[geforcewong]

Hi my friend needed advice on what headphones to get for $100 or below and I thought this would be a good place to get opinions from other than cnet.

He specifically wanted headphones that are comfortable and soft (thus why i suggested cushy sennheisers) with very good sound(semi-open or closed preffered). He said he needs headphones that will feel comfortable for around 5-10 hours of continual usage.

Types of music he listens to:

He listens to Classical, Jazz, and lots of Rap (I know weird combo), so he probably needs well rounded headphone.

Favorite Jazz artists: Norah Jones, John Legend(sorta gospel), Ray Charles
Favorite Rappers: Jay-Z, Kanye West, Ma$e.

Right now he wants sennheisers within the budget, but due to all the new models showing up, it's really hard for him to make a decision and for me to give advice (I only have HD600's). Possible choices he's looking at: HD212, HD485, HD280pro.

P.S.- He doesn't wan't gigantic heaphones that will make him look nerdy like me and my HD600's

.

 

[Svperstar]

HD 497s, great headphones, or maybe the Grado 60s. Both are big favorites around here.

 

[Andrea]

Hi

I'd say one among the HD485, HD555, HD215 (the latter if he needs closed, but the budget will also need to be streched

).

The HD485 would seem 'amazingly' good for its moderate price and looks pretty comfortable. The HD555 is the more safe choice of the three, the HD215 the most "?" perhaps, but then, not even that much

.

 

[stewtheking]

As another option, why not try a beyerdynamic such as dt231? Super-comfy ear-pads, not too nerdy and obtrusive, and sound great, plus nicely within your price bracket, (if my £ to $ conversion is correct

)

Stew

 

[seeberg]

Those Beyers are like $60 I think. The Grado SR60 is like $70. My vote goes for the Grado's, since I've heard 'em and loved 'em since the day I got 'em

(The lack of isolation might be an issue, but the sound that the SR60 makes with any kind of music makes up for anything it lacks, IMO)

,
Abe

 

[DaHoboFest]

Sony SA1k, very comfy, have both the Senn 555 and the Sony and sony kicks the **** out of the Senn for comfort. The Senn is very clampy, and the material itches, needing to be moved every minute or so, but these Sonys i can let be.

 

[seeberg]

Oh yeah, Sony SA1k's, my bad! Damn I want those like I want a cute girl!(not in the questionable way... you people are sick

)
I think those can be had for around $107 -that's the lowest price I could find after shipping on Amazon.

,
Abe

 

[Andrea]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaHoboFest Sony SA1k, very comfy, have both the Senn 555 and the Sony and sony kicks the **** out of the Senn for comfort.

Pity for the sound.

No, seriously, it mustn't be bad.

Quote:

The Senn is very clampy, and the material itches, needing to be moved every minute or so, but these Sonys i can let be.

Really very clampy? Sure not at all my 595, but the 555 actually should be a tad more so, not 'really very'. While the earpads should be the same, and if that's the case, they're super-comfy and fresh for long short and medium listenings for me.

 

[green84061]

dang those sonys must be some comfy stuff i never get bothered with me 595's and i thought they were one of the most comfy cans around.

 

[spike33]

595 has much less clamp than 555 due to padding on headband

 

[geforcewong]

Update: He's deciding between the HD485 or 280 pros now. Which has better sound quality for an ipod?

 

[CPL593H]

for an iPod I'd get the Sennheiser PX100's for about $50.

 

[b-sides]

HD497s- just awesome. very well rounded. respond well to amplification. prob best bargain, as they can be found for $40.

HD485s- senn's new "best" pair of sub-$100 headphones, although i have still yet to hear of a direct comparison btw the 497s and 485s.

HD212s- cheap and lots'o bass. great for hip hop and computer gaming.

HD280s- well respected closed headphones. neutral sounding i guess?

HD555s- one of the best moderately priced headphones ($100-200), although finding them for sub 100 could be a stretch.

PX100s- very good portables, don't sound so great amped.

---

some one tell me about the 485s and how they compare to 497s. i am very interested.

 

[geforcewong]

He's willing to spend exacly $100 but no more and wants either the HD280pro or the HD485. By the specs it seems the 280 has more frequency range for lower bass, but at double the nominal impedance of the 485 (which may make the 280pros hard to drive on an ipod).

HD 485

HD 280 pro

 

[BrooklynRick]

John Legend is not gospel. But let me tell you.... he rocks throughs a pair of SR-60s!!!!!!