What headphones do you recommend?
mace1229
Posts: 9,367
I'm looking for some headphones in about the $150 range (or less). I hate the way earbuds feel, but never ventured out and bought a pair of decent quality headphones before.
Is there one that you swear by? Four I have been looking at so far are ATH m50x, Sennheiser Momentum 2.0, Bose Truesound and Sennheiser 558.
Doing lots of reading while traveling for the holidays it seems like the most recommended ones are ATH m50x, so those are at the top of my list. I was also looking at Sennheister Momentum 2.0-they retail for $350 but were on sale for just about $200 so if they are as good as the reviews say I'd be willing to put up the extra cash for that sale. Also looking at Bose Truesound because I saw a pair on sale for about $80, and same with Sennheiser 558.
The problem is I cant find any in local stores, my best bet was Best Buy said I could order them online and I have 2 weeks to return them if I don't like them, so I did. Now just hoping to decide and return 3 of them before my credit card statement comes in.
I play a lot of vinyl (only missing Binaural when it comes to original pressings, and that's only because I didn't have my turntable in my dorm room at the time and didn't want to spend the $20 as a broke college student, but didn't know in a couple years they'd be selling for $300+ on ebay!). But my setup isn't really suitable for plugging in phones and listening. This would mostly be for things like traveling, relaxing in bed when my wife is reading or sleeping, or listening to music when it is going to disturb the rest of the house from my iPhone. Based on that I've all but ruled out the S 558, but still am a little curious based on what I've read about them and the price of $80, and maybe one day I'll update my record player and plug in. I've recently ripped several of my CD's into the highest definition available to see if it makes a difference.
They should be arriving in a day or 2, but looking for any input to consider in the meantime. Would $200 for Momentums be wasting money if I'm just using an iPhone? Any others I should be checking out?
Is there one that you swear by? Four I have been looking at so far are ATH m50x, Sennheiser Momentum 2.0, Bose Truesound and Sennheiser 558.
Doing lots of reading while traveling for the holidays it seems like the most recommended ones are ATH m50x, so those are at the top of my list. I was also looking at Sennheister Momentum 2.0-they retail for $350 but were on sale for just about $200 so if they are as good as the reviews say I'd be willing to put up the extra cash for that sale. Also looking at Bose Truesound because I saw a pair on sale for about $80, and same with Sennheiser 558.
The problem is I cant find any in local stores, my best bet was Best Buy said I could order them online and I have 2 weeks to return them if I don't like them, so I did. Now just hoping to decide and return 3 of them before my credit card statement comes in.
I play a lot of vinyl (only missing Binaural when it comes to original pressings, and that's only because I didn't have my turntable in my dorm room at the time and didn't want to spend the $20 as a broke college student, but didn't know in a couple years they'd be selling for $300+ on ebay!). But my setup isn't really suitable for plugging in phones and listening. This would mostly be for things like traveling, relaxing in bed when my wife is reading or sleeping, or listening to music when it is going to disturb the rest of the house from my iPhone. Based on that I've all but ruled out the S 558, but still am a little curious based on what I've read about them and the price of $80, and maybe one day I'll update my record player and plug in. I've recently ripped several of my CD's into the highest definition available to see if it makes a difference.
They should be arriving in a day or 2, but looking for any input to consider in the meantime. Would $200 for Momentums be wasting money if I'm just using an iPhone? Any others I should be checking out?
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Just me.
Since you are looking for something portable, though, you want to make sure that whatever device you are using to plug your headphones into will be capable of driving the cans with adequate power. You won't be able to take full-scale studio headphones and plug them into your iPod; it will be massively underpowered and sound like crap. Some headphones have built-in amplifiers, and some are wireless, so are adequately self-powered.
