whats your favorite portable headphone? under $150 USD

portable = you use for school, working out..etc.

mine are:
school: senn. mx500
running: koss ksc-35

Home: Sony MDR-V600 ($99)

Looking forward to trying the MDR-V700's.


--happiness is a great pair of headphones.

My old Sony MDR-A30 headphones. I actually use my Ety ER-4Ps for everything (especially when working noisy machines at work), but you listed a money limit well below the Etys $270 price.

I have the SONY MDR-V9000. they're wonderful.

I had some run of the mill Sennheisers and I could not stand them, they were horrible. The sound was very clean (I admit that), but it seemed to boost up the middle frequencies at the expense of bass and highs, really weird sound.

When I finally moved on to the SONY ones it was like heaven, clean, pristing sound, with nice warm bass...investing a bit more $$$ into high-class headphones makes all the difference...

Interesting, I see a bunch of Sony recommendations here, yet when I read audiophile headphone sites I rarely see Sonys even reviewed, much less recommended; instead Sennheiser and Grado seem to be the two favourites. Odd.

Sennheiser makes cheap bad sounding headphones as well as audiophile quality ones. Excellent quality Sennheiser phones (e.g. HD580, HD600) are not well suited for portable listening, as they require an amplifier to drive them properly.

Well, I have never had Grado or Sennheiser, so I can't make a direct comparison.

I can say that the "high" end Sony's are very good. Now this is obviously subjective. I'm not sure if the Sony's have a flat curve, or if they tend to boost the frequencies that I happen to like, such as bass and treble.

I think I can say IMHO, you can't gett a better headphone for under $150, but you can probably get a helluva better headphone for a lot more money.

I think Sony's tend to get overlooked in stereo reviews due to a stigma attached to the name. Sony's seem to be associated with consumer (Best Buy) type systems, and not the gold plated high end systems.

I don't know. Maybe I'm wrong about that, but I would definitely recommend the ones I have for the price.

Brett

If you like Sony headphones the best quality for price is usually considered to be the Sony MDR-V6 (~$60), quite a few people prefer the sound of these over the V600.

Here is a good place to find out more about headphones: http://www.head-fi.org/

I have the Sony CD3000s and I think they sounded better than any Grado and Seinheisser ones I listened to. Yes they run about $500 but they are the best sounding headphones and most comfortable I have ever heard..

-Grant

Wow. I didn't even know Sony made a $500 pair of headphones.

The ultimate pair of Sony Headphones: http://www.themegifts.com/cgi-local/SoftCa...O.htm?E+scstore

I'll buy some of these, to listen to my VQF encoded tracks through my onboard soundcard. [img]94d1dc2f47[/img]

Hi. I used to sell Sony headphones, and I think I can fairly say that they are hit and miss for quality. Some are superb, others are truly shit.

I bought a pair of KSC-35's sight unseen based on reccommendations I got over at headwise forums. Best portable headphones I have ever heard. They totally exceeded my expectations and were only 70$ Canadian.

$3,999?????? Do those things come with vasoline?

That's nothing compared to the Sennheiser Orpheus headphone system, MSRP $14,900, though to be fair they come with their own tube amp.

No comment on how it actually sounds...

I'm going to buy one and plug it into my SoundBlaster Live.

I'd rather buy a car.

But, indeed - This one, I'd use to listen to my old vinyls.

$14,900??? Sheeeesh that's what I paid for my first house. It was brick too!

My ancient (1978 or something...) Stax SR-Xmk3 "electrostatic earspeakers" define the ultimate headphones for me. Unfortunately, they're not portable by any means (they have to be plugged into a special transformer to boost the signal for the electrostatic drivers, then that gets hooked up to my Hafler SE240 power amp...), nor are they under $150... but i've never come across headphones that better reproduce the sound emitted from my Magnepan MG-IIIa speakers, without annoying everyone else in the house.

I do consider myself an audiophile, and i'm training to be a recording studio engineer.

I've heard the Sennheiser HD600's and I was quite quickly put off... like Zaraza said, they have a strange boost in the middle frequencies which gives the music an artificial "lush-ness". They were a very "laid back" presentation, but not "dark" - my magneplanar speakers have a very "dark" midrange, which I really like - sort of the opposite of the shouty bright midrange of horns. The Senns, while not near as bright in the midrange as horns, were still somehow unpleasant.

I tried the Grado SR-325 and prefered them over the HD600's by a long shot. The bass was awesome, but sort of dry, not warm.

