What is the best <$300 headphone without an amp?

[Applebean]

I'm looking to buy a pair of circumaural headphones (open or closed) with a budget of up to $300 (~270 USD). I don't have a headphone amplifier. Could anyone suggest which model would be the best for me? I was looking at HD595s, would they be a giant step up from HD485s?

 

[d-cee]

I'm guessing you mean AUD$300?

What kind of sound are you after? Music preferences?

 

[rxc]

Denon AH-D2000

 

[tourmaline]

Grado always sounds quite good out of a headphone socket. Other good headphones like sennheiser hd580, 600 or even hd650 need a good amplifier, also akg 701 needs a good amp.

So, for good out of the box into the socket sound, i would say grado, but it is an aquired taste. Grado highs aren't for everybody.

 

[jrosenth]

An option: audio technica, especially the open air version

 

[facelvega]

I think $200 is a good maximum for unamped headphones; the $300 ones won't do better unamped. An amped $200 will do better than an unamped one, of course, but then your total will start getting up to $300 anyway.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Ultrasone HFI700 DVD, whooo.

 

[da_bradler]

Sennheiser HD 595, sound great out of the socket don't take much power. Would be great for life with a computer or portable, although there a little large and sci fi looking to be walking around town with. real comfy. really open in my opinion sounds like your head is surrounded with sound. you should be able to find a good price online in your range

I bought mine because I needed something that I could handle longer sessions with. my grados SR80s touch my ears and the top of my ear gets sore after 2-3 hours.

 

[Andrew Jones]

Both my Senn 595s and Denon AHD-2000s sound great out of a Trekstor Vibez. I had the 595s first and was happy with them, but wanted some closed 'phones so that I can (from time to time) avoid accusations of being ant-social and listen to music in the same room as the rest of the family (while they watch **** on the TV

). I now rarely use the Senns, partly because I slightly prefer the sound of the Denons (not sure why though!) but mostly because I find them a lot more comfortable to wear (though if it's warm my ears do get a bit sweaty).

 

[Gurra1980]

Denon AH-D2000. It was a while since I wrote anything on this site. I don't see any big reason to be here since the D-2000 is the best headphone right now. I'm happy where I am, no more uppgradeitis (for now).

 

[leng jai]

HD595.

 

[ronnielee54]

Audio technica open cans
X2

 

[arteom]

can anyone compare the sound of the denon AH-D2000's amped vs unamped (mp3 player, soundcard)?

 

[pschweitz]

I am also looking into an unamped headphone, mostly for computer use through a sound card

I was looking at the hd595s (I have 650s and love them but have to get rid of them b/c I will be ampless)

how do 595s compare to AH-D2000 unamped?

anyone have experience with both?