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  1. #1
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    Need Headphone advice

    I am going to be doing some traveling and I want to buy a pair of decent sounding comfortable headphones under $100 to use with my computer for listening to music. I'm kind of picky about pressure on my ears and I don't like ear buds. I will not be using a headphone amp.

    I'm considering the Grado SR60i, SR80i, Audio-Technica AD700's, and Sennheiser HD 228's. I would greatly appreciate any input and other recommendations.

    Thanks

    Larry
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  2. #2
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    I am a Sennheiser guy all the way, although I haven't heard that particular model. However, knowing your equipment and what I believe your taste is, I'd recommend the Grado for you.

  3. #3
    Suspended markw's Avatar
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    Although it doesn't command the respect of the other names you mentioned, I'd recommend Koss PortaPros for a portble travel headphone.. They are lighter, more comfortable, sound quite good, stay on your head and, as a bonus, are a bit cheaper.

    This is not a dig against either Sennheiser or Grado, simply suggesting a great unit for your intended use. I have Grado 80s and Sennheiser 580s for home use but for portable use, I use the Koss unit.

  4. #4
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    I have the Grado 125s and would settle for the 80s if I had your budget at the time. The ones Mark suggested look to be a decent choice for travel since they fold up a bit.

  5. #5
    Tyler Acoustics Fan drseid's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by blackraven
    I am going to be doing some traveling and I want to buy a pair of decent sounding comfortable headphones under $100 to use with my computer for listening to music. I'm kind of picky about pressure on my ears and I don't like ear buds. I will not be using a headphone amp.

    I'm considering the Grado SR60i, SR80i, Audio-Technica AD700's, and Sennheiser HD 228's. I would greatly appreciate any input and other recommendations.

    Thanks

    Larry
    I own both the Grado 125s and the 60s, and for your purposes the 60s are most likely your best bet. They work well without a special headphone amp and they are more comfortable than their other headphones (IMO). Just for reference, I have heard the Sennheisers, but have not heard the Audio-Technicas.

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  6. #6
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    Thanks for the replies. I will give the Koss and Grado sr60i a look.
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  7. #7
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    I'm also going to add the Sennheiser PX100ii to the list. After doing some more research, it appears that the Koss porta pro and the PX100ii's have good sound and great comfort for a portable HP.
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  8. #8
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    I'm also going to add the Sennheiser PX100ii to the list. After doing some more research, it appears that the Koss porta pro and the PX100ii's have good sound and great comfort for a portable HP.

    http://www.whathifi.com/review/sennheiser-px100-ii

    http://www.digitalversus.com/koss-po..._2624_164.html
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  9. #9
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    I have the PX that I use with my mp3 player. They are comfortable but snug, not sure how you will like that. The snug fit helps keep outside sound interference down. The PX seem more warm than typical Senn's, maybe because designed for portable use.

  10. #10
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    Mr. P, do the px's put a lot of pressure on the ear's? If they do, then the strange looking Koss with the Temple bumpers may be the way to go because the bumpers take pressure off the ears.
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

  11. #11
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    They don't bother me and the padding, although not big, is comfortable.

  12. #12
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    You probably already expect this but in case, Senn's, even the PX, require a good break in time. Mine began to sound right after about 24 hours.

  13. #13
    Forum Regular blackraven's Avatar
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    Thanks Mr. P.. From the reviews I have read, they say the same thing about the break in time.
    I just found out that my son has the Koss Porta Pro. He uses it for gaming . I'm going to give it a listen but I'll probably go with the PX from the reviews which say the PX has a more airy sound than the Koss.
    Pass Labs X250 amp, BAT Vk-51se Preamp,
    Thorens TD-145 TT, Bellari phono preamp, Nagaoka MP-200 Cartridge
    Magnepan QR1.6 speakers
    Luxman DA-06 DAC
    Van Alstine Ultra Plus Hybrid Tube DAC
    Dual Martin Logan Original Dynamo Subs
    Parasound A21 amp
    Vintage Luxman T-110 tuner
    Magnepan MMG's, Grant Fidelity DAC-11, Class D CDA254 amp
    Monitor Audio S1 speakers, PSB B6 speakers
    Vintage Technic's Integrated amp
    Music Hall 25.2 CDP
    Adcom GFR 700 AVR
    Cables- Cardas, Silnote, BJC
    Velodyne CHT 8 sub

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