Best headphones for $300???

[MacDawg]

Completely blow bose out of the water...

And yet for the vast majority of casual users like me, we would likely go "meh" and not even be able to tell the difference

I don't doubt the accuracy of your statement at all
It just probably wouldn't matter to me one way or the other

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[gothamm]

And yet for the vast majority of casual users like me, we would likely go "meh" and not even be able to tell the difference

I don't doubt the accuracy of your statement at all
It just probably wouldn't matter to me one way or the other

Woof, Woof - Dawg

agreed.


however, this is a "best headphones" thread, so my recommendation stands.

 

[Mr. Giver '94]

Beats by Dr. Dre $300

I highly recommend them. In my opinion they are better than the Bose QC2



Bang and Olufsen Earset 3 $200

Great sound quality and highly adjustable, not headphones though. (earbuds that go around your ears) They are especially nice for me because they work so well with the iPhone.

 

[TheNightPhoenix]

I have both the QC2 and the QC3.

The QC2 block out more sound as they are over the ear instead of on the ear.
However they require the use of AAA batteries, while the QC3 use a rechargeable. I actually prefer to use the AAA batteries as i can buy them anywhere when the battery goes and don't need to keep remembering to charge my QC3s.

I also remember being told that the QC3 have a more powerful noise canceling signal, which some people find hurt their ears due to pressure on the ear drums. Not sure I believe that though.

QC2 from Apple, I believe might have them in store, the Regent Street store had both the QC2 and QC3 when I looked for cans.
http://store.apple.com/us/product/T6832LL/B?mco=NDc0ODg2NA

 

[SunDevil4Life]

Thank you for all your input, I'm still torn between the Beats and Bose. If I get the Bose it will probably be the QC2 but right now I'm leaning more towards the Beats. I found someone on Craigslist who is willing to sell me some new ones for 265 I think thats a good deal don't you all?

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Thank you for all your input, I'm still torn between the Beats and Bose. If I get the Bose it will probably be the QC2 but right now I'm leaning more towards the Beats. I found someone on Craigslist who is willing to sell me some new ones for 265 I think thats a good deal don't you all?

No. If forced to get the two of them I would get the QC2, but I'd take my Panasonic HPTX7 (which are 1/10th the price) over either any day. Get the Shures SE530 if you need to block out noise.

 

[SunDevil4Life]

No. If forced to get the two of them I would get the QC2, but I'd take my Panasonic HPTX7 (which are 1/10th the price) over either any day. Get the Shures SE530 if you need to block out noise.

I'm going to go check those Panasonics, the Shures are earphones and I can't handle earphones. The QC2 look great and are on sale but I'm going to Best Buy and Frys later to check them ALL out see which one I like better but thank for the advise.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

I'm going to go check those Panasonics, the Shures are earphones and I can't handle earphones. The QC2 look great and are on sale but I'm going to Best Buy and Frys later to check them ALL out see which one I like better but thank for the advise.

I highly recommend the RP-HTX7's. Also if you feel that noise-cancelling is necessary, I'd recommend looking at other companies as Bose and Monster Cable are the two most overpriced brands in their respective main fields (Headphones and Cables, and Monster Cable is extending their name and marketing advantages over to their newer markets)

 

[davidjearly]

How about my Sennheiser PXC 450s?

Seriously though, these are the best noise cancelling headphones I have used in that price-range.

 

[Bengt77]

Mac Rumors and Mac Forums is for discussing Macs and things that have to do with Apple. For discussing headphones, there's Head-Fi.

Having stated that, here are two of my older posts that might be of help:

• Post #1
• Post #2

 

[Bengt77]

For noise cancellation or isolation and with a budget of about $300, I'd say take a look at the higher end Ultimate Ears and Shure offerings. The UE Triple.Fi 10, Shure SE420 and Shure SE530 are all supposed to be excellent. They don't need an amp at all, as they're very easy to dive. The Shures even more so than the UE. If you'd rather have a full-size headphone, you might want to have a look at the Audio-Technica line. The ATH-A900Ti is awesome. I have it. It doesn't really block sound, but it's closed and does at least an good job at keeping the sound in. It sounds awesome and also doesn't need an amp to shine. You could also try the JVC HP-DX700 or the Denon AH-D2000. Both closed and said to be really good cans. Even the beyerdynamic DT770 might get you what you want. Make sure you get the 250Ω consumer edition, as the other models (pro, 80Ω and 600Ω) don't seem to be liked as much.

 

[axboi87]

ummmmmm

GRADO.

end of statement

maybe Sennheiser

MAYBE

 

[aarcarr]

Beyerdynamic DT 770

 

[dsa420]

I would not consider myself an audiophile either, but after I purchased Shure's E4c's back in the day I have been sold on them ever since. Presently Shure SE530 is their top of the line model which retail for $499, you can buy them online for under $300.

Honestly, you can't do any better than these bad boys, you will hear things you have never hear before in songs you have been listening to your whole life. The earbuds themselves are perfect size and great for workout, airplanes, everything (SO MUCH BETTER THAN NOISE CANCELING AND BOSE IN GENERAL).

Shure as a company is fantastic, on a couple of different occassions the wire behind one of the earbuds has started to wear out and Shure has sent me a brand new replacement pair each time, even sent them out prior to my returning the defective ones to them.

Bottom line, this is the brand that most professional musicians use in concert, there is a reason for that....

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Shure fan boi talk....

