Help me choose a pair of headphones

[Conscientia]

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a new pair of high-quality headphones - I'm expecting (hoping) the step-up from Skullcandy lowriders to high-end headphones to be immense... as it's a pretty expensive purchase I'm wanting to make sure I make the right decision.

Here are a list of the headphones I'm currently looking at. Any feedback on them, or suggestions of others, would be very much welcomed.

Audio Technica ATH-M50 (http://www.iheadphones.co.uk/headphones/24062/Audio+Technica+ATH-M50.htm)
AKG K141 MKII Stereo Studio Headphones (http://www.iheadphones.co.uk/headphones/23921/AKG+K141+MKii.htm)
AKG K240 MKII Studio Headphones (http://www.iheadphones.co.uk/headphones/23922/AKG+K240+MKii.htm)
Sennheiser HD555 (http://www.iheadphones.co.uk/headphones/22624/Sennheiser+HD+555.htm)
Monster Beats Solo by Dr. Dre (http://www.iheadphones.co.uk/headphones/24273/Monster+Beats+Solo+by+Dr+Dre.htm)
Audio Technica ATH-ANC7B (http://www.iheadphones.co.uk/headphones/24307/Audio+Technica+ATH-ANC7B.htm)

My budget is around £130ish. These will primarily be used on an iPod touch (3rd gen) and laptop. I'm a n00b when it comes to these sort of things... so if there is any further information that would be useful in helping you to recommend me a pair of headphones then please ask.

Best wishes.

 

[Bayamontate]

Those are great choices if you intend to pair them with a headphone amp. of some kind, especially if you are driving anything over 32 ohms. I've tried almost everything on the market between $75-$250 and found that for the type of music I listen to, mostly 1950-1960s jazz, the Grados SR60 sound the best to me (totally subjective of course.)

 

[jkchuma]

If only the Sennheiser HD 650s weren't out of your price range. They are amazing.

 

[ericesque]

Those are great choices if you intend to pair them with a headphone amp. of some kind, especially if you are driving anything over 32 ohms. I've tried almost everything on the market between $75-$250 and found that for the type of music I listen to, mostly 1950-1960s jazz, the Grados SR60 sound the best to me (totally subjective of course.)

I'll second the motion for the Grados. Fantastic headphones. My dad is an audiophile --his custom speakers cost twice what my first car set me back. But even more than spending crazy amounts of money on equipment, he loves finding the best values in audio --and his choice for headphones was a pair of Grados.

Unfortunately you'll never realize the full potential of any of these headphones on an iPod or laptop. The DAC in these devices cost the manufacturers pennies. Even Microsoft's Zune has a significantly better DAC than the iPod. That said, the Grados are a great value and they'll serve you well now and if you ever upgrade to a higher quality audio source in the future.

 

[HopHead]

I'm by no means an audophile, but the Bose Quiet Comfort headphones are amazing for plane trips.

 

[Go West Young Man]

If you're listening to an Ipod you don't need fantastic headphones, just good ones. I prefer in-ear, they're just more convenient to carry, block out a lot more outside sound, etc. Sennheisser and Etymotics both make good options in the $100 range. I've been rocking a pair of Etymotics er-6i for a couple years and love them.

 

[jazzman]

Those are great choices if you intend to pair them with a headphone amp. of some kind, especially if you are driving anything over 32 ohms. I've tried almost everything on the market between $75-$250 and found that for the type of music I listen to, mostly 1950-1960s jazz, the Grados SR60 sound the best to me (totally subjective of course.)

+1
I'm still enjoying the pair of SR60's that I bought when they came out, around 15 years ago. Grado now offers the same drivers in its "iPhones," which cost about $50 US. I use them for my iPod while commuting.

P.S. Great avatar and musical preferences.

 

[Aldershot]

If you want earbuds also take a look at Shure. Some models will be in your price range and they are top notch quality.

 

[GoldenMonkey]

Get yourself a decent portable headphone amp to help unlock the missing piece here, and you'll thank yourself for it in the long run. Check out the forum at Head-Fi, your best source of information for the expensive and perilous journey on which you are about to embark.

The Grado SR60 or SR80 is right in your wheelhouse, pricewise, but of the ones you listed:

Audio Technica ATH-ANC7B - ATs are nice, and easy to drive without an amp. Avoid the other model though...you don't want the studio monitors.

Skip the Beats...they are boomy, muddy sounding messes.

The Senn HD555's are nice, but they are open design, so you'll be letting a lot of noise in, and noise out...not ideal if you are on the go. That said, they definitely sound great, but the Senn signature sound is not everyone's cup of tea. They tend to be more warm and laid back than the AKG sound.

As for AKG, they are very accurate and depending on the model can be fairly bass-shy (they are the antithesis of the Beats, lol), but if you are looking for a more accurate representation without a colored sound, then they are a good bet for you. Problem with revealing phones like that is if your source material is poor you're going to really otice how crappy mp3 compression sounds. That said, I'd skip either of those choices and spend a bit more for the AKG K271 MKII.

Oh, and ANY of these are going to sound leagues better than Skullcrappys, don't worry...

