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View Full Version : Best Headphones for ~$50

Desolatax
Jan 3rd, 2007, 04:31 AM
I have been looking for some new headphones, something around the sub-$50 range.

I have been looking at the Grado SR-80's, which have gotten some really good reviews, but I don't think I will be picking any up for around $50.

Anyone got any suggestions?
M@rk
Jan 3rd, 2007, 04:39 AM
The Koss KSC-75 are only about $20, and sound great for their price (or anything 3 times more). Or, you could get a pair of used SR60's for about $50.

The Sennheiser PX100 is not really sub-$50, but it's a commonly recommended headphone and you should consider it.
Desolatax
Jan 3rd, 2007, 04:47 AM
I have been looking for those Koss KSC75's ever since I saw the thread about them on the hot deals board, everybody praised them, but too bad I can't find anything locally.
M@rk
Jan 3rd, 2007, 05:23 AM
Yeah... the only place in Vancouver that sells them is NCIX.

Are you only looking for headphones, or are you also considering in-ears?
Desolatax
Jan 3rd, 2007, 05:25 AM
I prefer headphones to in-ear, but wouldn't mind some suggestions for in-ear for me to consider :D
M@rk
Jan 3rd, 2007, 05:45 AM
I like in-ears simply because they save your ears from damage when listening in public. They block out sound so you no longer need to crank the volume all the way up to drown out exterior noise, which is really important for me.

Surprisingly, the JVC Marshmallows (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10080505&catid=) are great for their price, and this is coming from someone who uses Etymotic. They're like the in-ear equaivalents to the KSC-75: there are better ones out there, but not for this price. In-ears also aren't for everyone, so it's not a good idea to spend a lot on a first time purchase, especially since they don't allow refunds due to hygienic reasons.
Desolatax
Jan 3rd, 2007, 02:58 PM
Hmm... I may have to try a pair of those JVC's, Best Buy has 'em on for $19.99, so I might have to pm FS and get 'em for cheaper.
Thanks.

But if I don't like 'em, I'll have to keep my eye open for some Grado SR60/80's and even those Koss KSC75's.

If not, I may have to spend a little more and get some PX100's.
ShadowVlican
Jan 3rd, 2007, 03:00 PM
The Koss KSC-75 are only about $20, and sound great for their price (or anything 3 times more). Or, you could get a pair of used SR60's for about $50.

The Sennheiser PX100 is not really sub-$50, but it's a commonly recommended headphone and you should consider it.
:arrowu: wut he said
Badman
Jan 3rd, 2007, 05:04 PM
Surprisingly, the JVC Marshmallows (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10080505&catid=) are great for their price, and this is coming from someone who uses Etymotic. They're like the in-ear equaivalents to the KSC-75: there are better ones out there, but not for this price. In-ears also aren't for everyone, so it's not a good idea to spend a lot on a first time purchase, especially since they don't allow refunds due to hygienic reasons.

where did you hear that from, any links to a good review for them?
Also i just ordered the creative ep630from best buy
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10082591&catid=21271&logon=&langid=EN
I got them for $30 during the boxing week sale but are those JVC's better?
M@rk
Jan 3rd, 2007, 10:16 PM
where did you hear that from, any links to a good review for them?
Also i just ordered the creative ep630from best buy
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0926INGFS10082591&catid=21271&logon=&langid=EN
I got them for $30 during the boxing week sale but are those JVC's better?

I've actually tried the marshmallows myself and think they're great. But the guys at headfi are really excited over them. They have more comprehensive reviews, but this HUGE thread (http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=212259&highlight=marshmallows) was what started all the hype. There's tons of reviews and some modding tips in there. Some of those guys have headphone gear worth more than my car, so it's really amusing seeing them talk about a $20 headphone :lol:

I haven't tried the ep630, but they're considered pretty good and are slightly better than the JVC's (it probably comes down to user preference). For $30 though, I think you made a great purchase!
Badman
Jan 3rd, 2007, 11:16 PM
i guess ill keep my ep630's but wow if i ever need a new in-ear headphone i know which one to get:razz:
Ctwizzy
Jan 4th, 2007, 01:07 AM
ordered these in white from fsonline, thanks for the heads up ill let you guys know how they perform (marshmallow's).
traderNik
Jan 4th, 2007, 07:19 PM
Hmm... I may have to try a pair of those JVC's, Best Buy has 'em on for $19.99, so I might have to pm FS and get 'em for cheaper.
Thanks.

But if I don't like 'em, I'll have to keep my eye open for some Grado SR60/80's and even those Koss KSC75's.

If not, I may have to spend a little more and get some PX100's.

