Help with choosing the best noise canceling full size headphone for under $100.

Hey guys

I narrow down my search to two of the most popular model.

Sennheiser HD280 Pro

Amazon.com: Sennheiser HD 280 Pro Headphones - Silver: Electronics

Audio-Technica ATH-M50.

Amazon.com: Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Studio Monitor Headphones: Electronics

I will be using this mostly for gaming and music on my notebook, as well as mp3 player and ipod music listening.

Key factor for me is the HD280 pro noise canceling, which I heard is one of the best. I own a Vmoda in ear phone and those things are amazing at canceling outside noise so I never care for any headphone or earphone that don't have noise cancelation (ipod ear phone make me cringe).

I don't care about gaming headset, as my main use will be for game and music listening. Also I heard the Audio-Technica doesn't cancel noise as well as the Sennheiser but the bass and music is much better so would that alone make up for a lower noise canceling? Also impedence is better on the Audio-Technica so I'm not sure which one is better for ipod and music listening. (not DJ mixing, etc...)

With that said, which one should I choose or are there any other recommendation.

 

I have used both and I have will have to say the following:

The HD 280 has better noise cancelling and they are more comfortable.

HOWEVER

For the money and sound quality I will have to say the ATH-M50 hands down unquestioned in this category.

I loved my ATH-M30's dearly to death, but my ears kept getting pinched so I had to defect to the Sennheiser HD 428, but the HD 428 is not as good in sound quality than the venerable M30's.

The case is the same between the HD 280 Pro's and the M50, which one friend of mine has one and another has the other. I tried on both and I was completely sold on the M50, but the comfort level will require some time getting used to.

 

But is the ATH m50's noise canceling enough to overcome outside noise or what I meant is does the sound quality really make up for the differences against the outside noise since i'm on the bus a lot of the time and I hate hearing people laugh and talk.

Thanks

 

It should be sufficient. The reason they are not comfortable is that they use a metal brace instead of a plastic brace. This metal brace makes the M50 act like those ear muffs that construction workers use. Therefore they literally pinch your head when you put them on, giving you a very good threshold of external sound penetration.

Therefore for me, I found it sufficient enough for me to enjoy the rich sounds out of the ATH-M series. Something like on the bus will make them work just fine in terms of noise cancellation.

 

Is it worth the $45 dollars differences?

 

In my opinion? Yes.

 

Ok so it settle, I'm going to buy the audio-Technica

It too bad their warranty isn't 2 year like sennheiser.

Should I get the M50 or M50s?

Do you know off any store that sell them. I was looking at the sound professional but they say you can only return the item if it in NEW condition, I mean that a big FU from me to that company.

Thanks

 

Audio Technica does have a shorter warranty but their stuff is built like tanks! No cheapo plastics or poor stitching like the Sennheisers. You are in good hands with AT.

I think the only difference between the M50 and the M50S is that the M50S has a shorter cable length.