What's a good, all around, affordable headphone?

[7beauties]

I'm a gaming and PC enthusiast who has Sound Blaster's Recon3D Fatal1ty Champion sound card. It has a front panel for a headphone's mini plug. The worst part of my system is my cheap Koss dynamic headphones. They're uncomfortable to wear for long gaming sessions, but I also have 260 iTunes songs I love to listen to. I suspect that STAX's SR-009 electrostatic headphones, at $5,250, is wildly overkill for what my sound card is capable, and therefore top of the yardstick, but what's a good headphone for gaming and music that's affordable? I don't need a microphone like gamers want. Thank you.

 

[its phillip]

beyerdynamic dt880
audio technica ath-ad700 (very light on bass though)

 

[markw]

Define "affordable".

Offhand, I'd say Sennheiser HD-280s pretty much fit the bill depending, of course, on your response to the previous paragraph.

 

[7beauties]

The Sennsheiser HD280 sells for $100 and that's affordable. Thank you.

 

[7beauties]

I'll check out the Beyerdynamic DT880. I do want good bass. Thank you.

 

[abboudc]

Audiotechnica ath-m50
grado sr60i

 

[Rickster71]

Sony MDR-V6 or Sony MDR-7506 about $85 - $87 they've gone up since I got mine about five years ago.
Sony MDR-V6 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Rickster71]

I'll check out the Beyerdynamic DT880. I do want good bass. Thank you.

For good bass, and adjustable bass look at Beyerdynamic Pro One. I just got a pair about two months ago. Very well made.
I guess it really depends on your price range.
Sennheiser makes nice stuff too, comfortable and open backs if that's what you're looking for.

 

[Grador]

Sony MDR-V6 or Sony MDR-7506 about $85 - $87 they've gone up since I got mine about five years ago.
Sony MDR-V6 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I've got a pair of these as well, I highly recommend them.

 

[7beauties]

I looked into the Beyerdynamic DT880 and am becoming confused. Amazon has four types by Ohms. There's the 600 Ohm, 250 Ohm, 250 Ohm Pro (whatever the "Pro" means), and the 32 Ohm, and the prices vary widely. The 250 Ohm Pro was suggested by default for $240, but it seems to require an amplifier-like accessory for an extra $90. I'll ask Sound Blaster for their advice, but I might spring for Sony because I'm familiar with their MDR 7505 and MDR 7509 models. Thank you.

 

[Pat D]

I have always gotten Sennheisers, so that may be a bias. I currently have the Senn HD 280 Pro and the HD 598.

The HD 280 Pro is a closed back phone with excellent sound isolation, if that is a factor. It is a tough phone, not so easily damaged, and the pros are said to like it partially for that reason. Even my wife hasn't damaged them, and she even uses them as close range speakers. They are very clear on voices, if not as open as the HD 598. The sound is quite good but not very warm. They do tend to fit tightly and some find that uncomfortable. It never was much of a problem for me, and I think they loosen up some with use. A PC soundcard will drive them easily. They list for $100 at HeadRoom and $97 at Amazon.

The HD 598 is very comfortable, and I really like the styling--which my wife thinks is retro. The sound is excellent, very open and smooth. It's a really fine headphone. A PC soundcard seems to drive them very well. They list at $250 at HeadRoom and $213 at Amazon.

The Senn HD 449 looks interesting for a closed back phone. It is $120 at HeadRoom and $99 at Amazon.

The HD 518 is an open backed phone, and looks to be a cheaper version of the technology on the HD 598, with somewhat heavier bass, according the measurements at HeadRoom. Head Room lists it at $130 and Amazon lists it at $105.

It is often hard to audition the headphones one is looking for.

 

[Boerd]

Beyer DT 880 and Senn HD 650.

