[Tanz]

Alright,
I know this sort of question ("what should I get for xxx$?") is quite the common appearance on this board, but please don't lose interest yet.

I've been thinking about picking up a decent set of headphones to use at home for a while, so when I was reading a different set of forums and came across a recommendation for Pioneer HDJ-1000s, it caught my interest. With further research, I worked out a set of pros for this pair of phones: They fit my budget, they (supposedly) sound great for my music types (harder rock and some electronica), and they have good insulation (not necessary, but a bonus).

Looks to be a pretty solid purchase to me (being able to test 'em would be nice, but I am nowhere near a good place to do so).

Anyway, I could use your guys' input: Are these any good? Or: What is better for around $130 or less?

Finally, I'm no audiophile, but I do know what good music (and equipment) sound like, so if an item isn't totally perfect, I probably wouldn't notice, but if it sounds like tin (or crap) I'll know

 

[Duncan]

Hi Tanz, Welcome to Head-Fi

I don't know about the Pioneers, but a couple more to add to the mixing pot...

Sennheiser HD25 / HD25SP (the HD25 could be out of your price-range, and the HD25SP is cheaper... and not so good, but could still be worth an audition)
Ixos Ministry of Sound DJ1001
Sennheiser HD280 (although these might sound a little weak for the music style that you're after)

Just my $0.02

 

[bangraman]

I had one on my head for... about as long as it took me to write all my replies on this board yesterday. I got one of the first ones outside Japan, burned it in, listened to it and put it in the classifieds the next day. It (of course) sold on the day that the ad went to print, and the buyer was about as ecstatic as I was to be rid of it.
It's a DJ phone and it's designed to take a lot of power, but the HD212-like feel meant that I was never tempted to put them on again. It's certainly that kind of sound that you go 'hey, that's POWERFUL dude' when you put them on in a shop. But it's got no quality about it whatsoever. It's brighter and cheaper sounding than the Sony MDR-V700DJ.
I would recommend the MDR-7506. In terms of what you hear it has a similar frequency range to the HDJ-1000, however this has a fairly crisp punch in the bass that kicks the ass of many other phones costing double or triple the price and although it's very bright there's nothing in the sound that feels particularly low-quality.

 

[Tanz]

Ok,
So suddenly the Pioneers are no longer on the table (glad I asked you guys for input, would have hated to get stuck with crappy phones), so now I've got to look for something else.

Duncan,
You were right, the HD25 is a little out of my pricerange , however, the Ixos DJ1001 seems like they might be a good fit. I read a review that made these seem like the best thing since sliced bread (Read it Here), and so those are now on the list of alternatives. Has anyone here used them?

Meanwhile, I' m out of time for now, so I'll finish checking out your guys' suggestions later.

Thanks a ton,
Tanz

 

[Duncan]

Hi again Tanz...

I'm glad you found a favourable review of the DJ1001s

Another couple of potentials to throw in... just to give you plenty of variety...

As Bangraman says, the MDR-7506, which retails about $110 would be another firm favourite from this site (or... their cheaper, and near enough identical relatives... MDR-V6 (NOTV600s) which, can - if you're lucky be found for about $60)

All we've recommended at the moment is closed 'phones...

but another, although contentious in terms of overall comfort, that fits into your price bracket would be the Grado SR-80... although this is an open backed design... so would let sound in... and out... these can be picked up for under $100...