 

[mparker762]

In your price range I'd go with the Grado SR-80's. Great sound quality, and light weight. Nick Drake is absolutely amazing in a pair of Grado cans. But for the good music I use my 1st gen iphone which has a much nicer DAC than the newer ones.

 

[cthip]

avoid the beats like the plague--even if you enjoy the boomy, muddy bass (some people do), the harsh sibilance is completely unacceptable at this price point

the others should all be good options, and the grados mentioned as well. just be aware that some of these are "open" headphones. the upside is a more natural, airy, spacious sound. the downside is that they do not seal out ambient noise, and people can clearly hear what you're listening to which can sometimes be awkward if you're listening to your ipod in public.

i went with the sennheiser hd280s. they're not perfect, but they're generally considered to be a solid entry level headphone that's well within your price range. they also happen to be sealed which is my preference to reduce outside noise. one potential problem is they tend to be too small for large heads. my head is HUGE but for relatively shorter listening sessions (say under 2 hours) i still find them to be comfortable.

http://www.iheadphones.co.uk/shopdisplayproducts.asp?Search=Yes&sppp=30

they're a little higher impedance (64ohm) so you'll often find yourself playing your ipod at or near max volume and maybe still wishing you could get just a little bit louder. to remedy this i use mine with a fiio e3 amp. it's a dirt-cheap low-end amp with a slight built-in EQ which isn't ideal, but i find this particular EQ to compliment the known shortcomings of the HD280s. it's also compact, battery powered, and fits in-line with your headphone cord so it's perfect for travel. since i've purchased mine they've released a larger, more powerful version and an ipod-specific version that includes a basic remote control.

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14303
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.30345
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.30344

 

[VR6ofpain]

Those Senn HD-555's such royally. I bought them for my wife a long time ago and was extremely disappointed in the sound.

I personally am a fan of AKG headphones. I see you have the K240's on there, which are nice cans. Since you are driving them straight out of an iPod, don't bother with anything hungry like an AKG K601/701, Senn HD600/650, Beyer DT-880/990, etc.

Have you looked at the AKG K81DJ? It is a great closed can on the cheap.

Of your options, I'd go with the ATH-M50. You will really want a closed can, trust me.

 

[Conscientia]

Firstly, thank you to the moderator who moved my post to the correct sub-forum.

From the feedback I've received so far I'm going to scrap the Monster Beats from my list. I didn't even know portable headphone amps existed - I've got my eye on a Fiio e5 (for it's USB chargability) among some other slightly more expensive ones - as well as a iPod line out adaptor to take full advantage of the amp.

I still haven't decided which pair of headphones I'm going to choose... at least I know that the ones I'm looking at are of a decent standard. I'll pay closer attention to the open/closed issue (although I noticed that the AKG's were "semi-open"... what does that even mean? lol).

Any further discussion is more than welcome, in fact, it's encouraged!

PS: I listen mainly to hip-hop music... if that at all allows for more tailored suggestions.

 

[Uncle Erik]

Be sure to pay a visit to Head-Fi. You'll get a much broader view of what's on the market and a lot more recommendations.

You might be happy with a pair of Grados, except that prices in the UK are completely unreasonable compared to the US. If you register at Head-Fi, you'll be able to pick up a used pair from the For Sale Forum that will be much less than buying new.

 

[Carlin]

ATH-AD700's
ATH-AD900's

Those are both open eared, bass is clear but a bit low on the 700's. I own both love both. If you prefer closed versions, take out the"D"

 

[johnmrson]

Audio Technica make great headphones. You can't go wrong with either of them I reckon.

 

[VR6ofpain]

I'll pay closer attention to the open/closed issue (although I noticed that the AKG's were "semi-open"... what does that even mean? lol).

Just consider them opened. Open means you will hear outside noises loud and clear (over your music) and others will hear your music (possibly a problem depending where you are listening). Again, I would stick with closed since they work in all situations.

Those AT's you listed would be a great choice. They have received steller reviews.

 

[thebikingengineer]

I've got both Grado SR60s and Senn HD555 and like both very much. I'd probably go the Grado route for you, or Etymotics if you want an in-ear. The Sennheisers have a very nice sound when amped, but the long cord and 1/4" jack make them awkward for use with an iPod. If you go the Head-Fi route, good luck, I'm on there and have spent far too much money because of it.

 

[kwigibocity]

I think the Sennheiser HD280's are the best cheapish closed headphone. Amazingly-good external noise reduction without the noise-cancelling hiss. For earbud style you can't go wrong with Shure.

 

[dugedug]

Love my Grado SR225s but Grados are not for everyone and more difficult to find overseas (search for Alessandros). Also, their build quality has a cheapness to them until you get above the 225s. The sound of the 225s through my tube headphone amp is amazing, can't wait till I get the 325s.

If your using an amp you may want to check out AKG k701s. For non-amped check out Senn HD 500 and 600 series. It is all going to boil down to personal preference and funds. head-fi is a great place to start your search.


I'm just getting into the earbud thing but take a look at what Shure, Etymotic, Sennheiser, Ultimate ears, and Head-direct has to offer.