[mtverse]

Looking to buy a new pair of headphones. I currently have a pair of Beats Solo HD (I know they're frowned upon here, but they were a present a few years ago) and looking to upgrade.
 
My budget is about $100-$200. I'm definitely looking for closed ones, preferably circumaural, and should be portable. I'll mostly be listening with them on my phone and laptop. I'll be living in a dorm as well so minimal amounts of sound leakage and noise isolation. I guess I'd describe my musical taste as pop, singer-songwriter, acoustic, and rock. So definitely not a bass head.
 
Here's a couple songs to help:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZOJsl2RB94
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V5Wx2B4Dhs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE0EduRhlao
 
I've been looking at the Ultrasone Hfi-780, Shure SRH440, and Sennheiser HD 25-1 II.

 

[gr8one698]

Looking to buy a new pair of headphones. I currently have a pair of Beats Solo HD (I know they're frowned upon here, but they were a present a few years ago) and looking to upgrade.
 
My budget is about $100-$200. I'm definitely looking for closed ones, preferably circumaural, and should be portable. I'll mostly be listening with them on my phone and laptop. I'll be living in a dorm as well so minimal amounts of sound leakage and noise isolation. I guess I'd describe my musical taste as pop, singer-songwriter, acoustic, and rock. So definitely not a bass head.
 
Here's a couple songs to help:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZOJsl2RB94
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0V5Wx2B4Dhs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE0EduRhlao
 
I've been looking at the Ultrasone Hfi-780, Shure SRH440, and Sennheiser HD 25-1 II.

Greetings! You'll get a lot of great recommendations from the more senior members here but if I may, I'd like to throw my vote for the Logitech UE 6000. Great overall sound, under $200 and gives you a similar hip "beats" look (don't know if that's good or bad). If you're really on a tight budget, the Skullcandy Aviators are quite decent, especially since you're not a "bass head." The white model can be had at some Best Buy for about $70 on clearance. If you're lucky enough to find the Harman Kardon CL at Best Buy for $99 on clearance, they are quite good as well. Good luck on your hunt and enjoy the college life!

 

[BillsonChang007]

Hello!

I would suggest;
UE6000
SRH-840


Billson

 

[DrSheep]

Get the Audio Technica ATH-M50 for about $160, it is a good bench mark beginner set prepare you for Head-Fi heaven later.

 

[JK1]

Save your money. Listen to the $25 JVC HAS400. I think you will be very impressed. Can you sell the Beats?

 

[mtverse]

Thanks for all the recommendations guys!
I didn't really feel the UE6000's based on the reviews I read about it.
The M50's seem like they'd have too much bass for me.
 
JVC HAS400 seem decent from the reviews I've read, but I probably won't be upgrading headphones to more than $200 for a good 5 years or so. Will they last me that long? Are the HK and SRH840 significantly better than the JVC's?
 
SRH840s seem right up my alley, but how bad is the sound leakage? I'll also probably be bringing them to the library and stuff where it'll be pretty quiet, and I read on a review that it's kinda noticeable in quiet room (though not too much of a nuisance).
 
The HKs seem pretty amazing as well! Though I think I'd prefer the BTs over the CLs.
 
So my next question is HK BTs or SRH840s?

 

[JK1]

The JVC HAS400 sounds great and seems very solidly built. How long it lasts though will depend on how you treat it.
At under $25 though, if it doesn't last over 5 years,then if you do need to buy another one it wouldn't be so bad.

 

[cel4145]

I have a pair of JVC-SA400. Nice headphones for the price, but you can definitely do better with your budget. Since you want your headphones to last, I'd go with the ATH-M50 over the JVCs. More durable build quality. This is assuming you can get them for $125 or less. There are better values for more money. For example, Sony MDR-1R if you can find them for $200. Check the last week or two of the deals thread to see if there are deals on the M50s and/or other headphones you might be interested in: http://www.head-fi.org/t/651409/the-deals-thread-ii-read-the-first-post

The Ultrasone HFI-780 you listed have excellent isolation and durability, but not my first choice for your music interests.

 

[BillsonChang007]

All headphones will last long as long as you don't crank up the volume, throw it around! Last but not least, keep them away from dusty environment!

Billson

 

[mtverse]

I think I'm looking at either the SRH440 or the M50. Reading around, the SRH 440 is supposed to be more neutral (with better mids for lack of better words), while the M50 are supposed to be a bit more V shaped? So the SRH440 sounds more appealing to me. Though I'm worried about the SRH440's build quality after reading a thread about how the SRH940 was prone to cracking and a couple of SRH840's cracking as well. Couldn't really find anything about the SRH 440 cracking often like the SRH940, so was wondering if any of you guys knew anything about it? If the SRH440 are prone to cracking often like the SRH940, then I'd probably opt for the M50. Hope that all made sense. Lol. And thanks for all the help guys!

 

[BillsonChang007]

Quote:

I think I'm looking at either the SRH440 or the M50. Reading around, the SRH 440 is supposed to be more neutral (with better mids for lack of better words), while the M50 are supposed to be a bit more V shaped? So the SRH440 sounds more appealing to me. Though I'm worried about the SRH440's build quality after reading a thread about how the SRH940 was prone to cracking and a couple of SRH840's cracking as well. Couldn't really find anything about the SRH 440 cracking often like the SRH940, so was wondering if any of you guys knew anything about it? If the SRH440 are prone to cracking often like the SRH940, then I'd probably opt for the M50. Hope that all made sense. Lol. And thanks for all the help guys!

The SRH-440 might as well have cracking issue as well, never happen to me but the build quality is something that you need to take care of!
 
Billson