Sinistrail
New Head-Fier
Thanks to Joe for verifying my email.
[Disclaimer: this post was insanely long before and still kinda is, because I tend to write a lot. I cut it down, used bullet lists for immediate comprehension, and hid non-immediate stuff under spoilers so it's less of an eyesore. I really am a clown].
Hello everyone, I came here because I need a new pair of headphones, but I’m torn on what to choose, so I might as well ask the more experienced than me. Watch me go:
I am looking for a nice pair of headphones, priced anywhere between 100 and 150€, mostly for listening but that can aid me with my tracks.
Requirements:
My two main contenders up to these point have been the Philips Fidelio X2HR and the Audio-Technica M50x, both permanently reduced to about 134€, tax and shipping included (even cheaper during Amazon’s Black Friday, the Fidelio especially was down to 99 from 268€ since they’re trying to phase them out in favour of the X3), but I’m beginning to be partial to the idea that the Fidelios might be better for me. Anyways:
The X2HR:
My runner-up, the ATH-M50X:
You can see why I’m split between these two at the moment! But to be honest my situation is currently me leaning towards the Fidelios, but subconsciously thinking that someone may point me out to a fine alternative that I haven’t considered. Hence why I came here.
I am aware of those Grado headphones in this price range, and some Sennheiser and Sony models that I’ve seen named, but haven’t looked much into them. So, there’s definitely some two or three more models for me out there, I guess.
In the end if you want to recommend models better fit for my requirements within the same price range, help me choose between the two, or scold and teach me, please leave a thought.
[Disclaimer: this post was insanely long before and still kinda is, because I tend to write a lot. I cut it down, used bullet lists for immediate comprehension, and hid non-immediate stuff under spoilers so it's less of an eyesore. I really am a clown].
Hello everyone, I came here because I need a new pair of headphones, but I’m torn on what to choose, so I might as well ask the more experienced than me. Watch me go:
I am looking for a nice pair of headphones, priced anywhere between 100 and 150€, mostly for listening but that can aid me with my tracks.
- I will use them 70% of the time while listening to music, 25% of the time while producing mine like an amateur, and 5% of the time for more casual stuff like gaming and anything video-related like watching films. I'm aware that this would be some sort of compromise in the end since nothing is great for every single type of use.
- Main genres of music are... pretty much everything? But, quantity-wise: two thirds of it will be mostly instrumental, specifically electronic, the remaining third being more “human music” with singing and real instrumentation. (Should I make a playlist or something?)
- Bass gives me life, and quite a bit of what I like is based around it, but A, I don’t want to drown in it and B, I like to listen to something balanced more than something gratuitous in the end. I also find the very very highs to add richness to the sound, and I don’t want lackluster drums.
Requirements:
- Detachable cable [must]. Wireless is cool for some types of devices, but headphone cables don't irk me and BT headphones may not benefit me in some situations.
- “Portability” as in, device-oriented convenience. Anything with ohms around the thirties is fine. I may get an audio interface in the near future, but I want an amp to just up a good experience, not be compulsory for it.
- A certain degree of build quality. If it's a model known to desperately need vital replacements within a short timeframe, I'd hate it. But "resistance" as in weather/sports isn't a factor for me since while I may move with my headphones on, it won't be anything violent, and I won’t go outside with them. Same would go for isolation/leakage, I guess. I also wear glasses – plastic frames since I was born and for life for an array of reasons. [P]leather never chafed my skin, never tried velour... as for the bridge not ruining itself over time, my hair is average greasy.
My two main contenders up to these point have been the Philips Fidelio X2HR and the Audio-Technica M50x, both permanently reduced to about 134€, tax and shipping included (even cheaper during Amazon’s Black Friday, the Fidelio especially was down to 99 from 268€ since they’re trying to phase them out in favour of the X3), but I’m beginning to be partial to the idea that the Fidelios might be better for me. Anyways:
The X2HR:
+ Detachable cable.
+ Comfortable pads.
+ Leather isn’t being touched directly – memory foam pads and fabric sub-band, so less wear and tear.
+ Good imaging and better soundstage compared to the Audio-Technicas – they also have a flatter freq graph.
+ Have always had good experiences with Philips products, including a cheap pair of headphones... and this is supposed to be something better but with a hard discount.
- The (single) cable is too damn long for casual use! I will need to get a 0,8/1,2m one along with it. If you can clip it to shorten it without it being a hassle, tell me.
+ Comfortable pads.
+ Leather isn’t being touched directly – memory foam pads and fabric sub-band, so less wear and tear.
+ Good imaging and better soundstage compared to the Audio-Technicas – they also have a flatter freq graph.
+ Have always had good experiences with Philips products, including a cheap pair of headphones... and this is supposed to be something better but with a hard discount.
- The (single) cable is too damn long for casual use! I will need to get a 0,8/1,2m one along with it. If you can clip it to shorten it without it being a hassle, tell me.
My runner-up, the ATH-M50X:
+ Detachable cable.
+ Seems to be fit in equal parts for casual listening and production.
+ Bass-oriented sound signature seems more enjoyable for stuff by Squarepusher, Aphex, etc.
+ I have two friends – one simply “into it” and one who uses it when working with audio – who recommended me these specific ones. The latter makes a living with them, so, y’know, good publicity. I’ve seen they have some haters, but in the end they’re really appreciated in the field.
+ Multiple cables, a pouch, etc...
- Seems to be prone to more wear and tear both generally and in some extreme cases.
- The person who has initially pointed me towards them has said that despite the ATH recommendation, the over -50% discount Fidelios are an absolute bargain that I shouldn’t let go, and that they should be just about as good for production.
+ Seems to be fit in equal parts for casual listening and production.
+ Bass-oriented sound signature seems more enjoyable for stuff by Squarepusher, Aphex, etc.
+ I have two friends – one simply “into it” and one who uses it when working with audio – who recommended me these specific ones. The latter makes a living with them, so, y’know, good publicity. I’ve seen they have some haters, but in the end they’re really appreciated in the field.
+ Multiple cables, a pouch, etc...
- Seems to be prone to more wear and tear both generally and in some extreme cases.
- The person who has initially pointed me towards them has said that despite the ATH recommendation, the over -50% discount Fidelios are an absolute bargain that I shouldn’t let go, and that they should be just about as good for production.
You can see why I’m split between these two at the moment! But to be honest my situation is currently me leaning towards the Fidelios, but subconsciously thinking that someone may point me out to a fine alternative that I haven’t considered. Hence why I came here.
I am aware of those Grado headphones in this price range, and some Sennheiser and Sony models that I’ve seen named, but haven’t looked much into them. So, there’s definitely some two or three more models for me out there, I guess.
In the end if you want to recommend models better fit for my requirements within the same price range, help me choose between the two, or scold and teach me, please leave a thought.
