What are the best headphones for casual listening and are 150 or under, preferably under?

[embesher]

I am currently looking for my first major headphone purchase. I'm looking for a good pair of headphones that will suit a very wide range of music. I want a pair of headphones that not only will give me an accurate representaion of the music recorded displaying suddleties in the vocals and instruments with good tone but something that can also deliver that full resonating theater type sound. Also an ideal would be something that is not to tinny, but also not to bass heavy, a balanced sound is what I am looking for with clear mids and clear and precise bass and highs. Forgive me for I am not very experienced i the field of headphones. I listen to a wide range of music though and I'm really seeking something that does this music justice. I listen to everything from early classical, rock n' roll, blues, jazz, folk, country, soul, r&b, motown to reggae, hip-hop and rap to more contemporary forms of the music just mentioned: rock and pop, folk, etc. I also really enjoy metal whether it be something like power metal, alternative metal, symphonic metal or something more extreme such as death metal or black metal. I will be listening to these at school, at home, on walks, on road trips and would like a decent amount of noise isolation that doesn't disturb the sound to much. I thought the shure srh440's looked fairly good and I'm tempted by the bose onear and overear from listening to them at target and best buy. Thank you and sorry for my obliviousness to the world of headphones but I did my best to give a good description of what I'm looking for.

 

[sml1226]

If you don't need noise cancelling, I would not recommend the Bose. They're great for what they were designed for (comfort and noise cancelling) but there are better phones out there for sound quality. I haven't heard too much myself, so I'm not the best person to be recommending headphones, but both the Grado SR-125i and the Sony MDR-V6 have been nice to me.

The Grado isn't the most comfortable (in fact it's one of the least comfortable on ear headphones I've ever worn with the stock setup) but they sounded great. Bass is there without really demanding attention, they mids are amazing, and the highs sparkle through well. For the rock and metal side, those are great, though they do beg for a new headband and depending on your tastes, possibly new pads.

The Sony are closed and isolate pretty well, the have a lot more bass than the Grados, sometimes it feels a bit too much, but that can be fixed through EQ if you find it to be too much though I have never found it that overpowering. The highs are energetic yet again yet a little less so than the Grados. This mids suffer a lot in this comparison but Grado is known for their midrange. The Sony however is far more comfortable, and I found the isolation to be more of a necessity than the advantage in SQ back when I had both. The V6 handle just about everything I throw at them pretty well, some things better than others, but nothing particularly badly.

I'd wait for more recommendations from others, but there are two options within your range (unless you are outside of the US in which case the Grados are probably out of budget though the Alessandro MS1 is supposed to be a lot like the SR125 at the price of an SR80)

 

[embesher]

Thank you very much for that information. I will definitely do some research on those headphones, I've heard a lot about sony and grado more so, the only thing about grado is it throws me a bit that they use the exposed foam ear pads, what are your views on this? Also do you know anything by chance about the Shure srh440s?
 
~Thank you

 

[MalVeauX]

Quote:

I am currently looking for my first major headphone purchase. I'm looking for a good pair of headphones that will suit a very wide range of music. I want a pair of headphones that not only will give me an accurate representaion of the music recorded displaying suddleties in the vocals and instruments with good tone but something that can also deliver that full resonating theater type sound. Also an ideal would be something that is not to tinny, but also not to bass heavy, a balanced sound is what I am looking for with clear mids and clear and precise bass and highs. Forgive me for I am not very experienced i the field of headphones. I listen to a wide range of music though and I'm really seeking something that does this music justice. I listen to everything from early classical, rock n' roll, blues, jazz, folk, country, soul, r&b, motown to reggae, hip-hop and rap to more contemporary forms of the music just mentioned: rock and pop, folk, etc. I also really enjoy metal whether it be something like power metal, alternative metal, symphonic metal or something more extreme such as death metal or black metal. I will be listening to these at school, at home, on walks, on road trips and would like a decent amount of noise isolation that doesn't disturb the sound to much. I thought the shure srh440's looked fairly good and I'm tempted by the bose onear and overear from listening to them at target and best buy. Thank you and sorry for my obliviousness to the world of headphones but I did my best to give a good description of what I'm looking for.

