OzBargainers Choice in Best over Ear Headphones

belongsinforums on 02/05/2016 - 17:33
Last edited 10/05/2016 - 22:02

Considering upgrading from my $5 over ear headphones from Kathmandu.

Various websites recommend the entry level audio technica models, or sennheisers.

What is the best all round set of over ears? Taking into account price, build quality, features eg bluetooth, comfort (a big one) and sound quality?

I'm trying to convince myself that I don't need to spend $200. Cheers

Update 4/5/16

Popular picks:
V-MODA Crossfade M-100 $280 shipped from DWI

Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro-80 Closed Studio Headphones $259 pickup from Store DJ

Bose QuietComfort 25 $348 shipped from Video Pro

Audio-Technica ATH-M50x $185 pickup at Store DJ

Update 10/5/16

Thank you all for your contributions! I finally got around to trying a few headphones today. The DT 770 Pro really stood out out of all the options at the store for comfort and sound quality - far more comfortable than the ATH-M50x, which has very strong clamp force. I have ordered the BeyerDynamic DT770 Pro Headphones (80 ohm) for ~$190 delivered from this deal. The next cheapest is $220 from ATA, an Oz seller. For the uninitiated, I would highly recommend this set if your budget is around $200 and you'd like a versatile set that does not require the purchase of an amp. Happy listening!

Electrical & Electronics Headphones

Comments

  • ilikeradiohead on 02/05/2016 - 18:01
    +26

    Audio Technica ATH-M50x can be regulalry had for around $160. They are very good headphones for the price. Although anything you get over $5 headphones will be an improvement.
    I've had a pair for about 6 months now. Build quality, sound quality and comfort are all very good (they're over ear as opposed to on ear). No bluetooth.

    They can be had for $185 right now if you can't wait

    • belongsinforums on 02/05/2016 - 18:03

      Yea those are the ones I found looked pretty popular. If they go on sale I'll probably get them. Any shops to look out for?

      • ilikeradiohead on 02/05/2016 - 18:10
        +1

        I got mine from store DJ that I linked to. Massdrop apparently have them on sale regularly too.

        • belongsinforums on 02/05/2016 - 18:12

          the thread you included in your comment is very helpful. there's a handful of unsatisfied ozbargainers in there, who confirmed my fear that some people find them very uncomfortable. sigh i might have to look elsewhere now

        • SydStrand on 02/05/2016 - 20:32

          @tomkun01: Co-op Bookshop has them for okay prices, but it'll never be as good as the old deal.

        • csjc on 04/05/2016 - 10:27

          How long do you plan on wearing them at a time? 2 hours? 4 hours?

        • belongsinforums on 04/05/2016 - 16:02

          @sky152: could be 8 hours some days. I have a Microsoft headset, and it can get really uncomfortable with the clamping. My ultrasones were barely noticeable. Loved them for writing long assignments and listening to music

        • ThadtheChad on 04/05/2016 - 16:14
          +1

          @tomkun01: Yep, I'd be in absolute agony if I wore M50s for that long. I remember trying to wear them for extended duration during a short 4 hr flight, and I had to take breaks.

          That's why I gave them away

        • csjc on 04/05/2016 - 17:07
          +1

          Yea, if it's 8 hours then it wont be a good idea, M50x gets pretty hot around the ears. Some rest in between helps though. 5mins every 3-4hours…

          Yamaha HPH-MT220 is pretty underrated, if you can still find one for cheaps, take it. It's comfy and sounds better than M50x.

          Does it need to be headphones? or would you consider inears?

        • belongsinforums on 04/05/2016 - 18:10

          @sky152: i have cheap in ears for exercise and travel from an old ozbargain deal. On ears generally irritate me. And i have big ears.

          God.so many options. There isn't a best pair?

        • csjc on 04/05/2016 - 18:23
          +1

          "Best" comes down to your personal preference. Sound is a very subjective and personal thing. Some people like neutral sounding while others prefer more bass quality and others want more mids or highs. Then theres inears or headphones - I personally prefer inears over headphones. Others prefer headphones over inears. I have several inears and they are quite comfortable for me, definitely like it more than my headphones. My favourite at the moment is Audiofly AF180. Its so comfy I dont want to take it out of my ears :). Sound quality is really good - it's very neutral (to my taste). Obviously it costs quite alot too. They have a few cheaper ones which are just as comfy but sound quality will not be as good. I am into high end sound etc. You may not be, so lower end things may be enough for you.

