£100-£130 Headphones

[GeorgeStorm]

As above really, am looking to get a decent set of headphones for use with my pc, listening to music, watching films etc.
Will probably end up picking up a clip on mic or something aswell so I can replace my current headset completely.

What would people recommend in that price range? Would rather spend closer to £100 obviously, but if something is really worth it I could spend more.

Been recommended the DT770s and ATH-M50s at £130ish each, but would rather spend less if there are some decent alternatives.
Been offered some AKG k601s for £100ish, good buy?

Thanks

[g8ina]

Sennheisers always get my vote.

Open or closed though ?

You could prolly get a pair of HD580s or similar 2nd hand for around a ton.

If its closed you want the Beyers are superb, as are the Grados.

Try before you buy too !!

[MSIC]

In my sig is my review of my Senn's, still really like them

[Pete301]

I regard sennheisers to be one of the best for headphones. So the 580s are probably a good deal. I have also heard good things about the new KRK headphones. The KRK 8400s are around £130. It is best to try before you buy, in case there are any problems with ear comfort/fatigue.

[g8ina]

George, take a quick peek in ebay for the HD580s. There is a pair at 37 quid with 2 days to go right now.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

As above really, am looking to get a decent set of headphones for use with my pc, listening to music, watching films etc.
Will probably end up picking up a clip on mic or something aswell so I can replace my current headset completely.

What would people recommend in that price range? Would rather spend closer to £100 obviously, but if something is really worth it I could spend more.

Been recommended the DT770s and ATH-M50s at £130ish each, but would rather spend less if there are some decent alternatives.
Been offered some AKG k601s for £100ish, good buy?

Thanks

It depends on the type of music you listen to. I would also look at the Grados in your price range. Regarding sound quality I find the open backed headphones tend to have a better sonic stage at the expense of greater sound leakage to the surroundings.

[GeorgeStorm]

Thanks for the replies, music wise, I listen to pretty much anything, from classical to metal to electronic to funk to whatever
Want a set that are comfortable, since that's one of the downsides of my current headset, I struggle to wear them for extended periods of time without my ears getting a bit achey. I've heard people say the grados can be uncomfortable, whereas the DT770s are meant to be some of the comfiest pairs around.

I'm not overly bothered about whether they are open/closed, since I'll be using them in my room, so if an open backed pair will get me better sound for the money, then I'll go for them.

Where would people recommend I go for try them on? I'm in Loughborough.

[Zak33]

I have tried numerous clip on mics and frankly, for gaming, they're just not close enough to your gob.

What you CAN do, and I have done for many moons, is buy a cheap cheap headset with boom mic, rip it off and split the cables and blue tak it to your new headphones.

But, when it boils down to it....

Sennheiser PC360's are superb. I have some, and having used them since Christmas Day, I'm in love. Great sounds.. really great... superb mic, which mutes when you fold it up.. and Vol control on the earpiece.

[GeorgeStorm]

Hmm, couple of friends use them without too many issues.
And that doesn't sound like a bad idea at all.

How do the PC350/360 compare soundwise to headphones of a similar price?
And how do the 580s compare to ones like the DT770s?

Also any comparisons comfort wise? Since I'd like to be able to wear them for several hours at a time

[GoNz0]

Hmm, couple of friends use them without too many issues.
And that doesn't sound like a bad idea at all.

How do the PC350/360 compare soundwise to headphones of a similar price?
And how do the 580s compare to ones like the DT770s?

Also any comparisons comfort wise? Since I'd like to be able to wear them for several hours at a time

i have the pc350's and am very happy, the 360 are open backed versions of the 350 iirc

they cover my rather large ears meaning i can sit for hours gaming with them on, they are also very good for music BUT they do need a good output and not just a generic creative soundcard.

mine run happily off my logitech z5400 but i know they would take more if i had a better amp.

they have good bass, not great bass but still very good imho. they are a heaset, not dedicated music headphones so the bass does not overpower them.

[GeorgeStorm]

My soundcard is a Xonar Essence ST (which I got for a good price, and hence why I think I should probably upgrade my headset to actually make some use of it!)
So should be able to power most things around.
Going to see if there's anywhere local I can try various pairs out.

[Saracen]

If you're prepared to buy used and from eBay, and if audio quality is a priority, then you might want to keep an eye open for Stax units. I do occasionally see sets go at levels within your price range, though not having inspected them, I have no idea what condition they are really in.

But make no mistake, they are very good units. Put it this way, current models, new, are way outside you price range for the low end of the range, and the reference models are well north of three grand.

So you'd be looking at a fairly old set. Which might put you off. But if not, I've got a couple of sets of Sennheisers (580s and 600s) and the Stax units I also have (and have had for ages) are (IMHO of course) just in a different league.



