Headphones -- Need Purchase Advice

[GreekGuy]

Folks,

I am looking to buy a good set of headphones that I will use mostly for computer gaming.

I have a $100 - $200 budget.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[liquidimpulse]

HD555 or if they're on sale the HD595's.
The most comfortable headphones I've owned and have last me for the past 3 years.

Check the reviews online if you're hesistant about the quality of sennheisers...i could write an essay about how my ears orgasmed when i first TRULY listened/experienced/enjoyed music for the first time on these cans.:D

[JiNuWiNe]

I vouch for Sennhesier. I use to own a pair of HD 580 and the sound quality was remarkable. I truly regret selling them...

My suggestion would be to go with any Sennheiser.

[Mysteek]

I say go for Beyerdynamic DT770's.

On head-fi, they're known to be amazing sounding and heavy and boomy on the bass, which is my reason for suggesting it for gaming.

[df329]

I agree with above. Dt770s are great for boomy bass and gaming!

I have HD650/DT770 myself :D

[Metninja]

I've got HD555 and the Beyer DT770, both sound awesome. But they're different, one being open and the latter being closed design. I'd say read up on which suits you better. I got the DT770's because I can't use the HD555's when I'm out in public and want to listen to music, cause they would bleed too much sound.

[JJ23]

+1 Seinheisser

Wished I'd try'd them sooner. They have behind the ear lightweight ones, and over the head classic ones too.

[DJ Dennis]

steelseries siberia

[GtG]

ATH AD700 would be great for gaming, I would get it over the HD555s

[tempeste]

My HD555 head band have started cracking after 6 months.

Wouldn't buy Senn every again.

[Jucius Maximus]

www.goodcans.com

Sorry for your wallet, btw.

[ekashyap]

Try the Sony MDR-7506. They are studio monitoring headphones (closed type I believe) and they sound great. I've had them for 2 years now and have nothing but good things to say about them. They cost me about 150 at the sony store. They are the most popular headphone choice among radio hosts...how do i know....watch 590 radio, look inside the booth of that radio station beside hard rock cafe at yonge/dundas, etc. Very balanced sound. They just shine with a good sound card.

[Asad_A203]

My HD555 head band have started cracking after 6 months.

Wouldn't buy Senn every again.

Then why don't you contanct Sennheiser and proceed to do a warranty claim?

[AFG34]

I say go for Beyerdynamic DT770's.

On head-fi, they're known to be amazing sounding and heavy and boomy on the bass, which is my reason for suggesting it for gaming.

yea i bought one two years ago for $150..they still sell for about the same afaik
they're pretty good, but if you're only getting them for use at your desktop, get an open design headphone because sometimes my ears get red/sweat when it's hot. Other than that, nothing but good things to say...extremely comfortable. When i used to play UT, ppl were accusing me of radaring lol

look into sennheiser/audio technica

[Lovable]

I've got HD555 and the Beyer DT770, both sound awesome. But they're different, one being open and the latter being closed design. I'd say read up on which suits you better. I got the DT770's because I can't use the HD555's when I'm out in public and want to listen to music, cause they would bleed too much sound.

What do you mean when you say they bleed too much sound? Also, the headphone jack works for iPods right? Silly question, but the specs if I recall correctly read something along the lines of 6.3 MM or something. I'm currently also looking for headphones, but I don't want these headphones where other people sitting around me can hear my music. I really liked the HD555 design but it's been said it's not ideal for commuting if you don't like sharing your music with your neighbors so here I am seeking advice as well! :D (My budget is $150 max!)

Also, what does Closed-back on-ear stereo mean?!

[TruE SkiLLS]

ATH AD700 would be great for gaming, I would get it over the HD555s

+1. the HD555 is not impressive at all (my opinion)
I'd get the DT770, AD700, Denon 1000 over HD555. even AKG 271 or 241s.

Open = holes in the headphones, so it leaks sound when u play music
Closed = sound enclosed in the headphone, so no one else really hears it.

On ear = headphone padding ON the ear
Over ear = headphone padding cover around the ear, so it encloses the ear.

