[Uncle Erik]

I'd list the K-501, as well. I got a barely used pair for $100. Also picked up the 2003 DT880 around $150 on closeout, which was a bargain. Last, I snagged a lightly used HD-600 for $200. All three of those are terrific values. I've seen the current DT880 around $180, which is still a great deal.

 

[wae5]

Comfort is more important than SQ because if you won't wear it, it has no value. This is harder to accept in a phone than it is with underwear. This makes the MS1 more valuable than the SR325i/MS2 and the K501 more valuable than the K701. The Juin PK1 and the Stax Sr-003 are very comfortable and sound good too so they too are very valuable phones. The most valuable of all are the Senn MX400 and the Koss KSC-75 because they're very comfortable, sound good, and are very, very cheap.

 

[Mindless]

I think Grado SR225 at <$200 is a bargain.

KSC75 are also great.

 

[nickchen]

MS1 for 99$ / 80ish € is hardly to be beaten. Bought it back in 2006. Still my most prominent "everybody should have one" candidate.

KSC75 and alike also have an impressive bang-for-the-buck ratio, but tend to be abandoned when you get into contact with better gear. Not so the MS1. There's nothing ridiculus about the MS1, even if you have Stax or K701 or whatelse.

 

[^adm^]

if you can still find philips hp1000 would be best value headphone i think. SQ and Comfort wise.

 

[funkadelic]

Amongst new headphones

Creative EP-630
Senn HD201
KSC-75
FX-33 Marshmallows
PX100
KSC-75

Amongst second hand 'phones the Senn HD480 are available for next to nothing these days and still sound great.

Simon

 

[phunkfarm]

The game changer is a Monoprice M560 planar open box for $119 from the company with full warranty. In a completely different class in both sound quality and build from what has been previously mentioned. Can be used in both open and closed applications with real hardwood cups. Nothing comes remotely close. If this phone was being sold for $499, no one would blink an eye.

 

[metsat]

I have to say Sennheiser PX-100 II. I bought them for a very fair price. I can't recall how much, but they were cheap, and they sound great.