Are headphones in this price range worth upgrading to?

[ncvikingx97]

Hey guys, thanks for the help.

 

I am currently in the market for a new pair of headphones, $250 or less, but ideally less than $200. I am looking for  a pair that is detailed, clear, and viable for multiple genres. Preferably closed back, as I will be rooming with someone in a dorm. 

 

However, there are a couple things that are making my decision slightly more difficult  I have a pair of Vmoda m80s and I am not sure if there is anything close back in my price range that would be a marked improvement. If I have to stick to this price range, would I be better off looking at something like a pair of Beyerdynamic dt880s? What would you recommend for a closed back pair, which would be ideal?

 

In the price range the only full size closed back headphones that I see recommended relatively consistently are the Beyerdynamic dt770 pro, the m50x, and the AKG K553. Out of those 3, the AKG K553 is the most neutral, but has the longest cable, is the biggest, and seems to be hard to properly seal. The M50x is supposed to be solid all around, although bassy. I have heard that they are good for the price, but are over recommended and probably not deserving of the praise that they get. The Beyerdynamic dt770 however, I have heard many things about, some good, some bad. Some seem to praise them for their clarity, and the fact that they are revealing and clear. Others claim there is far too much bass for some genres. I don't know where to stand on this headphone, because I have heard such mixed things about it. Some say it is balanced , while some say it has virtually no mids. Some people on gearslutz allegedly even mix and master on these. 

 

Right off the bat, my favorite of those three is the dt770. If what I am hearing about them (what I perceive from what I have heard, or I guess want to hear) is true, they will deliver a clear, revealing sound, with good soundstage for the price, as well as great build quality. They are also supposed to be quite comfortable. 

 

The reason I am not taking open-back headphones more seriously is because I am in college, and live with a roommate in a dorm. He probably wouldn't mind, but I wouldn't be able to take them out of my dorm. It should be noted that I am trying to recreationally get into some music production, so I would like something to attempt to mix on when I am away from my studio monitors, which I am leaving with my parents until I can get my own apartment. In the end they will really only be used for reference and something to listen to however, so mixing is not as important as clarity, or transparency. I will definitely not be mixing on headphones often, but with open back headphones it seems music more realistic than with closed back headphones. Thanks for any recommendations!

 

[RecklessFable]

I don't have answers for you regarding the headphones you listed, but I do have other items to add to your Use-Case Scenarios:
You are going to college.  It is almost universally true that in dorms/class/student unions:

1. Things get broken
2. Things get stolen
3. Your priorities will shift as to what you will do with your "free" time

 
That being said:

1. Detachable cables are a godsend out in the world where they get snagged easily
2. Total isolation is great, but so is being aware of your surroundings.  If you are in a library, the environment is already quieter so isolation isn't always critical.
3. Full size cans get annoying to wear around your neck after a while (YMMV).  Do you want a folding pair to shove into a case?  

 
As a V-Moda XS owner, I know they can still be decent in a noisier environment, but not as great as IEMs.  When I fly, I use IEMs.  When I'm out or even at the office, my XS are fine (I even take conference calls using the excellent Boompro mic, though it must be understood that it picks up every sound in the room).  I have open-back full-size for home use.  But if I had to narrow down to just one pair, it would be the XS because they fit all of my use-cases. 
 
So before you decide to replace the m80s, maybe see what your new environment is actually going to be like?

 

[cel4145]

 I have a pair of Vmoda m80s and I am not sure if there is anything close back in my price range that would be a marked improvement.

The V-Moda M100.

 

[smy1]

Yes the vmoda m100 are really good

 

[MyPants]

As a DT880 owner, I highly recommend Beyers in general but would suggest that you at least go for the 250ohm model. That being said, RecklessFable makes a really really good point about college. I don't think a set of Beyers would have been safe in my old dorm room. My travel cans are Senn HD280 Pros, and I think they might serve you well in a dorm setting. Great sealing, very little sound leaks in or out, the coiled cable is easy to manage, they fold and are chunky/durable for transport, AND they don't look like fancy headphones so nobody will steal them. They look like 90's library cans. The M50x is in the same vein, and supposedly a little better than the 280, but a tad flashier. All comes down to balancing preference and risk at this point, but some nice folding studio monitors may be your best bet.

 

[PL4Y3R 0N3]

I'm in pretty much the same boat as you, going to college, living in a dorm, but I have the beats studio wireless. Guess who's getting a padlock.
What about IEMs. I'm going to get the RHA ma750i to go to college with, and if I don't have any incidents I'll bring my beats. I feel like most people wouldn't recognize IEMs as expensive/worth stealing, and they are more portable so you can always keep them with you.

 

[pbui44]

Get an Edifier H850 for dorm use:

https://www.amazon.com/Edifier-H850-Over---ear-Headphones/dp/B013J8DROA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1469801811&sr=8-2&keywords=edifier+headphones

keep the V-Moda M-80 for portable or fun use, and with the extra money you have, you can get the FiiO K5 and E17k for both dorm and portable uses:

https://www.amazon.com/K5-Docking-Headphone-Amplifier-Titanium/dp/B01BBX1NNM/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1469802052&sr=8-14&keywords=fiio

https://www.amazon.com/Fiio-E17K-ALPEN-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00RPD7KP8/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1469802132&sr=8-9&keywords=fiio

 

[ncvikingx97]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll definitely take a look at the beyers and the sennheisers, but I may wait it out and see if it is a good idea to get another pair once I've been in school for a month or two. Thanks!

 

[krl25sc]

NAD HP-50, prefer these overall to DT-150, 70MX...

 

[franzdom]

Please try the DT-770, I really really like them!

 

[ncvikingx97]

  Please try the DT-770, I really really like them!

They will most likely be my next closed back phone man, what qualities about them do you like?

 

[franzdom]

Super comfortable, not too sharp, and I guess I kind of like a V profile. The mids are definitely there but they aren't overbearing, just the way I like it.

 

[MyPants]

 
They will most likely be my next closed back phone man, what qualities about them do you like?

 
I think you'll be very pleased with them. A reasonable headphone amp will do wonders for them though, so keep that in mind if the budget permits.