Who's FS?

Thanks, Nik
gordholio
Jan 4th, 2007, 07:22 PM
Who's FS?

Thanks, Nik

I think it's Future Shop.
sfu_lifer
Jan 5th, 2007, 11:46 AM
I've actually tried the marshmallows myself and think they're great. But the guys at headfi are really excited over them. They have more comprehensive reviews, but this HUGE thread (http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=212259&highlight=marshmallows) was what started all the hype. There's tons of reviews and some modding tips in there. Some of those guys have headphone gear worth more than my car, so it's really amusing seeing them talk about a $20 headphone :lol:

I haven't tried the ep630, but they're considered pretty good and are slightly better than the JVC's (it probably comes down to user preference). For $30 though, I think you made a great purchase!
How's the seal compared to the etomytics? I just bought the er-6i for $60US and they kind of feel uncomfortable but I love the sound isolation part.
alv077
Jan 5th, 2007, 05:20 PM
Buy e2c's used if you can find them
warpdrive
Jan 5th, 2007, 05:33 PM
How's the seal compared to the etomytics? I just bought the er-6i for $60US and they kind of feel uncomfortable but I love the sound isolation part.

They don't isolate nearly as well, maybe half the isolation is my estimate. But they are good "knock-around" earphones that sound better than you'd expect for the price.
M@rk
Jan 5th, 2007, 05:35 PM
How's the seal compared to the etomytics? I just bought the er-6i for $60US and they kind of feel uncomfortable but I love the sound isolation part.

Give them some time... it took me a while to get used to them as well. If you find the tips are too big/small, give Etymotic a call, and they will send you a free pack consisting of small bi-flanges, small foamies, and large biflanges.

For me, the marshmallows didn't isolate as well, but that's probably because of the lack of fit options. People have been known to use Shure E2, UE, or Sony tips on them though. They're great earphones, but the er6i's are still a heck of a lot better sounding.

Buy e2c's used if you can find them

I tried those for week and refunded them because they were disappointing (for the price) :mad:
Ctwizzy
Jan 5th, 2007, 05:39 PM
Received my Marshmallows today, I'm very impressed by these headphones. Sound is crystal clear, bass is decent - not as loud as I would like it but my iPod equalizer can fix that.

They are probably the most comfortable in-ear headphones I have ever used which is an added bonus, while not noise cancelling they do a very good job of keeping noise out. I tested these vs brand new stand-alone iPod headphones and will never use iPod headphones again. My dads sennheisers sounded just as good as these so for $30 inc Shipping and Tax these are amazing.

Btw incase anyone is interested the marshmallows have a iPod headphone style jack (no hook to it like the older styles).

Thanks to those who suggested these.
Desolatax
Jan 6th, 2007, 01:05 AM
I got my marshmallows today too, they sound great, this is my first pair of IEM's, and so far I am quite impressed, they feel strange, but i guess it takes time.

I love the bass that these things put out, the mids sound weird, but I haven't broken them in yet.
Too bad all they had was pink ones, oh well.
rewindforward
Jan 11th, 2007, 02:32 PM
Does anyone know where I could get these in Toronto?
slippy
Jan 11th, 2007, 10:48 PM
cool! i'm going to buy some marshmallows!
jackboot
Jan 12th, 2007, 05:17 AM
Hrmmm I was looking for a pair of etyomotics (have owned shure e2c) but Ima try these marshmallows since I can pick them up locally tomorrow for $25 at FS...
aznduo
Jan 18th, 2007, 07:20 PM
i personally don't think FS or BB has good prices for headphones, u should try other stores
Evil Techie
Jan 19th, 2007, 12:46 AM
how does marshmallows compare to Senn CX-300?

i love my CX-300 but wouldnt mind a backup pair
jackboot
Jan 19th, 2007, 06:19 AM
i personally don't think FS or BB has good prices for headphones, u should try other stores

Lowest price I could find was $25 at FS. They are cheap enough IMO.

After having used these for a little bit now I am definitely impressed for the money. It is extremely important to get a good seal with these earphones or they will sound like crap. I find that I have to really jam them into my ear until it is obvious that i have created a seal (can hear a major difference in noise isolation as well as feel them well lodged in your ear). Like another user mentioned somewhere, I find that I have to turn them upside-down to get the best seal for my ears. Once you have a good seal they do a great job at isolation and compare very well with shure e2c which I compared with. They are more comfortable for me than the e2c although they are significantly harder to insert correctly than the e2c. These marshmallows are bass heavy, which is technically inaccurately reproducing the music, but many people may like that. Shure e2c in comparison is bass shy.