Results 1 to 16 of 16
  1. #1
    AR Member JeffKnob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    WI
    Posts
    265

    Need a headphone recommendation

    I would like to get a pair of headphones that I can use to listen to my ipod at home and possibly also listen to movies later at night. I am looking at the on the ear/over the ear type. I would like to keep it under $100. Here is what I have found:

    Grado SR-60
    Grado SR-80
    Sennheiser HD-595
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    Onkyo TX-SR606
    PS3 Bluray
    Denon DVD-1920
    Panasonic TH-50PZ80U Plasma
    HR21 HD DVR
    Paradigm Esprit (front), Focus (rear), CC270 (center)

    2 - 15" Dayton HF subwoofers
    Two Soundstream M1 monoblock amps for the subwoofer

  2. #2
    Can a crooner get a gig? dean_martin's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    Lower AL
    Posts
    2,838
    I have the Grado SR-60s and SR-80s. My brother permanently borrowed my SR-60s. When my wife found out, she got me a pair of SR-80s for Christmas. She's a sweetie. Anyhow, headphones are a personal thing, IMO. I loved the sound of the SR-60s, but they weren't that comfortable for extended listening. The SR-80s are more comfortable, but I haven't really warmed up to their sound yet. I can't put my finger on what's different in the sound because my system has changed so much since I used to use the SR-60s. The one difference that is immediately obvious is the SR-60s can be heard by anyone in the room with you - the SR-80s do not "leak" as much. If you're layin' in bed watching a movie while your spouse or significant other tries to sleep next to you, the SR-60s won't do.

    One of these days I'm gonna try a pair of Senns. I've read a little about the 595s. I don't think you'll go wrong with any of those 3.

  3. #3
    Suspended
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    St. Louis, MO, USA
    Posts
    10,176
    I've got a few pair of Sennheiser and a big fan. You'll find on this board there are Senn fans and Grado fans, and we are loyal to our brand. I haven't heard the 595 but in my experience Sennheiser's are more accurate and balanced in sound quality where Grado's are warmer and to my ears have a greatly exaggerated bass response.

    If the 595's have Senn's typical open back design, they will definitely let sound out into the room. I bought a pair of HD590's for the bedroom and my wife tells me I ought to just keep the speakers on because the headphones aren't much quieter. She tends to exaggerate to make her point but they will disturb others in the room to be sure. My portables on the other hand will not leak. People on the bus beside me can't even hear them. They seal outside noise out too.

  4. #4
    RGA
    RGA is offline
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Posts
    5,539
    You should be able to find a Sennheiser 580 if you look for close to $100.00 and I would listen to that...though it requires more power usually a headphone amplifier to get the best from it. It won't run from a portable very well at all.

    Also look at AKG - I have a $40.00 AKG 26p and it is a lot better than you would think given the price. I prefer it to a lot of cans I have heard for double that price in fact from Sennheiser or Grado.

  5. #5
    Shostakovich fan Feanor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2002
    Location
    London, Ontario
    Posts
    8,127

    Best reference

    Quote Originally Posted by JeffKnob
    I would like to get a pair of headphones that I can use to listen to my ipod at home and possibly also listen to movies later at night. I am looking at the on the ear/over the ear type. I would like to keep it under $100. Here is what I have found:

    Grado SR-60
    Grado SR-80
    Sennheiser HD-595
    The best reference for headphones is HeadRoom ...
    I agree with RGA, (this time): the AKG K 26 P are good on-the-ear 'phones that offer at least a bit of isolatation from ambient noise.

  6. #6
    AR Newbie Registered Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    4
    I primarily use the Grado SR80's and can give them an honest recommendation. For the price its hard to go wrong with them. I use them along with a CMOY type amp and have been loving them.

  7. #7
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Houghton, MI
    Posts
    72
    i really like my sony V6. it is the brother of the 7506 but is a little bit less harsh by way of not having the spike at 2k. they are very good isolating headphones also. the have good deep base and nice highs. you can get them on amazon for around $80.00. I think they are one of the best bang for your buck head phones. they also fold up nice and are built like a tank. mine live in my backpack in the bag supplied with them and travel with my in the air. they are also very comfortable to me, wearing them for a few hours does not bother me at all.
    Rosza Center for the Perfroming Arts
    Amature radio: KD8DYO
    Michigan Tech. University:
    Mechanical Engineering/Technical Theater

  8. #8
    rockin' the mid-fi audio_dude's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    ottawa, ontario
    Posts
    1,018
    Go with the AKG K 26 P's already mentioned or the Grade SR-60's or 80's mentioned.

