[Cogsworth]

Hello there head-fi!

For the past two weeks I've been tirelessly researching headphones in an attempt to find the right pair to begin my audiophile journey with. I've read countless reviews, gotten opinions from others, researched the technical aspects of the headphones (Impedance, frequency responses, amp vs. no amp), and in the end I've found that the best thing to do is talk to people who have owned them before and have first-hand experience.

My price range is, maximum, 180USD. The headphones I've been primarily looking at are: Grado SR80i, Sennheiser 280 and 555, Audio Technica ATH-A700, but there are many others in this price range, i'm sure.

I will not be using an amp, as getting both headphones AND a quality amp is well outside of my price range.

I'll be listening to everything from dubstep to harsh noise on these bad boys, so good bass response (which I hear is sadly lacking in HD555's) is a must in addition to decent hi's. Bass is more important to me than hi's.

As for my equipment, I am sadly limited to using my onboard soundcard, a relic from 2005. (It's a Soundmax integrated audio card if you really need to know.) I'll also be using these with my ipod if possible.

There you go, head-fi. Any help, and I mean ANY that you can provide will be extremely helpful, as you guys are easily the most experience headphone users I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Thanks!

 

[gbacic]

My grado SR60i's have pretty good bass response while listening to dubstep/drum n bass, they do very well when listening to noise so I'd recommend getting the SR80's, they can only be better than the SR60's.

merry Christmas

 

[charliex]

Alessandro MS-1's for $99 shipped. I also liked the similar Grado SR125 (over the SR225).

 

[RallyMaster]

Which headphone to start with? In my eyes, it has to be JVC HA-RX700. It's the one that started it all for me. The one that grabbed my attention the first time I put them on and still calls to me even though my original pair is half a world away at my cousin's place. I swear, every time I mention the RX700, the more I want my old pair back.

 

[Acix]

Try some used Ultrasones.

 

[Ham Sandwich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RallyMaster /img/forum/go_quote.gif Which headphone to start with? In my eyes, it has to be JVC HA-RX700. It's the one that started it all for me. The one that grabbed my attention the first time I put them on and still calls to me even though my original pair is half a world away at my cousin's place. I swear, every time I mention the RX700, the more I want my old pair back.

You get that excited about muffled mids? Yeah the overall tonal balance and sound is good for under $40, but you can do much better for the $180 the OP is willing to go.

 

[RallyMaster]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ham Sandwich /img/forum/go_quote.gif You get that excited about muffled mids? Yeah the overall tonal balance and sound is good for under $40, but you can do much better for the $180 the OP is willing to go.

Well, they might not work for you but they sure work for me. As far as I'm concerned, spending $40 for a disappointing headphone is sure as hell better than spending $180 for a disappointing headphone. I've not exactly been fully impressed by either of my more expensive headphones even after getting an amplifier. In fact, I spend more time finding faults with the more expensive equipment than I do actually enjoying the music.

My favorite audio purchase recently has been my SoundMagic PL-30 which was $4.50 after Paypal $20 cashback. If you heard it, you'd have a field day finding faults with it. But one fact will remain: I like it better than my Westone UM1 which costed me a ton more than I would pay for it now. I don't care who you are, but a very small amount of money spent on something satisfying sure as hell is better than spending a lot on something one doesn't enjoy.

 

[fenixdown110]

Or spend a lot on cans that DO sound good if you do the proper research and sample listening.

 

[aj-kun]

go used - if what you buy doesn't suit you put it back on the FS/FT forums.
I'm going to have to go with MS-1's as your first headphones, sound great, decent bass, light on ur head and comfortable (with comfs), if you get the bowls there is an improvment in sound but arent as comfortable - especially if you wear glasses. if your going to be using them portably, i suggest you buy a closed headphone or canalphone

 

[baka1969]

Try the Grado SR-80(i) with the Nuforce Icon Mobile. Make sure the Grado has the bowl pads (they can be purchased if needed) so you can use the tape mod for added bass impact. The Icon Mobile dac/amp will be a significant upgrade to the soundcard with your computer. The Nuforce is ultra portable and is smaller than the iPod Classic. Best of all, if you look on the Sales Forums, you can have it all for under budget. Even if you should choose the MS1/125 and the Nuforce, you'll be at your budget and is an excellent option.

Ross