[jboom91]

My birthday is coming up and my girlfriend wants to get me some headphones and $30-40 is her budget.  These are almost exclusively going to be for in-home use, gaming on my laptop.  A few things I am looking for are comfort, over the ear, and at least decent at blocking outside noises.
 
I understand that for this price range the quality won't match anywhere near higher prices, but I assume there are always a few that excel above the others within their own price range.
 
I have been trying to do my own research for hours and have only gotten more confused, I appreciate any help, thanks in advance. 

 

[claptr4p]

JVC rx700, Sony XB500 (If you want serious bass), Panasonic HTF600, Audio Technica ath m30's.
 
All these sound really good considering their price.

 

[Nonphixion67]

Monoprice 8323 (rebranded kickers that go for $100) with DT 250 velour pads ~$40

And for $5 over you could get nockoff AKG's called superlux HD668B

Just noticed you said gaming...
I dont know about gaming at that price but AD700 would be the best as it has the best soundstage but go for ~$90.

Levelcap even did a video on them: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yVme7rxdTLk

 

[McPatD]

More irons up for the Panasonic HTF600. These have been getting more play time than anything else in my collection. Great for music and gaming. They leak a lot of sound so in home use is best. Less than $30 too so you can get a good burger to go along with it for your birthday.

 

[whoelse]

sennheiser hd201

 

[korewest]

Quote:

More irons up for the Panasonic HTF600. These have been getting more play time than anything else in my collection. Great for music and gaming. They leak a lot of sound so in home use is best. Less than $30 too so you can get a good burger to go along with it for your birthday.

 
I also vouch for the Panasonic HTF 600's.
Semi-closed (optimistic expression for people who want closed headphones, but have cans that are numerous of holes),
angled drivers, comfort, durability, and good details all in one!
 
Did I mention price?

 

[viralcow]

Recently there have been very good deals for $40.
 
Pioneer MJ-751, Citiscape Downtown, Sony MDR-XB600... so on.
http://www.amazon.com/Philips-SHL5605GY-28-CitiScape-Headphones/dp/B0079R2NVQ/
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B007TW93CI/ref=dp_olp_new_map?ie=UTF8&condition=new

 

[blessedangel]

Get the monoprices!!!!

 

[SmOgER]

Quote:

 A few things I am looking for are comfort, over the ear, and at least decent at blocking outside noises.
 
 

Although JVC S600's are mainly portable, but the things you mentioned it does very well, plus it has big sub-bass potential and with a bit of EQ it can sound really nice, on amazon it's $34.

 

[ShiftySound]

Quote:

Although JVC S600's are mainly portable, but the things you mentioned it does very well, plus it has big sub-bass potential and with a bit of EQ it can sound really nice, on amazon it's $34.

I would not recommend the s600's I tried them in a store, and they sounded very muddy and maybe a little muffled. 

 

[roma101]

A refurb HD428 might do you good.

 

[whendeathfails]

Quote:

JVC rx700, Sony XB500 (If you want serious bass), Panasonic HTF600, Audio Technica ath m30's.
 
All these sound really good considering their price.

Where did you find a pair of XB500 for under 40$. I paid 70$ on amazon.

 

[Focker]

I picked up some JVC nanotube phones (forget the model number) a while back out of curiosity and have ended up using them quite a lot. I'm very impressed with them for the money. They need about 2hr of break-in, and then they start really impressing. 

 

[SmOgER]

I picked up some JVC nanotube phones (forget the model number) a while back out of curiosity and have ended up using them quite a lot. I'm very impressed with them for the money. They need about 2hr of break-in, and then they start really impressing. 
 

 
It's either S500 (on-ear) or S600's (around-ear)

 

[Focker]

Quote:

 
 
It's either S500 (on-ear) or S600's (around-ear)

Thanks...mine must be the S500s then.