          I suggest that you go to a store that sells earphones/headphones and have a try and listen. Store DJ sells quite a number of headphones. They have a store in Brisbane, why not go down and have a listen? I'm sure the guys down there would be able to recommend something to you.

          Do some more research after trying a few out. Headfi.org is a good place for reviews for anything personal audio.

        • belongsinforums on 04/05/2016 - 19:14

          @sky152: store dj have the beyerdynamics. Might head down. Cheers

        • Manh on 06/05/2016 - 16:57

          @sky152:

          I'm one of the lucky ones who bought the MT220 back when it was on sale on Catch of the Day. They're very rare now and very expensive.

        • csjc on 07/05/2016 - 03:40

          @Manh: =( I missed out on it…really want to get one!

    • BuyoTheCat on 04/05/2016 - 10:11

      I bought the philips version for about 199. What a sucker.

    • Takius on 04/05/2016 - 11:26

      Second the M50x. I've got the M50, same as the M50x I believe except without the removable cable. Best headphones I've owned (so far).
      Have heard a few complaints about the comfort, but I can happily wear them for hours without discomfort. Guess it depends on the shape of your head.

    • [Deactivated] on 04/05/2016 - 14:34

      I have the M50x. They're very neutral and flat, which I consider boring. I much prefer my V-Moda M-100, and even the sound from Xiaomi Piston's.

      • ThadtheChad on 04/05/2016 - 14:43
        +2

        M50s are not neutral by any stretch of imagination. :) They are quite bass heavy and have recessed mids, making them fairly awesome for metal and rock (and certain classical music).

        M-100s costs 3 times as much, and it in a different price bracket (~ USD300). It is a great pair for bassheads and a definite upgrade from the M50.

        • [Deactivated] on 04/05/2016 - 15:37
          +1

          I got my Moda's for ~$280 AUD. Worth the extra money. I find metal and rock boring on the M50 :P

          http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BRAND-NEW-V-MODA-CROSSFADE-M-100-…

        • belongsinforums on 04/05/2016 - 19:15

          @tren: nice find

        • [Deactivated] on 04/05/2016 - 19:16

          @tomkun01:

          Legit too, same place I bought mine from a while back.

        • ThadtheChad on 04/05/2016 - 19:31

          @tren: Wow, I've heard great things. Very tempted myself. Must.Resist.Teh.Urge….

        • belongsinforums on 04/05/2016 - 19:32

          @tren: yea dwi is a frequent store on ozb. $50 extra for the wireless model. At 30 ohms won't these require an amp?

        • ThadtheChad on 04/05/2016 - 20:12

          @tomkun01: Nope 30Ohms means these are pretty easy to drive.

        • belongsinforums on 04/05/2016 - 20:15

          @gearhead: Wicked. Can always pick one up down the track anyway. If I had the money to blow, I'd probably get the V-modas (m-100 or wireless) at this stage.

        • ThadtheChad on 04/05/2016 - 20:32

          @tomkun01:

          Absolutely. Stick to a budget and you'll find excellent headphones at the price point. And have faith in headfi. ;)

        • belongsinforums on 05/05/2016 - 21:50

          @tren: How about $195. It'd actually be $175 for me because I have a 10% off voucher

        • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2016 - 22:33

          @tomkun01:

          Only another $100 and you can have brand new M100's :)

          worth the wait!

        • belongsinforums on 05/05/2016 - 22:37

          @tren: ah is lp the older model? Reckon its worth a bit extra to go for the wireless v moda? About$300 for me

        • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2016 - 22:50

          @tomkun01: Yeah the LP's are different. There's a comparison chart here http://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-Crossfade-Over-Headphones-Gunme…

          I think wireless is a bit of a gimmick, need to deal with recharging and you can't amplify them either. When I plug mine into my sound card (which is amplified) there's an enormous sound improvement. Phones also have great DAC's these days so you'd be missing the benefit from them.

          If you do get the M100 make sure you get the XL pads too. They make them sound even better and are far more comfortable.

        • belongsinforums on 05/05/2016 - 22:52

          @tren: they can be amplified, but only when using a cable. Wireless means they double as an outside pair. At the moment i only have a laptop with onboard sound and an lg g4 so I'd prefer a pair that sounds good without an amp.

        • [Deactivated] on 05/05/2016 - 23:19

          @tomkun01: I thought they were completely wireless. That's pretty cool then!

