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Best Headphone That Is Below 300$ for Music ?
- Thread starter OmidelF
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As I too, am always on a the lookout for Good headphones, I don't know why the poster posted this
. They obviously had made up their mind on the Denons... I think there is a lot of good advice given, which I'll take to heart. And maybe others will too.
Coachingguy
. They obviously had made up their mind on the Denons... I think there is a lot of good advice given, which I'll take to heart. And maybe others will too.Coachingguy
Ok Denon make some decent cans, but I would only buy a few brands. Beryerdynamic makes greats cans but they can run a bit pricey. So with that in mind, I would recommend Sennheisers as the best all around quality can. However, for portability I would definitely recommend in-ear monitors. Shure makes, in my opinion, the best in ear monitors. I have the SE 315s but also have several of therir previous monitors. SE315 is $200 and I use mine with a DAC Fiio E7, which I got for 75. Put if using with ipad than you will also need the camera connection kit which runs $35.
The AKG quincy Jones 701 have great sound and some moderately good repsonse. The thing between cans and in-ear monitors, is that becaus emonitors are smaller they can produce better and clearer highs, as well as better overall frequency response. If you like electonic and hip hop than you need a can which can go from deep bass to high treble quickly without any muddying of the sound. In ears are better at this capability in the given price range. Obviously cans can outperfrom if they are connected to a $700 amplifier and lossless sounds sources, but for most people we have 320kbps and some apple Losless finles and maybe some flacs. For those people, the best you'll get is the Shures with a DAC. The Shure 425s are an upgrade on the 315 with a wider frequency response and slightly flatter/more natural EQ. Also the in-ear monitors have superior noise isolating. I use mine on the subway and trains everyday and can't hear a hting other than blissful music. Plus the in-ear monitors can be coiled up and stuffed in apocket easily. And the cable is replacable, which i had to replace once when i dropped my ipad and it bent the 3.5mm connector. So between the repsonse, price, dynamic EQ, noise isolation, portability, and overall sound quality the Shure SE 315 with E7 DAC is my recommended choice for you. If you must have Cans than go with closed back sennheisers. But with try to stay under 60 ohms other wise even the E7 wont be powerful enough to run them properly.
The AKG quincy Jones 701 have great sound and some moderately good repsonse. The thing between cans and in-ear monitors, is that becaus emonitors are smaller they can produce better and clearer highs, as well as better overall frequency response. If you like electonic and hip hop than you need a can which can go from deep bass to high treble quickly without any muddying of the sound. In ears are better at this capability in the given price range. Obviously cans can outperfrom if they are connected to a $700 amplifier and lossless sounds sources, but for most people we have 320kbps and some apple Losless finles and maybe some flacs. For those people, the best you'll get is the Shures with a DAC. The Shure 425s are an upgrade on the 315 with a wider frequency response and slightly flatter/more natural EQ. Also the in-ear monitors have superior noise isolating. I use mine on the subway and trains everyday and can't hear a hting other than blissful music. Plus the in-ear monitors can be coiled up and stuffed in apocket easily. And the cable is replacable, which i had to replace once when i dropped my ipad and it bent the 3.5mm connector. So between the repsonse, price, dynamic EQ, noise isolation, portability, and overall sound quality the Shure SE 315 with E7 DAC is my recommended choice for you. If you must have Cans than go with closed back sennheisers. But with try to stay under 60 ohms other wise even the E7 wont be powerful enough to run them properly.
I'm also looking for some decent headphones, preferably noise-canceling for use on planes and such. But my main issue with the headphones I have tried is comfort. I don't want something that makes my ears hot and sweaty or is uncomfortable to wear for a long time but that still sounds good. Does such a thing exist?
Over the ear/Studio Monitor:
Audio-Technica ATH-M50S. Great price for the quality and accuracy of sound.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro. Fantastic sound isolation and very comfortable for people with glasses. Great for drummers.
In-Ear Headphones:
Etymotic HF5
Audio-Technica ATH-M50S. Great price for the quality and accuracy of sound.
Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro. Fantastic sound isolation and very comfortable for people with glasses. Great for drummers.