    Can't go wrong with ether.
    _________________________________________________
    Jeeze... people still use sigs?!

  9. #9
    Forum Regular
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Posts
    6
    I agree with everyone that suggested the Grado SR60. I work out of my home, and I use them on a daily basis. Yes, you look a bit funny, but, they absolutely work. I searched for awhile bc I wanted to make sure I got what was a great value as well as comfortable. If you want to take a look at what they look like, try this link. http://www.expotv.com/videos/reviews...Grado-SR/26179
    There are a few reviews on there about these headphones as well as others. Maybe that will help.

    Good Luck!

  10. #10
    rockin' the mid-fi audio_dude's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    ottawa, ontario
    Posts
    1,018
    I don't think there has EVER been a negative review of these headphones. you just can't go wrong for the money. They just sound THAT good!
    _________________________________________________
    Jeeze... people still use sigs?!

  11. #11
    Do What? jrhymeammo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    3,276
    Quote Originally Posted by audio_dude
    I don't think there has EVER been a negative review of these headphones. you just can't go wrong for the money. They just sound THAT good!
    KUMQUAT!!!

    That is not true at all.
    Here is what my impression of SR-60:


    PROs:
    Cheap
    Fairly easy to drive.
    Inexpesive ear pad replacement.



    Cons
    *Outdated design and tech.
    *Not very 'Eargonomic'
    *Swivel-Design kinks and tangles headphone wire.
    *Does not like power.
    *Harsh treble
    *No Bass
    *1 year limited warranty. I sent mine in twice before warranty ran out.
    Lousy 1/8" connector, rattling woofer.

    I would rather go with a Sennie or AT from audiocube.com. Not an open air design but ATH-A500 is a great deal.

    Just my 2cents

  12. #12
    Suspended
    Join Date
    Mar 2002
    Location
    St. Louis, MO, USA
    Posts
    10,176
    [QUOTE=jrhymeammo]KUMQUAT!!!

    That is not true at all.
    Here is what my impression of SR-60:


    PROs:
    Cheap
    Fairly easy to drive.
    Inexpesive ear pad replacement.



    Cons
    *Outdated design and tech.
    *Not very 'Eargonomic'
    *Swivel-Design kinks and tangles headphone wire.
    *Does not like power.
    *Harsh treble
    *No Bass
    *1 year limited warranty. I sent mine in twice before warranty ran out.
    Lousy 1/8" connector, rattling woofer.

    I would rather go with a Sennie or AT from audiocube.com. Not an open air design but ATH-A500 is a great deal.

    I am not a Grado fan at all. But I can't agree with most of your Cons, something must have been wrong with what you were driving them with. For one thing my biggest complaint about any of the Grados from the 60's to the 125's is the exaggerated bass response. Bloated would be my adjective of choice. I didn't notice any harshness but I didn't turn them up beyond a comfortable listening volume. When I was looking for headphones Grado was in town but I was totally turned off by their sound. I ordered a pair of Sennheiser HD-600's online and I have bought no other brand since. I was a bit disappointed at first with my $60.00 collapsable portables but when matched with a mp3 player they showed what they were designed for and make that medium tolerable.

  13. #13
    AR Newbie Registered Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    2
    I dont know about useing them with a ipod but i use Sennheiser HD 25 for 8 hr a day at work and some tmes at home to i could not live with out them.

  14. #14
    Do What? jrhymeammo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    3,276
    [quote=Mr Peabody

    But I can't agree with most of your Cons, something must have been wrong with what you were driving them with. [/quote]

    I hope so, cuz they've been reviewed extremely well with consistency. I'm toying with an idea of tube head-amp, but not sure how much that'll help with Grado sound I hear. Defintely not the pair for me.

    JRA

  15. #15
    AR Newbie Registered Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Posts
    1

    Lots about Grado and Senns, but what about AT AD700?

    AT's AD700s were enthusiaticall reviewed in Hi-Fi News about 5 months ago. I bought mine on the basis of the review and I'm really delighted with them. Very musical to my ears (classical music mainly) and the most comfortable I have ever worn. They might be over your $100 limit, but I guess that varies with where you price them. My were purchased in Sydney, where we are used to paying top dollar. Worth auditioning IMHO.
    Cheers and a merry Christmas to all.

  16. #16
    Do What? jrhymeammo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    3,276
    700 is a great pair, without a doubt. That was the pair I had my heart set on, but just couldnt go forward with the color. I think the only thing that is keep them back is their brand name.

    Regards,

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •