First headphones - what should I get?

[tvrboy]

Hey, I need some advice. I am thinking about getting my first pair of headphones that cost more than 20 bucks, but I don't know much. Just found this forum and it seems like the people here are really knowledgeable. So my question is: what is the best-sounding headphones I can get for my budget ($100)? I am leaning towards the Grado SR-80 but I also considered Sony MDR-V6, Audio Technica ATH-A500 or ES7, Senn HD-280, and Equation rp21. I am also considering IEM types but I heard somewhere they don't sound as good for the money. If anyone could help me out that would be awesome.

 

[ka-boom]

Should we guess what you listen to?

Rap? Opera? Classical? Trance? Audiobooks? Alternative?

Prefer closed or open?

 

[tvrboy]

I listen to punk rock, metal, and folk music. Never listen to rap or hip-hop, but i still need at least a little bass. Detail and clarity are very important to me. As for closed vs. open, closed is much more comfortable. But i can give up comfort for quality.

 

[Dat_Dude]

Grado SR-80i are very solid phones, especially for rock..

Also I haven't heard any Audio Technica, but Amazon has the ATH-AD700 on sale for $84, which is a heck of a deal.

 

[Czyrix]

Grado's headphones usually sound nice when coupled with rock, they're about as open as you can get though, so it really depends where you're going to use them.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvrboy /img/forum/go_quote.gif I listen to punk rock, metal, and folk music. Never listen to rap or hip-hop, but i still need at least a little bass. Detail and clarity are very important to me. As for closed vs. open, closed is much more comfortable. But i can give up comfort for quality.

Grados would be a good choice for you, then. The SR-80i is a good choice, though you might also want to consider the Alessandro MS-1. It's the same price (IIRC) and has a slightly more neutral presentation than the regular Grado lineup.

I find open headphones to be more comfortable than closed ones, though. Closed headphones will start to feel warm over time and your ears get sweaty. Not all open headphones are good that way, but I don't think comfort is a tradeoff if you go with them.

Though if you go with Grados, you'll want to wash the bowls with soap and water a few times in the sink. I find Grado pads itchy if they're unwashed. So I just put them in the sink and handwash them with soap and hot water three or four times, until the water runs clear through them. The squeeze them out and let dry overnight. After that, they're comfortable enough to wear for hours.

 

[JayB18]

open: Alessandro MS-1 (Id get these over the SR80 as they are technically a tweaked SR125), Audio Technica AD700, Beyerdynamic DTX900
closed: Beyerdynamic DT231

 

[nyjets28]

i've had the rp21, hd280, and sr80 and i find that the sr80's are the most comfortable for longer periods of use. i personally think the sr80 is far better than the rp21 and the hd280. in terms of bass the rp21 > sr80. i wouldn't really consider the hd280, but that's just my opinion.

for closed, how about the denon ahd1001? just picked them up for $88 shipped. i haven't heard them yet, but i am waiting for them to arrive in the mail.

 

[flexium]

i thought rp-21 is closed..I like it a lot. it is bassy..It is my first headphone too, very comfortable with velor pad. I am not super experienced but I am pretty sure you will enjoy it as well.