a headphones recommendation thread

check out the Audio Technica range

I have panasonic rp-htx7s, which are big old-fashioned over the ear phones (not pads that sit on the ear). They are closed-back, which was essential for me, as I do most of my listening either on public transport or at home with someone else in the room, so I didn't want sound leaking in or out.

However, closed back phones are usually much poorer sound quality at the same price as open ones. I'm not too sure of the overall quality, but because the speaker is actually away from your ear, you don't get the claustrophobic quality that you get with, say PX200s. I like the way they sound anyway - lively.

Plus they look really cool.

http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/pa/panasonic-rphtx7.jpg

If you're seriously tempted by the Grado SR60s, I'd strongly recommend considering getting Alessandro MS1s for $20 more - you have to buy them online, sadly, and they're $100 (including P&P to anywhere in the world), but they're made by Grado, are roughly equivalent to the SR125, and tuned with less brightness than any Grado. I find them much more agreeable than the SR60s, which I found quite fatiguing.

Failing that, get a dedicated headphone amp and a pair of AKG K601s; I ADORE these (big buggers top-right).

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3430/3225479471_dac5148d5d.jpg

Top-LEFT, duh me.

can anyone briefly explain the difference between the Grado SR60s and SR80s to me?

About $25.

Ba-dum-tsh.

Um, apparently slightly more bass extension, you get different earpads (the donuts rather than the sponges), a little more detail and soundstage, and allegedly a little brighter-sounding, even. If you get chance, listen to both and see which you prefer, I'd suggest.

Thanks. I'm going to the US next week and I was thinking I'd buy some Grados over there. I'm a bit worried by frequent mentions of lack of bass on the Grados and constant reference to them being 'rock' HPs.

There's a characteristic "mid-bass hump" in Grados that gives kick drums a real slam, but there's not masses of extension, no. They definitely favour rock over electronic music in terms of how they deliver; it's a very coloured sound, not an even one. It's absolutely exciting as all fucking hell if you're in the right mood, though.

What would be better headphones for electronic music? I love the Grado slam, as you put it, and I listen to plenty of electronic music, but if I'm missing something then I'd like to hear better.

I've got Sennheiser HD650's which I'm extremely impressed by, but those aren't in the same price range so I'll shut up.

What's your budget? I had some Sennhesier HD595s a few years ago which were better but didn't quite tickle me right, so I upgraded to the AG K601s mentioned above, which suit me for pretty much all music these days. Sennhesier HD555s might be a good try from what I've heard of them.

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StanM, you running them off a headphone amp?

No, should I?

Ok, so the AG K601s would be good for anything, you say. Good. I'm not in the market for them now, and I see that they're pretty pricey, but on the other hand I listen to 6-8 hours a day of music most days on headphones, so it's an expense I could justify as a long-term good.

Almost certainly; they're quite power-hungry and everything I've read about them suggested you'd not be getting anywhere near the best out of them without a dedicated headphone amp. What you running them off? Hi-fi amp socket? Mini-system? iPod?

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6-8 hours a day with headphones definitely justifies forking out a bit of cash, I'd say!

http://www.multitalent-production.com/Bilder/Equipment/akgk240.jpg
AKG 240s - Still love 'em after all these years. Great sound and their self-adjusting design make them very comfortable.
And they're a good value at $85-$120.

xpost: Hi-fi amp socket

And thanks for the tip, btw, will check out headphone ampage now.

StanM's look sweet but def above my budget (approx 150-200 USD)

I also have the AKG601s and they're pretty good all-rounders. Bass is a little lacking (but very accurate, and they go deep) and the soundstage is pretty enormous, which leads to good instrument separation.

If you're not absolutely bent on having full size headphones, take a look at IEMs (in-ear monitors). You can get very, very good IEMs for under $200 and you won't need a headphone amp to drive them.

Bear in mind that Grados are not the most comfortable headphones in the world, even with the larger doughnut pads. (At least, I'm assuming that the replacement pads I got for my SR-125s - much better than the originals - are what comes as standard thesedays with 80s and above).

Mine would be for late night listening at home so one or two consecutive hours max.

Got my Porta pros, 2 weeks ago and they are great. good for long periods and realy really comfortable.

coupled with my sansa clip Ive got a great pair of headphones and an 8 gig mp3 player/FM radio for about £60 inclusive.

