Recommendation for closed back and over ear headphones for $200 that work well amped and unamped?
Jul 7, 2015 at 3:27 PM Thread Starter Post #1 of 27

ghart99999

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HI all. Newbie here wishing to spend up to $200 for some headphones that will sound great with an iPhone 6. If possible, I would like something that is efficient enough to play great with just the iPhone input yet also open up when using a portable amp.
 
Comfort is very important to me. I don't want something that feels like my ears are being crushed. Isolation is not overly important as I will be using these mainly at work which is quite enough. I listen to vocals, pop and rock. I am all for tight punchy base and crisp treble. I don't listen to rap, so boomy base is not important. Source music will mainly be highest quality settings on Pandora and Spotify (320kb I think).
 
Thank you all.
 
Jul 8, 2015 at 3:28 PM Post #2 of 27
I was able to listen to a few sets at Guitar Center this morning using my iPhone 6.
 
ATH-50X - Sounded quite nice, but I understand an amp may be useless with these. I really want something that sounds good alone, but really opens up with an amp.
 
Beyer DT770 Pro (80 ohm) - With no amp, these were useless to try. Volume level was so low. Plus these things are huge. I wish I could try the 32 ohm version.
 
Shure SRH840 - Not sure what I thought. Didn't like them more than the ATHs, but I don't know why. Would these open up with an Amp or is amping 40 ohm not worth it?
 
Thanks all.
 
Jul 8, 2015 at 3:57 PM Post #3 of 27
At $200 you're at a price point where, absent a great closeout on an upline can, you will almost certainly have to make some compromises.
 
Headphone comfort is a very individual thing.  Everyone has a different head size and shape, as well as different sensitivities and levels of sensitivity.  We can point you to headphones that are generally considered to be comfortable and mention others that have garnered complaints for being uncomfortable.  However, the only way to know for sure is to wear them yourself for a time equivalent to your longest listening session.
 
My suggestion is to spend $20 more and get a demo NAD VISO HP 50.  See:
 
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=1NAVIHP50
 
and
 
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/i-love-these-headphonesthe-nad-viso-hp50
 
Jul 8, 2015 at 9:46 PM Post #4 of 27
I just picked up a pair of AKG K545 recertified at Harmanaudio for <$100 USD and I'm more than plaesed with the sound out of a iPod touch/nexus 10. May want to look into them.
 
Jul 9, 2015 at 12:20 AM Post #6 of 27
Hey Kozic - thatnks for the suggestion. Can't beat the price. I am trying to order them now, but the Harmon website is saying they cannot process my order. Ugh.
 
Jul 9, 2015 at 1:37 AM Post #8 of 27
  Paypal worked. On their way...

You sir just got a steal 
beerchug.gif

 
Jul 9, 2015 at 11:31 AM Post #10 of 27
Thanks all. I am very excited. Having the Apple controls is another huge bonus. Now I need to look into an amp with the $100 I just saved.
 
I also ordered the Brainwavz HM5 pads.
 
Jul 9, 2015 at 11:54 AM Post #11 of 27
Thanks all. I am very excited. Having the Apple controls is another huge bonus. Now I need to look into an amp with the $100 I just saved.

I also ordered the Brainwavz HM5 pads.


Look into the E11K

http://www.amazon.com/E11K-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00MFMW29I

Or the E07K if you want a DAC too (get the L9 cord, even if you need to then get the Lightning to 30-pin adapter)

http://www.amazon.com/Fiio-E07K-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00A9LHLQ6/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1436457137&sr=1-5&keywords=fiio+e17&pebp=1436457155924&perid=19NC51EBM5T81Q2NYXWJ

I'm not sure that the iPhone/iPod controls will work through an external amp, though.
 
Jul 9, 2015 at 12:19 PM Post #12 of 27
Look into the E11K

http://www.amazon.com/E11K-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00MFMW29I

Or the E07K if you want a DAC too (get the L9 cord, even if you need to then get the Lightning to 30-pin adapter)

http://www.amazon.com/Fiio-E07K-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B00A9LHLQ6/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1436457137&sr=1-5&keywords=fiio+e17&pebp=1436457155924&perid=19NC51EBM5T81Q2NYXWJ

I'm not sure that the iPhone/iPod controls will work through an external amp, though.

Thanks for the suggestion on the E07K. Will an external DAC of this quality make much difference compared to the iPhone 6 DAC if I am only playing 320Kb music from Spotify and Pandora?
 
Jul 9, 2015 at 12:29 PM Post #13 of 27
Thanks for the suggestion on the E07K. Will an external DAC of this quality make much difference compared to the iPhone 6 DAC if I am only playing 320Kb music from Spotify and Pandora?


Not sure there. Someone who knows more about the DAC on the iPhone 6 would have to answer that one.

If you don't need or want the DAC, just get the E11K. That should do everything you need.
 

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