[erotimatic]

Used koss esp950 (drop version). saw one on sale here for $275. In this price range, very hard to rivals these.

I know the ESP/95X had been discounted for only 250 euros when Massdrop removed their EU store, probably a once in a lifetime discount...

 

[Mhog55]

I already have them: Focal spirit pro - they are my main portable (except when using the sony for Bluetooth)

imho very underrated

Do tell more

 

[Malevolent]

At $300? In the closed-back side of things, it's probably the Audio-Technica ATH-M70x. It has decent technical chops (for its price range), and has a generally clear, distinct signature.

For bassheads, it's the Meze 99 Classics.

 

[thecrow]

Do tell more

Out of production

this is was one of the first hps from focal about 7 years ago

very neutralish but lively sound. Not over lively though

potentially small ear cups for some people. With me it’s ok and i have average ears i think

there used to be a good review on innerfidelity but probably no longer available

 

[Sebasistan]

Takstar 82 Pro (I do believe the hype).

 

[erotimatic]

Takstar 82 Pro (I do believe the hype).

Is it not a generic design? Kind of like the Reloop SHP8

 

[Sebasistan]

Is it not a generic design? Kind of like the Reloop SHP8

The 82 Pro is kind of a thing of its own. Yeah the SHP8 is KIND OF a rebranded 82 Pro v.1 - but not with the same exact tuning. https://www.head-fi.org/threads/tak...ns-and-discussion-thread.849965/post-14452796

And my 82 Pro v2 is pretty much my personal endgame. I don't have enough cash (or interest) for headphones in the over $300 realm really. And of the ones I have heard, the 82pro (v2) blow everything out of the water. And like, there's a lot of people on here who swear by it even over much more expensive cans.

 

[DiederickFritz]

Sivga Phoenix ($255) with the BW round pleather pads ($14). Total = $269.

I picked this combo because for less than $300 and w/o a dedicated amp/dac (compare that to the other entries here) you can get a great sounding, bassy, v-shaped, stupidly efficient headphone that’s also comfortable to wear. Seriously, these will sound great off of pretty much anything!

 

[gooeyrich]

Imo by far the best headphones in that price region are the Hifiman Sundara.

For me they sound better than many headphones that cost around 500.

Comes with the additional concern of entering the quality control lottery.

 

[ThanatosVI]

Comes with the additional concern of entering the quality control lottery.

Personally I had never issues with it, so I sure hope that these issues are blown out of proportion.

Even my 9 year old hifiman cans still worked flawlessly when I sold them this year.
In case of the Sundara directly I bought a pair on Release when the official price Was still 500. Gifted them to my brother who still uses them heavily to this day

 

[Nicolas from France]

Grado SR325e

 

[TheUnknow]

Focal Listen Pro.

The extreme transparency combined with great level of detail make you hear everything , very easily.

A unique sound tuning in Focal headphone line up.

 

[erotimatic]

Focal Listen Pro.

The extreme transparency combined with great level of detail make you hear everything , very easily.

A unique sound tuning in Focal headphone line up.

The Listen Pro is kind of a hidden gem and it has been consistently only ~200 euros!

 

[llysender]

Personally
MSR7 OG-130sgd
Yaxi MSR7 pads-60sgd
Shanling UP4-130sgd

Total sadly 20sgd over the target 300 but I'll take it.

Yaxi MSR7 creates a nice thick smooth sound but loses that crystaline sound that the orginal pads give without giving up any of the detail. Shanling UP4 is a slightly bassy dry amp that makes the yaxi MSR7 regain part of its airyness without reintroducing the sharp highs that some people find annoying. Not to mention its a portable setup so you always can bring it along with you.

My only issue with MSR7 is that the slam will always be rounded so if you must have sharp slam this setup is not for you.

 

[510198]

HD600/HD650