[zogo13]

Hello, I'm in the market for a pair of closed-back (since I would like some noise isolation) music only headphones, that work in a variety of genres, (Il be listening mainly to alt-rock, rock, some pop, instrumentals and a few other things) that I can also use on the go (the headphones). I'm a bit overwhelmed by the amount of options, since I'm somewhat new to audio so I'd like some suggestions.

 

[jodgey4]

Got a budget so we can throw some suggestions? Also, what source will you be using, a phone mostly?

 

[zogo13]

My budget is 400$ currently although id like to keep it more towards 300$, it will be used with a phone, and also a PC with a sound card and amp.

 

[jodgey4]

A great headphone I've auditioned in that range is the NAD HP50... mids>bass>treble for tonal balance, great soundstage for a closed options, pretty easy to drive, but scales up nicely... clean, slightly warm sound... yadda yadda yadda. Check this page for some good go-to's as well - http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/innerfidelitys-wall-fame-full-size-sealed. If I think of any others, I'll let you know.

 

[jodgey4]

B&W P6 is another option I think, someone has a thread comparing it to the NAD.

 

[KG Jag]

The best cans that fit your needs and budget (based on U.S. pricing), listed in order from the warmest to the most neutral are the NAD VISO HP 50, PSB - M4U-1 and Focal Spirit Pro.  See:
 
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/i-love-these-headphonesthe-nad-viso-hp50
 
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/two-strike-zone-focal-spirit-professional-and-spirit-classic
 
and
 
http://www.cnet.com/products/psb-m4u-1/
 
Also very good, but a bit more studio vs. portable oriented is the Sony MDR 7520.  It would appear on my list above next to the FS Pro.

 

[zogo13]

Thanks for the suggestions, but I've tried the Bower and Wikins and I find them very uncomfortable, also the HP50, while I liked the audio quality looked silly on my head, and I got some strange looks when I would wear them outside of my house, what about the V-mods M-100 and Beyerdynamic DT 770?

 

[money4me247]

v-moda m100 has a v-shaped sound signature with pretty heavily emphasized bass. great if you are into edm, dubstep, electronic, rap, hip hop. note: if you end up getting them, you have to buy the XL memory cushions pads. without it, comfort was an issue for me.
 
other suggestions in the $300 or less range include the sony mdr-1r (amazing comfort), sennheiser momentum over-ear (great BQ, extremely light), and akg k545. don't be fooled by pricing. pricing does not really equate to sound quality. a lot of these older models or more under the radar headphones are priced more competitively and are worth a look cheers.
 
note: also, note that neutrality is something that a lot of audiophiles here value very highly, but colored headphones sound great as well if you find a sound signature you like. nothing wrong with non-neutral headphones. depends on your music listening preferences what sound signature you enjoy! kinda have to try & figure it out yourself.

 

[zogo13]

What about the AKG K555? Are they any better and good for on the go use? Also, the headphones you recommended do they provide good noise isolation? 

 

[money4me247]

  What about the AKG K555? Are they any better and good for on the go use? Also, the headphones you recommended do they provide good noise isolation? 

mmm never head of the akg 555. there's the akg k550 and akg 551 (basically the same thing except the k551 has removable cables). those are amazing headphones, but not really suitable for on-the-go-usage. They have legit enormous earcups. the k550 has a 3m non-removable cable and don't collapse, so not very portable. the k551 has the removable cables, but still are sooo big, I can't realistically imagine lugging em around or wearing em in public. the akg k545 is more suitable for portable usage.
 
in terms of noise isolation, all the headphones I've listed provide decent passive noise isolation. been a while since I've owned them, so my memory is a bit fuzzy about which ones isolate the best, but from memory I remember that the m100 have vents to improve sound quality so they actually do leak out quite a bit of sound. (my friends commented on that while we were studying in the library - big nono hahah). the momentum has a more on-ear fit may make it's noise isolation not as good as its competitors, but honestly I can't say for 100%. all those headphones are designed for portable usage and are closed, so passive noise isolation is solid.

 

[Lorspeaker]

http://www.marshallheadphones.com/headphones/monitor/monitor-black

 

[zogo13]

Oops, sorry my bad  meant to right AKG 550, about the 545's do they have large ear cups, since I have large ears and are they heavy?

 

[money4me247]

  Oops, sorry my bad  meant to right AKG 550, about the 545's do they have large ear cups, since I have large ears and are they heavy?

 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/653032/size-matters-earpad-hole-measurements-for-over-ear-headphones/15#post_10119942
 

AKG K545 - Circular Earpads Measurements   
Earpad
Inner Diameter (Of Pad) - 74mm
Outer Diameter (Of pad) - 85mm
Outer Diameter (Of headphone) - 86mm
Outer Diameter (Of the pad itself, the part not attached to the headphones) - 90mm 
Thickness - 20mm

 
Weight, 282 g
http://us.akg.com/akg-product-detail_us/akg-545-black.html

 

[zunehdrocks]

If you want something fun sounding, theres the yamaha pro 500.The price has dropped from $400 to $250 in the US.
http://www.head-fi.org/products/yamaha-pro-500
http://www.head-fi.org/t/628488/yamaha-pro-headphones
http://www.head-fi.org/t/653626/yamaha-hph-pro-500-review
 
Neutral cans:
beyerdynamic dt150
http://www.head-fi.org/products/beyer-dynamic-dt-150-compact-closed-headphone-250-ohms
http://www.head-fi.org/t/265251/beyerdynamic-dt-150-bloody-brilliant
 
soundmagic hp100
http://noblehifi.blogspot.com/2012/10/soundmagic-hp100-review.html
That link has a little comparison with the hp200 ,k550, and dt880 btw

 

[zogo13]

Can I drive the HP100 with a phone?