[spaceman]

I am looking for a good set of headphones for $100.00 or less. I mainly listen to classical and ambient/space, but I do listen to other stuff like Dido, John Hiatt, etc. No hard rock/rap. I'm looking for something comfortable as I like to lay in bed or on the couch while listening. This will be for home use equipment, not portable. I would also like something that will sound good with or without a headphone amp. Any recommendations on a sub $200.00 amp would be appreciated as well. Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Alan

 

[wildmonkeysects]

A set of Grado SR-60s might fit the bill.

The headband can be bent to shape, so comfort vertical or horizontal is no prob.

Not the cleanest in the world, but I find usually listenable. I think a good value at that pricepoint, probably a good set of engineering tradeoffs.

There will be some strong opinions pro and con on this one, though...

Handy with a slobbering iron? DIY is a good way to go for high value for a driver.

 

[bangraman]

If the MDR-7506 is the same as the V6 as people say here I suppose the MDR-V6 is a great headphone for much less than $100 and I would take it over the Grado, even the slightly higher up models, any day. I didn't see what the fuss was about with the Grado SR60, or maybe it's my cloth ears playing up again.

 

[radrd]

Quote:

Would Appreciate Some Advice (I'm new to this)...

Leave now, or your wallet will never forgive you!!!!!!

Which almost precludes the obligatory: Welcome to Head-Fi, Sorry about your wallet!

I'm not sure what to recommend, but maybe the Sennheiser HD497 would be a good choice? I'm not sure about the comfort level, but as far as cans below $100 go, they are supposed to be pretty great sounding. Plus they don't require an amp. Don't buy them based on my speculation, but you might be able to find more information with a search.

 

[wildmonkeysects]

Yes, the V6s sound more wideband and less fuzzy than the SR60s, but to my ears, the highs have more of an artifice to them.

Different set of engineering tradeoffs, and of course, taste.

The V6s were not as comfy for horizontal listening on my head...in fact rather uncomfy.

Forgot to mention the obvious...don't believe any of us, including me, without having a listen/feel for yourself somewhere if possible.

If you can score an old Scott 222c or 222d (look at www.hhscott.com) at a garage sale somewhere for cheap, they drive the SR60 quite nicely.

 

[DarkWolf]

Well, I hate to reccomend something I haven't heard personaly, but the Sennheiser HD 280pro might be good for you. They seem like Senn's answer to the V6, and from what I've heard from others it's a damn good one. Several people here like their 280s quite well. I have heard the V6 though, twice, under different conditions with different music. It wasn't bad, I mean, it would be hard to really complain about these. The sound stage is somewhat lacking though, to put it kindly. But the sound itself is good. The V6 seems like the perfect phone for your average Joe, it's affordable, foldable, rugged, it sounds good, it doesn't need an amp, and our average Joe here probably won't realize there is anything more to be desired with the sound stage. If I personaly wanted a phone like the V6 I would spring for the 280 based on what I've heard about it.

I'm still in the saving and researching stage my self, and it looks like I'll end up with the HD590 unless the new Audio Technica phones get really good reviews here when they become availible. I'll probably buy the 590s and HA-1 Headamp from Meier-Audio as a combo to save money, unless the previous statment takes effect. Anyway, the 590s are not in the <$100 range and the HA-1 is not in the <$200 range. The V6 and the 280 and several other things are. If you get the V6 for <$70 I'd call it a safe buy. Even if they don't blow you away they should at least be worth the money. Not as sure about the 280 but word on the street is that they're a bit better. They also block more sound, if it matters to you.
As for amps? Now I'm really over my head. It seems to go cha47 and Cmoy, then a step up to Meta42, which is very popular and can be had for under $200. Each of these is a general desighn for DIY amps and come in many flavors with different options and extras. Someone else can point you at where to get one built. These amps should represent the best bang for your buck. People like them, they are cheap, and you can get them costom built to suite your needs and budget. Have fun, get some duct tape for your wallet, and enjoy the ride.

 

[wallijonn]

spaceman. welcome. sorry about your wallet.

after you make a decision, look for deals in the for sale/trade section. i picked up akg k501's for $85. ($150, new. thanks, Jim.)

you'll have to open the phone book and do a little travelling to audition cans. definitely listen before buying.

i've heard the v6's and didn't like them
i've heard the senn600's and didn't like them.
i own the grado sr80's and don't like them.
i liked the sound of the dt831's, though. weird bass.
[these are my opinions, guys. disregard as necessary].
i want the akg k1000's.

i want to audition sony mdr-f1's. (anyone in phoenix area have these?)

most good phones start at the $150 point. (that's why i suggest used. more bang for the buck).

i haven't heard dido or hiatt, and classical is a big gendre: chamber to symphony, etc. so what is your favourite classical instrument? flute? oboe? clarinet? violin? horn? bass drum? piano? triangle? what's your favourite piece of music? what are you looking for in sound??? sharp transients or silky smoothness?

of course you can always volunteer to be a guinea pig and buy and review the aiwa 100's ($60)....

