Let me preface this by stating that the difference between a proper pair of headphones and a pair of say Apple's EarPods is unbelievable. I will likely use this analogy many times in the future but the difference is like seeing the world with glasses for the first time: music becomes that much clearer. Some songs sound completely different with proper headphones and a good audio source. Simply, you want to listen to music for the simple joy of it... even songs that would normally be skipped on the radio suddenly sound so much better that skipping them would be a crime.
I honestly feel like over 90% of people have never heard true music. That $200-$300 can get somebody a truly high-end pair of headphones that can last a lifetime if needed is staggering. The public should question why they pay $20/year for an awful pair that breaks yearly.
That being said, I am using V-Moda's M-100 after a painstaking search for headphones with no real budget set... I was searching for the best value and best sound without having to make a "hmm, these headphones are 75% as good and half the price" compromise; I wanted the best without spending a ridiculous amount. To be fair, I found the brand and design initially off-putting but have since become a huge fan of the brand and it seems I find a new aspect of the headphone or brand to appreciate daily. When I bought these I was not expecting them to sound significantly better than my $150 Audio Technica ATH-700 pair but in retrospect they do sound like they're worth twice the price, very surprisingly. I was initially just looking for more of a bass presence after trying a pair of Beats Solo2 in-store. Of course even at a similar price the Beats do not hold a candle to either headphone: the sound is very closed-off and mids as well as treble suffers. However, on the M-100 that is simply not true. The entirety of the song can be heard and felt with a painstaking clarity. These are the type of headphones where lossless music can shine. These are the type of headphones where you pause life and listen to music for hours for the sole reason that you cannot take them off. Perhaps the single con these have are the comfort factor: the material itself is comfy and premium, but prolonged sessions can cause my ears physical pain. This is a rare experience for these headphones, but the company has already fixed the issue by releasing XL earpads that apparently improve the sound even further.
Now, I'm not stating V-Moda is the only brand that can provide such a quality sound for $200-$300. www.innerfidelity.com could be your friend in that. Just do not go into a retail store assuming that spending a couple hundred dollars will get you the best audio presentation available: there are significantly better brands than Beats, Bose, etc. What I am stating is that everyone should experience a true audio experience. As low as ~ $100 could get you world-class audio with the Audio Technica M50 although I do recommend the V-Moda M-100 for its detail reproduction and superior, very detailed bass. Instrument separation is also excellent.
If you like music, you owe it to yourself to listen to it as intended. The first time somebody upgrades to a genuinely good pair of $100+ headphones, they are blown away by the amount of detail they had been missing.
I honestly feel like over 90% of people have never heard true music. That $200-$300 can get somebody a truly high-end pair of headphones that can last a lifetime if needed is staggering. The public should question why they pay $20/year for an awful pair that breaks yearly.
That being said, I am using V-Moda's M-100 after a painstaking search for headphones with no real budget set... I was searching for the best value and best sound without having to make a "hmm, these headphones are 75% as good and half the price" compromise; I wanted the best without spending a ridiculous amount. To be fair, I found the brand and design initially off-putting but have since become a huge fan of the brand and it seems I find a new aspect of the headphone or brand to appreciate daily. When I bought these I was not expecting them to sound significantly better than my $150 Audio Technica ATH-700 pair but in retrospect they do sound like they're worth twice the price, very surprisingly. I was initially just looking for more of a bass presence after trying a pair of Beats Solo2 in-store. Of course even at a similar price the Beats do not hold a candle to either headphone: the sound is very closed-off and mids as well as treble suffers. However, on the M-100 that is simply not true. The entirety of the song can be heard and felt with a painstaking clarity. These are the type of headphones where lossless music can shine. These are the type of headphones where you pause life and listen to music for hours for the sole reason that you cannot take them off. Perhaps the single con these have are the comfort factor: the material itself is comfy and premium, but prolonged sessions can cause my ears physical pain. This is a rare experience for these headphones, but the company has already fixed the issue by releasing XL earpads that apparently improve the sound even further.
Now, I'm not stating V-Moda is the only brand that can provide such a quality sound for $200-$300. www.innerfidelity.com could be your friend in that. Just do not go into a retail store assuming that spending a couple hundred dollars will get you the best audio presentation available: there are significantly better brands than Beats, Bose, etc. What I am stating is that everyone should experience a true audio experience. As low as ~ $100 could get you world-class audio with the Audio Technica M50 although I do recommend the V-Moda M-100 for its detail reproduction and superior, very detailed bass. Instrument separation is also excellent.
If you like music, you owe it to yourself to listen to it as intended. The first time somebody upgrades to a genuinely good pair of $100+ headphones, they are blown away by the amount of detail they had been missing.
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