New Headphones (studio monitors)

While getting a little too over-amped during a football game today, I accidentally sat on & broke my longtime headphones - Sony MDR-V150's which I loved.

That puts me in the market again. I've thought on & off about getting a headset.....but with Left 4 Dead being the only game I play online anymore (almost exclusively in coop mode on pub servers), that didn't seem to make sense.

What I'm looking for is a pair of over-the-ear 'studio monitor' style headphones, under $100 - for gaming, music & movies.

I do some webcasting work for my church and have used a pair of Sony MDR-V6's on occasion & consider them a benchmark in this category. The one thing that makes me hesitate though is the proliferation of much cheaper models, like Sony's own MDR-XD200, Koss' UR-40 and Sennheiser's HD 202.

So as a user interested in all-around sound with some detail thrown in, would I be better served by going with something more expensive (like the MDR-V6) or would it actually be possible to achieve similar results with something cheaper (like the MDR-XD200) ??

 

Not to be rude, but the MDR-V150 isn't that hot. I have one, and used to think it was pretty good as well, but once you starting comparing them to real good headphones, the difference is pretty substantial.

If you like open headphones, Audio-Technica ATH-AD700s are amazing, with great detail and an unbelievable soundstage for the price. AD900, K701 are great as well. If you prefer something more bassy and closed, check out the M50 or D2000.

 

No problem there, I should've prolly put 'cheapie' or something similar in front when describing them. Thanks for the recommendations though!

 

No problem. Here's a great site you can check for opinions:

Head-Fi.org - Headphone forums and reviews for audiophiles

The only brands I absolutely would steer clear of are Bose and Dr. Dre Beats, and some of the lower-end Sennheisers.

 

I love my audio-technica ATH-M50's.

 

Fixed it for you.

 

Recommendations pretty in sync with what I have and or plan to get.

I have the A700's for all around use, I have the AD700 for low bass use, and plan to get some D2000 for the heavy bass use.

There is a lot more to it than that, but its just a generalization.

 

You can find the A700 & AD700 under $100

AD700
AD700
A700
A700

The low impedance lets them easily run directly from the computer with no amp, though if your using a laptop a DAC/AMP makes them sound so much better.

If your using a desktop, you will be ok with any good quality dedicated sound card.

 

I'm quite fond of my JVC HA-RX900. I got mine on Amazon for around $60, and they sound great, especially now that I've burned them in. The folks at Head-fi told me they sound similar to headphones that cost significantly more, and are a great value...I'm no audio expert, but so far I can't disagree with them on this recommendation.

 

Thanks. Will primarily be using this with my desktop (my sound card is an HD Omega Stryker), though will be using this occasionally with my MBP when I'm out & about.

@ a4500435 - really like the link you posted.....over on those forums, the Koss Pro DJ100 and UR55 are coming up pretty favorable. Here's a thread where both are compared up against the M50.....

Koss Pro DJ100 and UR55 impressions vs M50

I've been looking at these too, very intriguing.

 

fixed for you again

On topic, I'd certainly consider sticking with the V6 if that's what you know - it's still reasonably competitive today, if a little rough. The HD 280's are also getting onto classic status - they're a little 'flatter' in response while being less sandpapery, but are potentially slightly more fragile than the V6's over time.

It depends on what you want really in terms of utility. If home only then some open phones like the Grados might make it into the mix. If it's an all-purpose walking around, then other more compact, closed phones like the Bose Triport AE can be a contender as well as the folding (although I never found the round-folding that useful) V6. If it's mainly stationary but you want isolation, then the HD280, the lower-end Shures, etc would be good options. Personally I've never been blown away by the Audio-Technicas, and my experience also only starts with the $200-level 900 series (e.g. ATH-A900) going up to the flagships, but you may like to check out lower models as they are at the very least very comfortable, if non-portable.

One particular note: Avoid the often Head-Fi recommended AKG K81DJ and it's newer rebadge. I've often read this on the board as being 'far better than that crap from Bose and Dr Dre Beats'. Having lined them up directly alongside the Triport AE and the Beats Solos (e.g. unlike anyone else on Head-Fi who would type the above), I can safely say the K81's make the Bose and Beats seem like reasonably decent value - and in absolutes I think it's kinda rubbish.

And as for folks on Head-Fi telling you headphone x sounds better than headphone y & z which costs a lot more, 90% of the time they haven't owned y & z

 

Good to know

 

I have HD280s and they are great, but you also might want to look at the newer Sennheiser HD448 headphones which are around the same price as the HD280s.