        • belongsinforums on 06/05/2016 - 15:27

          @tren: yea the v moda are easy to customise.I suppose they figured they could make extra dosh from selling more parts

        • wukachuka on 06/05/2016 - 21:01

          @tren: I'd rather have them start flat and be able to eq it to "exciting"

  • plmko on 02/05/2016 - 18:16

    Sennheiser Momentum 1.0 over ears (when on sale) or Sony h.ear on mdr-100. These are more street headphones for comfort.

    • belongsinforums on 02/05/2016 - 18:42

      $200 ><

    • belongsinforums on 04/05/2016 - 20:13

      I have since realised the difference between sub $200 headphones and above. Sennheiser have some pretty popular budget options (around $200), but are not without their haters.

  • scrimshaw on 02/05/2016 - 18:55
    +5

    Various websites recommend the entry level audio technica models, or sennheisers.

    Entry level Sennheisers are for normies who easily believe in brand hype. I was one of them. The sennheiser 219s, 429 and 419's all sound mediocre to me and I rate them just below my Logitech UE4000 on-ears, and vastly inferior to the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x's.

    Consult the Head-fi forums and read the buyers guide. Also, Amazon deals are your friend because the headphones down under are way too overpriced

  • PJC on 02/05/2016 - 19:55

    Aerial7 Tank. Paid about $21.56 at Dick Smith last year. 57mm drivers.

  • altomic on 02/05/2016 - 20:42
    +11

    Ozbargainer overear headphones-

    industrial ear muffs from bunnings and some inexpensive in-ear headphones.

  • iridiumstem on 02/05/2016 - 20:49

    I assume you want something that's closed and for outdoor usage (just guessing from what you've written)?
    Sony MDR-1A I thought was comfortable enough (can't remember price). ATH-m50x is also always mentioned as a reasonable can within your price range.

    I think with all headphone recommendations, it's always better to go to shops and try them out before deciding which one you want to buy.
    Just grab some list of headphones that people recommend and try them out, since comfort and how it sounds really depends on person and their preference.

    JB probably has the Sony range and Sennheiser range, ATH-M50 is pretty much something that most headphone stores tend to have, so I wouldn't expect them to be hard to find.

    • belongsinforums on 02/05/2016 - 20:53

      cheers. i'm looking for all-rounders, and something that will last. I just moved and realised I have a lot of stuff i don't really use that has accumulated over the years (ozbargain is partly to blame for this). Looking for a very comfortable pair that I could use all day with my PC or phone or TV.

      Closed would be ideal to isolate the noise.

      Heading to japan at the end of the year and i know stores like bic camera have a huge range of headphones available for testing. Might have to wait until then

      • iridiumstem on 02/05/2016 - 20:56

        Hmmm, Fidelio X1? I bet you could find one at a reasonable price in Japan.
        I do remember people recommending Ultrasone HFI-580, 680 or 780 for indoor headphone as well. Though that said, Ultrasone does funny things to their headphone so, I'd not grab one without trying them out first at the very least.

        • belongsinforums on 02/05/2016 - 21:07

          ha! my last pair were ultrasones. so comfortable, but one speaker failed. I thought i was pretty gentle with them, too. the fidelio x2's are apparently worth the higher price. i'll add them to the list! cheers

        • iridiumstem on 02/05/2016 - 21:10

          @tomkun01: If it is the wire, you'd probably be able to fix it.

        • belongsinforums on 02/05/2016 - 21:14

          @Oversimplified: yea briefly looked into it but couldnt be bothered in the ned

        • iridiumstem on 02/05/2016 - 22:24

          @tomkun01: :P Understandable, I found that fixing the wire can be a tedious process (especially if you have to replace the entire wire). Actually my last attempt to fix the headphone was a failure.

        • belongsinforums on 06/05/2016 - 18:42

          X2s are around $330 shipped. Worth it? The only downside, aside from the relatively high price, seems to be that they're open style and thus unsuitable for use outside of home

        • iridiumstem on 06/05/2016 - 18:53

          @tomkun01: I think I've given you my best advice on these headphone recommendations.

          I think with all headphone recommendations, it's always better to go to shops and try them out before deciding which one you want to buy. Just grab some list of headphones that people recommend and try them out, since comfort and how it sounds really depends on person and their preference.

          People's preference is not really same, hence why there are several different recommendations on headphones.
          There are ones that are hailed by everyone for what they offer at certain value, but even those are not warrented to be "the best" for you.
          I personally don't risk (not listening to them before buying) anything above $50, because of preferences and all, though that's just me.

