Choosing my first headphone...

[Alex59]

First of all, all apologizes for my poor english, but I'm french...

I didn't found any french web site with such qualified people as on this site.

I have never really pay attention to my earphones before (only basic ones), but a friend of mine lend me his MDR-v500 (which seems to be terrible headphones in fact

, but I appreciated the sound in comparison to my earphones) and I fell in love with headphones. I really have to by one.

I will use it for my mp3 player, my PC and maybe on my stereo, but without amp for the moment because yesterday, I even didn't know that it existed, so, maybe in the future...

Could you please help me to chose ?

BUT ! Contrary to others, I have made a list of headphones that would be good for me and my banking account. (it is not a small list

)

Sennheiser HD-280 Pro
Sennheiser HD-200
Sennheiser HD-25-SP

AKG K26P
AKG K81DJ
AKG K270S
AKG 271S

Grado SR225
Grado SR80

Beyerdynamic DT 770-250
Beyerdynamic DT 770-80
Beyerdynamic DT 831

Audio-Technica ATH-A900
Audio-Technica ATH-ES7

Equation RP21

Technics RP-F200

Sony MDR-V6/MDR-7506

Which one should be the best for me ? The cheapest the better, but sound quality is the priority ... is it possible to sort them by quality, for me to choose according to the disponibility in my country ? If other good headphones, don't hesitate to mention them.


Thank you in advance if you help me.


This site is perfect

Enjoy the Music...

 

[jewman]

Hi and welcome to Head-fi! Sorry about your wallet.

Can you give us some more details. What kind of music do you listen to? How much sound isolation do you need? What's your budget?

 

[o-z0ne]

My first pair of headphones were the sennheiser px100's. Were a good choice for me. Now I've moved up (because I have a curse where I break all headphones) and got the Sen HD25-1 II's, which I have on my head currently.

So, I would recommend the px100s. They are cheap, and inexpensive. However, they are open headphones so everyone else in the room will be able to hear what you're listening to. They have no sound isolation.

Really depends on where you'll listen to the headphones, and what your exact budget is

 

[Mindless]

Will you be using them indoors or outdoors? If you're going to use them indoors, SR225 is your best bet.

 

[Alex59]

Yes in fact I think I would prefer closed headphones because I will use them indoor, but also in the street, in the subway, etc ... Maybe closed ones are better.

For the budget, it won't be more than $200, and as I said, the cheaper the better if the quality is there

all the cans I mentionned would be okay if they are worth the blow (I don't know if it is also an english expression

, do you understandwhat I mean ?

)

I essentially listen rock and electro/house, but sometimes different kinds of music. But no classical and no Jazz for example.

One more question : for closed headphones, are circumaural and supra-aural equivalents ? What is the real difference ?

 

[qazwsx]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex59 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Yes in fact I think I would prefer closed headphones because I will use them indoor, but also in the street, in the subway, etc ... Maybe closed ones are better. For the budget, it won't be more than $200, and as I said, the cheaper the better if the quality is there all the cans I mentionned would be okay if they are worth the blow (I don't know if it is also an english expression , do you understandwhat I mean ? ) I essentially listen rock and electro/house, but sometimes different kinds of music. But no classical and no Jazz for example. One more question : for closed headphones, are circumaural and supra-aural equivalents ? What is the real difference ?

Circumaural means that the pads go around your ear, and supraaural means the pads go on your ear. Circumaurals are generally comfy since they don't smash your ear, but are more bulky. Supraaurals are smaller but are generally less comfortable. If you really badly need both comfort and portablity, IEMs are more recommended.

Anyhow, of your list, I'd say the AKG K81DJ wouldn't be a bad pick aside from the fact that they are uncomfortable. The Grados would do very well with your music tastes though they are open. A900's probably wouldn't be too terrible aside from the fact they are huge and ugly. I do know I wouldn't go with the Sennheiser HD280-Pro since they are bulky and don't sound half as good on rock/trance. And considering you have better phones on this list, don't bother with the Sony V6.

 

[Chu]

Are you a gamer?

 

[F107plus5]

For cans that go around the ear, are closed, are real tough and rugged and even fold up when traveling, don't need an amp, are quite inexpensive and a number of folks consider them as sounding much better than they cost, the MDR-V6 could be a very good choice.

The Grados are excellent phones, but they are open. Another Grado that sells for $99 all over the world with free shipping included is the Alessandro MS-1. It is open also, but is a good choice if the Grado type of phone comes back into favor.

 

[choomanchoo]

Welcome, Alex59 goodluck finding your set of cans,sorry no experience in closed cans. just a welcome to you, and goodbuy to your wallet ,

 

[epaludo]

I was going to suggest the Grado SR-60 or SR-80 until i read you want a closed can.
No experience on closed. The equation get some good reviews around here, such as the beyers. The DT770 is often indicated for bass heads ...

 

[epaludo]

But the equation RP-21 and the DT770 might be a bit too big for using on the streets. Imagine someone using a DT770 on the subway ...

 

[faichiu]

What kind of music u listen?

 

[Vergency]

Quote:

Originally Posted by faichiu /img/forum/go_quote.gif What kind of music u listen?

here:
Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex59 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I essentially listen rock and electro/house, but sometimes different kinds of music. But no classical and no Jazz for example.

 

[umcloud]

Well I think the easy answer to your question is the Equation RP21. It's closed, at least somewhat portable, and supposedly sounds quite good for the money.

Another option would be to get an open pair of headphones for use at home, and an IEM or canalphone for use on the go. The MS-1 by Grado is an easy recommend for an open headphone, and it's available for $99 shipped directly from Alessandro's website. As for the portable, the MylarOne x3, Ultimate Ears super.fi 3, and Etymodic er6i are all popular choices and available online for well under $100.

In the long run, I think you might better off with the second option. With my first "real" headphone purchase, I made the mistake of looking for one that did it all - closed and portable for use on the go, but good-sounding and circumaural for use at home. If you've heard the phrase "Jack of all trades, master of none" then you'll know the problem I ran into. It's not that the Sony eggo is a bad headphone by any means, it just doesn't really stand out in any particular way, and I was left wanting more.

Now, I certainly haven't heard every headphone in your price range, and there may be one that fits all your needs expertly, but I do know what worked for me. Anyway, good luck sorting through all these contradictory responses, and let us know how it works out!

 

[Alex59]

Thank you very much for all your answers, that's very nice.

@Chu : no I'm not a gamer, only for music

In fact, I think it would be better for me to go with a closed circumaural (to be really isolated), but not a too big (to use it outdoor without looking too stupid

)

@Umcloud : I think you're certainly right, and I will certainly do like you latter ($$$...), but for now, I fell in love with closed headphones. I like to be fully isolated when listening to music, that's too good (moreover I'm not alone this year in my flat, so I will probably sometimes enjoy being isolated

)


What about the Sennheiser HD200 ? It has a good review, a good style and is not too expensive
http://www.headphonereviews.org/head...eadphoneId=141


My choice is reducing now :

Sennheiser HD-280 Pro
Sennheiser HD-200

AKG K270S
AKG 271S

Beyerdynamic DT 770-250
Beyerdynamic DT 770-80
Beyerdynamic DT 831

Audio-Technica ATH-A900
Audio-Technica ATH-ES7

Equation RP21

Technics RP-F200

Sony MDR-V6/MDR-7506


All these cans are closed circumaural, but now I need you to tell me which ones are the best suited for me, knowing that it shouldn't be too big (I mean not exaggeratedly too big, not to look stupid in the streets)

My music : Rock and Electro

Thank you for all your advises