Headphone advice?

beatsntea · 08-08-2013, 12:23 AM

Hello!

I'm a new member here. After extensive research on the best pair of headphones for me, I'm still at a loss. I guess I could be considered an amateur audiophile (?)- I really love music and I want to be better-researched, but I need some help from the more experienced!

Anyway, I need a pair that ...

1) is good for both indie/folksy stuff as well as dubstep/remix/soundtracks. I don't listen to much pop or metal.
2) Is durable, versatile, and portable, but doesn't sacrifice sound quality too much.
3) Sound quality at least 9.3/10!!
4) Comfortable! I marathon-listen a lot, usually when I'm surfing the internet or studying and especially when I'm working on artwork- that can range from 3-12 hours at a time!
5) Usually I'm either outside, at the library, or at home but it's late at night. I'd like it to be fairly good at not leaking- for the sake of others such as my fellow library-dwellers, roommate, and neighbors, especially when I'm cranking up my dubstep.
6) Assets: Would be nice if they were fashion-forward and can fold up for transportation. Preferably not plastic, but good metal/leather(faux or real) make. Affordability would be fantastic as well.

I've heard Sennheiser, Yamaha, and B&W are good, while Dr Dre/Beats and Skullcandy, etc. are fairly poor and just hyped up.

My budget is around CAD$150-350 (or a bit pricier if I can swing them as a Christmas gift from a rich family member ;D). I'd like to get as much bang for my buck as possible.

Any help or advice is appreciated! ^^

Much obliged,
beatsntea

SATCHMO · 08-08-2013, 03:05 AM

Audio Technica ATHM50 fit all of your criteria fairly nicely, and can be had on Amazon for $159.

Amazon.com: Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Professional Studio Monitor Headphones with Coiled Cable: Electronics

LoathsomePete · 08-08-2013, 10:41 AM

I grabbed a pair of Numark Redwave DJ headphones and I think they may be perfect for your needs. They're very durable, fold up quite easily, very comfortable for extended listens (I've worn them for 6-9 hour stretches with no problems or discomfort). They have a great bass sound but I've found they sound great for folk and ambient music as well. They're well under your budget though, so if you're willing to spend more money I'm sure there are better headphones out there, but for under 100 bucks I don't think you can do better.

Franco Pepe Kalle · 08-08-2013, 11:21 AM

Make sure you find the headphone that you can enjoy or can like.

Dr_Rez · 08-08-2013, 03:24 PM

I recently bought for 60 bucks a pair of Extra Bass Sony XB500's. They have a 40mm driver and sound pretty darn good. They also sell XB300 and XD1000's prices accordingly. Read some reviews, and if you like lots of bass these are for you.

Gavin B. · 08-08-2013, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beatsntea

Hello!

I'm a new member here. After extensive research on the best pair of headphones for me, I'm still at a loss. I guess I could be considered an amateur audiophile (?)- I really love music and I want to be better-researched, but I need some help from the more experienced!

Anyway, I need a pair that ...

1) is good for both indie/folksy stuff as well as dubstep/remix/soundtracks. I don't listen to much pop or metal.
2) Is durable, versatile, and portable, but doesn't sacrifice sound quality too much.
3) Sound quality at least 9.3/10!!
4) Comfortable! I marathon-listen a lot, usually when I'm surfing the internet or studying and especially when I'm working on artwork- that can range from 3-12 hours at a time!
5) Usually I'm either outside, at the library, or at home but it's late at night. I'd like it to be fairly good at not leaking- for the sake of others such as my fellow library-dwellers, roommate, and neighbors, especially when I'm cranking up my dubstep.
6) Assets: Would be nice if they were fashion-forward and can fold up for transportation. Preferably not plastic, but good metal/leather(faux or real) make. Affordability would be fantastic as well.

I've heard Sennheiser, Yamaha, and B&W are good, while Dr Dre/Beats and Skullcandy, etc. are fairly poor and just hyped up.

My budget is around CAD$150-350 (or a bit pricier if I can swing them as a Christmas gift from a rich family member ;D). I'd like to get as much bang for my buck as possible.

Any help or advice is appreciated! ^^

Much obliged,
beatsntea

You should visit some high end audio retailers and try the headphones yourself if you're going to spend that much money on a pair of headphones. I'd never spend $150-350 on a pair of headphone I'd never personally tested for myself. You can get some damn good studio headphones for that price.

IvanMC · 09-11-2013, 01:37 PM

Audio Technica ATHM50 is, in my opinion, the best option.

