Headphones With Excellent Sound Quality

[Decado 10+ year member]

So I decided to start looking for some really good quality headphones mainly for music but for some gaming and movies too, I have the non sound cancelling bose headphones (yes I know, lame) which are alright but I'm looking for more in the low end and better all around fidelity. What would my choices be for under $400 or do they not even get that expensive? I listen to a lot of electronic music like Aphex Twin(AFX) and Infected Mushroom if that helps at all.

Edit: Oh and would a pocket amplifier be necessary for superior quality on a high end set of headphones?

Click to read more...

 

[newusername 10+ year member]

Plug

Some more information would help us point you in the right direction. There are a lot of cans out there (and yes, a number of which are over $400) so if you could tell us what style you're looking for, we can help out a bit.

 

[ngsm13 5,000+ posts]

For listening at home, I reckon you're looking into "Circum-Aural" headphones as Neil linked to?

nG

 

[Decado 10+ year member]

For listening at home, I reckon you're looking into "Circum-Aural" headphones as Neil linked to?
nG

Yep, I hate supraurals and ear buds. I'm looking for wired headphones and something that's somewhat comfortable also.

 

[MrDave 10+ year member]

Look no further than the DENON AH-D2000. Seriously, just take my word for it. I own many headphones that range from $40 up to $800. Price to performance, I feel the Denon's are superb. Great musical clarity, great bass, comfort, and you can get them now for around $200. It really can't be beat.

Yes, I would definately recommend getting an amplifier for any high end headphones in order to make them shine.

Go for the Denon's. You won't regret it, and you can thank me later.

 

[Keith H 10+ year member]

I got some Skull Candy DJ headphones. Pretty good for what I payed. I'd buy them again.

 

[Audio Junkies 10+ year member]

I used to hate in-ear monitors as well, but I've grown to like them quite a bit recently. Sleek Audio just announced their new custom in-ear molded monitors that are **** nice and only run $300 which is insane for customs. In ear customs also provide more exterior sound protection than actual sound-canceling headphones. Portability is also a huge plus and you won't need an amplifier.

Definitely worth considering...

http://www.sleek-audio.com/

The new custom molded model isn't on the site yet, but you can call and order them.

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

For that budget I would say Sennheiser HD Series.

I love mine.

 

[integra88 10+ year member]

For that budget I would say Sennheiser HD Series.
I love mine.

One word..."SENNHEISER" nuff said

 

[Pickler 10+ year member]

Alright these are by far the best headphones I have had, and I have had a lot of headphones.

http://www.icemat.com/products/icematsiberia/icemat_siberia_headset

here are also some reviews (thanks me once you buy these //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif )

http://techgage.com/article/icemat_black_siberia/

http://www.penstarsys.com/reviews/headphone/icemat/siberia/index.html

http://www.dreamwarecomputers.com/reviews/icemat_siberia/index.htm

 

[Towncar 10+ year member]

I have the sony mdrv6s. Very nice headphones, and can be had for under 100 bux. These headphones have a very flat response. I was recomended these on headfi.org for the 100ish price range. I couldnt be any happier with them. Sony has made some of the best dynamic headphones period.. However, dont get them mixed up with the v600s, which are utter trash.

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=1551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665089914

If you are wanting to step it up a bit more over those, then take a look at the sa headphones 1000-5000 series

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11035320

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

If you are going to be really serious about the headphone deal.

Get yourself a used pair (or discount pair) of Sennheiser HD600, HD595, or HD580 & get a Rega Headphone amplifier.

http://www.rega.co.uk/html/ear_2001.htm

I've played with the Rega at a near by dealer with my HD580 and I almost purchased it. The only reasons I didn't is I need to sell somethings first, I just purchased a new Pre-Amplifier, and I need a Phono stage a lot more.

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

I have the sony mdrv6s. Very nice headphones, and can be had for under 100 bux. These headphones have a very flat response. I was recomended these on headfi.org for the 100ish price range. I couldnt be any happier with them. Sony has made some of the best dynamic headphones period.. However, dont get them mixed up with the v600s, which are utter trash.
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=1551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665089914

If you are wanting to step it up a bit more over those, then take a look at the sa headphones 1000-5000 series

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11035320

I own both the HD-580 from Sennheiser and the MDR-V6 (to replace my MDR-7506 which finally died about 2 years ago).

For home listening the Sennheiser is much greater. For OTR, shows, mixes, or listening to my iPod the Sony's are better.

I say the Sennheisers are better because they have more depth, clarity, tonal characteristics, and have an element of realizm and texture that I usually only find loudspeakers. The Sony's have this to a degree, but they are not nearly refined as the 580's.

Also, I've listened to the 'higher' end Sony's including the SA series. They sound like POOP to me. I would take the MDR-V6 over the higher end ones anyday. But, that is just my opinion.

 

[Towncar 10+ year member]

Thats one thing I like alot about the sonys. They dont take much power to get loud at all. As for the sa's, they usually need a little amp to get them going. Did you have them running off an amp?

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

Thats one thing I like alot about the sonys. They dont take much power to get loud at all. As for the sa's, they usually need a little amp to get them going. Did you have them running off an amp?

One of their ES series receivers.

But, loud isn't always the answer to clarity. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif