Large headphones =< $100?

Hi all.

I used to have a $20 pair of Sennheiser (HD 201) over the ear headphones that I really liked. After a few years, the cord got ruined (it was longer than longcat), and now I want something similar. I don't need insane audiophile sound or bass, but something over-the-ear, rather than just on-ear. Ideally in the $50 range if there are some good quality ones out there.

I trust Sennheiser, and have heard good things about certain Sony models, but I can't find any Sony models large enough.

Since these are for on-the-go, no headsets with a mic please.

Absolutely no Beats, Skullcandy, etc.

Thanks.

Right now I'm looking at the ATH-M30...any suggestions?

 

I have the ATH-AD300, and I like it a lot. It is really comfortable for me, it was $85 when I bought it not too long ago. I personally think it sounds really good, but I have some peers who says otherwise..

 

I'd spring the extra 20 bones and go for the ATH-M50's. They aren't headphones built for reference, but they are very fun to listen to.

 

I'll throw the MDR-ZX700 into the mix. Well under $100 usually - similar class of sound to the M50 but a less bassy, more 'audiophile-friendly' mix. More comfortable IMO as well, and a portable-friendly cord (once again unlike the M50).

 

Looks good, but I couldn't find them in any stores, and on amazon they weren't rated as highly as the M30s for a similar price.

Was an extra 118 bones at the store for either the M50 or M50s.

Couldn't find these at the store either. I generally like Sony headphones, and these looked very good, but for a similar price I'm not going to go out of my way for them.

I have the ATH-M30 now, and while they are a bit on the bassy side, it does not sound forced, the way it does on certain "enhanced bass" headphones.

Granted, in Little Lion Man by Mumford and Sons the banjo gets a bit drowned out by the stomping, bass drum, and bass, the voices do not, even slightly.

I am going to try them out a bit more intensely with some piano that has both bass chords and treble melody, and see if it bothers me. Proper reproduction is what I was looking for, and I want to make sure I made the right call.

Any suggestions of good reference songs?

Thanks.

 

Another vote for ATH (Audio Technica) products. I use AD-700s at my desk, open air design, super comfy (and light), beautiful sound stage. I've heard that they're designed for ... ahem ... larger noggins, so I guess I fit that description since they seems pretty perfect.

Generally available for <$100 if you shop around.

 

I was about to post this, I have owned a pair for nearly two years and still love them. They sound even better with a cheap little headphone amp like the Fiio E5, and then you could upgrade to a better DAC in the future.

 

You might be able to guy a car for under $10,000 but the terms 'good' and 'quality' would not be used in describing them.

In the case of virtually all headphones and speakers, you get what you pay for. So just keep that in mind when asking for advice on sound components. The best sound drivers don't ad or subtract anything.

Incidentally, the better headphone retail for around $300, so you can extrapolate from that and determine where your headphones would fall based solely on that price hierarchy.

Nevertheless, in the end, the finally determination will be yours, so if you like the sound you get from a pair of headphones in that price range, nobody here can tell you different.

 

ATH-AD700 for stereo.

Logitech G35 for virtual surround.

 

Nice, will be upgrading at some point.

Again, will upgrade later, especially since they seem larger.

The open-ness might not be OK as I use it outdoors on the bus, etc.

I am sure people who drive Ferraris would feel the same way if they had to get a Honda, but I just can't afford $300, and I do find the gains in sound accuracy are marginal from the M30 to the $999 for someone who listens to music and watches TV on the bus.

I'm not editing the soundtrack for the next Lord of the Rings movie, I just want faithful sound and low impedance for plugging it into a weak music player.

I understand what you're saying, but I think you may have missed the league I am in.

 

Check out the JVC HA-RX900. In the vicinity of $55 and worth every penny, although the cord is on the long side. Still, nothing that can't be handled with a rubber band or zip tie.

 

Yeah, thanks for the reminder! I meant to mention they sound great without an amp, unlike some phones that really don't open up unless they're [externally] amp'ed.

Then of course you can still add one to the AD700s for an even better experience! I'm partial to the PA2V2

They also seem really well built, even vs. $300-400+ products.

OK cool, the topic was <$100 but I did see where in the OP you said ~$50, so I figured I'd still toss those out there. FWIW, I've seen some Amazon "warehouse" options for the AD700s for around $80-ish (in good-to-very-good condition ... I guess those are returns, possible refurbs).

 

Point taken. You have to excuse this audiophile's rant during threads such as this.

 

The previously mentioned AD700's get my vote. I loveeee mine.

 

I'm going to throw my suggestion in for the ATH-M50's, as well. They are quality headphones and an extra twenty-thirty dollars is no biggie when you consider the quality increase.

 

I use the AD700's as well, Although mine have been modded. I also use a uDAC2 external DAC.