Do you guys know much about headphones? I need a set and figured you'd be best. - Hardware & Software

So I'm looking to buy some headphones for around about chirstmas time, I want some full ear cover ones with good/decent quality and can go fairly loud. My price range would be about £100 but I could push it further, however I'm not too sure, £150 at most. A while ago someone made a thread about this, I think they reviewed a sanhieser (?) product, so I felt you guys would be best to ask. I asked around some other places and they said any really good ones would need an amp too, but I'm not looking to get anything too grand. I don't mind what jack it has, I'll just get a converter for it so I can use it with my PC too. So, do you guys have any reccomendations, of course you name the products and I'll research them too, I just don't know where to start.

[QUOTE=dual elites;18609408]So I'm looking to buy some headphones for around about chirstmas time, I want some full ear cover ones with good/decent quality and can go fairly loud. My price range would be about £100 but I could push it further, however I'm not too sure, £150 at most. A while ago someone made a thread about this, I think they reviewed a [b]Sennheiser[/b] (?) product, so I felt you guys would be best to ask. I asked around some other places and they said any really good ones would need an amp too, but I'm not looking to get anything too grand. I don't mind what jack it has, I'll just get a converter for it so I can use it with my PC too. So, do you guys have any reccomendations, of course you name the products and I'll research them too, I just don't know where to start.[/QUOTE] Sennheiser is a pretty good brand afaik. I have some HD280's. The isolate sound amazingly well, they are high quality (i mean the way they're build), fucking sturdy overall. It doesn't sound very good with an iPod Nano, but equalize it properly/have a good soundcard and it'll sound AWESOME! They sound excellent in the Ipod Touch though.

Do they need to be isolated?

Not really, I'll have it on too loud for any outside noise anyway :v: And thanks DKer, I have a touch so I'll look into that too.

[QUOTE=dual elites;18609635]Not really, I'll have it on too loud for any outside noise anyway :v: And thanks DKer, I have a touch so I'll look into that too.[/QUOTE] if you don't need isolation, get an open can, the audio quality will be much higher. Closed cans are good for accurate studio monitoring but will not produce an as enjoyable sound quality. Sennheiser makes good ones. They had the HD555 in the $100 range but replaced it with something newer. You could maybe still get it online. If you want to pay a little over 100 pounds, get these I suppose. I have only tried the HD555 but I hear the difference between them is incredible. I'm already in love with my HD555. [url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-HD595-Open-Headphone-ohms/dp/B0001FTVE0[/url] I'm assuming you're not an audiophile, so if you want to save money you could go with the HD555 and be completely happy. The HD555 is really light and really easy to forget that you're wearing it. I assume the HD595 would be the same.

