HTHMAN
Super Member
I hope you listen to the different headphones before you buy any. YOURS is the only opinion that counts. Let your ears decide for you.
Best entry level audiophile headphones under $100?
- Thread starter Elitemav
- Start date
I hope you listen to the different headphones before you buy any. YOURS is the only opinion that counts. Let your ears decide for you.
Vintage_Hi-F
Vintage Audio Geek
Hey if he doesn't like them and gets them say through amazon he can send them back for a full refund or exchange them for a comparably priced set that amazon stocks. Though I have a feeling that the AD700's won't disappoint, I have yet to hear of any one that is using them correctly (with an receiver or headphone amp) that doesn't like them. But you do have a very good point.
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I wish i could but there are literally no listening stations anywhere not even best buy or any of the hole in the wall shops around here. pretty much everything around here is buy and hope you like it because they never have demos of anything anymore.
Vintage_Hi-F
Vintage Audio Geek
Amazon has a pretty generous return policy. You could demo some phones that way.
Permanent Waves
Digital Man
I'd say it wouldn't be hard for about any AKG to sound better than any Senn.
(No, really I'm kidding here: though I'm an AKG fan based off my 702's and not a Senn fan based off my 595's and friend's 600's, I'm sure even I'd go for the higher end Senns over really cheap AKG's, at least if we take the more $$ to mean higher SQ dictum to apply generally). Anyway, never heard the K99's but here's an interesting review:
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/436698/review-akg-k99-hidden-gem
One note about demo'ing: I don't find that to be really trustworthy. For me it's difficult to judge a can (or speaker) from a brief demo session (especially with distraction around you or worse a salesman standing there wringing his hands telling me how much I should like this can/speaker that I can get online for half of his price lol). It takes me at least a week listening to all sorts of material in all sorts of moods to really pin down a can (or speakers) sound. And the pairing with the rest of your gear can make a big difference as well (and, in the case of speakers, your room acoustics).
That said, it is true that if I don't really like the sound a can (or speaker) has right away I'm not going to grow to like it over time (no matter how much "burn in" I give it) so first impressions do count for something (they just aren't definitive). But I've had some that I've liked ok at first grow to be my favorites over time.
Anyway, hope you enjoy your cans!
I've heard only stellar reviews on those so i am sure they are some great cans for sure.
LAB3
AK Member
I agree.. I just purchased the Audio-Technia ATH-A700 for $111.00 delivered on Amazon. After a few hours of beak in ...wow what a Great deal.
I'll stick with my old standby: Sony MDR-V6. In fact I'm listening to them now connected directly to my Nak 600II Deck.
Permanent Waves
Digital Man
No, but I've heard OF them. Don't know if that's good or bad.
I would think the M50's can be had for that price (or less) from more for certain reputable sellers though.
B&H Photo has them for $109 shipped for instance:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/477843-REG/Audio_Technica_ATH_M50_ATH_M50_Professional_Closed_Back_Studio.html
Only problem is they are back ordered (might send them an email to see when they will be back in, it says one to two weeks but...). But I've bought several things from B&H over the years and never had a problem. They frequently beat Amazon's price for gear.
I thought the M50's went from $90 to $110; I think maybe with all the talk about them there's been a lot more ordering of them so the price has increased. I don't remember seeing them for above $150 before! (Maybe I'm wrong: It's not like I've been writing down the prices on them for the last year or so! Just seeing them here and there as I've thought of ordering them myself from time to time).
Permanent Waves
Digital Man
I haven't, but from what I know about both it would probably be like comparing apples to oranges. Different sound signatures, neither better or worse.
If you check around on Head-Fi you can probably find some comparisons.
eclein
Retired Drummer
Somebody at head-fi said "headphones are like buying different colors" very appropriate I think, as I'm just getting into them and have SR60's, Ultrasone HFi 700, Sony ???....The Grado's are a very detailed open sound, awesome imaging and can be modded. My Ultrasones are probably tied sound wise but have a different tonal balance, tighter image...I was going to sell them but decided not to...I'll just start collecting cans now.
Yeah, except you'd be comparing them to a person who has never eaten an orange
I want to know how oranges are different from apples!
EricF
Dumb bass player
I've used Zzounds for years. They're one of my preferred online retailers for musical instrument and recording gear. :thmbsp:
Others in the same market I trust...
- Sweetwater
- B&H
- Next Day Music
