Advice on comparing headphones ? 
(3 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5)
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17 January 2012
(3 votes, average: 4.33 out of 5) Loading ...Hello !
My beloved Sennheiser HD200 died when my younger son played modelling clay with it, and now, I’m searching for a replacement.
I need good headphones, basically, and I could do with some advice 
What I need is NOT professional ones totally isolating from sound and hurting a bit around the ears after too little time (especially considering I wear glasses, the ears crushed hard against sidepieces, it’s annoying). They don’t need to be beautiful either.
I’m not sure about the proper English terms for it, what I need is “open” audio headphones, covering the ears but not too hard (comfort rules ! ^^), and with good audio rendering, to play CDs and good quality MP3s)
I don’t want to put a fortune into this, around 75€ (90-100 US$), barely more, would be my budget. (And this way I won’t ruin myself when I have to buy a new one, grrrrr, kids ¬_¬)
I’m asking just in case, are there “perfect” models, with those specs and price ?
Thanks if you’ve got good knoweledge of this subject, and you’ve got some advice
– UPDATE : THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO YOU ALL !
So many hints, links, so much good advice, I’m really grateful
I finally bought my new pair of headphones, I hope it’s good. I also learned in the process that, for headphones, it’s worse than for consoles like PSP/Wii/Xbox. For these game consoles, basically, the conversion rate in public prices is 1 US$ = 1 €. For headphones, it’s 1 US$ = 1 € + 20-30% ¬_¬
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on January 17th, 2012 at 4:04 am
i got a pare and i have the Sennheiser HD200 the SK pro is 5x better
on January 17th, 2012 at 4:05 am
Dennon AH-D310R – Overear Headphones – I use them myself – they cost around 70 $ and the sound is pretty neat
AKG K518 DJ – Onear Headphones – Sound is very good – they might not be as comfortable as the Dennon
I had almost the same problems – I wear glasses too but I don't have kids
Good luck with your choice I hope I could have been helpful
on January 17th, 2012 at 4:06 am
I forgot the AKG cost about 70€
on January 17th, 2012 at 4:53 am
you could try Creative Aurvana Live!
many people said that this is one of the best headphones below $100
it is arund $65
you can check the review here: http://www.head-fi.org/products/creative-aurvana-…
if you want something that would broke your wallet, try Sennheiser HD800, $1500
on January 17th, 2012 at 5:15 am
Starcraft® II Razer Banshee http://ap.razerzone.com/store/
on January 17th, 2012 at 5:18 am
Bose AE2 $149.99 .. the best. I've owned Sennheiser and Creative before these. Nothing is as comfortable as the Bose. The Creative has more power sure, but the sound quality of the Bose is second to none.
on January 17th, 2012 at 5:18 am
I have an Audio Technica AD-300 for about $70 – very comfortable for long hours of music with soft and detailed sound with good price to performance ratio
I also wear glasses and i it doesn't press against my head so it's perfect for long hours of use
good luck with your choice
on January 17th, 2012 at 5:48 am
Oliver, you really need to go to http://www.head-fi.org/ and read some reviews there in the forum. You can't depend on the people here since they will just be generic music users. You want the best, then you need to do some extensive reviewing. Every headphone is different and in the price range you're looking at, you will need to make a sacrifice. Either in mids, lows, highs, bass, isolation or comfort, in the price range you're looking at you can expect to have them bad to okay in all qualities with 1 of them being good.
That's just the way the market is. The fact that people claim their 150$ headphones to be very good or superb whatever, is a sign that they don't have a clue. Because their headphones aren't.
Edit: I guess Tsu-Kun has a clue.
But really i'd do a search on that page on the headphone you like and you check out if it fits your tastes on music and whatever you listen to
on January 17th, 2012 at 5:54 am
Try Goldring DR100.. around $80 I guess… I have tried a lot of headphone in the market and that goldring really impress me… yes I'm audiophilia-man
. that goldring DR100 have everything that's needed from a headphone.. good musical sound, comfort(circumaural pad design with soft material) not gonna hurt your ears, long detachable-cable. really stunning for the headphone priced at around $80.
review: http://www.headfonia.com/goldring-headphones-dr50…
maybe that can help you….
on January 17th, 2012 at 6:05 am
I swear by my AKG K240s. They're about $80-$100, and are fantastic semi-open headphones. They also weigh near nothing and are self-adjusting so there's no skull-crushing.
on January 17th, 2012 at 6:11 am
yes… just go to http://www.head-fi.org/ to read some extended review… there are many overprice headphone in market that claim they are best… yes.. they are not so bad.. but there are many headphone better than that with lower price… :P and there are some with briliant performance despite their low price..
