[spike33]

I have a friend who's looking to get his first headphone. After trying out my cans, mainly grado sr60 and senn 555, he really liked the sound of the 555 and found the grado's a bit too bright. But he doesn't want to spend $100+ for them so he wants to know the how good are the 497 and 515 which are suppose to have similar sound to 555. Are their any other can to consider that's similar to 555 and are around the $50-100 range? He won't be using an amp.

 

[Loki Woods]

The 497's are ok. Just ok. Nothing special, but for the price it's a pretty decent headphone. IMO, for the sub-$100 category, it's either the SR60 or the 497. You can get them at RadioShack for $70 or so.

 

[HeavySoul]

I concur on the HD497. Just ok, that's what it is.

The MS-1 has to be the best one in the <$100 range, unless he is able to get an HD555 for cheap.

 

[necropimp]

unamped i'd say the 497s would be a better choice than the 515s

 

[ssingh0]

you can get 497's + mx400's for ~$40 at amazon.com

even if you don't want the mx400's you can probaly sell them for ~$10 NIB unopened

that's like $30

 

[HeavySoul]

I've just found a short review of Senn HD515 & 595 that could help.
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-...?reviewid=5132

 

[cylanes]

I have the HD 515 for three months now and I really enjoy them. They sound a bit darkish, but it`s ok. Good detail, everything is in balance imho.
It`s a pretty good allrounder. Doesn`t do anything bad or excellent. Just good. Great bang for your bucks I say

 

[necropimp]

but without an amp the 515s could be iffy... especially if you don't know if you have the 120ohm or 50ohm version

 

[1967cutlass]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loki Woods The 497's are ok. Just ok. Nothing special, but for the price it's a pretty decent headphone. IMO, for the sub-$100 category, it's either the SR60 or the 497. You can get them at RadioShack for $70 or so.

i agree. for under 100$ sr-60's are best, hd-497's are very good too.

 

[Rkawa]

I have the 515's and they sound good, I think they sound better amped, but my friend says that I am hearing things. my feeling is that the 515's were worth what I paid for them (just under $100). I have not heard the 497's so I cannot say anything about them. Honestly the 515's really sounded better after break in and these are my first set of "good headphones". As for the Grado's I have heard the SR60's and would like to buy a pair myself.
Just my 2 cents.