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wuzup101 · Nov 29, 2004, 12:45 PM

Alright, I've decided that for christmas this year I wan't a nice pair of studio headphones. I'd like to keep the price under $200 but I want a quality pair of headphones. BTW... I'm just looking for studio headphones... noise canceling ear/canal buds aren't my style (and just plain don't really work with my ears).

Here are some that I'm considering, and I'm very open to other suggestions... tell me what you think!

Pioneer HDJ-1000 ($160)
Sony MDR V700DJ ($100)
Sony MDR V900 ($150)
AKG 240DF ($160)
Sennheiser HD555 ($150)

Right now I'm leaning towards the Sony MDR V700DJ's but the Sennheiser HD555s also interest me... and they do have a great reputation.

flanders · Nov 29, 2004, 03:37 PM

Of the ones you have listed, I think the v700dj is probably the best in terms of quality and range. The v900 is junk IMO. I like the sennheiser, but I think the range is lacking--quality is there though. Haven't spent any time with the Pioneer or the AKG so I can't comment on those. Personally, I have the Sony MDR-F1s which you can find in your price range and are easily my favourites for sound detail and comfort. I like the open-air sound so it's not for everyone (and not very good for private listening). See if you can find a pair of Sony v6's (or their replacement which I can't remember the model #--5410 maybe?) for some good closed-type studio cans.

wuzup101 · Nov 29, 2004, 07:05 PM

Thanks for the info and recomendations flanders... it was very helpful. Some things I forgot to mention in the above post:

- I don't want open air headphones, though I do like the sound and comfort they give, one of the main reasons for getting a new pair of headphones is that I want to be able to listen to music/game when my roomate is sleeping. For this reason I'm really looking for a sealed set. Now that I look back at some of the previous pairs I listed, I realize some of them are of the open air variety...

- I listen mostly to rap/hip-hop, rock/punk music... though I also stray into many other types.

There happen to be two amature DJs on my dorm floor both of which DJ every weekend for local companies. I asked them what they use and to my suprise (well okay I wasn't that supprised) they both own a pair of the v700DJ's. I borrowed a pair for about half an hour and I'm very impressed with the sound quality. I listened to some 320kbps MP3 rips and they sounded amazing. I could hear every little detail in the tracks. Despite being rap and having a heavy base line, the vocals were very clear and clean, which is what counts IMHO. They are also very loud and block outside noise very well. I think I'm going to have to pick up a pair, as I found them for $94 shipped and they seem to offer the best performance for the price... that and they match my powerbook perfectly

vasu · Nov 30, 2004, 05:39 AM

check out the headfi forums for headphone info www.head-fi.org

I'd stay away from V700's unless you want a heavy, uncomfortable, unreliable, muddy sounding headphone. I mean sure, it plays loud, and has some bass, but its really dull, muddy, boomy bass. They don't feel good to wear for long periods of time, their hinges break after a couple years, and unless you're an actual DJ, i wouldn't consider them ... even if you were a DJ, i'd look at some others at least.

The AKG 240DF aren't very good, but the 240S are. The Senn HD555 are also very good, very laid back and some find them boring, but otherwise great. They need a little while to get into their stride and warm up/break in, etc. It's close between those 2 (the K240S and HD555), if you aren't getting a headphone amp and like to listen to things louder, the K240S will be a bit louder.

If you want sealed for around $100-$150, i'd look into the Audio Technica ATH-A500 and A700 (available from www.audio-cubes.com), Sennheiser HD25 (not the HD25-SP), AKG K271S, Beyerdynamic DT250-80 and DT770-80 (a must have if you listen to a lot of hiphop and electronic, they are bass monsters and their bass sounds soooo much better than the V700, tighter, punchier, more detailed and textured).

A better direct alternative to the MDR-V700's (dj use, swivel ear cup, etc) are the Ultrasone 550 and 650's.

Sorry to thrash on the V700's, I own a pair, they were given to me for free, and even then I wouldn't want them in my lineup

For $94 they aren't horrible, and in the sub $100 field there aren't a lot of sealed headphones that are great. The Sony MDR-V6 (not v600) and MDR-7506 come to mind as being great, and some say Senn HD280, but I'm not a fan.

the Audio Technicas are about $110, and sound leaps and bounds better than the V700's.

