New headphones for 80$. Suggestions?

[Florijan]

Need help choosing my first... What I am currently thinking is AKG Acoustics 141. Don't need the set for portable listening, just for my room listening. Music? Everything from classical till trip hop. A heavy accent on progressive rock (King Crimson, Jethro Tull, Velvet Underground etc...) They would be used for long periods of time, so i want something comfortable. Price? Under 100 dollars definitely, best if it was under 80.

 

[phonatic]

My pick in this price range (and others) would be Sennheiser HD497. So good I put my Grados up for sale.

 

[averydonovan]

Also check out the Sony MDR-V6. They work great for rock and electronic music, and are very comfortable. And they are only $70.

A lot of people here are recommending the Sony MDR-D66 Eggos. They are running $89 from Audio Cubes.

 

[phonatic]

Yeah, V6 are good too. The Senns might be the cheapest of the lot if you get refurbished ones from Sennheiser. I think they are still $49 from the web site.

Try them all and see what you like.

 

[Florijan]

thanks for all the advice. i checked out the senns, but did not like the reviews. the AKG k141 are off coz of me not having enough juice for 600 ohms they carry. the sony seemed like worthwhile, but are unavailable... but!

Grado SR60

great reviews, and just in my price range. comments on the headphones?

 

[00940]

"funnier than the senn"

seriously, they have some good points such as nice balance for rock, they are really funny to listen to. The senn sound a bit flat compared to the grado. The sound of the SR60 is more engaging. They are also more comfortable.

The cons are : they leak a lot of sound, some find the trebble a bit harsh, WWI look. They're all less "all around cans" than the HD497. With the senn you can listen to every style and be happy. I don't like the classical as much with the grado.

Croatia ? You will probably find the senns locally at decent prices. For the Grado you will have to order from the USA, they are overpriced in Europe (almost X2)

 

[phonatic]

Taste is a big factor. Still, for my taste, the HD497s sound better than my SR-60s ever did, has better construction, etc. Ultimately, don't buy someone else's review. Listen first, if you have the chance, then buy what you like.

 

[Florijan]

right...

as for the WWII look of the grados, well, call me kinky but i sort of like it. i can't stand the senns spacy look. i don't mind the sound leakage, and defenitely wish to have as flat a frequency response as possible. all in all, the grados get the thumbs up.

also i've stumbled upon the sony MDR-V500DJ phones. in croatia they cost as much as the grados (1oo dollars precise)... comments on that anyone?

basically that is what it comes down to: the grados, or the sony.

the grados don't come with a warranty, so can anyone comment their durability?

 

[Eagle_Driver]

Florijan, the Sony MDR-V500DJ is not good. It costs far more than it's really worth. In fact, I wouldn't pay more than about 20 bucks for that 'phone.

As for a warranty, Grados actually come with a one-year factory warranty (though you may have to ship the 'phones all the way back to Grado's factory in the USA -- Brooklyn, NY to be precise). Most Sony headphones come with only a 90-day (3-month) replacement-only warranty.

 

[phonatic]

My Grados always felt really fragile to me. Maybe they aren't, I don't know. I am easy on equipment, and after many years my SR-60s look and work as they did when they were new, except they sound better than new after the extended break-in period. The (uncomfortable) Grado donut pads wear very well, they are of a denser foam than headphone pads typically are, made possible because they are cut out in the center to let the sound through.

 

[ProFingerSk8er]

D66 EGGOS!!