[audiophile-ish]

I want to get my sister a pair of headphones for Christmas. In conversation she's said she prefers over-ears to in-ears but being more of an IEM guy myself, I'm not sure what's good and what isn't when it comes to headphones. We agreed on a $100 limit with our gifts but it's okay if it goes beyond by some. She listens mostly to electric, house, indie, progressive and alternative (lots of Deadmau5, Tiesto, and John Mayer), so I'm looking for something that suites those kinds of styles. I know she likes bass but she isn't obsessed with it so it's okay if they don't have crazy strong bass. Also, I don't know if this is relevant, but she is a small person - she's 4'10 and has tiny ears so I guess a smaller sized headphone would suit her better? Also, she doesn't care about how they look.
 
So, in short, I'm looking for:
 

1. ~$100, give or take.
2. For Electric, House, Indie, Alternative and Progressive music
3. Will fit a small person with small ears well

 
Thanks!

 

[semicoln]

Does she need some noise isolation? Where will she be enjoying this gift?

 

[audiophile-ish]

I don't think it's imperative. She listens to most of her music at school in the library and in her room. She uses buds for working out.
 
Edit: I don't know if they're any good but I saw a couple people recommending headphones from AKG. I found two on Amazon - the K618 DJ and the K181 DJ. Both are the same price ($99) but the K181 was originally more expensive (originally $250 for the 181 vs $120 for the 618).

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

I don't think it's imperative. She listens to most of her music at school in the library and in her room. She uses buds for working out.
 
Edit: I don't know if they're any good but I saw a couple people recommending headphones from AKG. I found two on Amazon - the K618 DJ and the K181 DJ. Both are the same price ($99) but the K181 was originally more expensive (originally $250 for the 181 vs $120 for the 618).

JVC Victor Stereo headphone (gunmetal) HA-S500-Z, $76.99

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300788413563
 
They are currently only sold in Japan, but they arrive less then a week after ordering.
 
There are assorted ear pads you can try for around $15 per pair.
Larger opening or Velvet.

 

[audiophile-ish]

Quote:

JVC Victor Stereo headphone (gunmetal) HA-S500-Z, $76.99

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300788413563
 
They are currently only sold in Japan, but they arrive less then a week after ordering.
 
There are assorted ear pads you can try for around $15 per pair.
Larger opening or Velvet.

I'm not trying to second guess you or what not but I compared the specs of those to the 181s and the 181s seems to be better. The 181s have 120 dB/V, 5Hz to 30,000Hz, 42 ohms, and 3500 mW while the JVS have 106 dB/V, 8Hz to 25000Hz, 32 ohms, 1000 mW. Or are these numbers meaningless?

 

[PurpleAngel]

Quote:

I'm not trying to second guess you or what not but I compared the specs of those to the 181s and the 181s seems to be better. The 181s have 120 dB/V, 5Hz to 30,000Hz, 42 ohms, and 3500 mW while the JVS have 106 dB/V, 8Hz to 25000Hz, 32 ohms, 1000 mW. Or are these numbers meaningless?

As I know almost nothing about the AKG 181s, I really can not say the HA-S500 match the 181s.
Might as well go for the AKG 181s

 

[GREQ]

The AKG 181 IMO is one of the best 'all-round' closed headphones under $100.
It pretty much does everything.

 

[musubi1000]

Both are awesome!