Looking for durable & comfortable headphones <$150 for computer use

Dec 11, 2013 at 1:31 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 6

acathode

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Hello!
I'm looking for a pair of headphones in under $150 for use with my stationary computer, for some casual gaming, movies/TV-series, and music. Since I'll be listening completely alone, sound leaking isn't an issue. I already have a separate microphone, so I don't want a headset.
 
I've previously bought mostly cheaper headphones in the $30-60 range, but I'm getting very tired of them breaking after just a year or two, so this time I'm looking for something that will last me a while, hopefully at least 6-8 years. I figure if I can get something durable, in the long run I'll end up spending less anyway. Of course, I did try this once already once, bought a pair of Sennheisers in the $100-120 range, which had gotten very good reviews and many recommendations... which ended up breaking apart at the plastic joints in less than a year. So here I am, figuring I'd ask the people who know about headphones for some advice this time
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So, my absolute main priority is really durability, sturdiness and build-quality. I'm at a point where I probably wouldn't mind buying a pair of cast-iron headphones, as long as they weren't to uncomfortable.
I figure a detachable cord is a good idea too (but maybe not necessary?), since I've had a few phones with quite good build quality that had to be replaced just because the cord started fraying.
 
A close second priority is comfort, I have a big head, glasses, and I often end up wearing my headphones for 5+ hours in a stretch. If it's any help, I used to have a pair of Philips SBC-HP 890 that I remember as being very, very comfortable (so much that I'd probably wouldn't be writing this post if Philips still produced and sold them). I've also had a pair of AKG 518, which IIRC was too tight on my ears ended up being rather uncomfortable due to my glasses. I guess I'd prefer bigger headphones that sit around the ear rather than the smaller ones that sit on the ear? It's not a must though, if the smaller ones aren't to tight.
 
A third priority is my budget, as I've said, I'm willing to spend $100-150, but that's only if it's actually worth it in terms of build quality and lifespan, and to some degree, comfort. I haven't mentioned sound quality, which is because, to be perfectly honest, it's not a big concern for me (I hope that doesn't get me burned as a heretic!). I didn't notice much of a difference between a pair of cheap $20 headphones and the "expensive" Sennheisers I bought, nor do I have any issues with the sound quality in my current $50ish headphones (which atm are more duct tape than headphones). I will gladly take a pair of $80 "built as a tank" headphones that doesn't sound that great over a pair of $100 headphones that sound fantastic but will only last half as long.
 
Grateful for any advice,
Acathode
 
Dec 14, 2013 at 10:15 AM Post #2 of 6
Considering everything above, I would recommend the Beyerdynamic DT770. If you have an amp or dont need the volume to rattle your brains, the ones from the ad below will be great.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/695039/fs-beyerdynamic-dt-770-pro-80-akg-k612-pro-reference-studio-headphones-excellent-condition
 
If you like your music a little loud, you should get the 32 OHM version, maybe you could bump your budget up a couple bucks?
http://www.head-fi.org/t/689598/price-reduced-beyerdynamic-dt770-pro-32-ohm-lte
 
These only land near your budget used, sadly. But they are very durable. I had a pair and they were solid.
 
Dec 14, 2013 at 6:57 PM Post #5 of 6
Thanks both of you a lot for the help! Really appreciate it!
 
I think Beyerdynamic DT770 will be the ones I buy, I made a mistake when converting my price range to USD from SEK, a new pair of DT770 80Ohm cost 1400 SEK which is just around my max. They look very comfortable, and I had missed that they were made out of metal (I saw them earlier but I thought they looked very fragile, since I thought they were plastic). My only concern is that the cable isn't detachable, but it seems it's possible to disassemble the cups and solder on a new one in case the original breaks?
 

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