[Moocher]

I wouldn't bother with the SR80s, stick to the 60s. If you want, include a new pair of bowl pads that he can experiment with. The smaller jack will be much easier for him, and I prefer the comfies, anyway.

If someone had given them to me as a gift before I discovered them on my own, I would have been incredibly impressed, and thankful.

Mooch

 

[vvaffles]

is there a huge difference between the sr60s and 80s? because i can pick up a pair of the 60s here in canada for about 100 bux, and i dont have to go though the trouble of ordering online. what are bowl pads?

 

[Almoxil]

M-Audio Q40s. Bass quantity is good. Bass quality is ok. Depending on the music, the bass frequencies can overshadow the low-mids, making the sound a little muddy. Need EQ'ing with warm sources.

FWIR, the Audio Technica ATH-M50 may be another choice, although my experience with AT cans and their house sound isn't positive, when it comes to bass.

If he doesn't need isolation, the Koss PortaPros are cheap, sound great for their price and are readily available in most places.

 

[vvaffles]

mmm intresting.. leaning toward the dennon d1000s.

 

[charliex]

Grados are a GREAT gift to start your friend on the journey - a pair of SR 60's will allow you to add a PA2V2 portable amp to use in combination with his Nano (or even a Fiio E5) would be a nice combo.

 

[emelius]

have you ruled iems out?...

how 'bout klipsch image x5?...they're incredibly comfortable and come with tips & a case etc....it presents well...

also, they're forgiving of mp3 (something that i'm not)...

if you have to have full-size, take the SR60 over the SR80...

 

[mookowz13]

While I do think Grados are a great place to start a persons journey, I'm not sure if they're the best equipped for rap.

my suggestion? AKG K81djs, save for the long cord they have enough bass slam to be enjoyable and are easily driven. Not the most detailed can ever but very good for rap/hip hop. ~$70 new, much less used.

 

[deaconblues]

I'm surprised that the oldschool 80 ohm DT770 pro hasn't been mentioned yet.
Just $1 under your price limit

BEYERDYNAMIC DT770 DT 770 PRO 80 Headphones BRAND NEW - eBay (item 270376624550 end time May-18-09 14:13:15 PDT)

 

[Jewmeister]

definitely dont give iems as a gift, they are not for everyone and a $150 pair is not going to be that great of a step up for him. some grados (like the MS-1, surprised nobody mentioned this yet as it is the best grado at $110) would be totally amazing to his ears no matter what.

 

[.coco]

I would say go for the Denons over the Grados. The Grados leak like crazy, and at that price range, are kind of flimsy. Kind of a turn off to HiFi if it is your first set.

Maybe also check out some of the Ultrasones? I just picked up a HFI780 new for 150 shipped.

Denons and/or Ultrasones will probably be better with rap also.

 

[z50j]

I love bass, refer to my sig..

 

[Shoewreck]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jewmeister /img/forum/go_quote.gif definitely dont give iems as a gift, they are not for everyone

+1, quoted it to make the statement more noticeable.
The main weakness of IEM's is their main strenght - isolation. Even if it sounds great and fits perfectly, isolation may turn it into a pure hell (good if not literally) while on the street.

 

[d(((--)))b]

I was into rap music last year( I still listen to afew, but not so much). I owned a pair of Pioneer hdj1000s. And these phone are very bassy and I love ther looks..

 

[lutwey]

ms1/sr 60 would make a pretty nice gift.

 

[emelius]

well i'm taking you two off the x-mas list

...

iems are great for travel...i'm huge into Grado, but i wouldn't wear them on, say, a bike ride...

there are some very good iems at or around that price...if you're trying to get someone interested in the hobby, SR60 may not bowl them over...might leave them flat (sorry)...

guess i didn't add much...i still say iems or Grado SR60...just depends on the person's tastes/situation...