My wife is in bed by the time I get home and I like to rock out to my lp's. I am looking for some opinions on the best set of headphones for $60 or less. I am looking for good bass and clarity at high or low volume levels. I know this price range won't buy me studio quality gear but if I can sip suds and hear the music how it should be heard I am happy. As always thanks in advance to those who lend a helping hand!
Best Headphones for $60.00 or less?
- Thread starter jazzgoose
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Jon²
Bork, bork, bork!
Actually, the best you could do for $60 (and maybe less) is a pair of AKG K240s. Not the new K240 S, but the original K240s with the 1/4" plug.
They come in three (main) flavours:
Sextet
Monitor
DF
Altho' each model differs from the others a little bit, the general consensus is that the Sextets and DF are the two most desirable models, with the DFs being a little more 'fun'.
Keep an eye out ebay or (less likely) your local GW and Sally Armies.
They come in three (main) flavours:
Sextet
Monitor
DF
Altho' each model differs from the others a little bit, the general consensus is that the Sextets and DF are the two most desirable models, with the DFs being a little more 'fun'.
Keep an eye out ebay or (less likely) your local GW and Sally Armies.
Cantabury Guy
Super Member
For just a little bit more you could get Sony MDR V6. Tried and true for like 20yrs.
kichijai
Well-Known Member
Do the old 600 ohm 240s sound better than the newer 55ohm ones? I have a feeling...
Brian
An Old Geezer
You do not say what you are driving them with. If an amp, look for a set of Koss ESP9 full range electrostatics. One of the best phones made at any price and today you can usually buy them off the bay in your price range. Great for lieing back on the pillow with as they can be a bit heavy. They are a full enclosure phone so you can drive them until your ears bleed and your spouse will never stir.
NicoR
Certifiably Awesome!
I have the MDR V6 as well as Grados (SR-80s, but I've listened a ton to the 60s), and I can tell you, theyre both quite good, but serve completely different purposes.
The Grados are very good, but theyre bright, so not for everyone. They are also excessively harsh when hooked up to a low quality amp, but they can really sing when theyre hooked up to good sources. They make great phones for home use at a dedicated lsitening rig (ie. late night alternative to speakers, or more cost-effective, price-effective alternative to speakers).
The Sonys on the other hand, sound good with almost any source. Less detail and a bit more congested than the Grados, but will beat them hands down if theyre both connected to, say, an ipod, or a soundcard. Also provides a bit of isolation from the outside world, which may be good or bad, depending on your situation.
So yeah, thats about it. Sorry for rambling so much, conciseness is not one of my strong points. Hope it helps a bit.
Jon²
Bork, bork, bork!
The originals (600ohms), that's why I mentioned 'not the new K240s.' The new K240 doesn't sound too bad, but it's not in the same rank as the originals.
Best $8 I ever spent.
I just bought a pair of Grado SR80's from a fellow AK'er about 3 weeks ago for 50 bucks. Nice sounding cans, but after the initial test, my son found them and he's been using them ever since. I also have 2 pair of Sennheiser HD280 pros and prefer them over the Grado's. The Senn's cover the ear and block out 35 db of ambient noise. The Grado's are on the ear, and to me, not as comfortable but very light. The Sennheiser's are a little more expensive, about $100 a pair.
Nice sounding cans, but after the initial test, my son found them and he's been using them ever since. I also have 2 pair of Sennheiser HD280 pros and prefer them over the Grado's. The Senn's cover the ear and block out 35 db of ambient noise. The Grado's are on the ear, and to me, not as comfortable but very light. The Sennheiser's are a little more expensive, about $100 a pair.
kichijai
Well-Known Member
Great so the "new" 240s I bought don't sound as good as the 240s I bought back in 1982. Well that sounds about right. :worried:
rushfan
Super Member
Love the Koss PortaPro's. Comfortable open ear design, deep, punchy bass. Best of all, a lifetime no-questions asked warranty. Don't buy them for the warranty - buy them for the sound. If you have a chance to audition them, it's worth your time. They have been making them since 1984. That says something right there.
http://www.koss.com/koss/kossweb.nsf/p?openform&pc^pt^PORTAPRO
http://www.koss.com/koss/kossweb.nsf/p?openform&pc^pt^PORTAPRO
