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Best sounding phones for less than 100.00
- Thread starter gbroot
- Start date
cubdog
banging through drywall
I just checked out the Headfi thread on these. They do sound very impressive. I like the simple no nonsense look of them as well.
cubdog
evman140
Hearing things...
Indeed, they are all business.
I can report that they have a tendency of drawing attention in a public setting! :-D
Did my first visit to a Guitar Center store and I'm batting a thousand these days in getting top quality service. If all of these stores are as good as the Southcenter store...I'm sold. Connor set me up in a sound room with his take on most of the phones that were in our discussion here as best he could (Shure SRH440's, Sennheiser HD280's and KRK KNS 8400's) and left me alone for a good stretch. Put on the Sennheiser's first....very nice flat response but nothing came to the forefront as the songs moved through their change ups. Second was the Shure SRH440's...a little bright but found them to be faithful to original mixing and liked the wider soundstage with all aspects of the music staying distinct and richly presented. (A lot like my home setup.) Last came the KRK KNS 8400......very warm and detailed but a little too neutral for me.
I've settled on the Shure SRH440's for matching what I am used to at home and plan on doing some EQ with them to knock off the bright edge. (I know... for shame.) Connor seemed to grasp what my preferences were immediately and even though they weren't his, he described what aspects of them I preferred to a tee and went on to suggest others to grow into if I wanted to upgrade in the future. I walked away knowing full well that my listening session there was very limited for making "a best decision" (because of break in needed to hear what these phones really sound like....especially those Sennheisers) but hey.....those Shures will keep a smile on my face for a long long time to come. Thanks all for helping me out so well and big thanks to the OP who started this great thread....$100.00 HP's did it for me!
I've settled on the Shure SRH440's for matching what I am used to at home and plan on doing some EQ with them to knock off the bright edge. (I know... for shame.) Connor seemed to grasp what my preferences were immediately and even though they weren't his, he described what aspects of them I preferred to a tee and went on to suggest others to grow into if I wanted to upgrade in the future. I walked away knowing full well that my listening session there was very limited for making "a best decision" (because of break in needed to hear what these phones really sound like....especially those Sennheisers) but hey.....those Shures will keep a smile on my face for a long long time to come. Thanks all for helping me out so well and big thanks to the OP who started this great thread....$100.00 HP's did it for me!
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skyline315
Active Member
Congrats! They're good headphones...enjoy them!
NavinJohnson
Professional Amateur
nice. even though you didnt go with my suggestion the only thing that matters is whether you are happy or not. i like bright also so everything is there and you can roll back to your sweet spot. vs trying to boost and getting harsh peaks.
because everyone loves dancing bananas.
because everyone loves dancing bananas.
cubdog
banging through drywall
This is the first time I've ever heard Grados described as warm. Or comfy for that matter.
cubdog
skyline315
Active Member
Haha yeah, that caused my eyebrows to raise as well.
nice. even though you didnt go with my suggestion the only thing that matters is whether you are happy or not. i like bright also so everything is there and you can roll back to your sweet spot. vs trying to boost and getting harsh peaks.
.....I know. Connor did say that those seem to be a "most bang for the buck" HP and....he mirrored the opinion that break in with the Sennheiser HD280's is a biggie.
Still, I learned, settled with a decision after listening and comparing other highly respected phones, had a great experience,and couldn't have done it without you guys help. Thanks NJ
Been using this thread as a jumping off point for continuing my research on not-so-expensive headphones, as it's time to jump in (I haven't owned phones in 30 years).
Looking at reviews and prices, I've narrowed it down to 2: the Brainwavz HM5's (the rebranded Fischer Audio FA-003) for $99 on Amazon and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50, $110 on Amazon. I have a strong incentive to go to Amazon as I have credit card points to use before they expire on 12/31/12 and I can use them on Amazon.
I will be listening mostly at home on a system (currently a Marantz 2252b) and possibly on a DAC/headphone amp playing FLAC files through Winamp.
Very interested in you all's thoughts.
:beer: Thanks in advance.