For your price range, I'd suggest you try the Grado SR-125. I'll admit I've never heard them, but based on my experienc with the SR-325, I can't imagine they'd be very bad.

My first even remotely decent headphones were a pair of Sony MDR-CD570's. EXTREMELY comfortable. but very rolled off high end (died at 16khz) bloaty bass, bright midrange. They put way too much emphasis on vocals.

Anyway, good luck in your search for the perfect cans. For good reviews, I'd suggest you try HeadRoom, it's a cool site.

--jeff

I'm currently using Koss PortaPro's, and I really like the sound (I compared it to four or five different ones with a similar price, and I thought the PortaPro's were much better). Now, sometimes a pair of earbuds would be nice, so can anyone recommend a pair with a sound similar to the PortaPro's (what I'd describe as "full" and "well-balanced"), and not too expensive (say, not more than the PortaPro's)? A volume control on the cord is a plus, but not required (thanks to MP3Gain).

I have Grado SR80s, and they sound sooo excellent. Trust me, they will probably sound better than anything else for the money, at $90 (Hifi.com). They are very open headphones, meaning they don't block outside sound, and people can hear what you are listening to. If this doesn't bother you, then seriously consider Grados...

Otherwise, in your price range, if you need closed headphones, most audiophiles would recommend the Sony V6 (NOT V600!) or the Denon AH-D750 or 950s...

Don't get any other Sony's below the $200 price mark other than the V6 or 7506 (same thing but with gold plug), they all suck compared to everything else. Sony V600s have been compared to $20 Koss headphones, and cost over $100. The V6/7506 has been around for over a decade, and is a great headphone.

If you want more expert opinions, be sure to check out http://www.headwize.com

Depending on the budget, I would recomment the following headphones:

Koss Porta Pro $48 £37 (www.beststuff.co.uk)
Grado SR60 $70 £69 (grado.co.uk)
Grado SR80 $95 £85 (grado.co.uk)
Koss A250 $130

The reason I wrote the price in £ and $ is because I have noticed a large discrepency between the 2 countries. It's even worse if you look for it on the continent... Also it is very difficult to find some retailers having those particular models in stock.

Anyone know of UK retailers for the Koss A250? I have been looking for it, but no luck so far.

- aRMaN RaSTaMaN -

Hi All Audiophiles,
I Using low end portable KOSS Porta Pro 2000, this headphones more transparent from Koss Porta Pro.I Listening all sources plug into special home made single ended V-Mos Mini Amp like Pass Aleph....

i ordered my koss portapro today. can't wait to try them out ;-). currently i'm using some poor/cheap sony portable headphones.

anyone used 'airborne' headphones (taken from an airplane i mean) -> mine favorite are SAS

Portable: Radio Shack Pro-35 Titanium (Koss KTX-Pro)
Larger: Denon AH-D550
In-Ear: They suck (at least the usual painful style)

As you can see, I go for price/performance in headphones. Performance has to be 'there' but so does price. Etymotic for moi? Nah :-). Too good for the MP3 format anyhoo.

Review of KTX-Pro:

http://www.epinions.com/511826_Koss_KTX_Pro_Headphones

Review of Denon AH-D550:

http://www.epinions.com/elec_Audio-Headpho...D-Denon_AHD-550

I've always felt the problem with Sony cans is that they are way to bright in the highs.

My younger brother has the Beyerdynamic DT 250 (I think they should be mine though ). They sound sooo nice! It's a European company and here you can get them for around 150 Euro. They are probably somewhat more pricey in the US. From what I've heard, get those Sony MDR-V6's or go for some of the better Grados.

I own a pair of the rare Sony CD1000, that I bought in Austria, many years ago. The same store had a pair of the MDR-R1O, I listened to them for a couple hours. I had a couple thousand to spend, but not enough, obviously. Yes the MDR-R10 sound heavenly, but the CD1000 are heaven - 1%, which was perfectly acceptable to me at that time
Later that year, I wanted to change to Sennheiser but they are so friggin' fragile, and there were the "two-wires-that-remind-you-to-stay-still-and-feel-uncomfortable" and "need-an-expensive-amplifier-to-sound-decent" issues, that kept me from spending more money than it was necessary.

A month ago, I saw the MDR-V700DJ on the Sony side, and as an impulse buyer, I spent $110 on them. Luckily, I could return them to the store, and exchange them for something else.... that was a nightmare, I did not hear a more crappy pair of cans in my life.