 
Brainwavz HM5
Beyer DT770 (used)
CAD MH310
AKG K271 MKII
Ultrasone PRO 550
 
Very best,

 

[spierce]

Try finding a used pair of Grado SR225i or Sennheiser HD580 (discontinued but if you wait, you'll find some). 

 

[embesher]

@MalVeauX, what are some of the standouts on those pairs

 

[embesher]

Thank you all for the suggestions. Getting a good vibe with these headphones. Does anybody have any experience with the Shure SRH440s?

 

[manveru]

 
Quote:

Thank you all for the suggestions. Getting a good vibe with these headphones. Does anybody have any experience with the Shure SRH440s?

I would try and audition these first or buy from somewhere with a good return policy. Possible comfort issues due to very shallow pads and a thick unpadded headband that can create a pressure spot on the top of the head for some. I couldn't wear them for more than 15 minutes. Some people can wear them for hours. YMMV.

 

[embesher]

Thank you all. I am still unsure on what I want but this has gotten my mind focused in on my decision.

 

[peck1234]

Currently have a pair of 440's.   No bass, very bright and thin sounding to me.   Very uncomfortable.
 
 

 

[manveru]

 
Quote:

Currently have a pair of 440's.   No bass, very bright and thin sounding to me.   Very uncomfortable.

The bass can come out to play depending on the recording, but in general I did find it to be slightly less than neutral. They do exhibit a treble spike as well. Very nice clean mids and punchiness though.
 
embesher: The HM5 are quite well-rounded. Very balanced sound, comfy, and decent isolation. 

 

[He11fire217]

I would like to second the recommendation of the Sony MDR-V6 (it's also identical to the MDR-7506, depending on who you ask). I own the 7506 version and they really are amazing headphones for the price. They can be found online for $99 and I am always surprised that they're not mentioned more often for beginners here on Head-Fi.
 
They have a nice, even sound, with good bass (and sub-bass if that's your thing), and slightly pronounced treble which gives you above average detail. I had to spend a lot more than I paid for the Sonys to find headphones that I thought sounded obviously better than my 7506s. The only downside I have found to them is the studio-length coiled cord. In my case, I modified mine so that they have a breakaway cord so I can use whatever length that I need, so even that doesn't bother me anymore. Their durability/reliability is near-legendary, but if they do break, they're studio monitors, so they're designed to be relatively simple to work on and all the parts of replaceable. I use them as my primary portable full-size set of headphones and don't see that changing anytime soon.

 

[embesher]

I went to guitar center today and honestly fell in love with the ATH-M50s. I also liked the Shure SRH-440s. I also really liked the Sennheiser HD280s and they were highly praised by many there. They seemed to almost to have a fog over their crisp and exquisite sound. They did not have the ones mentioned hear available and I'm weary of buying something I haven't heard.

 

[roma101]

For a substantial upgrade over the V6, take a look at the KRK KNS-8400. These headphones are better than what they cost (usually between $100-$150). These have great detail. If you want something less pricey the Creative Aurvana Live is a lovely headphone also. I don't think you can go wrong with either of these or the M50, although I personally prefer the first two over the M50.
 
Do a little research on the HM5 while you're at it. I haven't heard them but a lot of people love them and call them a 'closed Sennheiser HD600.'
 
Edit: Also if you're open to on-ear and something more portable overall with good soundstage, the V-MODA M-80 is worth looking out. Great, big, fun sound packed in a small portable.

 

[embesher]

Quote:

For a substantial upgrade over the V6, take a look at the KRK KNS-8400. These headphones are better than what they cost (usually between $100-$150). These have great detail. If you want something less pricey the Creative Aurvana Live is a lovely headphone also. I don't think you can go wrong with either of these or the M50, although I personally prefer the first two over the M50.
 
Do a little research on the HM5 while you're at it. I haven't heard them but a lot of people love them and call them a 'closed Sennheiser HD600.'
 
Edit: Also if you're open to on-ear and something more portable overall with good soundstage, the V-MODA M-80 is worth looking out. Great, big, fun sound packed in a small portable.

What are there strong points over the ATH-M50s? I just loved the response from the ATH-M50s and really don't want to buy something at this price I haven't heard. What are your views on the 280s and also what do you think about the ATH-M45s and m30s in comparison to the m50s.