          Also I thought Fidelio X2 was semi-open, not fully open headphone.

          Anyways, if those are your concern, another option is to grab a cheap full sized headphone and grabbing an earphone.

        • belongsinforums on 06/05/2016 - 20:17

          @Oversimplified: I dont think fidelios are really sold here. Dt 770s are currently $220 online so ill check them out tomorrow. Thank you for all your help!

        • iridiumstem on 07/05/2016 - 03:52

          @tomkun01: I personally think if you can't give it a go, it's better to leave it out then to risk getting something that's not for you. It might be better for you to wait til you get to Japan as well, headphones don't break down easily, so it's an investment for a long run.

          Anyways, good luck getting your headphone. :)

          Try everything a go, that's my advice. Even those in-ear ones. Leave your option wide open until you need to make your final decision.

          Though don't give anything a go after you've bought something, if you don't wish to end up in a bad situation where you go, maybe I should've gone with those instead of this. I bought an earphone that I wanted (LG QuadBeat 3, awful earphone tips which I threw out, amazing sound), and went to a headphone shop and found something that sounded better (ATH-IM70). Kinda ended up regretting, since I could've bought the Audiotechnica one. I almost made a compulsive buying that day, so yeah :P

        • belongsinforums on 07/05/2016 - 07:48

          @Oversimplified: I think my G4 came with quadbeats. They're actually good!?

        • iridiumstem on 07/05/2016 - 07:54

          @tomkun01: Yeah, they are good. Just ditch the stupid earphone tips that came with it and find something that fits into your ears properly. It's one of the earphones that constantly pops up on the budget in ear recommendation list where I go (which isn't in English, just in case anyone is curious). Though that said, the bloody earphone tips that comes with the earphone are bloody bloody awful.

          Did I mention how horrible the earphone tips were? They were.

      • bargdebarg on 04/05/2016 - 07:38

        It's rather subjective as to what sounds good to each person, so it's a good idea to try in person for comfort and sound.

        • belongsinforums on 06/05/2016 - 18:42

          Pity Australia has a very limited range.

  • UncommonName on 03/05/2016 - 02:51
    +2

    My first ever bargain buy from OZB and I was instantly hooked! Best bang for your bucks - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/122416

    Quality is rock solid, still going strong after 2.5 years.

    • belongsinforums on 03/05/2016 - 06:39

      Might be difficult to find them at the $14 price tag again. thanks

      • altomic on 03/05/2016 - 07:24
        +3

        And at dick smith.

        RIP you magnificent bastard.

      • UncommonName on 03/05/2016 - 13:20

        I bought another pair for work last year from eBay UK, 22$ shipped. Can't praise it enough!

  • mosquito on 03/05/2016 - 08:18
    +1

    After quite a lot of research I ended up buying:
    http://www.amazon.com/Superlux-HD668B-Dynamic-Semi-Open-Head…

    From the gearbest website using paypal and had no issues with it, I think I paid $35.

    Sound quality is excellent in my opinion, noise cancellation is poor, the fake leather pads become annoying after about ~1hour, so I have also purchased velour replacement ear pads off ebay for $14, still waiting for them to arrive.

    • belongsinforums on 03/05/2016 - 08:58

      These have outstanding reviews and are pretty affordable. Best budget over ears?

      • mosquito on 04/05/2016 - 07:52

        Some reviews advised that the high's were too high, I generally found that the next reviewer would advise that fades after X hours (sometimes 20-30, sometimes more) of burn in time.

        I think they are great value for what they are…

    • Autonomic on 04/05/2016 - 15:39

      I've been using the equivalent (SR850) and have to agree. I've used several pairs of much more expensive headphones (Shure SRH440, Brainwavz HM5,Phillips Citiscape uptown) and the sound from the SR850 has either been equal to or better than all of the others. Unfortunately mine broke recently and I botched the soldering repair job so looking for another. Also the only pair of headphones that haven't had the headband break.

    • jaesen on 05/05/2016 - 00:43
      +1

      +1 for the 668Bs. I own both the 668B and the 681s and both are killer value.

      • Autonomic on 05/05/2016 - 07:10

        Which would you say is better?

        • jaesen on 06/05/2016 - 21:04

          The highs are higher on the 681s and besides that, I can't really tell. Overall, I prefer the 668bs over the 681s because the highs don't pierce my eardrums and because of their band design - the 681s flatten your hair hardcore LOL

      • kevsta on 05/05/2016 - 12:53

        I'm also using the Superlux 668b for home use with a dac/amp. I hate to say it, but I like them better than my m50x for when listening at home. They do need several days break-in though and velour pads.

