[dolokhov]

so i had a pair of Ultrasone 500 DJ1 and loved them...but they're dead and
now i have Sennheiser HD 212Pros and i want something much better

i listen to hip hop, electronica, trance, rock, indie, latin music, and classical guitar. so i need a versatile headphone thats good all around, but performs best with bass-heavy music

--needs to be easily driven by an ipod. cant afford an amp
--good sound isolation is a must (college dorms get noisy)
--$200 max price
--no in-ear phones, i want big comfy cans.

i searched for a review that pitted these against each other but couldnt find a comprehensive one. so help me pick one:


Sennheiser HD 280 PRO

Sennheiser HD 25 --can it be driven by an ipod?

Beyerdanamic DT 250-80

ULtrasone HFI 550

AKG 271S --weak on the bass?

is there a clear favorite?

any help would be GREATLY appreciated

 

[Gaughtfried]

Unamped there is only the K81DJ. Their comfort varies widely among people though.

I've read that the HD25 is pretty easy to drive. Not too sure about the other cans.

 

[philodox]

Well, I wouldn't say there is a clear favourite. For $200 I would say go for a used K340, but you need a very good amp which can become expensive. Unamped I like the K81DJ for portable... and the Beyers are Ok. K271 Studio would be an option as well, but they need a decent amp.

 

[vapman]

If you are a jazz or hiphop listener I might suggest the Sony MDR-7506's...I'm listening to some lossless hip-hop unamped through my iPod with my friend's 7506's, and the bass is really nice but the highs seem a bit muddy, I guess. I better wait for the Boston meet before I have any real say on the quality of headphones...

 

[gtp]

Add Beyerdynamic DT770/80 to the list! You sort of need an amp if your source is an Ipod, but it is worth it! I find neither the bass as extreme as everyone says, nor the midrange dip as bad as everyone says. Soundstage is awesome. Comfort is top-notch. Great all-around closed heaphone.

 

[fuzzycasserole]

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtp Add Beyerdynamic DT770/80 to the list! You sort of need an amp if your source is an Ipod, but it is worth it! I find neither the bass as extreme as everyone says, nor the midrange dip as bad as everyone says. Soundstage is awesome. Comfort is top-notch. Great all-around closed heaphone.

I just got my pair of these in the mail today and promptly pissed my pants with joy.

Just needed to add that.

 

[benton]

Don't reccomend him headphones that require an amp if he can't afford one

I would say if you are not using an amp and are driving from an iPod the K81DJ would be the best bet. I don't see anything else that would beat it unamped from an iPod. However, I would try to save a little more and get the DT-770 with a decent amp and lineout. This is what you could do:

DT-770: $150
Cmoy amp: $30
Audolineout or turbo dock: $40-50


Total: $220-230

 

[saturnine]

B-Stock Ultrasone PROline 750s from Headroom, and a pair of the pleather pads from Ultrasone

The stock velour 750 pads don't isolate as well as the pleather pads from the PROline 650. Only a little bit over budget, and you will have some room to upgrade.

 

[Meyvn]

K81DJ. They're amazing.

 

[saint.panda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dolokhov is there a clear favorite?

As you might have thought already, there is not.

In any case, perhaps do a deeper search and try these reviews:
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=78470
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=168073
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=21917
http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=130998

For your case, I'd suggest the Sennheiser HD 25-1 for portable use. Maybe not the most comfortable option but it meets your other criteria quite well. I like this headphone a lot.

For stationary dorm use, I would recommend either the A900 without a headphone amp or lots of other options if you don't mind an amp.

 

[JMCIII]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meyvn K81DJ. They're amazing.

What he said!

 

[awu_gigabyte]

ULtrasone HFI 550 - love mine. Only problem with them is that they press pretty good on the sides of your head, maybe its my big head, but sound wise, i love them. They have TONS of bass too!

 

[Audiofiler]

another nod to the K-81dj, great closed backers at their price point..

 

[Woosh]

K81DJ --- $60

Audio Line Out Cable --- $40

PA2v2 --- $60

use the change to buy yourself a nice shirt and never come back here ever again.

 

[Andrew_WOT]

Out of that list of headphones that I own/used to own:
Beyerdynamic DT 250-80
Beyerdynamic DT 250-250
Ultrasone HFI-650
ATH-A900
AKG-271S

AKG-K271S is a clear winner. You need an amp though.