acathode
New Head-Fier
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2013
- Posts
- 2
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- 0
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
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
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

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