Over-Ear Headphones between $150 - $80
Hi all, low(ish) end audiophile here. I'm looked for headphones with a sound signature very similar to sennheisers (I've owned three different models and loved them to death) My current in-ears are on their last legs now and I don't have a replacement. I would really prefer over-ears but really durable and good sounding in-ears are fine too. Durable being the key word because I tend to fell asleep with them in and I'm astounded my current ones have survived for.. over 1 and a half years now. A little beside the point there, but yeah, in ears if they are great sounding and super durable for this price point.
Over ears are preferable though. I've been avidly waiting for the momentum over ears (first gen) to get to ~$175 which I've seen them at once before, which is my on my upper limit I'm willing to pay. But their price is over $350 still ( I'm Canadian) which is absolute bull .. american amazon has em for $170 new ($220 cad).
But who knows when the Canadian version will get a drastic price cut and who knows when my in-ears will ultimately meet their end.
Also, I heard from a fellow sennheiser user that the ATH-m50s are really overhyped and don't sound that great compared to his 558s (in all frequency ranges not just the slightly boosted sennheiser bass).
Thanks all
Over ears are preferable though. I've been avidly waiting for the momentum over ears (first gen) to get to ~$175 which I've seen them at once before, which is my on my upper limit I'm willing to pay. But their price is over $350 still ( I'm Canadian) which is absolute bull .. american amazon has em for $170 new ($220 cad).
But who knows when the Canadian version will get a drastic price cut and who knows when my in-ears will ultimately meet their end.
Also, I heard from a fellow sennheiser user that the ATH-m50s are really overhyped and don't sound that great compared to his 558s (in all frequency ranges not just the slightly boosted sennheiser bass).
Thanks all
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Try looking at fostex tr70 80 90 series, many say 90 is king in that lineup and they can be had for 90$ American so right in the budget.
M560's
Get the Beyerdynamics dt770 pro
Mshenay120
EMU Purplehearts 100% https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-e-mu-purpleheart
Not sure how long they will be in stock, but I REALLY enjoy mine! Sound is quite balanced and reminiscent of the Sennhesier warmth. I find them to be sufficiently durable as well.
They are very easy to amp and quite comfy. More spacious than I expected as well.
Not sure how long they will be in stock, but I REALLY enjoy mine! Sound is quite balanced and reminiscent of the Sennhesier warmth. I find them to be sufficiently durable as well.
They are very easy to amp and quite comfy. More spacious than I expected as well.
Sennheiser hd598 or hd598 se.
The Sennheiser HD 4.30s should be right in your wheel house. Or if you can find the 4.40s under your budget then you get the added benefit of wireless.
I'd take a look at Koss KSC-75 and hold on to it until Black Friday and get 598 (usually goes for $99).
SOULSIK850
hey, I am in Canada too and know your pain. I would recommend m40x if you are looking for portability as part of the package.
Or hd598 if you are looking for more of a home use
for a reasonably durable iem, I would recommend the se215 or re 400 (if you are looking for more a minimalistic look). both of them are durable and sound good for the price point around 100 to 120 cdn but can be found for cheaper on sale. Let me know if you want to discuss more, I can share best places to purchase products etc. hope this helped
Been looking a fair bit at the hifiman he-350s, any word on those?
Big-Al47
Phillips SHP9500s.
Status Audio SM-CB-1
AUDIO Technica M40x (needs pads, so see above for cheaper version that needs nothing)
i would seriously recommend the koss ksc75s with my advanced version of the kramer mod. $20US, ugly as heck but I find them more pleasing than HD650s. Maybe I am crazy; the only headphones i have right now are the koss and fostex ebonies. i sold my hd650s.
Turkay324
If durability and comfort is your #1 concern, go with Shure in ears or Sennheiser over ears. They do not come cheap though..
I saw that, I actually switched to the pinnacles px and never went for a Bluetooth cable
DeathValleyCow
got ya! very cool. i still use the shures as my bleetooth setup. My portable, non-working out, setup will be a usb-c to 2 pin iem cable coming and will be hooking that cable up to massdrop plus iems.
Vekit63
Status audio , either ob-1 or cb-1
I've heard amazing things about the CB-1s or the OB-1s by Status Audio. If I didn't have my current headphones I would have already gotten a pair!
v-Moda Crossfade LP2, best bang for buck headphone with a more bassy sound signature would recommend to anyone! $150 free shipping in US customization options that add no additional fee's http://v-moda.com/crossfade-lp2-matte-black-metal/
GiRTeCH
im Canadian to but there are still cheap listings on amazon that compare to the listings on the american sites around $180-200 but i would still recommend them over other due to the build quality and amazing sound. i fan boy over v-moda for very good reasons
Hellreaver557
Sony's MDR-7506
WildChinoise198
The AKG240, AKG553 should work nicely for you.
