[Minibear453]

I'm just looking for some good over-ear headphones. Right now, I'm just using random earbuds, but yesterday, I've tried my friend's skullcrusher, and the sound quality was a lot better than mine right now... and the noise isolation and such. 
 
So then I looked at skullcandy, and found out they were pretty bad in quality. So now I'm at a loss for what to buy. Suggestions?
 
Roughly $30 will be good, and they should be pretty durable. I'm going to use them while walking, traveling, at my desk.etc. Basically any time I listen to music. Also, I'm probably going to stuff them into a backpack... so size does matter. But, I would like headphones, with a nice thick band over the top, and cushiony pads. Comfort>Size 
 
I listen mostly to songs by Jason Derulo, Chris Brown, Akon, Ne-yo, that type of songs. 
Suggestions?
Thanks.

 

[grokit]

I would look into the Maxell DHP-II or the Koss Porta Pro.

 

[Minibear453]

Thanks, but I'm really new to this... so eh... if you can, can you please say the pros/cons of them?

 

[xXFallenAngelXx]

HD-201
pro-
decent sound
bang for the buck, like $17 on amazon
closed can=some isolation plus little sound leak
con-
sibilance
not from experience but heard some others that there are driving issues.

 

[Nupie]

Porta-pros are somewhat muddy which isn't good for vocals but have nice punchy bass. They live forever too. The biggest problem with them is that they are open and have zero isolation so in a noisy environment you a) just give up on listening b) turn the volume up and face the consequences. Still, all in all they are helluva headphones and I personally love them.
 
Here's a couple of threads by joker that you might find useful. Choose well
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/433318/shootout-52-portable-headphones-compared-audio-technica-esw9-added-10-29
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/478568/multi-iem-review-115-iems-compared-monster-miles-davis-tribute-added-10-17

 

[grokit]

 
Quote:

Thanks, but I'm really new to this... so eh... if you can, can you please say the pros/cons of them?

The search engine is your friend 

 

[Minibear453]

I know about the search engine, but I wasn't sure how the music being played would effect this and all that... BTW, skullcrushers for $30... is bad? 

 

[Eric_C]

Quote:

I wasn't sure how the music being played would effect this and all that... 

Sorry, could you explain what you mean by this?
 
Also, re: HD 201--they are quite bang for buck if you're just starting out with headphones, but they don't isolate very much at all. Tried a pair at HMV, found it barely blocked out the music being played on speakers in-store.
 
Re: Koss Porta Pro, they do not have a "nice thick band over the top" that you want. The headband is a piece of metal that many people find has a tendency to snag your hair.

 

[Minibear453]

Like how playing death metal, classical, other kinds like that would sound on the headphones. From what I know, some headphones are better for one kind than another.
 
Also, I would really prefer isolation, and fully over the ear, like a cup for your ear... 
And are skullcrushers good? For $30?

 

[Eric_C]

|joker|'s portable headphone review thread (linked a few posts back) states what music he tested the headphones on--Metallica was on that list. I don't know my metal sub-genres, but maybe a death metal band was listed somewhere there?
 
Also, maybe you could go through |joker|'s thread and pick a few models that seem like the right one for you, then search for them specifically. Even if you don't come across a thread discussing the use of them with your preferred genres of music, you could always ask about those genres in the respective headphone appreciation/review threads.
 
Sorry I don't know how Skullcrushers sound.

