Audiophile Headphones

Price Range: ~$50
Type: Closed-Ear
Use: Portability - Listening to music, studio mixing, and some games.
(I'm planning on using these as my portable headphones, to carry them around when I'm going mobile.)

Hi everyone, I'm trying to find the best audiophile headset for around $30-50 (used/refurb) on amazon. I was set on buying the Audio Technica ATH-M40fs for $50, but forgot to consider in the length of the cord. How long is it?

Do you think it'd be possible for me to open up the headphones and shorten the wire? I don't mind the work for the quality of sound and convenience of a shorter length cord. Can anyone suggest me some audiophile headphones with around a 1 meter cord length?

Thanks.

 

Sony MDR-ZX700 might be viable - they're $85 new on amazon. IMO practically the equal of the ATH-M50 technically overall - behind in some respects but ahead in some others, but with a less 'Dre' sound and actually suited for monitoring, and more comfortable. Good isolation, circumaural, good adjustment, on the large side but don't look completely silly on your head, ~1m straight cable with a 3.5mm jack so suitable for PMP or mainstream use. The MDR-7520 are my voice monitors, but as my general purpose monitors I actually prefer the ZX700.

There's also the evergreen (or evermediocre in my opinion, though in their favour they're nigh on indestructible) Sony MDR-V6 for $68. Fit is circumaural for the smallest ears only, for everyone else it's half-on, half-off the ear.

Neither pack flat though - and the ZX700 doesn't fold at all. (The V6 folds into an - inconvenient in terms of practical storage IMO - ball)

There's more variability in terms of Sennheiser HD280 - another monitoring staple - availability and price on amazon, but I definitely wouldn't buy a used one and IMO the ZX's trump these in all but ultimate isolation.

 

The term audiophile and $50 headphones is an oxymoron. I rended a perfectly good shirt when I read it. Just so you know.

 

There was probably a less pretentious way of putting this. Just so you know.

 

He maybe just rended his shirt enough for a low neckline.

 

Pretty subtle from my perspective. But I suppose some more emotional people might think that way? I guess you missed the mitigated tongue and cheek humor then?

 

Although this post is non-constructive... aren't Audio Technica AT-M40fs ($149.99 value) audiophile headphones? I can purchase them for less than $50 at 'brand new' quality with minor cosmetic blemishes.

There are plenty of great deals everywhere, a smart buyer will know when and where to look.

 

Personally I wouldn't call them audiophile, but I would consider that a great deal.

Nevertheless, there's big difference from a quality product sold at a bargain price and a product who's originally manufactured at that price.

Based on price alone, I'd consider audiophile to be in the $300+ category. There are also audiophile brands categories where the name alone put you at that level like B&W.

Indeed, this is one of my most important mottos.

 

I would recommend a larger budget if you want quality. My mobile mixing set up is the sennheiser hd380 pros, and I wouldn't suggest headphones for home mixing. You are in an expensive field, so be prepared to spend money.


EDIT: there are some semi decent sony's for cheap (the MDR-V6 is acceptable fore mixing).


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I would spend $500 easily to get true audiophile headphones, but I'd also get a pissed off wife. Heh, so I've decided to keep it at a reasonable price to get headphones and a neutral wife.

I've also got another question in regards to uncoiled long length headphone cords. Would it be possible to manually coil them into a spring by wrapping it around a circular stick, then heating it up with a blow dryer and then letting them cool that way? I saw a video on a solution with this outcome, but no explanation as to how.

 

That would be in the area of $150 or so. After that, the price to quality curve begin to rise steeply. But don't forget to keep in mind comfort and fit. Even the best headphone in the world won't do you much good if they don't fit correctly or cause you pain after a short time wearing them.

It probably would, but it would be a bad idea since you'd have no way of controlling the temperature.

You will likely not heat one section enough, and cook the other. Besides, that'd be kinda defeating the purpose wouldn't it? If you want coiled, then just purchase coiled.

 

at that budget you will have to go for used.

check out some used ath m50 and aiaiai capitals.

the m50 is a classic but is not so portable. you might be able to find old or slightly damaged ones for that price range.

you can also check out used aiaiai capitals. they are on ear, have same clarity as m50s with a more balanced, neutral sq and can isolate well. they are also foldable and weather resistant. they do not fit a lot of head shape types and you may see a few of these on sale because of that idiosyncrasy. of course, you should demo a new pair in your nearest audiophile store to check if they are a good fit for you.

good luck.

 

As you are speaking $'s then I am assumming you are the 'other side of the pond'.

AKG 450's are amazing headphones. I have a pair, great for the price. In the UK there retail for around £45 (and you can get cheaper than that). They are availabel from Amazone.com, but there $95...
Amazon.com: AKG K450 Premium Foldable Headphone: Electronics

Boz

 

Superlux make some great phones for the price.

The HD 662 is closed and cheap 20€~$30. Not the best for portability but worth taking a look, imo.

 

I'm planning on getting the HD 419 now, and then ordering the M50 in a few months.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

Personally I am a big fan of the Sennheiser HD 429s and they come close to the $50 range. I have a few pair and they have always been GREAT headphones....if a tiny bit heavy.

 

My headphones came in, and they were faulty. So I'm returning them and getting the ATH-M50s instead.

 

Narrowed down my choices between the Audio Technica ATH-M50 & the Beyerdynamic Custom One Pros... They're both the same price right now on Amazon. Suggestions?

 

Try them at an audio store if you can. I have the M50 and i like them, but for certain music genres the slightly recessed mids are clearly felt, no experience with the other headphone.

EDIT: They also aren't what i'd call portable and i got these as because i wanted something i could walk with: http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD25-1-II-Closed-Back-Headphones/dp/B000TDZOXG

 

What is your budget now?
Those senn hd 25 I are really good but they are 200 usd iirc. But well worth it and portable too!
Have you ever considered using iems? The ultimate in portability. If you are, you may want to consider the Fischer Audio dba 02 mk2 and vsonic gr07 mk2. Excellent studio monitors both that retail for 150usd but you may find some used ones for less.

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Instead of the ATH-M50, which I have and I like (but I bought them more than 2 years ago for 90 bucks), I would suggest you get the Ultrasone HFI 780. They, like the M50, have emphasis on the bass, so they are not too flat. As far as audiophile sound is concerned, you will have to spend quite a lot of money and time to get a perfect pair of headphones for your taste. Usually, pricier headphones will require a decent amp and a good DAC to truly come to life. If you are okay with open ear headphones, don't miss dt990 pros if bass is your thing (they can be had for 160ish), but you will need an entry level amp to power them up decently (a 50 buck Fiio E7 would suffice). Note that M50s stayed my favorite headphones until I dived into a little pricier cans. So, I would recommend them as well. To add, I heard good things about the newly released Ultimate Ears 6000 (185 bucks on Amazon right now). They are very efficient to drive, so you won't need an amp.

 

I too have the HFI-780's and the M-50's. I personally like the M-50's better. IMO the 780's have to harsh of highs, which hurt my ears. I've got some Denon AH-D2000's, Incase Sonic, and some Beyer DT770M's on the way as well.