$100ish Headphone Recommendation

[Ultimate Viking]

Best Buy is about the only place around here.

Good point WG. I would want some that fit completely over the ear.

It seems that on open cans, bass would be lost? I don't listen to loud volumes too often either, a point I probably should have made earlier. Sometimes I'll jam it up a bit when a kick ass song comes on, but as a rule, I listen to lower volumes. I'll mostly be using these with my Clip+. I would try them on my Meizu, of course, but mainly with the Clip.

Thanks for all the input guys. I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate this. I like asking such questions here, rather than at head-fi. I do read reviews there, but it seems that a lot of people there are too much into the hype. I want the truth, not a bunch of bullshit.

[CrowdAds]

[Marvin the Martian]

Originally Posted by Ultimate Viking

*snip*

It seems that on open cans, bass would be lost? I don't listen to loud volumes too often either, a point I probably should have made earlier.

Maybe a bit of a generalization, but quite often true. I'm sure WalkGood and dfkt would both tell you their HD650's don't lack for bass,and if anything they have oodles of it, and they are open....but on the other hand, those headphones need amping to sound their best, from what I understand(there are pics here on the site of WG's and dfkt's home amps that they use)..... even at lower volume levels. Maybe a Clip+ might play them to a certain volume level, but it wouldn't be properly driving them.

[Ultimate Viking]

Well, I do have an E3, and a PA2v2, with an E5, and an E7 on the way...

[Satellite_6]

I only have limited experience but I don't think this is true at all. :-/ Both of my Sennheisers have oodles of bass (too much). The frequency response is what you should be worried about, not the type of cans, when it comes to bass.

Unless you are planning to use this purchase in noisy environments, get open cans, because they are superior to closed cans. I will say no more.

[WalkGood]

Originally Posted by Ultimate Viking

Best Buy is about the only place around here. …

It seems that on open cans, bass would be lost? …

I'll mostly be using these with my Clip+. I would try them on my Meizu, of course, but mainly with the Clip.

Look around hard, bestbuy won’t cut the mustard when it comes to good full sized cans and not all their models are set up for testing, you might look to hifi shops just to test open vs closed.

I think this open offering less bass is more dependant on the driver and design rather than open vs closed but I can see how a closed phone would make the bass resonate more, regardless look at all the high end models and you’ll note that most are open for listening purposes unless you are dj’ing or need phones for on the go that offer better issolation …

BTW don’t rule out looking at some used phones, there’s often some great deals out there and you may end up with some much better than your price target

Edit: BTW you can find many good phones that do not need amping ... look for 80 ohms and under, although my daps can drive my 300 ohm 650s just not loud enough.

[The DarkSide]

What state do you live in UV? If your near NYC I'd volunteer my meager HP's for testing, or we could hit up B&H w/lestatar for a headphone fest!

[Ultimate Viking]

I'm in Illinois. I get close to NYC on occasion, going to Vermont, lol. About as close as I get.

I will look around WG. I can't think of any audio stores around me though. Like I said, Best Buy is about it. We used to have a Circuit City, but they went out of business. There's a few auto audio stores, about it.

BTW, I'm, a little leery of buying used cans.

[Ultimate Viking]

Looks like the Audio Technica M50's come with either a coiled cable, or a straight cable.

[skip252]

The Guitar Center here in Chicago is a decent place to check out 'phones. They've got a listening station set up. And a nice selection of headphones. The prices aren't always the greatest but they're usually pretty decent. Don't know if there's any near you but I'd check them out.

Beats the heck out of BB. The only thing you can hear there is Bose, Skullcandy and Monster.

[The DarkSide]

Yeah, BB in NYC sux for headphone testing as well.

[Ultimate Viking]

Well, I wish there were a better selection around here, but if there is, I sure don't know about it.

[Marvin the Martian]

Originally Posted by Ultimate Viking

Well, I wish there were a better selection around here, but if there is, I sure don't know about it.

Best thing I can suggest is order something from somewhere with a return policy, I guess.

[WalkGood]

Originally Posted by Ultimate Viking

I'm in Illinois ... I will look around WG. I can't think of any audio stores around me though ...

Not sure if these carry them, but worth a check:
Swing City Music
244 S. Buchanan
Edwardsville, IL 62025-2109
1-618-656-5656

Reliable Stereo
1301 Milton Road
Alton IL 62002
618-462-8082

Doc Parkers Music Store
130 West Main Street
Carlinville, IL 62626
(217) 854-8130

Check musical instrument stores too as many of them carry headphones and before you waste a lot of time and gas just call them and ask.

Edit: Heil Sound LtdAddress:‎
5800 North Illinois Street
Fairview Heights, IL 62208
(618) 257-3000

[Ultimate Viking]

Thanks WG. Carlinville is only around 30-35 miles from me. And we visit Alton on occasion. Nice little town. Home of Robert Wadlow, tallest man in the Guinness Book of World Records. He was a mere 8"11.1" tall, lol. His arm span was 9'6", so they think that's how tall he would have been if he didn't die so young. He had acromelgia. I think I spelled that right. Anyways, thanks for the heads up, appreciated.

[The DarkSide]

WalkGood to the rescue again, thank goodness.

[Ultimate Viking]

I do see where Best Buy has some Audio Technica, at least there online store. Not sure if the local store has any or not. Like someone said, probably not ones you can test.

[Ultimate Viking]

Just got back from Best Buy. What a joke. They didn't have jack. I did try some Sony MDR-XB700 50mm XB Diaphragm Driver Extra Bass cans. They had some set up. $79.99. Extremely comfortable. Didn't sound too bad, but I have nothing to compare them too though.

[rickysio]

The MDR-XB700 do look quite... odd, I must say.

[Ultimate Viking]

Who the hell cares what they look like, lol? I want decent sounding cans, I don't give a rat's butt what they look like...

[Marvin the Martian]

Originally Posted by Ultimate Viking

Who the hell cares what they look like, lol? I want decent sounding cans, I don't give a rat's butt what they look like...

lestatar does....he doesn't want to mess up his hair!
But seriously, you did say you'd be using them mostly at home, so yeah, what they look like shouldn't matter....unless they are the pink fuzzy skullcandies.