[onionblaster]

Hey all,
 
My best friend at college is completing his senior thesis which involves a lot of listening to, transcribing, and analyzing top 40 pop tunes. Every time I walk past his bedroom he's sitting at his desk with headphones on listening to stuff like Ke$ha and scribbling furiously on staff paper. It's a cool project. Anyways, I thought for christmas I'd give him some headphones because so much of his time is spent wearing them, and he always just grabs whatever's closest! I have been completely out of this world for a long time (check my join date!) and I'm completely overwhelmed here! I'm looking for something closed, over-ear (for better comfort than on-ear in long listening sessions), and balanced and detailed so he can hear the nuances of the songs he's trying to transcribe. My budget is only about $50 - $80 so I know I'll have to be making a bunch of sacrifices, but I'm hoping there's some gem in there somewhere in that will shine through. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Makiah S]

IF you can, assuming your price. Try to find an Audio Technica A900x. Check ebay I was able to get one for about $98 open boxon eBay a few months ago. 
 
They are imo, really very good for the price! No questions asked just plain good
 
As far as less than that goes, I would recommend the Koss Pro JD 100 
 
OR better yet the Koss Porta Pro. The porta pro is a little bassy and for pop it's a very good headphone the porta pro is also about $40

 

[KG Jag]

Sony MDR 7506.
 
If on ear was OK, the CAL! is a great buy these days (as the CAL! 2 has just been released).

 

[fabio-fi]

Shure SRH440, if he needs accuracy and quality bass. Can be found for $100 or less sometimes. 
 
Comfort is ok, but it's possible to change pads. 

 

[Can Junkie]

While semi closed, (Not much sound leaks out) I would check out the Superlux HD-668B. At $50, it is one heck of a good bang for the buck.
I got mine from the guys at Headroom. Great place to shop!

 

[Makiah S]

  While semi closed, (Not much sound leaks out) I would check out the Superlux HD-668B. At $50, it is one heck of a good bang for the buck.
I got mine from the guys at Headroom. Great place to shop!

I hear a lot about the Super Lux Cans a lot of good while I'm at it 

 

[Murder Mike]

  If on ear was OK, the CAL! is a great buy these days (as the CAL! 2 has just been released).

 
You must have some giant flappers on your head because the CAL is over ear for me and a great buy at $60. 

 

[NA Blur]

I really like the Philips Cityscape Downtown in that price point.  It seals well, looks stylish, and sounds great to boot.
 
You can read more here:
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/philips-citiscape-downtown
 
One caveat:
Some users find that they can be uncomfortable if worn with glasses that have thick temples.  I wear glasses and find them comfortable, but I feel that a warning is needed.
 
Best of luck and happy Holidays.

 

[Ratheriian]

+1 Superlux HD-668b
 
It was one of my first pairs of headphones and it was a huge step above everything I heard before. You can't go wrong at this price point. But be aware that they look cheap 

 
 
They are pretty comfortable but you could get a pair of AKG K240/270 velour ear pads to make them even better.

 

[KG Jag]

 

  If on ear was OK, the CAL! is a great buy these days (as the CAL! 2 has just been released).

 
You must have some giant flappers on your head because the CAL is over ear for me and a great buy at $60. 

Thanks for that and merry Christmas. 
 
However, the fact of the matter is "The headband pad is smallish..."  Link:
 
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/creative-aurvana-live-classic-reincarnate

 

[onionblaster]

Thanks all! Loving those superlux. How open are they? My friend does a bit of recording (usually in his room but sometimes in a little ad-hoc laptop setup in a quieter space) so the more closed, the better. I know at $50 there's not gonna be any perfectly-isolating studio quality recording headphones but the more on the closed side, the better.

 

[onionblaster]

By closed I mean closed to leakage (for recording vocals), not outside attenuation, which isn't a huge priority.

 

[JYabbz]

How bout the XPT100 or the Jaycar Pro Monitors? Both are FA-003 & HM5 clones that give a neutral sound signature and vey comfortable from various reviews? The XPT100 are $80 and include extras,while the Jaycar are $50 and $20 shipping to the USA minus the extras.