Great sounding "budget" headphones.

[bigpoppamac31]

Has anyone here used the Sony MDR-7506?? I'm debating between those and the Audio Technica M40x. I've seen many great reviews for both. I'm no audiophile by any means but I want good sounding headphones without the boomy bass. I can easily tell the difference between good sound and bad sound but I'm certainly no audio expert. More and more I'm getting into stuff like movie scores (orchestral), classical and older artists like Billy Joel or Bruce Springsteen. I've never been much into hip-hop/rap but I do like a few songs. I was reading reviews for the MDR-7506 and some were saying that if you're gonna be listening to compressed music it won't sound very good with those headphones. All my music on my Mac is being switched over to AAC 256k either by iTunes Match or by reimporting my CDs. Should I stay away from "reference" headphones if that is the case? Any recommendations would be great. I'd prefer to keep it under $200 (Canadian).

These are what I'm using now.
http://www.amazon.ca/MDR-ZX600AP-Mo...d=1447000039&sr=8-1&keywords=sony+mdr-zx600ap

When I'm out and about I just use the Apple EarPods simply because I don't feel comfortable wearing big headphones outside going places.

 

[campyguy]

In your price range, IMHO you'd be nuts to not consider the Grado SR125e, and you'd still have money left over for my recommended S-Cush cushion swap and a couple of nice meals out. Short, to the point "review": http://www.whathifi.com/grado/sr125e/review

I own a 6-year-old pair of the lesser SR80 and they still sound great, plus a pair of SR325e cans that are but a few months old. The SR60e and SR80e cans are also great, and less costly options. All with drivers built on Long Island, and assembled in Brooklyn - lots of dealers in NA stock them for listening. I use a pair of German-made Beyerdynamic T51i cans I found on sale for US$199 a few months ago, a US$100 savings on a random sale - Beyer often has unannounced sales on their NA website, always worth a look.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

What about AKG headphones like the K545?

 

[campyguy]

What about AKG headphones like the K545?

I'm not a fan of the soundstage, but I'm not an owner of them or closed cans for listening around the house. A friend tried a pair last year, ended up swapping out 3 more times due to bad drivers and ended up with SR125e cans - IMHO AKG's Chinese-made cans are not up-to-snuff QC-wise. IMHO, if the headphones come from China they shouldn't cost more than $50 or too much money is lining the pockets of the "designer".

 

[bigpoppamac31]

I'm not a fan of the soundstage, but I'm not an owner of them or closed cans for listening around the house. A friend tried a pair last year, ended up swapping out 3 more times due to bad drivers and ended up with SR125e cans - IMHO AKG's Chinese-made cans are not up-to-snuff QC-wise. IMHO, if the headphones come from China they shouldn't cost more than $50 or too much money is lining the pockets of the "designer".

What about the V-moda brand like the Crossfade LP?

 

[campyguy]

What about the V-moda brand like the Crossfade LP?

I know a few who like them, but those Crossfade units (all of them) are too "bling" for my taste - I remember reading up on them when I was looking for some on-ears and ended up with the on-sale T51p, I think V-Moda wrote "Inspired in Italy", and the two Italians I know are still laughing that one off!

I thought the bass was too phat, the lower mids a bit too muddy. Now that the LP2 is out, I'd consider it if it were about 1/2 of their asking price. They've put too much time into making those cans customizable, IMHO that's why they're a popular brand. I'm 6'7" and really don't need to "stand out" in a crowd more than I already do!

I asked around the office - we've got a few Grados in our closed rooms, and these in some of the cubicles: http://www.cnet.com/products/audio-technica-ath-m50x/ - they're often on sale and I've read that Lifehacker loves them.

BTW, I chose the T51p for my out-and-about cans since they're made to work with iOS devices and my rMBP (mine's on an arm so I don't have to fret about the short-ish cord). Be mindful of choosing a pair of cans with a cord that's iOS-friendly!

 

[bigpoppamac31]

I know a few who like them, but those Crossfade units (all of them) are too "bling" for my taste - I remember reading up on them when I was looking for some on-ears and ended up with the on-sale T51p, I think V-Moda wrote "Inspired in Italy", and the two Italians I know are still laughing that one off!

I thought the bass was too phat, the lower mids a bit too muddy. Now that the LP2 is out, I'd consider it if it were about 1/2 of their asking price. They've put too much time into making those cans customizable, IMHO that's why they're a popular brand. I'm 6'7" and really don't need to "stand out" in a crowd more than I already do!

