[FlyingDolphin]

Hello, I am looking for headphones, with which the only experience I have are my XXX.  I prefer acoustic and classic rock and do not need heavy bass.  My budget is around $150 (bumped up from $100).  I am only 13 and am looking for good starter headphones.  I don't want to invest in an amp (EDIT : I may be willing to now), will mainly play in private, and am planning to build a desktop and put a decent sound card in it.  All suggestions will be appreciated, much thanks.
 
EDIT: Making it partially for Christmas,  I can now go up to $200 if needed

 

[1Time]

Welcome to Head-Fi.
 
What is your budget for buying new headphones AND a decent sound card?

 

[FlyingDolphin]

Quote:

Welcome to Head-Fi.
 
What is your budget for buying new headphones AND a decent sound card?

I am not very educated in the area of sound cards, my budget may be $100 at tops for just a sound card (or maybe even get one for Christmas).  I am willing to go refurbished or used.

 

[FlyingDolphin]

I am leaning towards open air headphones

 ​

 ​

Let me know your opinion!​

 

[JayB18]

MS-1, AD700, or DT440 are all options to consider.  MS-1 is great for rock with its in your face sound and the AD700 has its great soundstage and sounds nice for acoustic.  DT440 sounds best overall.

 

[thebeast1616]

ATH-ES7 is the best looking one and sounds great. since you are only 13, these headphones provide nice sound all around, look "cool", and are easily powered through regular ipods or other mp3 players

 

[FlyingDolphin]

 
Quote:

ATH-ES7 is the best looking one and sounds great. since you are only 13, these headphones provide nice sound all around, look "cool", and are easily powered through regular ipods or other mp3 players

I search not for looks, but for quality and comfort.

 

[JayB18]

Full size open headphones generally provide the best sound dollar per dollar so I would avoid wireless and portable phones (and to a lesser extent closed phones).

 

[FlyingDolphin]

I'm thinking about the Audio Technica ATH-AD700 or the beyerdynamics DT440.

 

[JayB18]

Quote:

I'm thinking about the Audio Technica ATH-AD700 or the beyerdynamics DT440.

Hmm. AD700 is quite a bit more comfy but the DT440 sounds better (especially bass qauntity and quality) and is more suited to all rounded use. Soundstage is more natural and the highs aren't as bright. The AD700 can sound somewhat bass light and bright at times. It still sounds great overall though.

 

[FlyingDolphin]

Ny good AKG's for the price, also, how are grados sr60i/80i and sennheiser hd555.

 

[estreeter]

Normally, I would be saying 'Grado/Allesandro all the way', but re-reading your OP makes me wonder if you might be happier with something like the AD700, as previously recommended in this thread. Not sure what they sell for in your neck of the woods, but I suspect that they crop up in the Head-Fi classifieds on a regular basis as some find them to be 'bass shy'  (their words, not mine..) - in your case, that may not be a deal breaker.
 
My own experience with the DT440 tells me that you would be happier with the comfort levels of the ATH or Grado cans over Beyer's idiosyncratic headband design - I didnt find them uncomfortable, but they would be ungainly on a smaller head. I am not aware of any cheap AKG cans that garner the universal praise heaped on the Grado/ATH/Beyer cans mentioned thus far and it gets expensive when you go to the models that need a good amp to perform.

 

[bisayaboi]

DT440 is a good balanced pair. I also recommend those. It's a safe choice.
 
The AD700's are super comfy and have really nice mids but they are bass shy. If you listen primarily to classical or bass light you should get those.
 
And EQ'ing always helps.

 

[FlyingDolphin]

Quote:

DT440 is a good balanced pair. I also recommend those. It's a safe choice.
 
The AD700's are super comfy and have really nice mids but they are bass shy. If you listen primarily to classical or bass light you should get those.
 
And EQ'ing always helps.

I listen to Arlo Guthrie, Neil Young, BTO, Bad Company, The Band, Bob Dylan, Boston, Bruce Springsteen, CCR, CSNY, Eric Clapton, Grateful Dead, and Tom Petty as some examples, no hip hop, rap, or metal.  How are ad700's mids, trebles, and sound stage stack up against DT440.  How does ad700's bass compare too lower end headphones.
 

 

[razzz42]

Amazon has ATH-AD700 for $85 free ship.  These are open air phones so might account for the weak bass, maybe. Newegg has a fairly good comments section for opinions on them, want $95 + .99 ship.