Headphone recommendation for $150-$200

[reventon]

I have $200(max) to spend on a nice headphone.

Please advice which to buy. I have been an avid IEM user. Not too familiar with headphones.

I also read there are open/closed headphones. Which one is a better option?

My requirements:

Good sound quality
Good isolation
Good bass
Comfortable.
Used to watch movies and listen to bass heavy songs.

I came across Audio Technicia ATH-A900, M50, Ultrasone 580/780. Which others should i consider? And which of the above or any other meets my requirements?

Thank you

[CrowdAds]

[The DarkSide]

Take a look at the Audio Technica ath-Pro700mk2,... the sq is excellent, the isolation is quite good, the build quality is top notch, and they cost around $150USD. I love mine.

[Syndrome]

You wont get any isolation with an open headphone.

When I shopped for fullsized headphones my budget was 150. I got the ATH-M50, SRH840, KRK KNS8400, and M-Audio Q40.

The KRK were probably the most comfortable, they were very light weight and the pads were very soft. And they isolated the best of the bunch. But the sound wasn't what I wanted, it was very good, but not what I wanted. Their sound signature was very 'accurate' which to me meant they weren't any fun. The highs were powerful and slightly piercing to me. The lows were good but almost a little to recessed.

The SRH840's fit good, and were fairly comfortable, but they never sounded right. They seemed to be veiled across the entire frequency range, I used an EQ with them and they never really hit the spot. I wouldn't say the sucked, but they never wowed me.

The M-Audio Q40's actually did wow me, I thought they sounded very good, possibly even the best of the bunch, but I couldn't keep them on my head long enough to be sure about it. They were so uncomfortable it was a struggle for me to keep them on for longer than one song.

I ended up keeping the ATH-M50's they fit nicely, sounded really good, and the bass was very fun, along with the rest of the sound signature. They isolated second best of the 4. Some say they are colored, but hell we have all moved from black and white to colored TV's. Its just more fun that way. The bass on them is there, its doesn't drown out the rest of the sound..... unless you want it to. They take to the EQ very nicely, I turn the mach3bass up on my Cowon S9 and these headphones will literally shake on my head, I can put my hand on the head band and feel them moving. Not even my HFI-780's ever did that. For fun, these were at the top of my list of the three, so I kept them above the others.

[steinburger1109]

I agree with Syndrome, I love my M50s.

[JK98]

Headphones that isolate well tend to make your ears hot with extended use. They also tend to have better bass than open headphones, but also typically have less midrange detail and soundstage than open headphones.

Is this headphone only for home use? You should look for a musical instrument store that has a good selection of high quality headphones. Bring some favorire music with you to try them out with. For use only at home, you will probably be more comfortable using a larger headphone. Try each headphone for long enough to tell if your ears are getting hot. Imo velour earpads are more comfotrable than pleather ones, however the pleather ones isolate better.

[steinburger1109]

Hmm. I like closed for home use too, because I just like a blank background. Or as blank as possible. JK98 has a point about going to try things out, but that can sometimes be hard to do.

[The DarkSide]

@Syndrome: very nicely put bro.

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by The DarkSide

@Syndrome: very nicely put bro.

I was drunk at the time...

[reventon]

thank you all for inputs. Syndrome, thanks a lot for your detailed explanation.

while i love m50 and have already recommended it to my friend, i wanted to try something else. I am planning to try pro700mk2. Any other closed headphones?

I should say isolation is not top most priority since it will be used in home only. But it is still a good thing if available. Also i need something that covers the ear and not stay on top of it.

how is Audio Tecnica ATH ANC7B. How bass and sound quality in it?

[Jack4L]

Well nice to see that the a900 are finally back to the $200 mark. Have had mine since late 2007, and I even wrote a review on them. Overall if your only going to ever use these headphones at home its nice to have a full sized set. Especially one as comfortable as the a900. They aren't that bass heavy though, but they do it pretty well. They sound almost exactly the same as another popular set on these forums, the Ultrasone HFI 780. You can find the Ultrasones for much cheaper and they are a more portable set, however if your only ever going to use them indoors the a900s comfort and larger sized driver housings do offer a better musical experience.

If you want lots of bass, and bass done right, you can look to the Beyerdynamic DT770 as well. Long time favorites, have considered purchasing them myself, quite comfortable and the bass does not disappoint.

[iblaze]

I think you'll have no regrets with the AIAIAI TMA-1, good isolation, very nice sound stage and a very rich bass and not to forget they are also on the comfortable side. They fit the exact criteria in which your looking for, I strongly recommend them. Amazing phones for the value.

http://www.aiaiai.dk/store/headphones/tma-1

[reventon]

I will consider DT770 too. The problem is, there are no good musical stores near by except Best Buy who carries good headphones. So i have to rely on you guys to give me good suggestions. 99.9% of time, the headphones will be used at home. I doubt i will ever take it outside may be when travelling.

As of now i am considering Pro700km2 and DT770.

@Jack4l: Is DT770 worth the $50 premium it is asking over Pro700mk2?

@iblaze: TMA-1 is too expensive at $275. I need something less than that. also from pics it looks like its on the ear and not covering the ears.

thanks for the input.

[JK98]

There is a Guitar Center in Sacramento.

