[Unoquadium]

I'm looking to buy some good mid-range headphones in the ~$100 price range and I heard that the Grado SR80i's and the HD 555's were pretty good for that.
 
I'm looking for general advice on which I should get (or alternatives in the same price range).
 
Few notes:
- If I get the 555's then I'm doing the mod which removes the foam and makes then 595's, so compare sound quality as if the 555's were 595's.
- I heard the Grados leak a lot of noise, and I listen on the train everyday - is it that bad?
 
Thanks!

 

[DaBomb77766]

They will both leak a lot of noise.  Definitely stay away from both of them if you're gonna be using them on a train every day.

 

[Unoquadium]

Any suggestions then?

 

[agentsim]

I have both. I much prefer the sound from the HD555, the SR80 seems "thin" in comparison.
 
As for the leakage, DaBomb is right, they both leak, but with an important difference. They leak to the outside world about that same, but the HD555 manages to isolate you from outside sounds quite a bit more than the SR80. For train usage, I'm guessing isolation is at least as important, maybe more so than leakage. If the environment is already noisy, people are less likely to notice the sound leaking from your cans, but you'll definitely notice the sound leaking in.
 
Take it with a pinch of salt, I've never been on a train/public transport with either can.

 

[m0ltar]

Between the 2, I would go with the HD555's as they are a more well rounded phone. Both cans have their faults, but the HD555's just edge out the Grados in my book.

 

[Unoquadium]

Leaning towards the 555's now, any good Sennheiser closed headphones out there on the same level?
 
HD 448?

 

[Unoquadium]

Audio Technica ATH-700's also look good.

 

[hatry]

I only tried HD595 and SR80i
 
IMO, they are totally different sonically, SR80i is more aggressive than to HD595
 
I will say both are good cans so it really depends on what genres you frequently listen

 

[erikiddo]

I agree with Harty that grado sounds very aggressive ( and I can't comment on HD555 as i never tired any of the senn cans) and it sounds amazing in genres, like rock and acoustic music, but still decent in other genres as well. It just comes down to your personal taste. I love my SR125i, as it sounds vivid and lively which gets me all excited and lost in the music. On the other hand, my friend hates it ( he owns HFI 220) , as he thinks grado is lack of soundstage that he wants. Of course, I completely disagree with my friend, but it is just personal preference to the music.  
 
Quote:

I only tried HD595 and SR80i
 
IMO, they are totally different sonically, SR80i is more aggressive than to HD595
 
I will say both are good cans so it really depends on what genres you frequently listen

 

 

[macrocheesium]

Take a look at the AKG k240 Studio too. I had them and they are fantastic headphones for the price. A really fun sound that's great with a lot of genres.

 

[MrBapti]

Maybe you should try closed headphones since your going to be using them on the go.
 

 

[Digital-Pride]

Here are some closed-back alternatives for ya:
 
Audio-Technica ATH-M50
 
Sennheiser HD280PRO
 
Shure SRH440
 
Ultrasone HFi-450

 

[Unoquadium]

 
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Quote:

Maybe you should try closed headphones since your going to be using them on the go.
 

 
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I read up on these and it says they're "semi-open", what does that mean in terms of leaking sound?

 

[peskypesky]

i have Grado SR80s and Sennheiser HD555s (with foam removed).  i like the way both of them sound, a lot. the Grados were my only phones for about 3 years. since i got the Senns, i rarely wear the Grados, but it may just be the "new toy effect".
 
for commuting, neither is a good choice. there's nothing more annoying than someone "sharing" their music with other commuters.
 
the Shure SRH440s i got are closed, and definitely have good isolation, but they are big and clunky, so again, no good for commuting.
 
if i were going to get closed cans for commuting, i think leading contenders would be the Sennheiser PX 200-II, the Sennheiser HD 388i,  or if i had a much bigger budget, the Sennheiser HD 25-1 II.
 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/662296-REG/Sennheiser_502817_PX_200_II_On_Ear_Stereo.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/751941-REG/Sennheiser_HD25SP_II_HD_25_SP_II_On_Ear.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/507447-REG/Sennheiser_HD_25_1_II_HD_25_1_II.html

 

[Unoquadium]

Quote:

i have Grado SR80s and Sennheiser HD555s (with foam removed).  i like the way both of them sound, a lot. the Grados were my only phones for about 3 years. since i got the Senns, i rarely wear the Grados, but it may just be the "new toy effect".
 
for commuting, neither is a good choice. there's nothing more annoying than someone "sharing" their music with other commuters.
 
the Shure SRH440s i got are closed, and definitely have good isolation, but they are big and clunky, so again, no good for commuting.
 
if i were going to get closed cans for commuting, i think leading contenders would be the Sennheiser PX 200-II, the Sennheiser HD 388i,  or if i had a much bigger budget, the Sennheiser HD 25-1 II.
 
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/662296-REG/Sennheiser_502817_PX_200_II_On_Ear_Stereo.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/751941-REG/Sennheiser_HD25SP_II_HD_25_SP_II_On_Ear.html
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/507447-REG/Sennheiser_HD_25_1_II_HD_25_1_II.html

The HD25SP are pretty much what I'm looking for!