 

[spaceman]

Quote:

Originally posted by wallijonn so what is your favourite classical instrument? flute? oboe? clarinet? violin? horn? bass drum? piano? triangle? what's your favourite piece of music? what are you looking for in sound??? sharp transients or silky smoothness?

I really like the violin and cello. I guess I really would like something to bring out the qualities in these instruments, but I also listen to a lot of Ambient/Space/World Fusion that includes slide guitars, synthesizers, solo piano, strings, percussion and a variety of wind instruments. I want good bass, but not over-powering, you know, the type that muffles out the higher ranges. Thanks for all the info folks, this sure as hell beats talking to a salesperson!

 

[ServinginEcuador]

I have to cast my vote in for a set of Sony MDR-V6 cans after just getting a pair for $69.95 from DJ Mart. Tey are still breaking in right now, but MAN these things got lots of bass. REally goes deeper and stronger than my much more expensive Sennheiser 600s can ever dream of going.

This will also free you up to spend a little more money on a really good amp!!! Not to mention source, cables, interconnects, etc!!

 

[wallijonn]

would team beyer care to comment?
would team grado care to comment?
would team etyonics care to comment?
{ety-4s's might do you fine.}
team philips, how do the sbc hp890's sound?
(there was a used set that went for about $80)

i also am a violin person. which is why i bought the akg-k501's. i hope to have them in a week. greG says the 501's are probably between the senn600's and the ad10's. ad10's are definitely made for acoustic guitar. don't have the bass end of the senn600's (according to greG), though.

and there might me a set of hd600's on sale soon. supposedly there's one set in greece for sale. but again i find the midrange to be too laid back. i want sizzle in my violins. the senn's don't do that for me. i want to hear the chicken plucker's twang on strings, the knife cutting through the fog trumpets. the crystal glass break of a piano high c. the oboe to give me goose bumps. the cloeset i've come is the akg k100's

(i couldn't get the grin off my face when listening to them - so you know it's true love).

when you audition cans, stay away from any sony Vxxx series. take 3 to 5 of your favourite cd's with you to the audition.

what's your location? there might be team members you can hook up with. and do you live near a college campus or university? check their for sale boards. a lot of times they have some good sales. also check the university newspaper. be careful with ebay. there may also be a head-fi road show coming to your area soon. check the high-end audio stores. look through the music section (here). look for your type of music. then ask the guys what they're using.

finding a set of cans that don't have the "perceived harshness" of the gradoes should be easy. gradoes are gradoes. finding a flat set of headphones with a forward midrange, smooth treble, and tight bass... hmmm..

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
listening to Bachman Turner Overdrive - "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet". even with the grados the vocal sounds recessed. slight reverb. gotta push those cans harder into my head to make the vocals pop out... lots of work to do...

 

[LobsterSan]

Quote:

Originally posted by ServinginEcuador I have to cast my vote in for a set of Sony MDR-V6 cans after just getting a pair for $69.95 from DJ Mart. Tey are still breaking in right now, but MAN these things got lots of bass.

I checked DJMart.com and they say the MDR-V6 are going for 79.99. You sure about the price?

 

[kelly]

Quote:

Originally posted by spaceman I am looking for a good set of headphones for $100.00 or less. I mainly listen to classical and ambient/space, but I do listen to other stuff like Dido, John Hiatt, etc. No hard rock/rap. I'm looking for something comfortable as I like to lay in bed or on the couch while listening. This will be for home use equipment, not portable. I would also like something that will sound good with or without a headphone amp.

Sony MDR-V6, MDR-7506. These are basically the same headphone. The 7506 is the "pro audio" marketed version and typically costs more. Several places on shopping.yahoo.com list both of these for sale. Don't mistake them for other models including the MDR-V600, which suck.

If you decide to spend more, I like the Ultrasone HFI-650 more and it has replaced the duty my old Sony V6 filled. It sells for $140 at www.meier-audio.com and I don't know of anyone else who carries them or where you'd audition them locally.

Quote:

Any recommendations on a sub $200.00 amp would be appreciated as well. Thanks in advance.

In that budget, I would send a PM or email to KurtW about having him build you a META42. I think you can get one triple-buffered in that price now. Ask him about a wall wart power supply since you don't intend to use it portably.

 

[wallijonn]

WildMonkeySects, man you bring back some good olde memories

here's a link you might like:

http://www.thetubestore.com/

and at the top of my wish list (changes minute by minute):

http://www.norh.com/products/se9/index.html

 

[ServinginEcuador]

Quote:

Originally posted by LobsterSan I checked DJMart.com and they say the MDR-V6 are going for 79.99. You sure about the price?

Nope, I just checked my email receipt and it says $79.99. Sorry about that folks. Posted from memory and my memory failed me big time!!

 

[Jackangel]

You could get the V6s for 69.99 from millionbuy.com or hogwild.com. These came up in a search at shopping.yahoo.com.