I exchanged the desaster aquisition against a pair of MDR-F1, since I needed them mainly for the office. Even if the quality is not the same as my CD1000, I can tell that they are by far the most comfortable cans I ever had on my head.

When I arrive in the office I put the MDR-F1 on, and after 9 hours I take them off. If you use an equalizer to compensate for the rather light bass, they can be very addictive, since you can hear everything in the room, and still have a decent sound.

Only 1 penny inside your price range, but Sony MDR-V700DJ hands down:

http://www.sonystyle.com/electronics/prd.j...&pid=207&type=p

Read on and drool:

SPECIFICATIONS:
- Studio Monitor Series Headphones incorporate high-end materials and advanced engineering; critically clean, exceptionally clear sound for professional and high fidelity applications
- Swivel earcups for DJ and remix applications enable single-sided monitoring. DJs can listen to house sound with one ear while they cue up the next track with the other. Convenient for on-shoulder use.
- Reversible earcups for even greater monitoring flexibility
- Auto return swivel mechanism brings the earcups back to standard listening position -- another nice touch from Sony
- 50 mm diameter drive units for reference-grade sound; enable superior power handling; deeper bass, lower distortion and wider dynamic range; frequency response extends from 30,000 Hz down to an extraordinary 5 Hz
- 3000 mW power handling for the most stringent professional applications; stands up to day-in, day-out use at very high output levels
- Neodymium magnets for maximum energy and minimum size; Neodymium packs more magnetic energy per ounce than conventional Ferrite, Samarium Cobalt or Aluminum magnets; help produce ample sound output -- 107 dB/mW sensitivity
- Oxygen-free copper cord for maximum conductivity, minimum noise; conducts electricity better than conventional copper
- Folding design makes for easy storage and easy portability in a briefcase or equipment bag
- Supra-aural design rests lightly on the ear; creates a controlled environment for better sound; driver is positioned the correct distance from the ear canal
- Wide, molded headband distributes the headphone's weight over a wide area; reduced pressure means comfortable listening for hours on end
- Headphone rest -- serrated area on the plug acts as a "hanger;" plugged into a rack of equipment, the headphones can hang on the plug when not in use
- Gold-plated plugs resist corrosion for high conductivity, low noise
- Silver finish for a sleek, professional look
- Sony UniMatch plug systemwith fixed stereo miniplug for use with portable equipment; detachable phone plug for use with studio and home audio equipment
- Type Closed supra-aural, Dynamic
- Drive Unit 50 mm
- Diaphragm PET
- Magnet Neodymium
- Impedance 24 ohms
- Sensitivity 107 dB/mW
- Power Handling Capacity 3000 mW
- Frequency Response 5 - 30,000 Hz
- Headband wide, adjustable single headband with folding earcups
- Earcups swivel and reversible for single-sided monitoring; auto-return mechanism
- Cord Oxygen-free copper; Single-sided, 10 feet (3 m)
- Plug Straight, Gold-plated, stereo UniMatch plug with fixed miniplug and detachable phone plug

For an extra $11.25 you can have them overnight by FedEx, direct from Sony, like I did. In this price range, they rule!

Regards,
Madrigal

Many audiophiles regard the Sony mdr-v700-dj as very bad headphones. They have muddy, overemphasized midbass and very little low bass. This might be somewhat good for DJing (although I wouldn't be so sure) but they are definitely not made for HiFi playback.

Yet, many (DJs) who actually use them are quite fond of their sound and their "coolness factor". Beware of the easily breakable plastic joints. Never drop these headphones!

I have the now affordable Sennheiser HD600 headphones. Thanks to eBay they've gone down from the original $449 list to an amazing $219 today. I love them for their endlessly listenable quality. Yes they can be relatively laid-back and have a somewhat prominent midrange, but they feature just blissful listening with fantastic resolving abilities and I suppose that is my criteria for a good headphone.

Seems to me price isn't an automatic indication of "good" (or "bad") when it comes to headphones. I've listened to some very decent, inexpensive headphones (under $75.00)... and some rather poor quality, expensive ones.

It helps to be able to audition a pair of headphones before buying. The frequency range covered doesn't mean much, sensitivity is a more important factor. And that can't really be determined by published specs, since headphones can have excellent highs & midrange, but poor bass... and etc.

Sometimes it's just a matter of preference too... for example, some headphones "overemphasize" bass, but if you like a lot of bass (or don't care) then it isn't a problem.

Edit -- and comfort factors count big too... another good reason to audition a pair before buying, especially if expensive ones.

mithrandir,

Are you using a headphone amp with you HD600's?