In-Ear Headphones:
Etymotic HF5
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Westone 3 are great, but the UM3X is much better and the Westone 4 even better for that, particularly for music.
For me, BeyerDynamic 770 Pro 250 ohm. I got mine from an authorized dealer for $179 delivered. I've been though many high end headphones over the years and I find these the most pleasing.
Here's my setup
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Here's my setup
HD-25 is a good pick. Only major gripe is that it is rather uncomfortable out of box. I would avoid most other Sennheiser without an amp. As with most AKGs worth mentioning with or without an amp (really K701 for rock?). Grados are also a good choice (Senn HD-25 sounds kind of like Grados) and are pretty much built for rock. Avoid the lower end AudioTechnicas (AD700 etc) as the bass will be lacking for rock but A900 (and maybe AD900) is a pretty solid pick as well without an amp. Beyerdynamic will sound good as well but needs an amp.
B&W P5, Bose QC15, Dr Dre's Beat, Beat Solo, Skullcandy Mix Master. All available through Apple Store. All were purchased by me (at different times) and later returned it due to unsatisfactory sound quality (and/or poor built quality).
Researched some more
read more reviews and more graphs,
went to B&H and listened to all the stuff that was hanging on that headphone rack that are not over $1000...
Came home with beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO (250ohm) ($260 incl. tax)
.............blew all the other bs away
to rank the all the headphone I owned or, once owned.
1. beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO
2. B&W P5
3. Skullcandy Mix Master
4. Bose QC15
5. Dr. Dre Beat
6. Dr. Dre Beat Solo
I listen mostly to pop music and classical stuff.
The DT880 at 250ohm works fine with iPhone without an amp.
(on a side note, Apple Store's return process is just smooth)
Researched some more
read more reviews and more graphs,
went to B&H and listened to all the stuff that was hanging on that headphone rack that are not over $1000...
Came home with beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO (250ohm) ($260 incl. tax)
.............blew all the other bs away
to rank the all the headphone I owned or, once owned.
1. beyerdynamic DT 880 PRO
2. B&W P5
3. Skullcandy Mix Master
4. Bose QC15
5. Dr. Dre Beat
6. Dr. Dre Beat Solo
I listen mostly to pop music and classical stuff.
The DT880 at 250ohm works fine with iPhone without an amp.
(on a side note, Apple Store's return process is just smooth)
Sennheiser HD598
Nice Woo amp, Mr. McMac. Which Schiit is that?
Anyway, to the thread starter, listen to what the folks at head-fi.org have to say, they generally know enough about audio to make your head spin.
If you want natural sound that isn't EQ'd all to hell, stay away from Bose, Beats, and Skullcandies. I'm not saying they're bad, but the bass region is pumped up on these brands.
I have a pair of the HD598 from Sennheiser and they cost $249. They work well unamped and even better with an amp/dac combo such as the Fiio E7 which you can always purchase in the future so you don't go past your budget for now.
I also have the big BIG brother, HD800, which run $1400. While its hard to compare the two, I can honestly say that there are serious diminishing returns the more you pay for your gear. HD598 is 1/6th the price but has 2/3rds the sound quality. That's a big compliment when comparing it to what is widely regarded as the best open cans on the market.
Nice Woo amp, Mr. McMac. Which Schiit is that?
Anyway, to the thread starter, listen to what the folks at head-fi.org have to say, they generally know enough about audio to make your head spin.
If you want natural sound that isn't EQ'd all to hell, stay away from Bose, Beats, and Skullcandies. I'm not saying they're bad, but the bass region is pumped up on these brands.
I have a pair of the HD598 from Sennheiser and they cost $249. They work well unamped and even better with an amp/dac combo such as the Fiio E7 which you can always purchase in the future so you don't go past your budget for now.
I also have the big BIG brother, HD800, which run $1400. While its hard to compare the two, I can honestly say that there are serious diminishing returns the more you pay for your gear. HD598 is 1/6th the price but has 2/3rds the sound quality. That's a big compliment when comparing it to what is widely regarded as the best open cans on the market.