Best Pair Of Headphones Under $100?

[Robertt8]

My chord on my headphones are starting the go to hell. What would you guys recommend as a decent replacement for mixing and recording for under $100?

Sorry if this question's popped up before...couldn't find it in the search.

 

[pennylink]

I use AKG K240 Studio headphones that I'm really happy with.

They are the Studio version of the classic AKG stereo headphones. They have a semi-open, circumaural design, have a wide dynamic range, and are capable of high sound levels. Bass is really solid and highs are clear.

Haven't compared them in a test next to others, but I do like the sound quality of them and they are extremely comfortable to wear, even after several hours use. You can usually find them new between $89-$99.

 

[webstop]

Sony 7506.
Light and comfortable.
Their overall sound tone is a little bit on the bright side, and you may not find them very pleasant to listen to.
They serve a different purpose - studio monitoring. You will hear what is going on in your mix very clearly. In fact you may be surprised, how many little details you will be able to pick up.

 

[mallcore pop]

I like the Sennheiser HD 280's.

MP

 

[fenix]

I second the Sony 7506. They run $99.99.

 

[Swede]

I like my audio-technica ATH-M40fs. Cheap, comfortable and sound great trough my Di-port.

 

[chessrock]

The Sony's are good, but they're definitely not what I'd call flat or neutral. Lotsa' pumped-up bass and high-mids.

AKG K240's are very close to being flat, albeit a tad bass shy. You could almost mix with them.

 

[Digidude824]

I like the Sennheiser HD 280's.

MP

second that!

 

[Richard Monroe]

I also like the Sennheisers.-Richie

 

[MISTERQCUE]

AKG240's or Sony's MDR series.

 

[webstop]

The Sony's are good, but they're definitely not what I'd call flat or neutral. Lotsa' pumped-up bass and high-mids.

Are we talking about the same model?
Flat or not, but my 7506 are nowhere near bassy. In fact I find them too bass shy for casual listening. Nevertheless they enable me to pick little nuances in each part of audio spectrum, which is what studio monitors are supposed to do.

 

[MISTERQCUE]

If I may also add, AKG as has developed a new series of headphones, the K271 & K171, based on their popular K240 series but significantly improved. While the 240's provide excellent flat response with a well defined bass, they also bleed to bit too much for super-critical tracking as they are semi-open headphones. As you well know your average,closed-type headphones usually has a rep for being muddy with weak bass translations and an increased level of ear fatigue over long periods of use. I got to check out the 271's and found them to be extremely comfortable with no noticeable bleeding even at peak levels or surges. The unit's lower freqs and mids are well rounded and the "isolation factor"; proper monitoring w/o outside
interference, is off-the hook!. Though I only spent about 15-20 minutes using these headphones (got the chance at Manny's Music stores) and was able to compare them with the 240's and the MDR's, I was able to determine that these are a must for
headphone monitorings outperf'ming both the 240 & 7506 in flatness,comfort and overall sound. In addition, the Sept issue of RECORDING MAGAZINE also has done a review of both the 271 & 171 giving it a thumbs up!
Give 'em an audience if you can! I believe it will change your mind!

Just my honest opinion!

Peace
Q.rM

 

[pennylink]

I stumbled across this website which has quite a bit of information, all about headphones:

http://headroom.headphone.com/layout.php

(sorry, I'm not sure how make this a link)

 

[Mustafa Salaam]

Link works fine! Good link!

 

[ds21]

My AKG240's just fell apart...BUT this was after a good 10 years of use, I love them, in fact I hot glued them togather, but I think I need another pair, guess I'll try the Studio's or the 271.

 

[ZOWIE!]

Headroom is a great retailer and good amp mfg. that pretty much pioneered the filed of modern audiophile headphone listening and is well known in the high end audio community.

No offense intended, but I've noticed that the headphone knowledge base on homerec is does not seem to be as well developed as other areas.

I suggest anyone looking for new (or used) cans browse www.head-fi.org for advice and opinions.

 

[dejacky]

Where can I find dB Noise reduction values for the AKG K171? If it's on the same scale they use to rate the Direct Sound Extreme Isolation headphones (29dB NRR) and since the AKG 171 claims 43dB isolation, I'm interested to try them. The problem is, Recording Magazine says AKG rates these at .43dB isolation, but I can't find any specs on AKG's website. Any help will be MUCH appreciated.

-dejacky

 

[tonyA]

I am one of those lucky ones who had an opportunity at length to test the headphones at Guitar Center. Most of the headphones they have on the rack were from $89 to 199/ from Sony, to AKG, to Sennheiser, etc.)

Funny how your idea of what a clear sound or your idea of good sounding headphones change when you actually swap and switch them side by side. The test I did rated the phones from Good - To Very Good to Excellent. Some of them really sound great for listening. But for studio use where you need to hear what is going on clearly - I'd go with Sony MDR 756. You need to listen to know how what sounds and adjust it to how it should sound. That is what headphones are for. Webstop was dead accurate with what he said. Don't listen to us, try them side by side yourself.

One caveat, the foam around the ears tend to break down quicker than the rest of the headphone.

 

[dejacky]

tonyA care to elaborate on the K171 isolation and sound quality?

 

[tonyA]

Well you know, I wasn't really paying attention to the model, only the brand, but when I listened to SONY MDR-7506, I looked at the model number and price, then tried the equally priced Sennheiser, and swapped it with SONY, then back, then to AKG, then to SONY, and back (so many times and also changed the music piece once or twice) and then I went home. After a week when I got the money, I bought it.

Sorry, I couldn't tell you about the AKG. Only the Sony that made an impression on me. Some of the headphones I heard made the music sound real good. Better than SONY actually, BUT - SONY was accurate. A little bright, perhaps, but that is because you could hear everything, just about. Oh, the detail it gives you, even how the drum stick hit and left and even slightly scratched the surface of the cymbals, perhaps. I was in love. And, and, I am not exaggerating. There are perhaps better sounding headphones out there, but I have not tried them. So, my tests is limited to what Guitar Center sells for $89 to $199 and my ears.