I'd even recomend then for indoor use as I dont always like the closed off ones for long periods of time. its nice and safer to hear other sounds as well.

that is exactly my setup = Clip + PortaPros

and then i listen to a bunch of shitty mp3s

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the Denon AH-D1001 yet. I wasn't aware until last month that Denon made nice cans, but there's been a lot of talk about their latest line of sealed headphones. It's the first time I've heard of a sealed headphone sounding better than a lot of open headphones. A sealed headphone is perfect if you live with a partner or are married, and want to listen to music in bed without disturbing them.

The AH-D1001 is a semi-portable on-ear headphone that's light and small enough to use for travel. I intend to take it on vacations. I have a portable iBasso Cobra DAC/amp that I can connect to portable DVD/CD player via coaxial. But mostly I use it in the bedroom, connected to my Squeezebox. It doesn't require nearly as much power as my AKG K701, so an amp isn't totally necessary. It's comfortable enough that I've used it for two hours and forgotten they were on my head, and have even fallen asleep with them on (try not to do that with the volume is too loud!)

Their list price is $150 but I got them for $83+shipping via Amazon. I can't imagine a better deal for other sealed headphones. I've heard Sennheiser HD280 Pro for the same price, Sony MDR-7506 ($96), and Audio-Technica ATH-M50 ($120) and I prefer the Denon. I've heard several Grados and they're not for me, and are not sealed.

I think the Porta Pros design is a little nagging and overwrought, the way they have those unnecessary pads that reach for your temples and the comfort control switch or whatever. Also not impressed by folding headphones in general.

Reviews from headphone geeks:

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/denon-ah-d1001-review-352409/
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/denon-ah-d1001-first-impressions-362189/

I just picked up my new AKG K77s from the FedEx debpot. God I love the FedEx logo. These are for my new office, which I share with real live people. £30.

I just ordered the bottom end Alessadros so I shall report back. They are in PA so damned sales tax meant couldn't use my AT&T rebate. Never mind.

AKG K77

http://cannoneerno4.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/ak47.jpg

Sorry. Didn't mean to kill the thread :-(

the only thing that could fix the thread now is for the final verdict on the headphone purchase to come in

AKG 240

^i am intrigued by these

either tomorrow or wednesday:

http://bluraydaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/verdict1946dvdr.jpg

AKG 240s are the best headphones ive ever used that weren't stupid expensive beyer dynamic ones.

i think i will buy them

on the cheap i can also recommend the AKG K-220M which look really terrible but sound pretty good

i can vouch for the AKGs. plus they're kinda fabulous looking with the gold accents

jumping the "gun"

uh which despite the fact that i have a pair sitting in front of me do not appear to exist anymore so never mind xposts

these are going to be a birthday gift so the 240s aren't too expensive

in other words im not paying for them

grados are not uncomfortable waht is rong with u ppl

yeah but those AKGs feel like you are giving your ears a hug tho

saying grados are not uncomfortable is like saying that it's okay that your husband beats you because you love him and he doesn't know any better

http://www.granitegrok.com/pix/gavel_1.jpg

Open Orders
Order Date: May 11, 2009
Order #: 103-0537289-9747458
Recipient: J0rd4n S4rg3nt

Items not yet shipped:
Delivery estimate: May 14, 2009
1 of: AKG K240 Semi Open Studio Headphones
Sold by: Amazon.com, LLC

dude you are srsly going to love those headphones, i was going to recommend them earlier but thought they were more expensive

I love my Sennheiser hd280pros. On the upper end of cheap, comfortable, over ear, great sound.

Grados are not uncomfortable on my head. This is fact. Not all things fit all people; for example, most old-school styled closed cans and over-ear headphones I find incredibly uncomfortable.

In many ways this article reiterates a lot of what has been recommended in this thread, but that is perhaps comforting in itself...:

http://www.goodcans.com/HeadphoneReviews/recommendations.htm

XP - Oh god yes, they drive me nuts, it's the rubberised quality to the leads and the L-shaped construction, if they had linguine shaped cable they'd be miles better, never had a problem with the fitting.

But you know, £10, can't argue.

absolutely not. tho i’ve literally lost an earbud in transition between flights at dubai f’ing airport and by god i’m ready to do murder.

I live and die for open headphones so noise cancelling headphones are a definite no from me.

Thinking of getting Bluetooth HPs or IEMs for watching TV (and not disturbing the family). Tips welcome

i’m now officially trying to collect Sony eggo headphones from the 90s, very open to buying any, even broken pairs, if anyone has any hoarded

speaking of cheap china earplugs : as mentioned on ILE, a friend got me these open headphones for my birthday.
i have no idea how they match up with name brands, but for me they sound bloody brilliant.

http://www.bestearphones.co.uk/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/500x500/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/8/6/8663941FPNWofpsL.jpg

those look great