Best sound quality on headphones $100 to $400

[Xanven]

I am planning on using them on my iPod without a headphone amp. I used to have the Monster Beats By Dr. Dre, but they were broken when opened out of the box. Then, I decided to exchange them for the Bose QuietComfort 15s. Out of all of these, which one has the best sound quality?

 

[kunalraiker]

I would definitely get an amp and a decent pair of headphones for about a total $500.00 if i was you, no use spending $400.00 without an amp.

 

[tvrboy]

Ignore the first poster in this thread. You can buy $400 headphones that don't require an amp. If you want one great, but I'm guessing you probably just want a headphone that sounds pretty good out of your ipod, am I right? OK start by ditching the Bose and Monster headphones. The Beats just suck and the Bose are way overpriced for what they deliver. Now if you tell us what kind of music you listen to and whether you want open or closed headphones, then people here can help you with specific recommendations.

 

[MrGreen]

K701 is "highest quality" on that list, but you'll need a great amp and source to go with it.

A used RS1 or SR225 sounds fine out of an ipod.

Would need to know your music habits (genres etc) to make a better recommendation

 

[Xanven]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvrboy /img/forum/go_quote.gif Ignore the first poster in this thread. You can buy $400 headphones that don't require an amp. If you want one great, but I'm guessing you probably just want a headphone that sounds pretty good out of your ipod, am I right? OK start by ditching the Bose and Monster headphones. The Beats just suck and the Bose are way overpriced for what they deliver. Now if you tell us what kind of music you listen to and whether you want open or closed headphones, then people here can help you with specific recommendations.

I listen to pop, rock, hip-hop, rap and classical.
I prefer closed headphones because of sound isolation and less of sound leakage, but open headphones will also be fine.

 

[Palpatine]

Grado SR225i for open...
Perhaps a HD 25 I II for closed ( on ear though )
HFI 780 with recable...or Pro 750 ( could use an amp though. )

 

[sampson_smith]

Shure SRH-840 all the way, mainly because the Monster and Bose cans should not be on this list, and also because the K701 requires a pretty strong, likely expensive, amp, which I assume the OP does not have. You will also likely be happy with the more expensive Denon D2000 and the much less expensive SRH-440.

...x2 on the Sennheiser HD-25-1 II suggestion as well. They are awesome cans.

 

[Xanven]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palpatine /img/forum/go_quote.gif Grado SR225i for open... Perhaps a HD 25 I II for closed ( on ear though ) HFI 780 with recable...or Pro 750 ( could use an amp though. )

I see that you have the Shure SRH 840. How do those sound compare to the Monster Beats by Dr. Dre and Bose QuietComfort 15s? Should I return the Bose QuietComfort 15s and buy the Shure SRH 840s? Would the Shure work fine without an amp?

 

[Ra97oR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xanven /img/forum/go_quote.gif I see that you have the Shure SRH 840. How do those sound compare to the Monster Beats by Dr. Dre and Bose QuietComfort 15s? Should I return the Bose QuietComfort 15s and buy the Shure SRH 840s? Would the Shure work fine without an amp?

SRH840 vs Monster Beats or Bose = Real equipment vs Toys, Sound vs Blings.

There is really no comparison, but you might like the bloated bass that the Beats and the Bose have, SRH840 is quite neutral in that sense. Also the Shures works well without an amp, straight out my iPod it sounds fine.

 

[Xanven]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ra97oR /img/forum/go_quote.gif SRH840 vs Monster Beats or Bose = Real equipment vs Toys, Sound vs Blings. There is really no comparison, but you might like the bloated bass that the Beats and the Bose have, SRH840 is quite neutral in that sense. Also the Shures works well without an amp, straight out my iPod it sounds fine.

Thank you. I will return the Bose QuietComfort 15s and buy the Shure SRH 840s.

 

[sampson_smith]

The Shure will scale well/improve with a decent amp, however. But it is more than okay to get the Shure 840's first and then an amp, when you can afford it.

 

[VALIENTE]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xanven /img/forum/go_quote.gif I am planning on using them on my iPod without a headphone amp. which one has the best sound quality?

Definitely the AKG K701 has the best sound quality of the headphones you've mentioned. However, may I suggest you to add Grado SR60/Grado SR225 from your list because you will be using it your iPod.

I assume that AKG K701 needs better source and amplification to get its finest sound capabilities. If I were you, I'll try Grado first.

Be a simple headfier. Be a Grado lover.-Valiente

 

[Xanven]

Quote:

Originally Posted by sampson_smith /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Shure will scale well/improve with a decent amp, however. But it is more than okay to get the Shure 840's first and then an amp, when you can afford it.

Any suggestions on a good headphone amp for the Shure SRH 840s?

 

[Takahashi]

I haven't had the chance to listen in on the others aside from the Bose cans and this is what I have to say about the Bose cans and the Monsters.

Bose cans sound pretty flat, there is nothing at all special about them, for the price they simply are not worth it. Even though I do own a few of them, and listen to them on occasion, I wouldn't buy another set. As a speaker person, more then a phones person, Bose has been on decline for some time.

As for the Monster cans, I simply protest there business. They've been pulling a lot of cheap shots on other small businesses who have "Monster" in their name (such as the monster mini-golf joint). Their cables aren't that great, and for the most part are just over priced. I haven't heard their cans, but I'd stay away from the company simply because of this.

 

[Rain100]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xanven /img/forum/go_quote.gif Any suggestions on a good headphone amp for the Shure SRH 840s?

For a small amp, you could look at getting an Ibasso T3 and LOD (Line Out Dock)