[BenK22]

You could try out Shure SRH440s http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10128933&catid=10036. $89.99 with the After Hours sale. If you don't like them, return them. I bought a pair this week and am enjoying them.

Reviews here: http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/shure-srh440-impressions-439275/

[Lovable]

+1. the HD555 is not impressive at all (my opinion)
I'd get the DT770, AD700, Denon 1000 over HD555. even AKG 271 or 241s.

Open = holes in the headphones, so it leaks sound when u play music
Closed = sound enclosed in the headphone, so no one else really hears it.

On ear = headphone padding ON the ear
Over ear = headphone padding cover around the ear, so it encloses the ear.

Thanks for the reply.

What are some good closed headphones? I really like the HD555 design but it's open so that's no good. I'm considering the HD-228 but I'm not sure if that's closed and if so, if it's worth it.

[Asad_A203]

Head Direct RE1s RE0s with a portable headphone amp. IEMs but if you need a multipurpose headphones on a bus, it will probably be a better buy. Sound quality of them is simply unmatched by any IEM in the price bracket, but they are chinese made (but heck even Sennheisers are) and are not high in "stylish" category.

[GtG]

Thanks for the reply.

What are some good closed headphones? I really like the HD555 design but it's open so that's no good. I'm considering the HD-228 but I'm not sure if that's closed and if so, if it's worth it.

if you like sennheiser a good Closed senn would be the HD280pro
but here are some good closed headphones in your budget
Denon D1001/D1000
Sony MDR V6/ MDR 7506
ATH M50
JVC RX 700(best value but hard to find)
ATH ES7

[Lovable]

if you like sennheiser a good Closed senn would be the HD280pro
but here are some good closed headphones in your budget
Denon D1001/D1000
Sony MDR V6/ MDR 7506
ATH M50
JVC RX 700(best value but hard to find)
ATH ES7

So the HD 280 Pro would be ideal for music (source: iPod Touch 2G) and would not bother people on the commute? (Hard to answer, I know since you do not know how loud I would be listening to my music, but let's just say the actual question is: it won't be as bad as open headphones; just to confirm?)

Also, is it really big? Looks that way, if there was a place where I can check it out in store, I'd do that before buying. Thanks for the reply!

Edit - Might I add, I'm looking for portability as one factor as well.

[df329]

So the HD 280 Pro would be ideal for music (source: iPod Touch 2G) and would not bother people on the commute? (Hard to answer, I know since you do not know how loud I would be listening to my music, but let's just say the actual question is: it won't be as bad as open headphones; just to confirm?)

Also, is it really big? Looks that way, if there was a place where I can check it out in store, I'd do that before buying. Thanks for the reply!

Edit - Might I add, I'm looking for portability as one factor as well.

HD280 are pretty big I think.

any "closed" headphones, people won't hear your music in public

[Lovable]

Thanks for all the informative posts! I shall un-hijack this thread now. :)

[Metninja]

What do you mean when you say they bleed too much sound? Also, the headphone jack works for iPods right? Silly question, but the specs if I recall correctly read something along the lines of 6.3 MM or something. I'm currently also looking for headphones, but I don't want these headphones where other people sitting around me can hear my music. I really liked the HD555 design but it's been said it's not ideal for commuting if you don't like sharing your music with your neighbors so here I am seeking advice as well! :D (My budget is $150 max!)

Also, what does Closed-back on-ear stereo mean?!By bleeding sound, I mean open headphones, being open will disturb people around you at even moderate volumes. I've seen people around with grados and senns, even stood in front of a guy while waiting in line the other week, he was blasting music on HD555's and it was pretty annoying for everyone around him. Open headphones are really for home use only. The other thing is the jack is the big 1/4 inch one, not the 3.5 for your ipod so it will stick out a few inches. It also means if you sit on it you'll ruin the adapter and possibly damage the ipod jack, I ruined my adapter when an amp it was plugged into fell over. Grado makes a cable type adapter but most adapters will stick out otherwise.