Cyphre2131
If you're used to Sennheisers, you could always go with the venerable HD598. I'm seeing them on amazon for 142-149 (not sure who the vendor is though). Not really sure what your usage is, but over-ears don't have the best characteristics for portability anyway.
Otherwise Fostex T50RP Mk3, which I'm seeing at $160 on Amazon.
Really not sure if your budget is in USD or CAD, as that would drastically reduce your options.
Otherwise Fostex T50RP Mk3, which I'm seeing at $160 on Amazon.
Really not sure if your budget is in USD or CAD, as that would drastically reduce your options.
Cyphre
Fostex T50RP Mk3 are notoriously hard to drive/low efficiency headphones so you shouldn't recommend it unless he states he already has a beefy amp.
Honestly right now even $120USD suggestions are getting too steep. Canada's economy is trash right now ($110USD is $145CAD) and I'm on a student budget here. I should just get cheap-o earbuds but i like good audio.Ill just grind out using my current pair till they're string and the economy's balance out a bit more. Until then though, keep the $150USD suggestions coming for anyone interested in this price range, and ill be using it as a guide for the future.
Thanks everyone.
Heefty1153
Lummerbummer
Get yourself a set (or 10) of VE Monk+ if you're on a student budget. They are $5US fugly little earbuds that are staggering in terms of sound quality. By far the best bang for your buck on the planet.
SOULSIK850
Heefty
I agree with that. I got the ve monks and then the asura 2.0 recently and they are well worth a look
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDRXB950BT-Extra-Bluetooth-Headphones/dp/B00MCHE38O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476192988&sr=8-1&keywords=B00FJISZ8M%7CB00MCHE38O%7CB00MOPRZEI%7CB00TA4HQV8%7CB00TA4HR9O%7CB00TA4HRC6%7CB00TA4HRUI%7CB00TIAYQEY
~130 USD headphones and I used them for awhile and i think the Bluetooth portion of the headphones lets you move more freely and also the they sound really nice for Bluetooth headphones I could barley tell they weren't wired.(sound quality is great and Bluetooth functionality adds a lot of value for me)
Hellreaver557
Sony's MDR7506 stunned me when i first listened to them, but they're professionally oriented. Almost any company (Bose, Sony, etc) has shitty consumer stuff, with amazing pro lineups.
They won't win any style awards, but I loved them.
Ross8
Hellreaver
Yeah, I love how they come with a sheet detailing every part and how to take it apart completely. You can Repair 7506 yourself very easily and the informational support is amazing.
qu11355163
Philips shp9500, I like it way better than the hd598. if your not ready to jump up to the hd600, hd650, x2, and he400i. Philips shp9500 is one of the best ban for buck headphone.
jefe32142
The ATH M40 and M50 seem to have people either love them or hate them with little opinions in between. I normally prefer over ears (in-ears hurt my ears after a while), but the MEE audio M6 PRO (49$) are pretty good sounding with detachable cable and lifetime warranty. I guess it also depends what kind of music you listen to and if you like bassy headphones or high treble (like Grados).
awi595169
jefe32
No the fostex is far better than the M50 i got those and the fostex would be much better. Im not sure about the cheaper AKG's he should look at reviews but if all else fails go with the sennheiser 598's they can be found for 150 at least those will have clean sound and great clarity but may lack in the bass area but not bad though.
jefe32142
awi5951
I have the AKG k7xx (from Massdrop) and they sound awesome. I have been eyeing those wood fostex cans they sell here alot too.
awi595169
Just go for the AKG K7xx on massdrop they match the 600's from sennheiser and cost way less. Oh sorry didnt see the 150 cap?? Well you will need to get one of the fostex m3 versions i think the T40 will be better since the t50 needs more power i think but they need power so yeah the fostex T50rp or lower is the best bang for your buck for 150 and less and they are planar headphones. So check the reviews on youtube and amazon and check the diffrent fostex Trp m3's because they each have their own sound. The t50 is a hybrid sound half open and closed. The T40's are closed and i think the T30 are open i think just check the reviews man and found out for yourself.
awi5951
Thanks for your recommendation, i haven't heard really anything about fostex other than those ~$400 ones that were on here. I'll check em out.
awi595169
Lummerbummer
Yeah the fostex T40rp is 139 its the best headphone you can get and they are planar im sorry everything else under 200 is worse than these. https://www.amazon.com/Fostex-T40RPMK2-Headphones-Engineer-Applications/dp/B0002GZQF6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1476083284&sr=8-4&keywords=Fostex+T40RP