Ok.. back to the home page :P
on January 17th, 2012 at 6:30 am
I've recently been using a my Beyerdynamic DT990 PRO. If you do a google search, you can find some for around $170.
I know this is outside of your price range, but these are very durable and comfortable. The leather on the headband is removable and the headband itself is made from steel, so you can drop them and not feel too bad. Coil cable so if you yank on it, it pulls out instead of knocking everything over.
Did I mention that the sound is AMAZING?
on January 17th, 2012 at 7:39 am
maybe you can check this Web before you buy a new headphone http://www.headphone.com/selection-guide/10-best-…
on January 17th, 2012 at 8:09 am
Panasonic Rp-htx7 they will cost at most 50 bucks and i kid you not they sound as good as anything 300 dollars or more
on January 17th, 2012 at 8:20 am
This is probably not what you wanted to buy, but I'd still recommend checking out LG HBS-700.
Go here for some reviews on it: http://www.amazon.com/LG-HBS-700-Wireless-Bluetoo…
This is the most convenient bluetooth headset I've ever tried. I've used it for several weeks and I often forgot I even wore it. Gone are the days when bluetooth earphone felt heavy and hurting my ear. I got mine for 40$ from ebay. This thing absolutely requires bluetooth though.
on January 17th, 2012 at 9:33 am
go to Ross or Goodwill with 10 bucks and duct tape tissue paper to come cheap head phones.
on January 17th, 2012 at 9:50 am
+3 on Head-fi.org. I spend quite a bit of time there myself. I recommend the Brainwavs HM5, extreme bang for your buck. Many people have said they are as good or better than the $300 Sennheiser HD600s. I also compared them favorably to my Hifiman HE-300s, so I can vouch that such statements are completely true and not hyperbole. They also come with a nice foam case, two different length cables, and an extra set of earpads. They do have high clamping force on your head, but the pads are more than ample. I wear thick glasses and find them very comfortable, plus you could always stretch them out if you had to. They are on pre-order sale right now for $120:
http://mp4nation.net/catalog/brainwavz-hm5-studio…
You'll probably be hard-pressed to find anything better around $100.
on January 17th, 2012 at 10:24 am
for what it's worth:
i'm a gamer, music lover, and a cheapskate
with emphasis on bass and good sound quality along mids
i went with soundMAGIC E10 for IEM and P30
quick look on amazon.uk says E10 £34.99 and P30 £69.99
soundMAGIC is known for good quality at low price and these seem pretty high to me
i'm sure if you look around you can get them for cheaper.
on January 17th, 2012 at 10:28 am
i suggest you getting Sony MDR-XD100 or 200(200 is better since it's more sturdy and doesn't break easily like 100)
on January 17th, 2012 at 11:37 am
Yuin PK2 Earbuds that will blow your mind
http://www.head-direct.com/Products/?act=detail&a…
$79
Mine got blown by pk3.
on January 17th, 2012 at 11:41 am
Fostex T-7 are made with the same drivers as cal! and they are more refined.
~$85
on January 17th, 2012 at 11:43 am
Anything but Beats by Dr. Dre or Monstor. They suck!
on January 17th, 2012 at 11:49 am
Im still using the closed version of these but as another option have you considered these open wireless sennheiser RS120 cans? The sound is amazing and as they are an older model they have almost halved in price since I got them years ago. I wear glasses too and these are comfortable enought to wear while gaming for hours. about £50-£70 shopping around may be even cheaper.
on January 17th, 2012 at 11:56 am
on the other hand with that kind of money you can afford 2 pairs of pk3's and shipping
on January 17th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
I have purchased pairs of headphones for as much as $300, but none of them compared to the Grado SR80i Prestige Headphones for $99 US.