[warpdrive]

You could try out Shure SRH440s http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10128933&catid=10036. $89.99 with the After Hours sale. If you don't like them, return them. I bought a pair this week and am enjoying them.


+1. But the sale is over by tommorrow morning so act fast.
FS has a return policy in case you don't like the sound or find them uncomfortable.

[Jon Lai]

While we're on topic - I'm used to listening surround sound at home, but would love a pair of cans for residence. Is there something relatively comfortable and will be able to mimic the effect and quality of what I hear at home? When I go home on the weekend, it's like coming out of hell into heaven. Hopefully there's a better way other than actually bringing all my speakers in.

I'm currently using a $2000 Home Theater system. What price level and model should I be looking at for comparable quality and comfortness?

[Asad_A203]

While we're on topic - I'm used to listening surround sound at home, but would love a pair of cans for residence. Is there something relatively comfortable and will be able to mimic the effect and quality of what I hear at home? When I go home on the weekend, it's like coming out of hell into heaven. Hopefully there's a better way other than actually bringing all my speakers in.

I'm currently using a $2000 Home Theater system. What price level and model should I be looking at for comparable quality and comfortness?

Should list components and it doesn't matter what you listen through, if it is a MP3 encoded file, that will be your bottleneck. The HD555 have a very wide soundstage (but they are not audiophile headphones, so not best for music application but very good for gaming/videos). I am not sure if they would be up to par for your needs with that being said (they lack prominent bass as well, I have my Auzentech Forte diverting more bass towards them and it is still quite bad but I like my cheap amounts of bass :D). You can also wear them hours on end without sweating or causing your ears any discomfort. That are open cans like what everyone is saying though (HD280 apparently trade off some SQ for being closed design). They are not picky like the higher end headphones and you can still enjoy it without using a headphone amp (although mine are amped with a slight increase I would like to believe) and listen to crappier encoded MP3s (but you will notice the difference between FLAC files and MP3s).

If you had a ridiculously crazy speaker setup (which I might doubt given the price and what generally is available at most stores), HD650 with a headphone amp is your solution. It will be expensive to say the least though, lol.

[Mysteek]

While we're on topic - I'm used to listening surround sound at home, but would love a pair of cans for residence. Is there something relatively comfortable and will be able to mimic the effect and quality of what I hear at home? When I go home on the weekend, it's like coming out of hell into heaven. Hopefully there's a better way other than actually bringing all my speakers in.

I'm currently using a $2000 Home Theater system. What price level and model should I be looking at for comparable quality and comfortness?

Can you provide brand and models? If we don't know, then we might say something outragous like $2000 Bose = $150 headphones, haha.

As a general rule of thumb, headphones are FAR cheaper than speakers (price/performance ratio)

[warpdrive]

While we're on topic - I'm used to listening surround sound at home, but would love a pair of cans for residence. Is there something relatively comfortable and will be able to mimic the effect and quality of what I hear at home?

Headphones always sound different from speakers, so you will never get a great surround effect and you'll never get the impact of true bass you hear from a sub. Personally I use my Denon AH-D2000 for movie/tv watching and it has good detail for movie dialogue and a solid deep bass. Also, they are extremely comfortable. Most of the larger Sennheisers clamp my wide head too much and my head hurts after an hour

[Jon Lai]

^^
Sorry about that.

I'm running KEF 2005.2 Speaker system powered by an H/K AVR445. The actual set only costed me about $1200 (thanks RFD!) but looking at the listed prices it's definitely closer to $2000.

[Jon Lai]

Headphones always sound different from speakers, so you will never get a great surround effect and you'll never get the impact of true bass you hear from a sub. Personally I use my Denon AH-D2000 for movie/tv watching and it has good detail for movie dialogue and a solid deep bass. Also, they are extremely comfortable. Most of the larger Sennheisers clamp my wide head too much and my head hurts after an hour

I know the Denon's are awesome, but $4-500 is probably a lot more than I expected. I want the cans for rez-life, I still have my full fledged set for when I'm home.