[jordannn15]

I am looking for a pair of open back full size over ear headphones that will suit my needs. I listen to mostly hip-hop/rap but I also listen to rock, pop, indie, and some country. I like a neutral sound. I will be using this mostly off of my laptop at home and I do not have a dac and/or an amp. I will most likely get a dac and amp combo later on just not right now. What is the best pair of cans for under $500 that you guys would recommend to me?

 

[obobskivich]

"At home" says "isolation doesn't matter" to me, but "off my laptop" says "mobile user." Those two usually don't comport (if you're going to use these mobile, a closed-back can would be better).

Anyways, for an open can given your budget: Sennheiser HD 600 and pick up an amp (there's tons of options) while you're there - whole thing will be out the door for under $500 and do a good job with anything you throw at it.

 

[lugnut]

I would take a hard look at Audioquest Nighthawks, while they are on sell for $348. They are a very nice sounding headphone with great sub bass. Which would give you the bass for hip-hop & rap, and very good mids for vocals. The high frequency is there but no harshness at all. Just a great buy especially for the sale price ! After the wooden colored ones are gone, they will be back up to normal price of $599.

 

[obobskivich]

I would take a hard look at Audioquest Nighthawks, while they are on sell for $348. They are a very nice sounding headphone with great sub bass. Which would give you the bass for hip-hop & rap, and very good mids for vocals. The high frequency is there but no harshness at all. Just a great buy especially for the sale price ! After the wooden colored ones are gone, they will be back up to normal price of $599.

Just out of curiosity: they're going to become non-wooden colored at $599 too?

 

[jordannn15]

"At home" says "isolation doesn't matter" to me, but "off my laptop" says "mobile user." Those two usually don't comport (if you're going to use these mobile, a closed-back can would be better).

Anyways, for an open can given your budget: Sennheiser HD 600 and pick up an amp (there's tons of options) while you're there - whole thing will be out the door for under $500 and do a good job with anything you throw at it.

 
I will be using them at home just don't have a desktop, so I will be listening to them off of my laptop or iphone 7 plus for now until I get an amp too. How about the Hifiman HE-400i headphones? Was looking between these and the HD600's and some are saying they are better especially because they are planars. 

 

[obobskivich]

I haven't heard the HE-400i that I'm aware of (I recently got to demo a number of HiFiMan cans; none really impressed me and they're all so blessed heavy), but I would strongly object to any reasoning that's "they are better because they are [some generalizable quality]" (e.g. "they are better because they are open" or "they are better because they are blue" or whatever). This is an admittedly limited/biased comparison given that I don't own any of the HFM cans, and lived with Senns for almost 6 years, but I'd take the Senns (if for no other reason than they're not so blessed heavy).

 

[HipHopScribe]

I've found the Nighthawks to be great for hip-hop and most genres I've thrown at them. HD600s need an amp and I don't personally think they're great for hip-hop, not enough bass impact or extension

 

[MannerPylon]

   
I will be using them at home just don't have a desktop, so I will be listening to them off of my laptop or iphone 7 plus for now until I get an amp too. How about the Hifiman HE-400i headphones? Was looking between these and the HD600's and some are saying they are better especially because they are planars. 

I would be wary of anyone telling you flat out that a pair of headphones is "better' because they're planars.
 
They're a different sound, which is up to you to judge if you do. I personally love me some good planars or dynamic headphones. Choose based on sound, not based on technology. There's nothing in either tech that makes one superior to the other.

 

[Monsterzero]

I've found the Nighthawks to be great for hip-hop and most genres I've thrown at them. HD600s need an amp and I don't personally think they're great for hip-hop, not enough bass impact or extension

Agreed...I think HD600s are a very good headphone,if not legendary,but like many others,after owning them for awhile I found them "boring"...not enough slam for trance,not enough bite for metal,not enough soundstage for classical etc....They dont suck with anything,but theyre not the best at anything either IMO.

I also agree that just because a headphone is a planar doesnt automatically make it better sounding,it is def subjective.However I am one of those dudes who does like planar sound for a lot of music.I own 2 planar headphones with a 3rd on its way...but i like dynamic headphones too...as has been said before its a matter of tastes.

 

[lugnut]

Yes, I believe the new color is called carbon.