[jonathanjong]

I remember the day I was wow-ed by a pair of headphones. It was a pair of HD201s that I bought for 30 Singaporean dollars (~US$20). As soon as I could, I tore open the box and put the delicious pleather pads on my ears. I turned up DAP volume (I think it was a Philips CD player) up to max, and smiled as the music began and the outside noise faded away. This was an "upgrade" from some crappy street-style Sonys, which I paid MORE for (~RM90 or ~US$25), but which I' recently sold for NZ$5 (~$US2.50). Never bought a Sony headphone ever again.

A few years later, here I am, having spent a lot more than US$20. I still have my old HD201s. They're really beat-up, and cups swing too much because the bits of plastic have broken off, but I still put them on once in a while, when I lend out my other, better cans. I recognize their flaws now, of course, but I'm still amazed at how far US$20 can go.

Where did you start your addiction...I mean, journey?

 

[nsx_23]

Shure E2C got me into the world of audio.

 

[chews89]

My first step was a pair of Sennheiser MX51 earbuds because I had lost my ibuds. I did not do any research but was pleased with the improved bass response and overall clarity. Not a big step over the ibuds but they were better nonetheless.

About a year after, the headphone jack became loose and I got a pair of es7s

 

[Lazarus Short]

My first headphones worthy of the name were Stax SR-34's. They had good detail and so forth, but were weak in the bass.

 

[wuwhere]

An ER4S.

 

[Headphile808]

Sennheiser HD455 about 20 years ago, still got em', sounds exactly the same as they did back then.
Aloha

Headphile808

 

[Lil' Knight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Headphile808 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Sennheiser HD455 about 20 years ago, still got em', sounds exactly the same as they did back then.

Then we have proof that even with 20 years burn-in, the result is unchanged

 

[intoflatlines]

Shure E3c got me started. I was absolutely amazed with the sound isolation. I didn't know it was possible.

 

[hew]

Sennheiser seems to be winning this one. For me it was a HD595 which I just sold. I may replace it with a HD650 or HD800 if I can swing the breads.

 

[Suntory_Times]

Senn212pro's where my first pair of good headphones.

 

[Nick 214]

HD-555, with a DJ mixer as the amp...

Oh, how far I've come...

 

[Uncle Erik]

I had the Sony MDR-V6 for years. I used them all the time, then saw the HD-650 in a catalog I got. Decided to upgrade to those for Christmas 2005 and found this place shortly afterward.

 

[GreatDane]

HD414 around 1983.

 

[ruknd]

Grado SR60s right about when they first came out. I still have them.

 

[rjp]

Koss Pro-4AA, 30+ years ago. I'm that old?

Even new-out-of-the-box Grado SR60s are more comfortable.