 

[Jimmyz]

I would get the Shure SRH240 headphones. A little more than 30 bucks, but I think it's worth it.
 
http://www.buy.com/prod/shure-srh240-professional-quality-headphone-connectivity-wired-stereo/q/sellerid/23833603/loc/111/211279387.html

 

[Eric_C]

Quote:

I would get the Shure SRH240 headphones. A little more than 30 bucks, but I think it's worth it.
 
http://www.buy.com/prod/shure-srh240-professional-quality-headphone-connectivity-wired-stereo/q/sellerid/23833603/loc/111/211279387.html

Actually if you're thinking about the 240, I'd recommend the ATH-M30 instead. 
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATHM30-ATH-M30-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00007E7C8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289186353&sr=8-1
 
Advantages over the SR240 include:
-Smaller, more solid build (more metal than plastic)
-Single-sided cable (only comes out left side, instead of 240 which comes out both sides)
-Longer cable (could be a pro, allows for ease of use with a TV for e.g.)
-More bass
 
Edit:
While not definitive, as you can see from this comparative review--http://www.headfonia.com/closed-cans-shootout-m-50-esw-9-t50p-hd25-1-beats-studio-srh-840-srh-750dj-k181dj-and-dj1pro/3/--the M50 is rated as better than the SRH840, and then from this comparison--http://www.headfonia.com/ath-m-50s-little-brother-the-m-30/--that the M30 is in many ways an entry-level version of the M50, with a cheaper build (obviously) and more mid-focussed sound.
Since M50>SRH840 (by a lot, according to these reviews, YMMV), and it's likely that 840>240, something that approaches the quality of M50 is likely to be better than the 240.
It may therefore be reasonable to conclude that M30>SRH240 for most people.

 

[Jimmyz]

Quote:

Actually if you're thinking about the 240, I'd recommend the ATH-M30 instead. 
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATHM30-ATH-M30-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00007E7C8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289186353&sr=8-1
 
Advantages over the SR240 include:
-Smaller, more solid build (more metal than plastic)
-Single-sided cable (only comes out left side, instead of 240 which comes out both sides)
-Longer cable (could be a pro, allows for ease of use with a TV for e.g.)
-More bass
 
Edit:
While not definitive, as you can see from this comparative review--http://www.headfonia.com/closed-cans-shootout-m-50-esw-9-t50p-hd25-1-beats-studio-srh-840-srh-750dj-k181dj-and-dj1pro/3/--the M50 is rated as better than the SRH840, and then from this comparison--http://www.headfonia.com/ath-m-50s-little-brother-the-m-30/--that the M30 is in many ways an entry-level version of the M50, with a cheaper build (obviously) and more mid-focussed sound.
Since M50>SRH840 (by a lot, according to these reviews, YMMV), and it's likely that 840>240, something that approaches the quality of M50 is likely to be better than the 240.
It may therefore be reasonable to conclude that M30>SRH240 for most people.

That makes perfect sense... I change my recommendation, lol. I wish there was a plan in NYC where I could hear a ton of different headphones, not just for my self, but so I can help people with recommendations.

 

[Minibear453]

I was thinking of Skullcrushers... but apparently they're really bad, but the reviews are really conflicting. Some people say they're the best, others loathe them... why? They seem to fit all my preferences... so... I was wondering. Actually, most over ear skullcandy's work.

 

[Eric_C]

Quote:

I was thinking of Skullcrushers... but apparently they're really bad, but the reviews are really conflicting. Some people say they're the best, others loathe them... why? They seem to fit all my preferences... so... I was wondering. Actually, most over ear skullcandy's work.

It probably boils down to 3 things:
1. Price
2. Expectation
3. Experience
 
1 and 2 are linked, i.e.: if you pay little for something, you expect little (or at least, you expect less than if you paid more for a similar product). And if your expectations are lowered, then it takes less to impress.
How people feel about headphones also depends on their experience with various headphones. I'll give you an example: about a year ago, I thought HD201 was quite good, both in absolute terms and for its price. Since then, I've owned some very decent headphones and tried quite a few more; a month ago I tried the HD201 again, at a store, and found them to be a lot worse than I remembered. It doesn't mean they're going to be a bad choice for everyone, but I would like to say, as humbly as I can, that I think I've heard much better (even at a similar price point) and the HD201 just won't cut it for me today.
 
So, when reading what other people think about headphones, do try and find out their budgets, expectations of headphones, and experience levels with headphones. It will greatly affect what they say about the same model of headphones.