Headphone Recommendation

[bassspace]

Hi. I'm new to Head-fi, and I'm looking to buy a good pair of cans. I don't have good experience with buying headphones, I currently own a Sony Walkman MP3 player and a JVC HA-NC100. I hate the JVC's. I heard people talking about audiophile experiences and I want to experience that feeling.

I'm going to get about $600 during the summer, so if my parents let me, I can get a pair for around $150. From your experiences, are there any headphones in this price range with the following criterias?

- detachable cord
- one-sided cord (preferably short cord)
- closed/sealed
- pretty small (and I'm not talking about the street style or the in-ear headphones)
- good sound quality (with emphasis on bass)
- low sensitivity (to protect my hearing like n the 90-110 range)
- metallic, or at least good durability]

If you guys had any good experiences with headphones that match all or most of these, then can you leave me recommendations?

 

[Uncle Erik]

They don't meet your criteria, but the best entry to audiophile sound is the Grado SR-60. You can get a pair for around $65 and they don't need an external amp.

Everyone comes here wanting closed cans, minimal cords, and much of what's on your list. Those are nice things. But if you want a quick introduction to the high end, take a chance and order the SR-60. Search the threads - you'll see just how loved they are. You'll also notice that used ones sell in an hour or two and most who sell are upgrading to other Grados. Give them some thought.

 

[denl82]

Hi, if you can stretch your budget about $30 more, the JVC HP-M1000 meets all of the criteria except one and a half: it has a very high sensitivity, and while the cord is one sided and detachable, it is very long. You might have to be careful with the volume...but the sound and build quality are great(it has the best bass I've ever heard), and besides my old sr-80s, it is the smallest full-sized can I've tried.

Good luck.

 

[tk3]

I have not heard this phone, but I think that the closest that comes to your criteria would be the Sennheiser HD-25 or a variant of it.

 

[espire]

The Beyerdynamic DT770 may be similar to what you're looking for. They're a closed tank with monster bass.

 

[bassspace]

Thanks for your help, but I think I'll just listen to Uncle Erik and go with the Grado SR60/SR80. I heard good things about them, but I didn't want to get them because of some of the things I didn't like about them, but I guess I have to make sacrifices for the best sound.

 

[Golden Monkey]

Good choice...listen to your Uncle! Lol...

Seriously though, it's a great place to start. If you're worried about your long term hearing, you're really going to want to tame that bass head of yours. Bass is nice, but if it's all booming, muddy, inarticulate noise, you're not doing yourself any favors. Once you learn to listen to the MUSIC in the bass, and not just the BOOM, you'll appreciate it a lot more.