Looking at reviews and prices, I've narrowed it down to 2: the Brainwavz HM5's (the rebranded Fischer Audio FA-003) for $99 on Amazon and the Audio-Technica ATH-M50, $110 on Amazon. I have a strong incentive to go to Amazon as I have credit card points to use before they expire on 12/31/12 and I can use them on Amazon.
I will be listening mostly at home on a system (currently a Marantz 2252b) and possibly on a DAC/headphone amp playing FLAC files through Winamp.
Very interested in you all's thoughts.
:beer: Thanks in advance.
tom_L
Active Member
Tough choice. I recently picked up the Digitech version of the Fischers and was extremely impressed based on a short listen. I also have the Audio Technica M40s which I also enjoy. Probably can't go wrong with either choice.
Doctordirt
Silence is Broken
Review from headphone's dot com. It's all in the ending
Blake Wilson
Ultrasone EDITION 10 - Open Back Dynamic Over Ear Headphones w/S-Logic Natural Surround Sound I have reached the mountain
Pros:
Ultimate sound!
Ultimate comfort!
Ultimate looks!
Cons:
Ultimate price
Other Thoughts:
The Edition 10 is not only a headphone. It is an experience through and through. From the unboxing its beautiful wooden case to assembling its one of a kind stand and sitting the headphone on it for the first time, the Edition 10 is what a top of the line headphone should be.
I use this with a Ray Samuels HR2 Amp and the sound is simply sublime. I mean, every detail you ever thought could exist does come through. Sometimes, things you don’t even want to hear! But the sound is beyond words. The bass is so full of impact and bloom, but the treble is forward enough to bring out the life in the music.
Wearing the headphones, you can easily fall asleep. They are so comfortable. And obviously, they look about as expensive as you are actually paying. The price is a bit too high I think, but what can you do. I wish I could end this review with "worth every penny" but it cost me 2 months on my mortgage and well.....my wife....my wife would prefer to be roofed than for me to have great sounding music. Yes, yes I’m having second thoughts about this marriage thing. Sorry honey
Blake Wilson
Ultrasone EDITION 10 - Open Back Dynamic Over Ear Headphones w/S-Logic Natural Surround Sound I have reached the mountain
Pros:
Ultimate sound!
Ultimate comfort!
Ultimate looks!
Cons:
Ultimate price
Other Thoughts:
The Edition 10 is not only a headphone. It is an experience through and through. From the unboxing its beautiful wooden case to assembling its one of a kind stand and sitting the headphone on it for the first time, the Edition 10 is what a top of the line headphone should be.
I use this with a Ray Samuels HR2 Amp and the sound is simply sublime. I mean, every detail you ever thought could exist does come through. Sometimes, things you don’t even want to hear! But the sound is beyond words. The bass is so full of impact and bloom, but the treble is forward enough to bring out the life in the music.
Wearing the headphones, you can easily fall asleep. They are so comfortable. And obviously, they look about as expensive as you are actually paying. The price is a bit too high I think, but what can you do. I wish I could end this review with "worth every penny" but it cost me 2 months on my mortgage and well.....my wife....my wife would prefer to be roofed than for me to have great sounding music. Yes, yes I’m having second thoughts about this marriage thing. Sorry honey
Ended up getting the Shure SRH440's home and have them broke in. Nice phones that even though I had no broad exposure to many that have been suggested.... after break in, the bass increased, sped up it's response and great detail to the point that I'm sure a good choice was made for me. (We really do a good job of weeding out the crap to get into sweet spots with good gear here!)
Right now I came down with a terrible cold that has me really stoved up....KZOK/Seattle is running "Best 1000" classic rock songs so sitting back and listening through these phones is a silver lining. (Can't share my cold but definitely want to share my thanks...best of a bad situation and you guys are the best.)
Right now I came down with a terrible cold that has me really stoved up....KZOK/Seattle is running "Best 1000" classic rock songs so sitting back and listening through these phones is a silver lining. (Can't share my cold but definitely want to share my thanks...best of a bad situation and you guys are the best.)