If you plan on being out in the world, you may not want something super-isolating, since you will want to hear things happening around you. I always chuckle a little at ads where someone is wearing these huge Beats headphones while walking through a busy crowd in downtown Manhattan, presumably listening to some really loud hip-hop with super bass. That person can't hear shit happening around them. Conversely, you don't want something big and bulky for laying in bed at night next to your sleeping partner.
I've tried all on my list but the m50x. So far the Momentums are a clear winner. I was impressed with the Sony MDR 7506, like them a lot more than I though I would, even more than the Bose soundtrue II. But the momentums kick butt. They definitely have that luxury item look and feel, but they sound a lot better to me too, and a lot more portable than any others I've considered. I've never really liked head phones because I never had more than a $10 pair, now I'm realizing what I've been missing!
No really, the Nun brand are great
https://open.spotify.com/user/spotify/playlist/1a1OB7jjf6bcuvJnmO5WaD
The best "feature" of the Shure cans is that they sound flat across the frequency range. A lot of headphones, especially cheaper models and Beats sound overhyped in the lower registers for my taste.
Was at Guitar Center killing time and thought: What the hell, why not check out headphones?
I took my time, listened to every pair on display. Pioneer, Yamaha, Sony, Sennheiser, Shure, AKG, Beyer Dynamic and Audio-Technica were the big ones but there were a couple others, too.
I had been contemplating the Senn HD-380s for a while but side by side, they were no match for the AT M50x.
It had been a few years since I checked out cans but those M50xs sounded better than I remember. Better than everything else in the store, to my ear.
I brought them home. The Shures I've been using will be relegated to use at my office or if I need an extra pair for recording.
If you haven't already checked these out, they are absolutely worth the cost. Total standout in a pretty crowded field.
I am a Sennheiser guy but I will def check out the AT M50x.
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2024- Baltimore
Subjective, I know, but they're working well for me.
I like the AT M-50x best out of those choices. The Senns are very comfortable and a good performer. I haven't used the Grados but I've read about them. Seems like people either love or hate them. Lots of complaints about long term comfort.
Wouldn't be my first choice for mixing/mastering in the studio as they add their own color, but they will make even less than audiophile quality recordings sound good.
I also wouldn't worry about the wireless tech with these. They do what they do well, regardless of what might come out next year.
Excited for you!
They are open-backed so probably not the best choice for the office or where other people might be bothered by bleed. Aside from that, holy hell do they sound great. Easily as good as the ATH-M50x and easy to drive with a phone or other device due to the 32 ohm impedance.
They make a closed back version too. (K275)
These K245s are shocking for the cost. Very even frequency response with lots of bass but not so much that it messes with the midrange balance. The top end is open and clear but never harsh. Metal headband that is self adjusting and the swiveling ear cups are metal too. They fold up for travel, come with a carry bag and a mini xlr to 3.5mm coiled cable.
Rumor is that this series (K175 on ear, K245 open back and K275 closed back) were the last products from the Austrian design team before the company was sold and restructured.
Anyway, these cans are great sounding and a tremendous bargain.
It's easy to see why they are considered to be industry standards.
They sound great just for casual listening too.
They are a little on the heavy side but they sound super nice. Very similar to the Sony MDR-7506 in terms of frequency balance and soundstage which is to say that they are pretty flat. One area that they outperform the Sonys is in the midrange detail. They are standouts in detail retrieval among the other 'phones in my collection and they aren't even broken in yet. Not as much bass bump as the AT M50x and not as open and airy as the AKG 245 but they are incredibly balanced and natural. Kind of a Goldilocks thing, much like the MDR-7506s.
They sound big and open (for a closed back), are easy to drive with a phone or tablet and despite being heavier, they are tremendously comfortable. I am a glasses wearer and some headphones have too much clamping force. These ones are just right: tight enough to stay in place and make a good seal but they don't ever feel like they're squeezing my head.
The SRH-840s are probably the last headphones I will buy for a while and I can already tell that they are going to get a lot of use.
And I just take off my glasses when I put on my headphones. Who needs to see?