Agreed...OP said no to IEMs.

 

[SunDevil4Life]

Today I went to the Apple store and got to test both (used my own iPhone, same songs at same volume) the Beats and Bose QC3. I got to say they both are awesome. The Beats have more base and don't have to turn the volume up as much as the Bose, but the Bose sound a whole lot clearer, they have some base (not as good as the Beats) and cancel noise really good. I hate to say this but I'm still torn! I'll probably go there again before making my final decision. Is there any place where I can test the Shure? Many have said those are good and if they don't hurt my ears I might consider them.

Thank you all

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Today I went to the Apple store and got to test both (used my own iPhone, same songs at same volume) the Beats and Bose QC3. I got to say they both are awesome. The Beats have more base and don't have to turn the volume up as much as the Bose, but the Bose sound a whole lot clearer, they have some base (not as good as the Beats) and cancel noise really good. I hate to say this but I'm still torn! I'll probably go there again before making my final decision. Is there any place where I can test the Shure? Many have said those are good and if they don't hurt my ears I might consider them.

Thank you all

Umm... try Guitar Center/Best Buy/Apple Store or a local music shop. You just have to convince them that you want to hear a headphone before you drop $300. Try contacting Shure, they might have some better options. By far your best option, if they don't hurt.

 

[jesterps]

wow no one has taste here lol

Ultrasone PRO 650

Just be careful they are extremely fragile if you blast your music, something will break and its not covered with the warranty

Also on the list is AKG K601, Grado, Audio-Technica and Sennheiser

 

[Bengt77]

wow no one has taste here lol

Did you even read my posts?

TO OP: You shouldn't be so set on the Bose and Monster headphones. Go to a shop that carries the big headphone names and at least try models like the beyerdynamic DT770, Ultrasone HFI-780, Audio-Technica ATH-W1000, ATH-A950LTD or ATH-M50, Shure SRH840, Denon AH-D2000 or AH-D5000 and the JVC HP-DX700. And that are only the good closed headphones that come to mind. If you don't mind open or semi-open models, you'll have many, many other models to choose from.

EDIT: That's not to state that I don't think you should get a good IEM anymore, as I certainly think you should. Most IEMs block sound way better (using passive noise isolation) than most active noise cancelling headphones. You should really try the Big Four in IEM-land: Shure SE530, Westone 3, Ultimate Ears Triple.Fi 10 and Sennheiser IE8.

 

[iCantwait]

http://www.bang-olufsen.com/earphones

They are LEGENDARY

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Did you even read my posts?

TO OP: You shouldn't be so set on the Bose and Monster headphones. Go to a shop that carries the big headphone names and at least try models like the beyerdynamic DT770, Ultrasone HFI-780, Audio-Technica ATH-W1000, ATH-A950LTD or ATH-M50, Shure SRH840, Denon AH-D2000 or AH-D5000 and the JVC HP-DX700. And that are only the good closed headphones that come to mind. If you don't mind open or semi-open models, you'll have many, many other models to choose from.

EDIT: That's not to state that I don't think you should get a good IEM anymore, as I certainly think you should. Most IEMs block sound way better (using passive noise isolation) than most active noise cancelling headphones. You should really try the Big Four in IEM-land: Shure SE530, Westone 3, Ultimate Ears Triple.Fi 10 and Sennheiser IE8.

Can you even purchase SRH840s anywhere?

 

[SunDevil4Life]

Did you even read my posts?

TO OP: You shouldn't be so set on the Bose and Monster headphones. Go to a shop that carries the big headphone names and at least try models like the beyerdynamic DT770, Ultrasone HFI-780, Audio-Technica ATH-W1000, ATH-A950LTD or ATH-M50, Shure SRH840, Denon AH-D2000 or AH-D5000 and the JVC HP-DX700. And that are only the good closed headphones that come to mind. If you don't mind open or semi-open models, you'll have many, many other models to choose from.

EDIT: That's not to state that I don't think you should get a good IEM anymore, as I certainly think you should. Most IEMs block sound way better (using passive noise isolation) than most active noise cancelling headphones. You should really try the Big Four in IEM-land: Shure SE530, Westone 3, Ultimate Ears Triple.Fi 10 and Sennheiser IE8.

I would love to try different headphones but I can't find any place that will have a big variety to try on. I tried the Sennheiser HD 238 at the Apple store and the Beats and Bose both clearly beat them. I have gone to Best Buy, Frys and Apple store. The Apple store had the most to try on which was 5 lol. Other stores have like 2 or none. If you can recommend another store that would be great. I just don't want to buy headphones I can't try on or test. Thanks for the input.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

I would love to try different headphones but I can't find any place that will have a big variety to try on. I tried the Sennheiser HD 238 at the Apple store and the Beats and Bose both clearly beat them. I have gone to Best Buy, Frys and Apple store. The Apple store had the most to try on which was 5 lol. Other stores have like 2 or none. If you can recommend another store that would be great. I just don't want to buy headphones I can't try on or test. Thanks for the input.

Did you ask them to test?

 

[blancoBronco]

Dr. Dre's headphones are amazing. they come in in- or around-ear. They sound great all around for all types of music. They're $300 and worth it

 

[thehouseofdis]

I love my Etymotic ER-4Ps, they aren't "noise canceling" but they do a great job isolating you from outside noise. Grado and Sennheiser make some great full size headphones as well.

Check out this site for more information.