-vasu

Randman · Nov 30, 2004, 05:45 AM

Grados.

SSharon · Nov 30, 2004, 12:39 PM

I posted in the lounge looking for similar but cheaper headphones and some people mentioned the sennheiser hd 280. they seem to fit your bill as well but I have read that they are better for jazz than for rock/rap. they are in your budget and sealed though and apparently have an excellent range.

kidtexas · Nov 30, 2004, 05:32 PM

I have a pair of Sony 7506's and a pair of v600's (didn't buy either). I find the 7506's much better.

I've heard good things about some of the akg and sennheiser models, but the ultrasone and grado headphones get lots of praise by almost all. Note that I haven't used any of these. I would recommend perusing www.gearslutz.com for some info on recommended headphones. The posts you will find over their will be broken up into 2 groups of "studio" headphones - those used while recording (loud with good isolation) and those that are for monitoring purposes - I assume you would want the latter.

The head-fi comment is a good one too.

EdipisReks · Nov 30, 2004, 05:50 PM

Originally posted by Randman:
Grados.

i love my grados to death, but they make poor studio phones. too colored and too open. now, for audiophile usage, they are my favorite brand, especially the sublime PS-1 that i wish i could afford, along with a nice Eddie Current amp.

Skypat · Dec 1, 2004, 04:50 AM

Hi

Vasu, it seems you know a lot about headphones ... What do you think of Bose triports ? I know they are more expensive, but do you they are worth it ?

Thanks in advance

vasu · Dec 1, 2004, 07:36 AM

nope, they sound quite bad.

xtremekinetix · Dec 1, 2004, 01:25 PM

I have a pair of Sennheiser HD 280 Pros that I use with my 15" AlBook. Great headphones. (In fact, I'm wearing them right now in the library.) I got them at a Hi-Fi shop in Oxford when I was at school over there last year...they might be a little over $200.

OK...back to work. Just my $0.02...

Kikaida · Dec 1, 2004, 04:08 PM

Originally posted by Randman:
Grados.

Agreed. Only Grados. However, when I wear them as I walk through Penn Station, people look at me like I'm an alien. And they do a poor job of holding sound in, so they are likely to annoy your co-workers if you like to rock out.

But they sound so damn good.

Steve · Dec 2, 2004, 02:13 AM

Originally posted by vasu:
check out the headfi forums for headphone info www.head-fi.org

I'd stay away from V700's unless you want a heavy, uncomfortable, unreliable, muddy sounding headphone. I mean sure, it plays loud, and has some bass, but its really dull, muddy, boomy bass. They don't feel good to wear for long periods of time, their hinges break after a couple years, and unless you're an actual DJ, i wouldn't consider them ... even if you were a DJ, i'd look at some others at least.

The AKG 240DF aren't very good, but the 240S are. The Senn HD555 are also very good, very laid back and some find them boring, but otherwise great. They need a little while to get into their stride and warm up/break in, etc. It's close between those 2 (the K240S and HD555), if you aren't getting a headphone amp and like to listen to things louder, the K240S will be a bit louder.

If you want sealed for around $100-$150, i'd look into the Audio Technica ATH-A500 and A700 (available from www.audio-cubes.com), Sennheiser HD25 (not the HD25-SP), AKG K271S, Beyerdynamic DT250-80 and DT770-80 (a must have if you listen to a lot of hiphop and electronic, they are bass monsters and their bass sounds soooo much better than the V700, tighter, punchier, more detailed and textured).

A better direct alternative to the MDR-V700's (dj use, swivel ear cup, etc) are the Ultrasone 550 and 650's.

Sorry to thrash on the V700's, I own a pair, they were given to me for free, and even then I wouldn't want them in my lineup

For $94 they aren't horrible, and in the sub $100 field there aren't a lot of sealed headphones that are great. The Sony MDR-V6 (not v600) and MDR-7506 come to mind as being great, and some say Senn HD280, but I'm not a fan.

the Audio Technicas are about $110, and sound leaps and bounds better than the V700's.