        I am keeping my eye out on akg-k712 pros - dwi ebay have them for $299 aud at the moment which looks like a bargain.

  • hornethomer on 03/05/2016 - 08:34

    You can't go wrong with XIAOMI headphones for the price mine cost $20 and are better than most more expensive headphones I have purchased.

  • belongsinforums on 03/05/2016 - 10:45

    Ok now I'm strongly considering superlux, ausdom and photive as budget options, and fidelios, vmoda wireless and audio technicas as premium options

  • [Deactivated] on 03/05/2016 - 19:04
    +2

    It depends on so many factors. How big are your ears? Do you need significant isolation? Do you prefer pleather or fabric?

    Personally, I have small ears, don't need significant isolation (just a bit of protection from sound leakage so I can listen to them at moderate volumes without annoying people), and can't stand pleather.

    So, I bought some Beyerdynamic DT231 headphones a decade ago with the intention of abusing them (throwing them in a backpack, using them at the office, etc). When they finally died last year, I replaced them with the newer DT235 model.

    The DT235s cost me less than US$40 on Amazon. The sound quality is astonishing for the price, provided you don't need thumping bass. They are circumaural for me (but supra-aural for people with big ears), provide moderate protection against leakage (they are semi-closed), and are comfortable for long periods due to the velour earpads and low clamping pressure.

    They should really be better known. I guess the main thing against them is that they look cheap.

    They're not going to replace my Grados at home, or my Etymotics in places where I need isolation. However, for an all-purpose headphone I can beat around without worry, they are perfect.

    • belongsinforums on 03/05/2016 - 19:07

      alas, I do not have small ears. I'm just looking for headphones that will fulfill almost every need. i'm not too fussy about sound and don't have an amp. i don't want to have several different pairs for different needs. semi-closed seems like a good compromise

      • [Deactivated] on 03/05/2016 - 19:12

        The DT235s are perfect for small ears. They will sit entirely over them.

        For people with bigger ears, they are supra-aural, which can be less comfortable.

        If you can put up with their looks, then they're pretty much the perfect all-purpose headphone.

        If you can get them somewhere close to the US price, then they're worth a shot. I wouldn't pay >AU$100 for them. But for the ~AU$50 I paid for them (ordered from Amazon while on a US business trip), I don't think you can get a better closed or semi-closed headphone.

        EDIT: Headphonic has a list price of $79. When you factor in GST, that's not too bad for a non-sale price.

    • HelpWanted on 04/05/2016 - 10:24
      +1

      Another vote for Beyerdynamic. Although I have the slightly more expensive DT250 80ohms model. These are very well built, excellent sound quality and will last a LONG time. I've had mine, must be nearing 10 years and had to replace the cable once recently. Mainly used on my laptop at work but used on a lot of device with zero issue or sound quality.

      Reviews can be found everywhere; review

      They can be had for less than $200 but you need to search and find the best deal including shipping. May need to negotiate on shipping to get it under your budget.

      118 GBP here take off VAT 20%, is 94 GBP or ~180AUD. Didn't check shipping but a good price for quality headphones ($20 a year if they last more then 10 years, a 'sound' investment!)

      • Baa on 04/05/2016 - 16:13

        It will be hard for me to ever part with my DT250's. Have had mine going on 5 years and they are excellent. I have tried a few other sets of headphones but keep coming back to these.

  • neonlight on 03/05/2016 - 20:04
    +1

    Xiaomi Piston 2.1 all you need and cheap

    • joshm998 on 05/05/2016 - 21:35

      The xaiomi in ear pros are even better, much more bass and can be had so cheap.

      • PR0r on 14/05/2016 - 08:09

        Do you know any local suppliers that have these? I need a pair within 3 weeks :)

  • darkchoc on 03/05/2016 - 20:54

    Sony MDR-ZX300 or MDR-ZX310.

    Extremely good value and great reviews on Amazon. Pretty stylish too.

    • belongsinforums on 03/05/2016 - 21:06
      +1

      my bible for this journey is head-fi

      • scrimshaw on 03/05/2016 - 23:15
        +3

        You might be interested in HiFiman's latest collaboration with Massdrop going for $99 USD plus $15 shipping. ($152 AUD)
        http://www.head-fi.org/t/806364/world-first-massdrop-x-hifim…

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/245327

        It should be a pretty good pair of 'starter' headphones. It won't shine in every area though, but I'd say it's good value. (They are still not as cheap as the SuperLux, but looking at some of the reviews on Amazon, they tend to be a mixed bag)

      • darkchoc on 04/05/2016 - 03:19
        -1

        The sonys are $20 headphones.