Here's their website: http://www.gradolabs.com/page_headphones.php?item…
on January 17th, 2012 at 12:17 pm
Nox Audio specialist, they have a gaming set for around 90 dollars, great quality, retractable mic boom, and a kit that lets it double as a ps3 or 360 headset
https://www.nox-audio.com/Products/Ultimate-Gamin…
on January 17th, 2012 at 12:20 pm
Hi, there's a good shootout comparison on Head-Fi, (earlier people didnt post it)
http://www.head-fi.org/t/433318/shootout-96-porta…
It gives you a good list of comparisons and price range
i got a set of Grado Alessandro MS-1, they are an open headphone with great sound stage and clarity, the bass is there when it needs to be and not overpowering. Spent 110 bucks on them
on January 17th, 2012 at 1:56 pm
Always loved Sennheiser
If you keep those headphones on for more than 5 hours a day, I recommend not taking leather earmuffs. its like closing your ears with your hands and over time you'll get a headache or at least a little numb.
I'm using the Logitec G930, because it is cordless and rechargable with an USB cable. Yet still, leather earmuffs, kind of annoying, but some like to hear themselves all the time I have heared.
on January 17th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
I recommend the Audio Technica AD300 or better yet the AD700
on January 17th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
I think that the HD 555s will be the perfect match for you, just the right range (got mine for $79), and basically a much much better vers. of the HD 202s – plus they are super comfortable to boot.
Also, this is my first time commenting, even though I've been lurking here since 2008 – time sure flies by, doesn't it?
Cheers, and I hope you don't do that April Fools joke again! (always gets me xD)
on January 17th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
Superlux HD-668 B
I just bought this about a month ago, can't recommend it highly enough. Just look up the reviews on this specialised headphones site:
http://www.head-fi.org/products/superlux-hd-668-b…
Bought mine for about £45, I'm sure you can find a pair for around that price.
on January 17th, 2012 at 5:21 pm
Would reccomend the Grado SR60i or SR80i if you're looking for open air headphones. I've got the SR60, but I hear that the SR80i has better bass.
on January 17th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
Audio Techinica's AD-700 are pretty nice. ~$100 on Amazon. I'm sure you can search around for lower prices maybe.
No need to adjust it and it's really comfortable. I also wear glasses.
Head-fi seems to like it as well.
http://www.head-fi.org/products/audio-technica-at…
on January 17th, 2012 at 10:18 pm
beats by dr dre
on January 18th, 2012 at 1:29 am
A simple,cost efficient and good sounding pair would be the Skullcandy Lowriders they are only $50 dollars i believe, they are comfortable and I wear glasses while they're on so check them out.
on January 18th, 2012 at 3:23 am
may i ask what headphones did you end up getting?
on January 18th, 2012 at 3:45 am
I'm late : Currently I use Klipsch Image one. Retail is ~$150 but I found 2 good used ones for $70. (my dad wanted one too)
And at work I use Klipsch S4 -that's an earbud. I actually find earbuds more comfy but headphones can sound better.
on January 18th, 2012 at 3:54 am
Sennheiser 448s, The sound is just so clean.
on January 18th, 2012 at 4:42 am
448 yeah, also try putting thin dry tissues around the ears, air circulates and it doesn't hurt even after 20 hours of listening, but it may look a bit silly :P
on January 18th, 2012 at 7:38 am
Turtle Beach Z6A headset is around $95 and are great quality headphones. alittle spendy but very comfortable with great sound quality.
on January 18th, 2012 at 8:09 am
so you picked one, but you didn't tell us what yer final choice came out to be!
on January 19th, 2012 at 8:49 am
Razer Carcharias $80 awsome headphones great mike also
on January 19th, 2012 at 4:17 pm
What did you pick in the end?? I did a boat-load of research a while back and Audio Technica’s ATH-M50′s came out in the lead. They’re awesome, but if you wear glasses they may get uncomfortable after extended usage. Hope you’re happy with what you got!
on January 19th, 2012 at 6:24 pm
why didn't someone recommend v-jays? i use them and at its price, its pretty nice and open can too, and the best part is, it got good low with crystal clarity hi sound, and it's comfort.
on January 19th, 2012 at 9:53 pm
I picked the Aurvana live ones, great comfort if you've got small ears (I do) and great sound, plus they were offered by the official creative.com website with a temporary 30€ discount, that was enough to convince me
Thanks for all the good advice, guys !
However, not everything is good and great, sadly…
Look at that T_T
http://pic.twitter.com/tI3HnAjx
on January 20th, 2012 at 2:35 am
Oh. My. God.
Why did none of you suggested Plantronics? They are the best at in/out-Audio AND price/efficency… damn, if I've just had the time to have a look at your site earlier Oliver. -.-°