones. The DT770s aren't perfect, but they do bass rather impressively, making them an excellent choice for gaming. Both the DT770 and D2000 are closed headphones (very desirable for LANparties), but the DT770 is extremely durable while the D2000....isn't.

That said, I'll give my usual recommendation of "Go buy some used DT880s". AKG K240s are another good option - while not the world's best headphones, their massive durability combined with their popularity means you can pick up a set used for under $50 on eBay.