Recommendations For Home Audio Headphones In The $100 To $200 Range...

[jumpnblues]

...Not sure where this thread belongs, but I'm looking for suggestions for home audio/HT headphones in the $100 to $200 range. They should probably be closed so as not to disturb my wife sitting next to me in a reclining love seat (No comments please, LOL). I should also ask for recommendations for a good headphone amp. Thanks.


Tom

 

[its phillip]

Audio Technica ATH-M50
Shure SHR840
Beyerdynamic DT770
Ultrasone PRO 650
Ultrasone HFI-680 or HFI-580

These are slightly above budget although my searching was limited to amazon so they might be cheaper elsewhere:
Denon AH-D2000
Audio Technica ATH-A900
Ultrasone HFI-780

 

[jp_over]

HD 280 pro

For a couple of years now I've had the Sennheiser 280 pro. Recently, I added an ARTccessories HeadAMP 4 headphone amp and have discovered a whole new seat of phones!

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-280-Pro-Headphones/dp/B000065BPB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288709594&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/ART-HeadAmp4-Channel-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B000M0TN6U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1288709781&sr=8-1

Did I need 4 channels? No, but it's only $40 bucks!

One thing I'll change with my next phones is to get a straight cord - the curly cord is troublesome at times.

 

[jumpnblues]

Ended up ordering the Sennheiser 595s and ART Headamp 4 headphone amp. Hope I dun guud?


Tom

 

[its phillip]

Well, they are open and you asked for closed...and they have the same drivers as the 555s with a bit of extra padding or something so they really aren't worth the increased cost at all. I could be wrong though, that's just speaking from message board memory.

 

[jamie2112]

Sony MDR 7506 is the studio standard and I have used them for years.......$99 is what they go for.........

 

[jumpnblues]

Well, they are open and you asked for closed...and they have the same drivers as the 555s with a bit of extra padding or something so they really aren't worth the increased cost at all. I could be wrong though, that's just speaking from message board memory.

Oops! I thought they were closed? And all the reviews I read on them rated them very highly. I have a set of Sony MDR 7509s that I use for recording in case listening with the 595s disturbs the Mrs. I don't know...maybe I didn't dun guud?


Tom

 

[jumpnblues]

Well, I researched some more and decided to order a set of Audio Technica ATH-M50s for my closed phones. I might keep the Sennheiser 595s so I'll have a set of open phones too...or I might send 'em back and just go with the ATs. I'll have to listen to the Senns and see.

Tom

 

[jumpnblues]

Just got my Sennheiser 595s...Wow, very nice indeed! My first open set. I think I'll keep both these and the Audio Technica ATH-M50s. Those along with my Sony MDR-7509s for recording should cover just about any need...that is, until I'm ready to pop for a $500+ set.


Tom

 

[GranteedEV]

Just got my Sennheiser 595s...Wow, very nice indeed! My first open set. I think I'll keep both these and the Audio Technica ATH-M50s. Those along with my Sony MDR-7509s for recording should cover just about any need...that is, until I'm ready to pop for a $500+ set.

I love opens. There's something more organic and embracing about the way they sound. That said I listen to closed cans way more simply because they isolate better and from my experience the ATH-M50s are a very easy load to drive for anything. Plus the M50s have very deep bass extension with their seal.

WIth all that said, if you're gonna have 500 for something to use for recording, you're better using real stereo reference monitors, not headphones.

 

[ohskigod]

Sony MDR 7506 is the studio standard and I have used them for years.......$99 is what they go for.........

Great headphones for the price.

 

[MinusTheBear]

I am listening to the Alessandro MS-1 at this moment (Music Series One). They have a bit of narrow soundstage for an open headphone but overall the sound quality is excellent. One of my favorite headphones for less than $120. I tend to prefer the sound of open vs closed. Open headphones tend to be more comfortable as well and don't usually suffer from the standard clamping issues of closed headphones.

If you are looking for closed headphones my recommendations at different spectrums of your budget would be the Shure SRH440 and the AKG 271 MKII. However, there have been some excellent recommendations given already.

http://www.headphone.com/headphones/shure-srh440.php

http://www.headphone.com/headphones/akg-k-271-mk-ii.php

 

[jp_over]

head amp

Tom,

Did you get your head phone amp? If so, what are your impressions? I dig mine but would like to hear other opinions.

Joe

 

[jumpnblues]

Tom,

Did you get your head phone amp? If so, what are your impressions? I dig mine but would like to hear other opinions.

Joe

Joe, I just received it today but I need to make a trip to Radio Shack tonight and buy a double male end connector for my long headphone cord. I'll let you know what I think.
I'll get to try out my new Sennheiser HD-595s with the amp. I also have a set of Audio Technica ATH-M50s coming. It'll be interesting to compare the two different styles (open and closed) of headphones, with and without the amp. I'm anxious to read some reviews of the new Sennheiser HD-800s...maybe someday after I save my pennies?


Tom

 

[jp_over]

Sounds good - looking forward to hearing about it. I'd like to try the HD-800s as well but plan on getting something in the $200 - 400 range first before moving to that end of the dollar spectrum.