-vasu

Great post

Charles Bouldin · Dec 2, 2004, 10:36 AM

I second the recommendation about head-fi.org. But be careful; the standard greeting there is "Welcome to head-fi, sorry about your wallet!" I can testify to the truth in this...

My suggestion, if you can do the in-the-ear thing with "canalphones" is Etymotic. Specifically, Er4P. Total isolation, incredible accuracy, amazing sound.

tr · Dec 3, 2004, 09:27 AM

Originally posted by kidtexas:
I have a pair of Sony 7506's and a pair of v600's (didn't buy either). I find the 7506's much better.

i second the MDR-7506's. if you are looking at sony headphones, go for the professional series, none of this V crap like the V700DJ's, the build quality just isn't there. the 7506's are pretty much a studio standard.

tr

wuzup101 · Dec 3, 2004, 03:39 PM

Originally posted by vasu:
check out the headfi forums for headphone info www.head-fi.org

I'd stay away from V700's unless you want a heavy, uncomfortable, unreliable, muddy sounding headphone. I mean sure, it plays loud, and has some bass, but its really dull, muddy, boomy bass. They don't feel good to wear for long periods of time, their hinges break after a couple years, and unless you're an actual DJ, i wouldn't consider them ... even if you were a DJ, i'd look at some others at least.

The AKG 240DF aren't very good, but the 240S are. The Senn HD555 are also very good, very laid back and some find them boring, but otherwise great. They need a little while to get into their stride and warm up/break in, etc. It's close between those 2 (the K240S and HD555), if you aren't getting a headphone amp and like to listen to things louder, the K240S will be a bit louder.

If you want sealed for around $100-$150, i'd look into the Audio Technica ATH-A500 and A700 (available from www.audio-cubes.com), Sennheiser HD25 (not the HD25-SP), AKG K271S, Beyerdynamic DT250-80 and DT770-80 (a must have if you listen to a lot of hiphop and electronic, they are bass monsters and their bass sounds soooo much better than the V700, tighter, punchier, more detailed and textured).

A better direct alternative to the MDR-V700's (dj use, swivel ear cup, etc) are the Ultrasone 550 and 650's.

Sorry to thrash on the V700's, I own a pair, they were given to me for free, and even then I wouldn't want them in my lineup

For $94 they aren't horrible, and in the sub $100 field there aren't a lot of sealed headphones that are great. The Sony MDR-V6 (not v600) and MDR-7506 come to mind as being great, and some say Senn HD280, but I'm not a fan.

the Audio Technicas are about $110, and sound leaps and bounds better than the V700's.

-vasu

Awesome post man, very informative! Thanks for your time. I'll definitely look into the stuff you recomended!

vasu · Dec 5, 2004, 06:33 PM

i'll do whatever i can to prevent people from either a) saying the V700's are good or b) buying them!

-vasu

spiky_dog · Dec 5, 2004, 06:57 PM

it's already been said 2 times in this thread, but the Sony MDR-V6 is a great find if you can hunt a pair down. i bought two pairs a few years ago after a similar thread like this (only on usenet <gasp>), and have been generally very satisfied with their sound and build quality.

however, i broke the plug on one of them last night. any tips on what i should do? i don't have a soldering iron at this point in my life. is there an easy snap on type connector that would let me stick another headphone plug on the cord? (if so then i could shorten it up to around 3 feet and make it my ipod-specific set, hmmm)

alphamatrix · Dec 5, 2004, 06:59 PM

Well, I'm no expert, but I really like my Beyerdynamic DT250-80s
http://www.beyerdynamic.com/com/prod...eets/d225.php3
They seem pretty well built for something thats mostly plastic, I always fall asleep listening to them, and they are doing fine. Before I got them I had a goofy pair of sony noise canceling headphones, but the cable came apart on me. One the reasons I like the DT250 is that the headphone cable is easily replaceable, but its also much sturdier than most headphone cables I've seen so I don't expect have to replace it any time soon. The ear-pads are a sort of velour instead of your normal fake leather stuff, and I was sort of worried that they would be too warm, but I haven't had any problems with heat, in fact, they are very comfortable and my room holds at about 80 degrees Fahrenheit because of the computers.
I listen to rock, electronica, and some hip-hop and I'm very happy with the sound quality I'm getting.