Headphone Options


Recommended Posts

I am going to be looking to get some high-end headphones. At least, high end for me. For most of my listening days I have been using Skullcandy In-Ear Buds, so most things are likely an upgrade.

I have been looking at the Audio Technica ATH M50X of course, due to all the great reviews. The issue is I know I do like bass, and it sounds like these don't have much (or have normal levels) but I have no idea if I would like this or not. I know I don't like a crazy amount, like Beats or anything. So I am probably in the middle for how much base I like. I listen to electronic music (EDM, Dubstep, Trance, all variations) and Alternative Rock (hardcore, emo, punk, all variations), and most mainstream modern types of music (Imagine Dragons, Silversun Pickups, so on). At least those are the most listened to types. I listen to everything except jazz and country.

 

That being said, I also listen to my music mostly when biking. Not sure if those types of headphones will actually stay on with the wind etc.

 

Another point was for awhile I was liking the idea of a wireless headset, as I saw some over the years. Though I have not heard of any brand/type that people praise.

 

So just wondering what everyone here recommends, or any ideas?

 

Thanks.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What is your budget, there are several thousand dollar headphones that sound great, but then if you only wanna spend $200 that's not going to help you. I personally like these: http://www.gradolabs.com/headphones/professional-series/item/24-ps500e

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I haven't really thought about it. Likely $600 or less. Those grados seem nice quality and sound wise but are so ugly lol

 

Thanks guys for the suggestions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

M50's aren't flat. bass and treble is boosted but not to a point that it sounds fake like beats. They're highly rated for a reason. If you need more precision, opt for open back or opened cans. But the bigger the leak, lesser the bass.

 

Imo, they're the melons!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

Hey I'm new to this site, got directed here looking for info on Redmere tech. Noticed your looking for good headphones..I came across a company that makes the Clarity One earbud style. I am an audiophile so I'm very particular about what I hear just to qualify the validity of this recommendation. They are 8 ohm which is rare in earbud (headphones in general, but especially in earbuds) so they do get quite a bit louder that the typical earbuds. There are electronic reasons for that but to keep the discussion fairly brief, the work excellent in several different devices like my LG G3 phone, my Fiio X3 Hi Res player and my wife's iPhone 5. If you want really good clean accurate sound and volume check these guys out. The run around $100 so they aren't' cheap, but you won't be disappointed. There is a website that goes into detail about the technology and its worth your time. I've had Sennheisers,Sony,Beats,Grade and several others and these are the best..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've got a pair of Audio-Technica ATH-PRO700MK2

 

I think this was the review that sold me on them http://www.headfonia.com/bass-to-the-power-of-two-pro700-mk2/ (amongst others)

 

The clamping force on them is ridiculous, which is great if you're a hyperactive DJ as there is no chance of them falling off, but it does start to crush your head after a while.

 

Fortunately, you can stretch out the headband for a more comfortable fit. I've even shaped it to conform to the strange contours of my head, as you can see in the last photo.

I also made some modifications to the ear pads, but eventually I swapped them out for some 3rd party after market ones.

 

This has transformed them for me, making them far more comfortable to wear for long periods of time.

 

People have commented that this reduces the amount of bass they produce, but I think they sound pretty much the same, apart from the fact that there is no longer an air tight seal against my head, so this allows the air pressure to escape, which means they no longer rattle the living hell out of my ear drums at high volume.

So again, this reduces fatigue, and allows me to wear them for long periods of time, but also means they leak sound far more to those around me (which isn't an issue for me).


post-18738-0-00413900-1428563614.jpg

 

post-18738-0-14600800-1428563615.jpg

 

post-18738-0-75117400-1428563616.jpg

 

post-18738-0-34982600-1428564593.jpg

 

post-18738-0-92866000-1428563617.jpg

 

post-18738-0-45418600-1428563619.jpg

 

The pads are not the correct size/shape, but are a nice tight fit on the headphones.

 

Bought them from Amazon... http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MFDX4YO

 

Apparently these would work too... http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0016MMYKA - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00N8Q6MCS

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just got some really nice Sennheisers, but they're open so I guess not for you. To be honest, if you're gonna be biking with them I would only consider IEMs (in-ear). Anything else might just be too bulky and move around (especially if you bike off road as well).

 

Sennheiser has some nice ones which are also not too expensive (IIRC 100 bucks or less), good sounding with a nice bass. If you wanna go over that, I've heard good things about Shure but have never tried them myself. The other good thing about IEMs is that they're easy to drive. With bigger ones you might or might not need an amp.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm a big fan of Beyerdynamic audio gear. The 'best' pair of headphones I have are a set of DT250's which are designed more for studio use as they're very neutral (which means they can sound quite flat) however if you EQ whatever device you're on, to tune the sound how you prefer they REALLY come alive and are extremely punchy and bassy.

 

Only downsides really are they're closed back (which I guess doesn't sound quite as big as open back) and they clamp pretty tight unless you wear them a lot to open them up. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are plenty of Headphones options and suggestions for many different uses.

 

I won't say you should buy this or that, but I will chime in with my experience with the V-MODA Crossfade LP as last year I was looking for all-around performer, mainly for listening at home and when traveling. The LP looks and sound awesome, are very comfortable for long listening sessions and come with a cool and sturdy carrying case. They have two pluggable braided cables, one with a mic and remote and another much longer to have more freedom of movement when using them. They also have addons to change the color plates, a noise-isolating microphone and XL-size cushions. The extra large cushions make them even more comfortable and improve the sound stage.

 

They have been labeled as bass-heavy but I don't think they are that heavy. I love the way the bass sounds with my main genres: hard rock, metal, alternative and some classic rock. I thought it could be too much before buying them but they are well balanced while offering strong bass.

 

Here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-Crossfade-Over--Headphones-Gunmetal/dp/B003BYRGKY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1428565520&sr=8-3&keywords=v-moda+crossfade+lp

 

There is a newer LP2 version but I don't know if they improve on the original LP. V-MODA says they have improved/refined bass but the original LP are strong and balanced. This is a link for a limited edition in matte black that has a great price if you want to look at it: http://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-Crossfade-Over-Ear-Noise-Isolating-Headphone/dp/B00HYH7HXA/ref=dp_ob_title_ce

 

If you want a more portable pair, the M-100 are smaller and foldable, but also more expensive.

 

TL;DR

 

Sorry for the long post. I would say that sound, like many other things, is personal preference. See if you can try some in a retail store with your phone so you listen to your main music genres before buying. I was deciding between the ATH M50X and some Bose and Sennheiser models I can't recall right now and I ended up buying the V-MODA Crossfade LP. I'm very happy with them and best of all, I got them on sale for about $119 or $129.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.