The BEST full sized headphones for $30 USD or less (updated Nov. 27 2013)?

[mralexosborn]

DOWN DOWN Best Buy.

 

[tdockweiler]

My best buy had the Porta Pro's on display a few months ago, but this month the demo unit has been replaced with the UR-55 and the Porta Pros are no longer being sold in my store. That's too bad. The UR-55s are better to me anyway, but they're not exactly the most portable headphone ever. My store doesn't sell any UR-40s. I think my local Wal-Mart does though.

 

[mralexosborn]

Is my Best Buy the only one that only demos Monster products? -.-

 

[Anaxilus]

Quote:

Is my Best Buy the only one that only demos Monster products? -.-

No.  Mine does.
 
I saw some Portapros out and played with them.  Not my thing at all.  Felt really cheap, kept changing firmness setting everytime I handled them and the band sux and likes grabbing and pinching hair.

 

[Anaxilus]

Quote:

Well I guess that say something about someones hearing...

 
Fair enough.
 

 

[129207]

Quote:

I hope im not too late but IMO definately get the portapros!!!!! I demoed them on a convention today and it made my jaw dropped. Seriously!!!! My setup cost around 2000$ and the portapros sounded about 85% as good as my setup!!! I immediately bought one as a back up unit in case my HD 800 fails. Its that good!!!
 
My setup:
Macbook pro -> Carat Ruby MKII DAC -> AMB M^3 amplfier -> HD 800  

Terry Pratchett once wrote that the use of more than two exclamation marks at the end of a sentence is the first sign of the author's insanity and/or mental instability. By reading posts like that I know he was right. 

 

[trancetunes]

Just a quick update:  I should be ordering the Maxell DHP-II on Friday (August 6 2010)!

 

[earerror]

Quote:

Just a quick update:  I should be ordering the Maxell DHP-II on Friday (August 6 2010)!

I thought you already have them! OMG....cant wait for the impressions. 

 

[Maxvla]

Quote:

Terry Pratchett once wrote that the use of more than two exclamation marks at the end of a sentence is the first sign of the author's insanity and/or mental instability. By reading posts like that I know he was right. 

Quite right. I know nothing about the exclamation mark comment, but thinking the Portapros are 85% of an HD800 is definitely a sign of instability.
 

 

[Xombie11]

I find it interesting that OP jumped on the Maxells just because of one man's opinion. A convincing man, I'll admit, but just one man--and one that doesn't take kindly to accusations and finds it hard to backup his claims. Despite the hundreds, if not thousands of satisfied users of the JVCs and the PortaPros, as demonstrated by a HUGE showing online, OP opts for the DHP-IIs. I've yet to find more than three favorable reviews of the Maxells, because NO ONE has them. In fact, if Amazon counts, I've seen more negative ones. 
 
I'm not saying the Maxells aren't any good, but for all we know, they could sound awful. I would take Oli's advice with a grain of salt. And I certainly wouldn't trust his opinion on how these are far "superior" to any of the other options out there; he hasn't taken the time to describe the actual differences in sound, other than the occasional cryptic "I'd throw ___ in the river, these are so good." This is just one perspective you're hearing from--the JVCs have dozens of threads out there, a "cult" following, and mods galore. I just think your $30 could have been spent more wisely. 

 

[ljokerl]

Just because a product isn't popular doesn't mean it's not good. I have the Maxells. I've also heard every or almost every headphone mentioned so far in this thread and the Maxells would definitely rank near the top. 
 
The problem with 'cult followings' is that they don't change with the times. The PortaPros are good headphones but I hate seeing a barrage of portapro (or RX700 or PX100) recommendations every time a budget headphone thread comes up. It really doesn't give newer models the chance to gain a foothold in the consciousness of the community.

 

[AhokZYashA]

i think the HD202 is good enough for less than USD30
 
or you can get the PortaPro for a bit more than that..

 

[MrProggie]

The portapro's has always been the ordinary man's portable hifi-headphones. They sound great compared to the stock headphones coming with mp3 players. That's why we see so many wearing them on the subway and bus etc.
 
I remember I bought myself portapro's for my first MP3 player, a Samsung Yepp in year 2000. It was a real upgrade.

 

[trancetunes]

From what I understand the HD202 has horrible bass.  It's there, but it's not as finely tuned as other choices.
 
As far as my trusting Olimoronio on the Maxell DHP-II goes..Well, I spent some time looking at his posts around the forums, and he has apparently had a fair share of experience with other budget headphones.  Time and time again he has come back saying the Maxells were the best.  Not to mention the other couple of members on these forums that came back happy.  I know the PortaPro's are good.  I definitely am not denying that.  This whole time I knew that they were going to be my option to fall back on.  I just really preferred a headphone that covered the ear to be honest, and apparently the Maxell's compete quiet well with the PortaPro.  According to Olimoronio and others, they are even better (what was really nice is that he and others also compared them to my choices listed during this thread)!  After a long discussion over this, my instinct finally kicked in as well, and I feel comfortable with the Maxell's now.

 

[Kloug]

Philips SHP2500