Depends on what sort of sound are you looking for. Some headphones like Sennheiser HD555 and HD595 and all of Grados products are a bit more detailed and light sounding (also lack noise isolation completely) than for example Sennheiser HD280 or AKG K 272 HD or Beyerdynamics DT 770, which have better low frequency reproduction and rather good noise isolation. Like most people will do, I'm going to recommend you what I've bought, the AKG K 272 HD. Having auditioned them against the Sennheisers HD595 and HD280 Pro, Beyerdynamics DT 770 (which were about the same in terms of sound TBH) and some other cans I can't remember ATM, I got to say I liked them the most. Compared to the HD595, the sound was more defined and loud, quick sounds like Benassi bass sounded way more defined, crips, loud and just overall better, the headphones had way more bass extension and detail in the mid-lows and veeery low lows, making the HD595 sound puny. Comparing them against the HD280 they sounded a bit darker but not in a bad way, I found the HD280 somehow weak in all departments, build quality wasn't great (mostly plastic) and sound didn't have much to brag about either. Like I said the Beyerdynamics were very good in the low frequencies too, but they were a bit softer on all the sounds IMO, and I liked the looks of AKG K 272 HD more too. But yeah, even though I'm not a real basshead, I think that it's essential for headphones to be able to reach high and very low frequencies very well without sounding unbalanced or somehow unable to reproduce they sound it should. The AKG K 272 HD are very big, isolate noise well, and since they can tolerate very high volumes without distortion you'll be able to equalize the hell out of the bass if you feel like it (I swear if you EQ the bass and listen to very bass heavy tracks like Nine Inch Nails - Downward Spiral (Bottom) you'll feel the lowest frequencies that you can't hear). A word of warning though, being labeled as "monitor" headphones they'll expose any flaws in your recordings, I've found mp3s under 128kbps to be simply a pain in the ass to listen, but anything better or as good as YouTubes high quality is a-ok. For me that's fine because listening to audio with headphones that alter the sound somehow is like spitting into the face of the artist who painstakingly master the tracks to sound just what he wanted to. Also a word about noise isolation. Although you can mask the outside noise with loud music from the headphones, I recommend against this. Not only because it damages your ears if done for prolonged perioids, but also because you can't truly enjoy the music if the environmental sounds are distracting you from it. I'm not saying it's not matter of personal taste, but I've walked down the city with both my friends Sennheiser HD555s and my AKG K 272 HDs, and I appreciate every single decibel the latter are blocking. They're rather durable too (not saying the Sennheisers or Beyerdynamics wouldn't be), but not truly portable, I really don't like lugging these babies around because even though they're light they take way too much space to be hanging on your neck when not being listened to, and I just don't like the idea of throwing them inside my backpack. For no apparent reason a picture of the headphones I'm talking about [IMG]http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g191/Karjanainen/akg-k-272-hd.jpg[/IMG] EDIT: [QUOTE=sin2051;18610294]if you don't need isolation, get an open can, the audio quality will be much higher. Closed cans are good for accurate studio monitoring but will not produce an as enjoyable sound quality.[/QUOTE] The open cans are most of the time much better on high freq. sounds, being a bit faster and accurate, but they also have a serious lack in the low freq department, so the superiority depends on who you're asking and what kind of music do they listen to. I would not shun either the open or closed back headphones because people on the internet tell you to, you're best of listening to both until you find what's perfect for you, because in the end audio equipment and it's quality is a very subjective matter. Also, if you're listening to your headphones with iPod Touch then ok, but if you're intending to use them with your computer too then I'd invest into a soundcard of some sort. Asus Xonar line is very good but even a Soundblaster Audigy SE is heaps better than most integrated solutions since the noise to signal ratio is so much better, coming from some Realtek "High Definition Audio" chip to Soundblaster Audigy had a really evident improvement in the sound, less noise, more everything else, and especially with headphones the noise was very audible before the upgrade, so yeah, get yourself a soundcard if you're using them with a computer.

What are your musical tastes? Also, if you are using headphones get a DAC not an audigy and whatnot. Also, Karjanainen completely missed the Alessandro MS1.

[QUOTE=cryticfarm;18611170]What are your musical tastes? Also, Karjanainen completely missed the Alessandro MS1.[/QUOTE] Good question on the musical tastes, I'd like to hear too what is the OP looking for in the sound.. Alessandro is not quite the brand one would find in an average brick&mortar store, not in Finland atleast, so I haven't had the priviledge to listen to them. Truth be told I have neither heard about them, but can't blame myself since you're the first person ever to mention them. Anyway I'm not recommending stuff I haven't heard myself because copypasting opinions of other people on the internet is rather misleading, everyone kept telling me not to get the AKG K 272 HD, that they're too analytical or exposing, but in my opinion they sound just great. Not saying Grados or Sennheisers wouldn't sound great in their own way but they're not a sound I would appreciate for prolonged perioids of use if it wouldn't be for a totally silent environment and classical/other lighter music. Comparing head to head against the HD595 and HD555 and HD280 and DT 770 it wasn't too difficult of a choice although everyones opinions seemed to scream "go HD555". And I'd say that if he's going to invest roughly £150 into headphones then a DAC is out of the question (unless it's DIY which totally depends on OPs soldering skills or the friends he has), whilst a cheap yet audio improving solution would be to get a £20 soundcard or the such. Later on he can get a headphone amp/DAC, but first the headphones, then the doo-hickeys IMHO.

Wow guys thanks a lot this is great, I didn't expect a whole eassy haha! I guess I'll get the AKG K 272 HD then, seeing as you enjoied it a lot. Musical taste wise anything goes, not really bassy stuff it's mostly rock I guess. I listen to some pop and drum and bass though. I guess the best thing to do would be to post my itunes but it's embarassingly emtpy of anything anyone else likes. Computer wise my soundcard is an Audigy SE, cheap as chips but it's fine for games (and somehow windows 7 has put it in 7.1 when my speakers are only 2.1, but I can hear footsteps behind me in games and such.) I've never had it sound too bad, but the speakers I've got are great for music and games too.