2120 Alta Arden Expressway
Sacramento

Skip's Music
2740 Auburn Blvd
Sacramento

[The DarkSide]

Originally Posted by reventon

I will consider DT770 too. The problem is, there are no good musical stores near by except Best Buy who carries good headphones. So i have to rely on you guys to give me good suggestions. 99.9% of time, the headphones will be used at home. I doubt i will ever take it outside may be when travelling.

As of now i am considering Pro700km2 and DT770.

@Jack4l: Is DT770 worth the $50 premium it is asking over Pro700mk2?

@iblaze: TMA-1 is too expensive at $275. I need something less than that. also from pics it looks like its on the ear and not covering the ears.

thanks for the input.

The TMA-1 is $199, not $275: http://www.amazon.com/AIAIAI-6101-TM.../dp/B00404H6DQ

And I doubt that Jack4L has tried the ATH-Pro700mk2, as it's not that well known ATM. I've tried the TMA-1 and I own the ATH-Promk2 & the Sennheiser HD25-1 II as well. The Pro700mk2 is my personal fav, followed by the HD25-1 II.

I liked the TMA-1, but the fit was no good, as it kept sliding off of my ears & head. They do sit ON the ears tho (Supra-aural) same as the HD25-1 II. The Pro700mk2's cover the ears (Circumaural).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headphones

[Jack4L]

By the way whats your source? Source could very well be the deciding factor on this matter.

*Edit* Oh and I would say that the DT770 are worth the extra money, with the 2 year warranty, being German made and the resale value alone. As long as you don't need to buy an AMP to drive them. The DT770 80ohm ($200) versions can be driven by almost anything- but the DT770 Pro 250 OHM ($170) versions may need amping depending on your player, or on how loud you like your music to go

btw @TDS I've not heard the Pro700MK2 but The Pro700's are readily available and quite popular over here, any idea if those are the same?

[JK98]

80 ohms? Amazon lists the DT990, DT880, and DT770 as being available in 32 ohms, 250 ohms, or 600 ohms. The DT860, DT660, and DT440 are available in 32 ohms only.

http://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-D...2234888&sr=8-1

[reventon]

Originally Posted by JK98

There is a Guitar Center in Sacramento.

2120 Alta Arden Expressway
Sacramento

Skip's Music
2740 Auburn Blvd
Sacramento

Thank you for letting me know. I had no idea that guitar center would carry some pretty good headphones. i will check it out today itself.

Originally Posted by The DarkSide

The TMA-1 is $199, not $275: http://www.amazon.com/AIAIAI-6101-TM.../dp/B00404H6DQ

And I doubt that Jack4L has tried the ATH-Pro700mk2, as it's not that well known ATM. I've tried the TMA-1 and I own the ATH-Promk2 & the Sennheiser HD25-1 II as well. The Pro700mk2 is my personal fav, followed by the HD25-1 II.

I liked the TMA-1, but the fit was no good, as it kept sliding off of my ears & head. They do sit ON the ears tho (Supra-aural) same as the HD25-1 II. The Pro700mk2's cover the ears (Circumaural).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headphones

I saw the price on its website, that's why i thought it is expensive. also, since it sits on ear, i will give it a pass.

i am quite keen on ATHPro700mk2.

Originally Posted by Jack4L

By the way whats your source? Source could very well be the deciding factor on this matter.

*Edit* Oh and I would say that the DT770 are worth the extra money, with the 2 year warranty, being German made and the resale value alone. As long as you don't need to buy an AMP to drive them. The DT770 80ohm ($200) versions can be driven by almost anything- but the DT770 Pro 250 OHM ($170) versions may need amping depending on your player, or on how loud you like your music to go

btw @TDS I've not heard the Pro700MK2 but The Pro700's are readily available and quite popular over here, any idea if those are the same?

My major source would be my Sony laptop. It has a Realtek HD audio. I will also be using it to hear from Sony NWZS616 mp3 player. Will the above devices able to drive DT770/Pro700mk2 without amping?

How is Sennheiser HD 555/558? They are available in same price range. Are they open? Any opinions?

How is ATH-AD700 compared to Pro700mk2 from Audio Technica? The difference is not much, but just wanted to know how good bass and sound quality is in AD700.

Thank you for advice. Appreciate it.

[JK98]

Check out the Guitar Center website. They have a nice selection of quality headphones. Some prices they list are high, but they also claim a price match policy. I wonder if they will match the prices on Amazon or B&H? The Skip's Music website looks promising. If the store is nearby you should check it out.

[The DarkSide]

@Jack4L: I've heard that the pro700mk2 is just a more feature improved model, so I THINK the sq most likely the same between the 2 models. Mine has a removable cable, and I think the build quality was improved as well. I personally ONLY use them atm.

BTW: The AD700 is said to be bass light, and the pro700mk2 is like the m50 in the bass dept. The difference, to me, is better mids and better sound staging w/the pro700mk2.

[skip252]

Maybe he meant the mean the ATH A700? It's real easy to get get caught up in the maze of numbers and letters during a search like this. As TDS has said, the ATH AD700 are open, bass light and wouldn't seem to fit his needs at all.

BTW there is a 80 ohm DT770 on Amazon.

Originally Posted by JK98

80 ohms? Amazon lists the DT990, DT880, and DT770 as being available in 32 ohms, 250 ohms, or 600 ohms. The DT860, DT660, and DT440 are available in 32 ohms only.

http://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-D...2234888&sr=8-1

Not the first search results but they're there.