The best headphones under $300?

[nickrobotron]

If you were forced to choose, would you pick the HIFIMAN or Sennheiser? Which one is your favorite?

That’s tough. If I didn’t have my stereo as my main source of music listening, I’d pick Senns, because I like listening to music for hours. But since I do that with my stereo, I’d keep the HIFIMANs. I grab them when I want to be “blown away” by production. They’re just more fun.

 

[musichal]

I also have both the Drop Senn 58x and Hifiman 400i. Not sure why, because I'm a speaker guy and rarely listen via 'phones. However, for the style of music under consideration, I think the Senns would likely be the preferred choice.

 

[Tedrick]

I think @nickrobotron is spot on describing the sound of the HiFiMan HE-4XX. I will add that I think the bass reproduction of the HE-4XX is underrated; I find it to be tight, fast, and extended without any over-emphasis, and an excellent match to the speed and transparency of the upper registers. At the price the HE-4XX goes for on Drop, they are one of the better bargains in good-quality headphones.

BTW, the HE-4XX are on sale again on Drop, so now's a good to pick up a pair.

 

[JoeESP9]

I have a pair of HE-4xx. They are my current favorite headphones.

 

[transmaster]

I read through through the suggestion and the headphone that you so often see in studios was not mentioned, the AKG 240 MkII. Add a good DAC/Amp, and a Blue Jeans Cable, custom Mini XLR cable as I have and you have a fantastic sound.

 

[L0rdGwyn]

I have owned all of the HD6XX line of headphones, my personal favorite is the HD650 (HD6XX on Massdrop). It has an incredible ability to scale with the quality of your upstream gear, with the right amp it can be elevated to perform like a TOTL headphone. Sounds great with a good tube amp

In terms of technical ability, I think the HD650 is a step above the HD58X. When it comes to the HD600 vs HD650, it's a matter of FR preference with the HD650 being warmer with a more emphasized mid-bass.

 

[rmsanger]

The Focal Elegia are $400 @ Adorama right now and incredible headphones for the $. I know it isn't exactly in your budget criteria but thought it was still worth a mention.

 

[eyewanders]

Just wanted to mention the AKG K712 Pro ... They are normally found retail in the $350-450 range, but VERY often they go on sale or can be found used for between $200-300 (I got mine open-box for $288USD) ... And at that price I've simply never heard anything that come close to them.
Open-back, neutral-but-not-boring, great bass extension and texture, not veiled or peaky, lovely softly detailed highs, wide but not unnaturally wide soundstage, excellent imaging and instrument tonality, huge earcups/pads and very lightweight frame. I love mine. All my other current phones (I've had a lot) have been feeling incredibly neglected over the past many months.

 

[cratz2]

I've had the Q701s for many years and had the 712 Pros for a few weeks.

The 712 is to the Q701 as the Sennheiser 650/6xx is to the 600. Bass is s bit fuller bit not radically different. There seems to be a bit less air to the 712s. They both have a large soundstage though some feel it sounds falsely large.

The 712 is basically more exciting and has more 'pop' than the Q701 though the Q701 sounds a bit more neutral/natural, whatevervthat means.

They are both great choices for something in that category. I have better headphones but still love my Q701s.

 

[eyewanders]

The 712 is to the Q701 as the Sennheiser 650/6xx is to the 600. Bass is s bit fuller bit not radically different. There seems to be a bit less air to the 712s. They both have a large soundstage though some feel it sounds falsely large.

The 712 is basically more exciting and has more 'pop' than the Q701 though the Q701 sounds a bit more neutral/natural, whatevervthat means.

I've heard but have never owned the 701s, but that all sounds about right. Whomever thinks the soundstage of these sound falsely large have never heard a pair of Fidelios, and/or don't spend much time mixing/mastering. This line, more than any other, sounds as close to a set of monitors I've ever had next to my ears. Perfect soundstage as far as I'm concerned, at least for practical purposes.

 

[HiFi in WYO]

B&W PX-5. $250 online. The PX-7 is about $50 more, but can't say about them as I have the 5s.

Amazingly crystal clear music. Noise cancelling and wireless. Long battery life. Not quite as comfortable as my wife's Bose Quiet Comfort phones, but think the soundstage is more neutral. And the Bose aren't anything to sneeze at either - they're also very nice. I can listen to either without fatigue.

 

[cratz2]

I've heard but have never owned the 701s, but that all sounds about right. Whomever thinks the soundstage of these sound falsely large have never heard a pair of Fidelios, and/or don't spend much time mixing/mastering. This line, more than any other, sounds as close to a set of monitors I've ever had next to my ears. Perfect soundstage as far as I'm concerned, at least for practical purposes.

Definitely. I'm not in the camp that thinks they sound falsely large.

 

[eyewanders]

Definitely. I'm not in the camp that thinks they sound falsely large.

I know. I understood.

 

[Trance88]

I've been in love with my Beyerdynamics 250 ohm DT770 for 3 years now. I replaced the velour pads after only a year of use with some aftermarket soft foam filled pleather pads and they've been holding really well.

Here's a link to the earpads I use on my unit.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XCS4DGK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[slovell]

You can probably find a used Denon AH-D5000 for around $300, killer cans for the price.

 

[musichal]

My headphone listening has increased exponentially in recent months. I only like circum-aural designs.

I have these headphones:
Hifiman He-400i
Sennheiser/Drop HD-58x
AKG K240S
Monoprice 8323
Listed best to worst sound quality, imo.

Problem is that the reason I'm doing so much more HP listening is because the wife is watching TV in the same room. The effect of this is to bump the $30 8323 to the top of the list, due to its superior isolation in comparison with all these open-back models. Besides this, I've always thought it sounded better than it should, anyway.

So I've come to realize that open-back vs closed-back can be the most important choice one makes. I have what should be a better closed-back model en route, the AT ATH-M30x. Since I believe open styles better closed types, I don't want to spend a lot, so I chose the seventy-buck 30 over the pricier 40 or 50.

 

[Thumbie]

Sorry to bring up an old thread but I am in such a similar situation as the OP, and wandering what they're final decision was?

Musical taste is slightly different though. Depending on mood either electronic/EDM or acoustical/rock/vocals, but mostly newer alternative which seems to be a hybrid of the two lol

So I guess a closed-ear audiophile headphone but with more focus on bass. I know there are a lot of choices out there for under $300. Do any in particular have extra punch and detail at the bottom end above the rest, without sacrificing too much of the full soundstage?

there's currently a nice pair of DT 770s 32ohm on my local CL for under $150. From what I've read these might do the trick...thoughts?

 

[transmaster]

You cannot lose with a set of AKG 240 Mk II’s. The 240 has been in production for a long time it is very popular in recording studios, and broadcasters. .

https://www.akg.com/Headphones/Professional Headphones/K240MKII.html

 

[JoeESP9]

You can't go wrong with Hifi Man HE-400i's. They are currently $129 from Drop.

There are several threads on them in the headphones area. I have a pair and highly recommend them.

 

[David_NC]

I'm really happy with my Sony MDR-1ADAC's. If you don't need or want the built-in DAC, the MDR-1A's are the one to get. The DAC works directly with iOS devices, which is nice. These are the most comfy headphones I've used and probably the best overall that I've used for any extended period. They are sealed, which is my preference, and I feel they have good bass. If you only want new, the 'new and improved' model of these is MDR-1AM2.