[QUOTE=dual elites;18616638]Wow guys thanks a lot this is great, I didn't expect a whole eassy haha! I guess I'll get the AKG K 272 HD then, seeing as you enjoied it a lot. Musical taste wise anything goes, not really bassy stuff it's mostly rock I guess. I listen to some pop and drum and bass though. I guess the best thing to do would be to post my itunes but it's embarassingly emtpy of anything anyone else likes. Computer wise my soundcard is an Audigy SE, cheap as chips but it's fine for games (and somehow windows 7 has put it in 7.1 when my speakers are only 2.1, but I can hear footsteps behind me in games and such.) I've never had it sound too bad, but the speakers I've got are great for music and games too.[/QUOTE] For rock I've heard people say some Grado phones are the best, but then again some say they get tiresome because of their sharp sound. And although you might think I sounded convincing I'd recommend you to listen to your phones first, most Hi-Fi stores have many models available for auditioning, and like I said not all people like AKG. You better stick to what you can listen, that way you'll be less dissapointed, although I do love the AKG's of mine..

Oh if it's rock get the Alessandro MS1i (they're actually modified grados for rock pretty much, the box even says grado still). I've read it from a bunch of reviews and I own a pair myself. It's a good headphone for rock, maybe eletronica, and stuff like that. However, it lacks sound stage so you may have trouble gaming. If you want to audition them, you'll probably need to a find a head-fi meet in your area. If you're into gaming try to find the Audio-Technica AD700. They will cost 60.71 pounds, which leaves a surprisingly large amount of room for a DAC. I suggest something like the hotaudio bit perfect for around 50 pounds: [url]http://hotaudio.com/zen-cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70&products_id=201[/url] It's unlucky you missed a large sale that made it 65 dollars a bit back when I bought them. Note that this may destroy your earbuds, make sure you don't put them in there because the nominal impedence would be too low on those things. In fact, the MS1i hits the lower limit of nominal impedence. Also, both have free international shipping. Unfortunately though, I've read some people getting small customs charges on the MS1.

Oh ok guys, I'll go check out some reviews and such on the AKG and the Alessandaro ones. Thanks a bunch! And they won't be used for gaming, just music.

Got a Sennheiser PX100 (Portable) And a Grado SR80I. Px100 is way bassy but not very clear, Grado Sounds great (really great) but lacks a little bit of bass. Since Alessandro uses Grado headphones and adds more bass they would be perfect.

For quality: [url]http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-audio/razer-megalodon/[/url] For Cheapness: [url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-Fatal1ty-Detachable-Noise-Cancelling-Microphone/dp/B000P5VR16/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259455408&sr=8-1[/url] I went for cheapness of course. But you did say £150!! As for Sennheiser, I don't know much about those, only that they put out some good stuffs. That's my opinion anyway.

[QUOTE=SuperViolent;18629977]For quality: [url]http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-audio/razer-megalodon/[/url] For Cheapness: [url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-Fatal1ty-Detachable-Noise-Cancelling-Microphone/dp/B000P5VR16/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259455408&sr=8-1[/url] I went for cheapness of course. But you did say £150!! As for Sennheiser, I don't know much about those, only that they put out some good stuffs. That's my opinion anyway.[/QUOTE] what the hell are talking about

[QUOTE=SuperViolent;18629977]For quality: [url]http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-audio/razer-megalodon/[/url] For Cheapness: [url]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Creative-Fatal1ty-Detachable-Noise-Cancelling-Microphone/dp/B000P5VR16/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1259455408&sr=8-1[/url] I went for cheapness of course. But you did say £150!! As for Sennheiser, I don't know much about those, only that they put out some good stuffs. That's my opinion anyway.[/QUOTE] Those are both terrible options for [b]music[/b], I bet you didn't even read half of the OP's posts. He has absolutely no need for a headset. Also stop recommending Sennheiser as the only quality brand out there, their mid-range stuff isn't any better than any other manufacturers. I'm just so sick of Sennheiser this Sennheiser that.