 

[redjr]

Try V-Moda Crossfade LP

If $110 is affordable(Amazon), I'd look at the V-Moda Crossfade LP over ear headphones. I recently purchased a pair and I'm very impressed with, not only the sound quality, but also the extended wear comfort. I was on long, cross country flight this week, and had them on for long periods of time, and I have to say they were very comfortable and not the least bit fatiguing. They did a very good job of keeping the ambient noise of the inside of a 757 at bay, so my listening experience was more enjoyable. They are very new and still within their break-in period, so I expect the SQ to only improve with time. The build quality is superb, and there is very good feel to the phones themselves - not heavy, but you notice the quality. They come with a nice semi-hard clam-shell case that houses the phones and the various cords and adapters. All in nice friendly manner. You can't go wrong.

 

[jelkinsmith]

Hello,
Sennheiser headphones will be the best for you. you can get all types of headphones at an affordable price. At Sennheiser's official webstore you can get EMI option facility - 0% interest on 3 months installment on ICICI bank.
Sennheiser headphones are awesome that gives high performing sound than any other headphones.

Check all products of sennheiser from their offical website: Online Shopping India - Buy Best Headphones / Earphones & Headsets - Sennheiser

 

[cpp]

Read up on your soundcard as it was designed to support gaming. Nice gaming soundcard. Also what is your budget...
A good article on your soundcard is noted. HARDOCP - Testing-Music Playback and Recording - Sound Blaster Recon3D Fatal1ty Sound Card Review

 

[bobcarver]

Quick rundown...Last summer I purchased a boatload of IEMs. I can truly give you a verifiable review. All under $200

Logitech Ultimate Ears 700 Noise-Isolating Earphones - Dark Silver
thinksound ms01-gunchoc ms01 In-ear Monitor
Thinksound Rain 9mm High Definition Passive Noise Isolating Wooden Headphone
Shure SE215-CL Live Sound Monitor (Clear)
R-50 In-Ear Monitor Balanced Armature Earphones Earbuds
ClarityOne EB110 Earbuds - Gunmetal Grey
Yamaha EPH-100SL Inner-Ear Headphone
Bose IE2 Audio Headphones
Audio-Technica ATH-CKS77BK Solid Bass In-Ear Headphone
VSonic GR07 MK2 Pro Dynamic Noise Isolation Earphones Earbuds IEM new model with multiple ear tips and Innovic
Klipsch Image X10 Noise-Isolating Earphone

All returned or sold...in search of awesome earbuds
VSonic GR07 MK2:
best monitor ....flat response, covers all of sound spectrum evenly....I know they say dynamic...all genres sound great,
Yamaha EPH-100SL, fun pair, best for rock, blues, metal...my #2

*** THE HOLY GRAIL***
SONY MDR-XB90EX | In-Ear EXTRA BASS Headphones (Japanese Import)
These buds are freekin' awesome...even out of the box!!! Anything with bass...ridiculous; anything rock jazz blues...out right "punch you in your face"...Dub-step..."Shut the front door!!!" Every genre sounds great!!!(classical, too)
Instrumental separation, barely any siblance, perfect staging. Of course bass is the "wow" feature...but highs, and mids, and upper bass are not overshadowed or subservient.

...only maybe about them...design...they should be able to wrap around your ear...this would help alleviate the weight and keep them more secure
THE BASS...again, it can be dominant if you don't have an eq...
These could/can compete with many of the mid-end over the ear headphones...I don't know why they only sell them in Japan!!! Marketing mistake!!! big time...

 

[Bear123]

Sony MDR-V6 or Sony MDR-7506 about $85 - $87 they've gone up since I got mine about five years ago.
Sony MDR-V6 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

+1 to Sony MDR 7506

 

[bodybyvi]

Thanks a lot for your suggestion.

 

[jliedeka]

I game on a laptop and use headphones because the speakers aren't very loud, even in a quiet room. I had been using Grado SR-60(i)s but just got the Beyerdynamic T51p. Both work great with a laptop. The Beyerdynamic is geared toward portable use and has a fairly short cord. I think they both sound pretty good. The Beyerdynamic is really well built and justifies the price difference.

Jim

 

[bikdav]

I have the Sennheiser HD280s and I feel that they are fantastic. The bass goes DEEP without spoiling the rest of the range. In other words, to me they sound great top to bottom.