Best sound quality heaphones under $300
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cubdog
banging through drywall
How about some more information. Do they need to be portable. Open or closed. What kind of music do you listen to? Are you a bass head? Noise cancellation needed or wanted?
cubdog
BMWCCA
Addicted Member
I was blown away by the sound of the Sennheiser HD 598 when I spent some time auditioning a dozen headphones at our local Crutchfield store. I started with the $400 HiFiMan and the Senn HD 600, and worked my way down to a set I own, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro. They stock Grado, Beats, Monster, Denon, B&W, AKG, Yamaha, PSB, Bose, Klipsch, Koss, and others.
The HD 598 had to be among the ugliest there but they were also the most comfortable and had the most impressive audio experience, IMHO. I've been thinking about them ever since and noticed today that the price has dropped on Amazon.
The HD 598 had to be among the ugliest there but they were also the most comfortable and had the most impressive audio experience, IMHO. I've been thinking about them ever since and noticed today that the price has dropped on Amazon.
redisburning
Active Member
well personally when I went for a pair of cans in the 300 range I had originally considered Sennheisers (both of my previous purchases) but ultimately chose AKG 701s.
I always felt like my Sennheisers were a bit dark and muffled. Not so with the AKGs. I can live with the slightly low bass that the AKGs deliver even amped and going full bore compared to some other brands. Honestly I feel that this makes many modern, bass heavy genres considerably more tolerable. Dubstep, DnB, metal etc. typically have over EQ'd bass.
I'm not sure they are the best SQ under 300 in headphones as I haven't tried them all but if you want a new pair of headphones at the top of that pack, they are worth considering.
They are open and very large, neither of which bothers me but may be a non-starter for you.
I always felt like my Sennheisers were a bit dark and muffled. Not so with the AKGs. I can live with the slightly low bass that the AKGs deliver even amped and going full bore compared to some other brands. Honestly I feel that this makes many modern, bass heavy genres considerably more tolerable. Dubstep, DnB, metal etc. typically have over EQ'd bass.
I'm not sure they are the best SQ under 300 in headphones as I haven't tried them all but if you want a new pair of headphones at the top of that pack, they are worth considering.
They are open and very large, neither of which bothers me but may be a non-starter for you.
cubdog
banging through drywall
I was blown away by the sound of the Sennheiser HD 598 when I spent some time auditioning a dozen headphones at our local Crutchfield store. I started with the $400 HiFiMan and the Senn HD 600, and worked my way down to a set I own, the Sennheiser HD 280 Pro. They stock Grado, Beats, Monster, Denon, B&W, AKG, Yamaha, PSB, Bose, Klipsch, Koss, and others.
The HD 598 had to be among the ugliest there but they were also the most comfortable and had the most impressive audio experience, IMHO. I've been thinking about them ever since and noticed today that the price has dropped on Amazon.
They have dropped in price haven't they. I actually like the way the look. Just another one to add to my growing list.
cubdog
skyline315
Active Member
Both of mine are in that range: Beyerdynamic DT880 and DT1350.
Like others have said, though, it really depends on what kind of music you listen to and the conditions under which you plan to listen.
Like others have said, though, it really depends on what kind of music you listen to and the conditions under which you plan to listen.
Closed. Noise cancellation not required. Prefer to be on the bassy side. I'm actually helping a friend pick out a replacement set for the "Beats" she got as a Christmas present that pretty much suck. Type of music would be the standard fair pop and country.
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In that case the V-MODA M100 could be just the ticket.
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/bassheads-delight-v-moda-crossfade-m-100
I have a pair and I love them. They're not 'audiophile' cans, in the sense that they're not neutral. There's a definite bass emphasis. But unlike other 'bass cannons' they're not muddy - the mids are slightly recessed in relation to the bass, but present and excellent, and there's some pleasant sparkle at the top end. Also a surprisingly large soundstage for portable closed cans.
http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/bassheads-delight-v-moda-crossfade-m-100
I have a pair and I love them. They're not 'audiophile' cans, in the sense that they're not neutral. There's a definite bass emphasis. But unlike other 'bass cannons' they're not muddy - the mids are slightly recessed in relation to the bass, but present and excellent, and there's some pleasant sparkle at the top end. Also a surprisingly large soundstage for portable closed cans.
This Head-Fi thread contains lots of info needed to answer the OPs question.
http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/bat...compared-update-hifiman-he-400-added-12-24-12
http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/bat...compared-update-hifiman-he-400-added-12-24-12
Heavy26R
Member
After extensive research and hesitation due to some reviews that they have poor bass, I got the AKG702. I love them! The bass is perfect!. I hate muddy sounding headphones. They respond good to EQ bass increase should I need it for certain music. I listen to country, classic rock, alternative, jazz, classical. I have only had them for a few days, but they lived up to my expectations. I do not have a dedicated headphone amp, and hook them up via Marantz 2265b.
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Haha. Very true. Beats has no idea what mids are :thumbsdn:
I'm in the same boat. Looking to upgrade my Shure 440's for under $300. Looking at the shure 940's. maybe I can give a listen to the AKG 701's as well.
Heavy26R
Member
They do sound less powerful and the bass vanishes when underpowered. On computer or weak system. I think those who complain about 701/702 bass just don't have the power to drive them. They are just awesome when you feed them. I think people have high expectations for these when they don't have enough power to get them to perform.
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skyline315
Active Member
I had the 940s for a while. Good headphone, but ended up being too lean for me. Sold them, bought the DT880s, and haven't looked back.