        If you are going to be listening to high quality lossless sound, then yes the reviews by audiophiles may be a great guide. Otherwise, real world reviews from Amazon do provide a good guide.

        Good luck!

        • iridiumstem on 04/05/2016 - 03:58
          +1

          You make it sounds as if all audiophiles don't care about bang for the buck. Just sayin' (I kinda dislike that stereotype, apologies if I sounded bit rude with the comment).

          Some of the "hypes" I've seen from audiophile communities were about best bang for the buck headphones or earphones that is supposedly better than pricier alternatives.

        • darkchoc on 05/05/2016 - 09:29

          @Oversimplified: I agree with what you are saying actually.

          My comment was based on the quality of the input of the sound determining what reviews to consider. If you're listening to 196kbs mp3s or low quality streams vs lossless or high bitrate audio, headfi is not the best place to look at headphones reviews.

          It seems that OP is looking at headphones in the $185 to $300 bracket, so I would assume OP listens to high quality quality audio and the reviews from headfi might be a good guide.

          The volume of feedback from Amazon will be a good guide too from real life usage.

        • iridiumstem on 05/05/2016 - 09:52
          +1

          @Newplace: That's what I really don't like about, audiophile communities are not all about SR-009, LCD-2, Edition 8, etc etc. They do have people who are after bang for the buck devices, and I've seen hypes on supposed giant killers (KSC-75, PortaPro, yes I do like KOSS products).

          I really don't like reviews from Amazon, to be honest, because I personally think headphone reviews are likely to be biased due to subjectivity, and I personally think audiophile communities contain more people who do actually know about those (I wouldn't deny that audiophile communities are riddled with biases, but that said, I do think there are fair number of people who try to be not biased).

          It kind of is like asking someone about what phone or what computer components to get. I'd rather get an opinion or read opinions from a group of people from a community that looks at those seriously rather than from pool of people from list of people who've bought the product.

          Also, please don't get me started on the lossless vs MP3 files. I personally find many people's claim to contain methodological failures (i.e. no decibel matching, non-randomised trial, uncontrolled variables, too small of a sample to be generalised).

        • darkchoc on 05/05/2016 - 18:44

          @Oversimplified: yeah, I feel what you are saying.

          I get both reviews from people that are serious (e.g. head fi) and weigh it up with mass reviews (e.g. Amazon) to narrow down a shortlist based on recommendations and identify what are the sources of the negative reviews.

          Then it really comes down to the following questions:
          - is it comfortable for me;
          - Does it sound good for my ears, the source that I am using and the music I am listening to;
          - is the size and style important to me?

          OP asked whether he needed to spend $200 on this forum. I suggested el cheapo Sonys that look good, are light and can take punishment. But it appears OP is looking at higher end rather than lower.

          I'm a happy owner of AT-m50s and the Sony mdr-zx300. I prefer the Sony for my commute and for the price I paid ($25 delivered a while back), they were a no brainer!

        • ThadtheChad on 05/05/2016 - 18:56

          @Newplace:

          Completely agree with a number of your points re the most imp thing that matters is whether it sounds great to the purchasers.

          Now OP wants to get his feet wet with a bit higher quality gear and there is nothing wrong with that. Head-fiers review stuff across the spectrum with a range of gear and sources.

          The suggested Sonys are almost at the lower end of the low-budget tier, and IMHO, if the OP has the cash to spend, it is worthwhile getting something that will truly WOW him.

          Spending $200 on pair of mid-range acclaimed headphones, that check all the boxes in OP's book (comfort, build, SQ and value), is a much better choice to my mind.

        • darkchoc on 05/05/2016 - 18:56

          @Newplace: oh and my old Sony MDR v6. They are just so good after 15 years.

        • darkchoc on 05/05/2016 - 19:14
          +1

          @gearhead: I fully agree with you.

          It is mostly true that you do get what you pay for. There is also the behavioural thing where if you spend more, you value the items more. it seems OP will be happier spending more.

          But the devil's advocate in me says, this is a bargain forum and cheap is king! And El cheapo Sonys are definitely better than some $200 headphones and look as good as them (beats solo).

          But yeah, from the later posts and budget, OP seems to be suited to what you say.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join