~~Cuthbert~~ · 09-12-2013, 07:37 PM

I co sign the Audio Technica's but would go for Sennheiser HD-25 II over those. If any part breaks, you don't have to replace the headphone and can buy a spare off the Sennheiser website. Any part.

http://cdn.head-fi.org/d/da/1000x450...artljokerl.png

If you use the velvet ear cups instead of the leather ones they are far more comfortable as well. For durability and sound isolation they are 5*.

Paul Smeenus · 09-12-2013, 07:53 PM

Grado SR125 Review - Headphones - CNET Reviews

~~Cuthbert~~ · 09-12-2013, 09:29 PM

^those are open backed and not portable, though.

08-08-2013, 12:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
beatsntea Groupie Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 1	Headphone advice? Hello! I'm a new member here. After extensive research on the best pair of headphones for me, I'm still at a loss. I guess I could be considered an amateur audiophile (?)- I really love music and I want to be better-researched, but I need some help from the more experienced! Anyway, I need a pair that ... 1) is good for both indie/folksy stuff as well as dubstep/remix/soundtracks. I don't listen to much pop or metal. 2) Is durable, versatile, and portable, but doesn't sacrifice sound quality too much. 3) Sound quality at least 9.3/10!! 4) Comfortable! I marathon-listen a lot, usually when I'm surfing the internet or studying and especially when I'm working on artwork- that can range from 3-12 hours at a time! 5) Usually I'm either outside, at the library, or at home but it's late at night. I'd like it to be fairly good at not leaking- for the sake of others such as my fellow library-dwellers, roommate, and neighbors, especially when I'm cranking up my dubstep. 6) Assets: Would be nice if they were fashion-forward and can fold up for transportation. Preferably not plastic, but good metal/leather(faux or real) make. Affordability would be fantastic as well. I've heard Sennheiser, Yamaha, and B&W are good, while Dr Dre/Beats and Skullcandy, etc. are fairly poor and just hyped up. My budget is around CAD$150-350 (or a bit pricier if I can swing them as a Christmas gift from a rich family member ;D). I'd like to get as much bang for my buck as possible. Any help or advice is appreciated! ^^ Much obliged, beatsntea

08-08-2013, 10:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
LoathsomePete Cardboard Box Realtor Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hobb's End Posts: 7,648	I grabbed a pair of Numark Redwave DJ headphones and I think they may be perfect for your needs. They're very durable, fold up quite easily, very comfortable for extended listens (I've worn them for 6-9 hour stretches with no problems or discomfort). They have a great bass sound but I've found they sound great for folk and ambient music as well. They're well under your budget though, so if you're willing to spend more money I'm sure there are better headphones out there, but for under 100 bucks I don't think you can do better. __________________ Last.FM 101 Albums That May Not Change Your Life, But I Really Like And You Might Too

08-08-2013, 11:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
Franco Pepe Kalle Mwana Nzala Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Shakopee, Minnesota Posts: 627	Make sure you find the headphone that you can enjoy or can like. __________________ The problem with Franco Pepe Kalle is that he is a unpredictable character. There is surprising info about this man. You think he only likes Franco and Pepe Kalle but when you find out that he hears other artists, you are shock. Girls are the sexy thing that God created. Important to notice FPK.

08-08-2013, 03:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dr_Rez Registered Jimmy Rustler Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 5,360	I recently bought for 60 bucks a pair of Extra Bass Sony XB500's. They have a 40mm driver and sound pretty darn good. They also sell XB300 and XD1000's prices accordingly. Read some reviews, and if you like lots of bass these are for you. __________________ Best chance of losing virginity is in prison crew Always Checks Credentials Crew nba > nfl crew Shave one of my legs to pretend its a girl in my bed crew

08-08-2013, 03:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
SATCHMO Al Dente Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 4,708	Audio Technica ATHM50 fit all of your criteria fairly nicely, and can be had on Amazon for $159. Amazon.com: Audio-Technica ATH-M50 Professional Studio Monitor Headphones with Coiled Cable: Electronics

09-11-2013, 01:37 PM	#7 (permalink)
IvanMC Music Addict Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 258	Audio Technica ATHM50 is, in my opinion, the best option.

09-12-2013, 07:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
~~Cuthbert~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Black Country Posts: 8,827	I co sign the Audio Technica's but would go for Sennheiser HD-25 II over those. If any part breaks, you don't have to replace the headphone and can buy a spare off the Sennheiser website. Any part. http://cdn.head-fi.org/d/da/1000x450...artljokerl.png If you use the velvet ear cups instead of the leather ones they are far more comfortable as well. For durability and sound isolation they are 5*.

09-12-2013, 09:29 PM	#10 (permalink)
~~Cuthbert~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: The Black Country Posts: 8,827	^those are open backed and not portable, though.