I asked around the office - we've got a few Grados in our closed rooms, and these in some of the cubicles: http://www.cnet.com/products/audio-technica-ath-m50x/ - they're often on sale and I've read that Lifehacker loves them.

BTW, I chose the T51p for my out-and-about cans since they're made to work with iOS devices and my rMBP (mine's on an arm so I don't have to fret about the short-ish cord). Be mindful of choosing a pair of cans with a cord that's iOS-friendly!

Yeah I've heard great things about the M50x. I also love the colour options like the dark green or orange/blue. Even so I'm not sure I can justify the cost of the M50x over the M40x. The M50x is much more expensive in Canada. http://www.amazon.ca/Audio-Technica...76838&sr=8-1&keywords=audio+technica+ath+m50x But I haven't seem many reviews comparing the M50x to the M40x.

 

[campyguy]

Yeah I've heard great things about the M50x. I also love the colour options like the dark green or orange/blue. Even so I'm not sure I can justify the cost of the M50x over the M40x. The M50x is much more expensive in Canada. http://www.amazon.ca/Audio-Technica...76838&sr=8-1&keywords=audio+technica+ath+m50x But I haven't seem many reviews comparing the M50x to the M40x.

That's why I'm stuck on Grado cans, despite the stodgy look. One of my employees rocking a pair of M50x cans, mocked me - and, since I'm the boss, I asked him to try out my 7-year-old (and properly burned in) SR80 cans - he won't give them back! Now I have to buy new cushions.

I asked around, and - since you're not a bass-head - the consensus is that the M40x is a better headphone in that regard. The funny follow up was that the two guys I asked offered that the SR80e is a better sounding headphone (I've not listened to the updated SR80), so, there's that. So, maybe some Grado cans with a few extra bucks spent on spray paint?

As to the higher prices in The Great White North, maybe they're getting even for years of what Rush and Celine Dion have done to us?

 

[bigpoppamac31]

That's why I'm stuck on Grado cans, despite the stodgy look. One of my employees rocking a pair of M50x cans, mocked me - and, since I'm the boss, I asked him to try out my 7-year-old (and properly burned in) SR80 cans - he won't give them back! Now I have to buy new cushions.

I asked around, and - since you're not a bass-head - the consensus is that the M40x is a better headphone in that regard. The funny follow up was that the two guys I asked offered that the SR80e is a better sounding headphone (I've not listened to the updated SR80), so, there's that. So, maybe some Grado cans with a few extra bucks spent on spray paint?

As to the higher prices in The Great White North, maybe they're getting even for years of what Rush and Celine Dion have done to us?

lol Yeah possibly. I did have the M40x early this year but returned them due to them being quite clampy on my head. Maybe I didn't stretch them out enough. But they did sound quite good. I heard things in my songs I hadn't heard before which was quite neat. Plus I do like the detachable cable. Maybe I'll spring for them again as a Christmas gift for myself.

 

[KimJongEun]

Sony MDR-100AAP. You will not find a better headphone under 300 dollars.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

What about the the PSB M4U 1?

 

[bigpoppamac31]

So these are the ones I've settled on. Basically knockoffs of the Sony MDR-7506. The difference is that mine say Apex hp100 on them instead of Senal SMH-1000. Also mine have a detachable cable which the Sony's do not have. Apparently with these one can replace the earpads with new or better quality ones. I just wonder how I can do that without breaking them. lol

http://www.amazon.com/Senal-SMH-1000-Closed-Back-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00ASWZO6U

 

[bigpoppamac31]

So I returned the Apex hp100 and right now I'm comparing between the Audio Technica M40x and the Sony MDR-10RBT. In many ways it's close. But the one edge the Sony has is that it's bluetooth. I'd love the AT M-series to come with a wireless option like BT and NFC. Anyone else have experience with these two headphones?

 

[Fabian90]

Sennheiser HD25, I just love them. Be careful to get the correct version, Sennheiser HD25-1 II. There's another cheaper C version and the studio one with higher Ohm.

Many Pro DJ use it for its great sound and extremely good quality. They never break... and if they do, you can get all the parts and replace them one by one.

 

[bigpoppamac31]

So I've decided to keep the Sony MDR-10RBT. Great sound and comfort for the price. Got them for $150 Canadian on Cyber Monday sale. Now I'm looking for earbud or in-ear headphones to replace my Apple EarPods. The EarPods are decent for what they are. But I'd like something with better sound quality and same or better comfort in my ear. Any suggestions?