Need comparison between these headphones

[zavar]

Hello to eneryone!

I'm looking to buy a pair of descent quality headphones at the price range of 50-80$.

I want them for listening to music at home on my computer, so they should be easily driven from my sound card. I don't mind if they're closed or open.

The music I mostly listen to is heavy metal, and I like my headphones to have good separation at the lower frequencies so the kick-drums can be distinguishable. I don't like overly boomy or muddy bass and harsh highs.

After reading a lot of threads, including the headphone of the year awards, I made a list of suggested headphones and cross-checked them with what is available in my country, Greece.

These are the ones I was able to find in the price range:

Koss portapro
Beyer dt331
Senn HD212
Senn HD490
Senn HD497

My question is, which pair sounds the best in relation to my preferences?

 

[1UP]

In this thread , JensL states he rates the DT231 over the Senn. I've not heard them myself but was interested in getting a pair of the DT234-derived headsets for gaming. Edit - oops - see you refer to the 331, which are different.

 

[terrymx]

the portapro is the best value for the price in that list. the only other one i would consider is the hd497, but i never heard it. the hd212pro truly defined boomy so stay away. unfortunately the portapro would be defined as boomy to me aswell.

what you would want is the pioneer se-monitor8. this headphone have some real bass power. the bass reflect is fast and it has strong impacts. i'm really impressed by it and enjoy it alot more than some phones costing twice as much. the mids (vocals) is half neutral and half laidback. the laidback part is where it gets a bit colored. the low trebs is a bit metallic, making it sound like being detailed. this is a monintoring headphone, so the sound tries to stay true to the source, almost analytic, but still fun.

one thing to note is that its extremely sensitive and very unforgiving. low quality recorded music will get hiss. connecting to my amp, which then connect to my sound card, at low volume or silent part i can hear my cdrom and harddrive.

its closed and block out a good amount. i listen to metal too i think it does a good job, especially the bass area. a good deal for $60. also you need not ask others about opinion on it, i'm probably the only one hear that heard it.

 

[schwarzenneger]

sennheiser hd497.plus their the same color as your computer.

 

[jpr703]

Out of those the PortaPros and the 497s probably have the best rep.

 

[zavar]

Thank you very much for every answer.

It seems that we've narrowed the selection to 3 headphones:

Koss portapro
Senn HD497
Beyer DT231

It is interesting that some people think the DT231 are so good, since they cost much less than the other two as well as DT331.

Would it be safe to assume that the DT331 sound even better?

 

[Skipinder]

Quote:

Originally Posted by zavar Thank you very much for every answer. It seems that we've narrowed the selection to 3 headphones: Koss portapro Senn HD497 Beyer DT231 It is interesting that some people think the DT231 are so good, since they cost much less than the other two as well as DT331. Would it be safe to assume that the DT331 sound even better?

I have heard the HD497 and portapros, I personally like the portapros better, I like it a lot better for metal. The high's are not harsh, and its got good bass.

No it would not be safe to assume that the DT331 are better. Many people think that the Grado SR60s are better than the SR80s. Although I have never heard any beyers.

 

[ad_boy]

I would personally go for the portapros. It is just my opinion after the research i have done.

 

[crazyfrenchman27]

Out of that list, I have only tried the Porta Pros and HD497s.

I think the Porta Pro/KSC75s clean house...be warned, though: they have tons of bass.

Currently listening to: "Killing Time" by Pennywise on my SR225s.

 

[zavar]

Skipinder, ad_boy, crazyfrenchman27 thanks to you too for your opinions.

After reading more on the forums I decided to overshoot my budget (

) and go for either the Beyer DT440 or AKG K-240S.

Beyers are the strongest candidate because eventhough some say they're uncomfortable, I think they'll sound better unamped (from my sound card).

 

[Skipinder]

Good decision! I have the AKG 240S, its a great can. However, these headphones really do need an amp. So you are probably making the right choice by going with the Beyers, if you are using them unamped. But, again, I have never heard any Beyers.

 

[zavar]

I just bought the DT440 so I thought I'd follow up with some first impressions.

Main disadvantage: Uncomfortable! The headband presses painfully on my head and makes me wanna take them off and listen from my speakers. I tried the AKG 240S in the store and they were fine in regards to comfort.

Soundwise they are bright phones and lack necessary bass. Not good for heavy metal. In fact after listening for a few minutes on my pc, my ears are buzzing. The AKG in contrast had deep natural bass but higher frequencies were lacking. That's what made me choose the Beyers over them after previewing them at the store, but on second thought they may have been a better choice.

Anyway, I'll try wrapping some foam around the headband. If that makes them comfortable, they won't be such a bad buy afterall.