I've heard that an amp is necessary to get the best sound out of them due to their high (300 Ohms) impedance. I also like Sennheiser headphones and was thinking of buying the HD600's but I am not quite ready to shell out another 200 something dollars for a dedicated headphone amp.

I owned the Sennheiser 580´s. I think they have the same drivers like the 600´s and I had no problem driving them with my sony 720 QS Amp. (on the Headphone jack - not on the speaker output )

They already sounded absolutely great with my amp.
I can´t imagine in what way they should sound better with a dedicated amp.

The word audiophile means "sound lover". There is no built-in connotation of expertise. As simply a lover of music, I believe I qualify for the term, and in my listening I strive for objectivity regardless of any coolness factor.

To my ears, the V700's sound absolutely great, even when heard through a mere SB Live! Value card, pumped by an RCA SA-155 mini stereo amp. I have not noted any of the muddiness or bass imbalance you describe. The bass and midrange are distinct, clear and solid, with no discernible dropouts, and the highs are equal to or better than Sony's usual high standard. The sensitivity is incredible! As far as Fi is concerned, the 700's are definitely Hi enough for me.

Just curious, have you ever actually listened through a set of these phones?

Thanks very much for the tip about the breakable joints. I'll be careful. Sure don't wanna lose 'em now.

Regards,
Madrigal

Sorry for my inexact phrasing. What I meant, were people who know what they are talking about. "They" have listened to many headphones on high end systems and compared them. My judgement of those headphones relies solely on what "they" say. Namely I'm talking about the "elders" of the www.headwize.com forum.



I have not listened to them - you're welcome.
I wasn't saying they suck. It's just that (according to headwize people) in the same pricerange there are better headphones (popular example: Sony mdr-v6). To tell you the truth, most people who I ever heard talking about the v700 phones like them very much, but imho they never really had any reference to compare them too. It's like upgrading from 100MHz to 500, sure, that's fast, but 1500 is just faster. (Please don't spank me cuz I know that MHz is by far not the only thing that matters )

Have you listened to any other phones (in about the same price range)? Anyway, if you like 'em, then good for you, don't let me talk you out of liking them!

Headphones are intensely personal. Something one person may like may be ho-hum to somebody else. Even when a lot of people agree that a headphone delivers high quality sound, that doesn't mean everybody will find that to be true too.

Filburt, a guy whose listening opinions I trust implicitly, favors Sony MDR 268 earbuds over the many other headphones he's tried, including higher-end Sennheisers and Grados. I personally don't like the 268's, even after I've let them "burn in" and after many different attempts to reposition them in my ears.

I really like the Grado SR 325's I have now, but I can tell that they aren't neutral. Solo piano sounds too bright. On the other hand, Sony MDR V6's are known for their neutrality and good low bass. But I just don't find them to have the exciting presence / dynamic quality I like so much in the Grado's. They sound flat (not in the good way) to me.

I haven't tried the Sennheiser HD 580's or 600's. But I've seen opinions on both sides of the fence there too.

People don't typically share headphones with somebody else (unlike perhaps mp3's), so the bottom line is that people have to please themselves.

ff123

I highly recommend the Sony V6. Better than V600 by far (and I hear the 700's, though I haven't tested those myself), for $55 from etronics.

I have the V6 and V600. The V6 are very good.

Nope, I don't have a headphone amp. I'm a little put off by the cost (nothing under $200 is any good) and since I drag my headphones just about everywhere, a dedicated amp is not practical.

I plug the HD-600s directly into my Panasonic SL-CT570 portable, my Sony XA-3ES CD player, my home PC's TB Santa Cruz 5.1 sound card and my work PC's AC '97 sound out. The portable's weak internal amp can't drive the HD-600s with conviction and the volume is lower than I'd like, but there's no nasty distortion. The Sony's amp should be sufficient and I doubt a dedicated amp would improve the slightly-degraded output of the PC sound cards. I guess I have yet to hear the HD-600s in their full glory, but I haven't lost much sleep over it.

I could have gotten Grados, but I find them uncomfortable and don't like their sound character.

Koss PortaPRO

24/7 on my ears

Alessandro Music Series One (Alessandro tuned Grado SR125 headphones).

Use and love them.

Holy thread resurrection, Batman!

BTW my favorites (that I own) are Sennheiser HD-545.

Use my Koss KSC-35 a lot too.

Wow, bumping a 7 year old topic almost. Not bad.