[Blibbax]

So my HD201s snapped. I've had them for 6 years, and I was pretty happy with them, but then I've nothing to compare them with.
 
The only other recommendation I've received so far is for Sony XB300s.
 
They'll be used for music, movies, gaming and VOIP. No particular genre preference with music.
 
Source will always be onboard sound on a desktop PC.

 

[MattTCG]

Sounds like you want to keep them inexpensive? Panasonic htf-600's!! $30

 

[Blibbax]

Quote:

Sounds like you want to keep them inexpensive? Panasonic htf-600's!! $30

 
I can't find those in the UK for less than £29 (preferred budget in threat title). Why the strong universal recommendation?

 

[MattTCG]

Okay, you've stumped me...

 

[Ubersanger]

Maxell Retro DJ:
http://uk.maxell.eu/en/products/retro-dj-black-76.aspx
 
Not sure where you buy them over there, but they are same headphone as the FA-004 and the Brainwavz HM3, just for a lot less. here's the thread on the FA-004:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/485660/review-fischer-audios-fa-004'
 
I just found them in white in the Uk:
http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/-/3177/2444/-/28417140/Maxell-Retro-DJ-Headphones-in-White/Product.html
 
EDIT: I should add if you liked the HD201 sound, I can't imagine you would like the sound of the XB300. Overblown bass and they need a lot of help in the mids and treble. Almost a polar opposite of the HD201.

 

[Kerry56]

Koss KSC 75 if you can stand clip on type headphones.
 
Koss Porta Pro's are right at the top of your £20 budget and another good choice.
 
I'd take either of them in a heartbeat over those Panasonics, at least for sound quality.  Don't really like clip ons personally.

 

[Blibbax]

Quote:

Koss KSC 75 if you can stand clip on type headphones.
 
Koss Porta Pro's are right at the top of your £20 budget and another good choice.
 
I'd take either of them in a heartbeat over those Panasonics, at least for sound quality.  Don't really like clip ons personally.

Any idea how they compare to Sennheiser HD201s or Sony XB300s?

 

[JK1]

JVC HA-S160 "Flats" 
Radiopaq Jazz IEM on Amazon UK(10 quid-list price is 60 quid!)

 

[forensic fox]

Monoprice 8323

 

[charliex]

Quote:

Any idea how they compare to Sennheiser HD201s or Sony XB300s?

     At this low price point does it really matter?

 

[Blibbax]

Quote:

     At this low price point does it really matter?

Why would it not? If you wish to imply that all low-mid end headphones are the same, even I can tell you that you're terribly mistaken.
 
Thanks others for more helpful responses, I'll check them out.
 
Thanks also for the tip on the XB300s, Ubersanger.
 
EDIT: Monoprice appears to be a U.S. retailer, and the JVC item looks awful compared to others recommended above (and is widely available for £8 delivered, whatever its list price might be).
 
The Koss items look a little small, and I don't want or need to pay extra for portability.
 
I did some reading on the Maxell Retro DJs which suggested that they leak a bit of sound (which I suppose I could live with) but also, more worryingly, that they lack a lot of treble and bass. At this rate I look set towards another set of HD201s. They're actually £5 more expensive now than when I first bought them 6 years ago.

 

[Ubersanger]

Compared to HD201, the Maxell will have quite a bit more bass and it also has a strong peak in the upper treble (although a dip before that). This page has a frequency chart for another rebadge of the same headphone:
http://www.incipio.com/f38-Hi-Fi-Stereo-Headphones/Incipio-f38-Hi-Fi-Stereo-Headphones.asp
 
Compare it the HD201 chart here:
=473]http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID[]=473
 

 

[RobustOrange]

The JVC HA-RX 700. They have a plethora of mods you can do to them for cheap to enhance them. 
 
Also, the superlux HD 681 are recommended a lot around here for their good value.

 

[JK1]

Quote:

The JVC HA-RX 700. They have a plethora of mods you can do to them for cheap to enhance them. 
 
Also, the superlux HD 681 are recommended a lot around here for their good value.

The Superlux HD681 is under 20 quid on Amazon UK. The JVC HA-RX700 though is over 30 quid. The HD681 does look interesting, but large.

 

[Blibbax]

Quote:

Compared to HD201, the Maxell will have quite a bit more bass and it also has a strong peak in the upper treble (although a dip before that). This page has a frequency chart for another rebadge of the same headphone:
http://www.incipio.com/f38-Hi-Fi-Stereo-Headphones/Incipio-f38-Hi-Fi-Stereo-Headphones.asp
 
Compare it the HD201 chart here:
=473]http://graphs.headphone.com/graphCompare.php?graphType=0&graphID[]=473
 

Interesting, thanks. How much should I care about that dip in the 700-2k area on the Maxwells?
 
Quote:

The JVC HA-RX 700. They have a plethora of mods you can do to them for cheap to enhance them. 
 
Also, the superlux HD 681 are recommended a lot around here for their good value.

What kind of mods are we talking about? I'd rather not embark on some high-maintenance project right now, or compromise reliability.
 
Those Superlux ones look rather compelling, though. Graph for those here:
 

 
A review I read on this site mentioned that the highs were "too forward" and "piercing". Is this something that's going to bother me as a non-audiophile?