best overall headphones?
Dec 31, 2009 at 8:18 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 13

almond

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Is there such a thing? I'm looking to buy a new pair of headphones and I was wondering which would be the best for many different genres, if there's such a pair. I listen to stuff like animal collective, system of a down, portishead, mgmt, slipknot, beatles, ridiculous gangsta rap, classical, chemical brothers, prodigy. I like to feel the bass on some songs and have wide open sound on others. Are there headphones that do everything generally well for $100ish new or used?
 
Dec 31, 2009 at 8:22 AM Post #2 of 13
Koss Porta Pro if you look for something alright and cheap. If you are looking for the best naturally you won´t find that for 100$
wink.gif
 
Dec 31, 2009 at 9:45 AM Post #3 of 13
I was impressed with the PortaPro. It's quite minimalist: just a driver, the barest backing, a sleeve of an ear cushion and a bare-metal headband that's almost a bent coat hanger. Yet, it's an open-air phone with really no air chamber (just a watch-like case for the driver) and the sound is surprisingly full. It's what the iGrado would be if Grado hadn't sabotaged it to prevent everyone from buying iGrados instead of their full-sized phones. Priced at $49, you can't go wrong with these. They are the ultimate knockaround headphone. I'm not sure how long they'll survive the rough and tumble of life but they're surprisingly effective given their minimalist architecture.

If you have $100 to spend, you could get an MS-1, which is a less expensive version of the SR-225, but with the Alessandro name instead of the Grado name.
 
Dec 31, 2009 at 10:08 AM Post #4 of 13
For portable, the sennheiser px100 or the koss porta-pro.
For fullsize, there was a time that you could get the Audio Technica ad700 for around that price... try, imo nothing come close to them at the price...
 
Dec 31, 2009 at 8:32 PM Post #8 of 13
Quote:

Originally Posted by baka1969 /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I'll buck the trend and say I'm not a PortaPro fan. Bloated bass that obscures the mids. Get the MS1 and spen the few extra dollars and you'll be within budget.


Interesting how many, or even most feel that the bass is too much? Okay, I once tried portaPro amped, I got a headache from the bass, but unamped, it´s just right.

I personally didn´t enjoy the lower-end Grado´s I´ve tried. I mean, nothing exactly wrong, but to me, not worth the price.

So my vote´s on the portaPro.
 
Dec 31, 2009 at 9:44 PM Post #9 of 13
Before anything else, try the Bose Triports.

Seriously! Almost every audio head will poo-poo them, and they are expensive for the quality level. But it sounds like your tastes match what those phones do best -- some clarity, plenty of thump. Besides, you can test them at any Target or Best Buy. There are a few pair kicking around the office and they're the only phones worth borrowing when I forget mine at home.

I love Grado, but the success of any Grado is its openness and detail. It is not an artificial thumper, but it will deliver your bass. You want more bass, you can get an EQ -- but there is no EQ setting to make a headphone resolve better. Still, if Bose meets your needs, you're likely to be let down by Grado...indeed, many people find a high amount of detail to be distracting, and I've indeed found myself listening to an entire song where I can't concentrate on anything but one particular instrument. Personally, I think this is an awesome problem to have.

The low-end Sennheiser sound is harsh, IMO. Accurate but lacking dynamics so you have to turn them up louder to hear the details you want, then what you don't want is screeching at you. They look pretty sweet though.
 
Dec 31, 2009 at 10:50 PM Post #10 of 13
Quote:

Originally Posted by rodentdog /img/forum/go_quote.gif
for less than $100, I don't think you can beat the Grado SR-60...the gateway drug to the headphone world.


I agree with you rodentdog.
If you have limited budget, SR60 is one of the solutions.
Happy New Year almond!
 
Dec 31, 2009 at 11:08 PM Post #12 of 13
Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOtus /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Interesting how many, or even most feel that the bass is too much? Okay, I once tried portaPro amped, I got a headache from the bass, but unamped, it´s just right.

I personally didn´t enjoy the lower-end Grado´s I´ve tried. I mean, nothing exactly wrong, but to me, not worth the price.

So my vote´s on the portaPro.



That said, the PortaPro is certainly more tasteful, bass-wise, than the Senn PX-100 which sweeps every other brighter detail under its dark cloak. Viva PP!
 

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