Best headphones for $50,how about $100?

[blinkwatt]

Thats right, time for new headphones.

What the best headphones IYO for $50 and below?

What the best headphones IYO for $100 and below?

Don't worry I already have a THX certified soundcard(SB Audigy 2 SE). Thats all they would be used on 90% of the time.

I have been recommeded to the Koss Portapros. Any opinoins on them? Where can I find them?

 

[nibiyabi]

Welcome to Head-Fi; sorry about your wallet. Since you're not using any equipment that can take advantage of a headphone's capabilities (I'm assuming the other 10% of the time will be an iPod), I wouldn't recommend spending too much. The Koss KSC75 for around $12-$15 is argued by some to be the best sound under $50, let alone $20. It's probably your best bet. If the clips bother you, you can also purchase a Koss Sportapro for around $40, unclip the earpieces, and clip in the KSC75 ones.

 

[Headphony]

Is portability an issue? Open or closed?

 

[blinkwatt]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nibiyabi Welcome to Head-Fi; sorry about your wallet. Since you're not using any equipment that can take advantage of a headphone's capabilities (I'm assuming the other 10% of the time will be an iPod), I wouldn't recommend spending too much.

How much should I be looking into to drop into "good" headphones?

I have decent stereo gear at home,Onkyo,Bose,JBL and even better in the car Eclipse,Zapco,MB Quart. How much better can headphones sound? What can headphones provide me with that my car & home stereo can't?

 

[nibiyabi]

Well, *cracks knuckles*, typically a "good" headphone requires at least an amp and a DAC to achieve a sound near its potential. For most headphones under $500 or so, you should be able to have a decent amp and DAC (I'm going for the HeadRoom Micro stack to start off) plugged into your soundcard and be happy with the results. At your price point though, you could achieve better sound than the KSC75s by dropping $100 on slightly better headphones but if you never plan on upgrading your source equipment I'd say you're just better off dropping the money down for a KSC75. It's such an incredible value and it's so portable that you can never go wrong with a KSC75.

 

[jbloudg20]

Under $50
Koss KSC-75

Under $100
Sealed: AKG K81DJ
Open: Grado SR80

 

[jbloudg20]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nibiyabi Well, *cracks knuckles*, typically a "good" headphone requires at least an amp and a DAC to achieve a sound near its potential. For most headphones under $500 or so, you should be able to have a decent amp and DAC (I'm going for the HeadRoom Micro stack to start off) plugged into your soundcard and be happy with the results. At your price point though, you could achieve better sound than the KSC75s by dropping $100 on slightly better headphones but if you never plan on upgrading your source equipment I'd say you're just better off dropping the money down for a KSC75. It's such an incredible value and it's so portable that you can never go wrong with a KSC75.

When referring to headphones under $100, it is in my opinion, that a DAC and an amp are NOT necessary. Do they help? Why sure, but they are not absolutely necessary to decipher the difference between a KSC75 and an SR60/80.

 

[F107plus5]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbloudg20 When referring to headphones under $100, it is in my opinion, that a DAC and an amp are NOT necessary. Do they help? Why sure, but they are not absolutely necessary to decipher the difference between a KSC75 and an SR60/80.

........or an MS-1!