I perhaps also ought to clarify what I mean by "audio quality". These are not bass monsters. Their base is, in my view, exceptionally good, but just not heavy. The real signature of electrostatics is that they're beautifully clear, detailed, musical, open, light and fast. That's why I think the bass is so good. Bass, like drums, is fast and taut. It's as close to the sound of an actual drum as I've heard, and it has that taut punch of the real thing.

And by "light", I mean they are easy to listen to. You can get immersed, for long periods, and not realise it.

That's the good news. Now the bad.

As Stax's are either going to be expensive or fairly elderly, there are some problems. First, you'll be getting not just headphones (earspeakers, as Stax would have it) but an "amp" too. I'll refer to it as an amp, but strictly, it isn't. It's a step-up transformer (as electrostatics operate at high voltage) and a bias. But it looks like a headphone amp. So, you connect that to the speaker outputs (not a headphone jack) on your amp, and the actual phones to the transformer. Some transformers have been known to develop problems.

Secondly, the very thin film "diaphragm" that actually moves to provide the sound can, on the older units, develop problems. If so, it can be refurbished (replaced) but it's a game to do it. And the older the phones, the more likely the mylar is to have issues. Having said that, I bought mine in the 70s and no problems .... so far.

So if you go this route buy carefully. I would want to hear them in operation before parting with money, were it me. And while they do come up on eBay, they aren't that common, so you may have to hunt around for a while.

Last point on audio quality. It's very subjective. I love the sound, largely because I find it so detailed I hear more of the music and less of the headphones. My Sennheisers are good. Very good. And, superficially, on first listening, might seem better. But give the Stax's a good listen and after a while, you should realise what I'm talking about. But your mileage may vary.

And a final point on Stax's, too. Just as many audio items need to 'loosen' up. or warm up, so give the Stax's a while to "charge" if/when you audition them, especially if they've been unused for a while.

[g8ina]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, I'd forgotten Stax. I've only had a chance to listen with them a couple of times, at audio shows, but wow !

[GeorgeStorm]

If you're prepared to buy used and from eBay, and if audio quality is a priority, then you might want to keep an eye open for Stax units. I do occasionally see sets go at levels within your price range, though not having inspected them, I have no idea what condition they are really in.

But make no mistake, they are very good units. Put it this way, current models, new, are way outside you price range for the low end of the range, and the reference models are well north of three grand.

So you'd be looking at a fairly old set. Which might put you off. But if not, I've got a couple of sets of Sennheisers (580s and 600s) and the Stax units I also have (and have had for ages) are (IMHO of course) just in a different league.



I perhaps also ought to clarify what I mean by "audio quality". These are not bass monsters. Their base is, in my view, exceptionally good, but just not heavy. The real signature of electrostatics is that they're beautifully clear, detailed, musical, open, light and fast. That's why I think the bass is so good. Bass, like drums, is fast and taut. It's as close to the sound of an actual drum as I've heard, and it has that taut punch of the real thing.

And by "light", I mean they are easy to listen to. You can get immersed, for long periods, and not realise it.

That's the good news. Now the bad.

As Stax's are either going to be expensive or fairly elderly, there are some problems. First, you'll be getting not just headphones (earspeakers, as Stax would have it) but an "amp" too. I'll refer to it as an amp, but strictly, it isn't. It's a step-up transformer (as electrostatics operate at high voltage) and a bias. But it looks like a headphone amp. So, you connect that to the speaker outputs (not a headphone jack) on your amp, and the actual phones to the transformer. Some transformers have been known to develop problems.

Secondly, the very thin film "diaphragm" that actually moves to provide the sound can, on the older units, develop problems. If so, it can be refurbished (replaced) but it's a game to do it. And the older the phones, the more likely the mylar is to have issues. Having said that, I bought mine in the 70s and no problems .... so far.

So if you go this route buy carefully. I would want to hear them in operation before parting with money, were it me. And while they do come up on eBay, they aren't that common, so you may have to hunt around for a while.

Last point on audio quality. It's very subjective. I love the sound, largely because I find it so detailed I hear more of the music and less of the headphones. My Sennheisers are good. Very good. And, superficially, on first listening, might seem better. But give the Stax's a good listen and after a while, you should realise what I'm talking about. But your mileage may vary.

And a final point on Stax's, too. Just as many audio items need to 'loosen' up. or warm up, so give the Stax's a while to "charge" if/when you audition them, especially if they've been unused for a while.

Thanks for the detailed reply, you seem to know your stuff about everything I want

While overalk audio quality is a high priority, along with comfort, and I don't mind buying 2nd hand, I'm not sure I'd want something that could have potential problems like that, and the longer I wait, the more likely I am to convince myself not to buy a pair (which i've done in the past numerous times )
Must admit, I'm not a massive fan of ebay, greatly dislike the bidding system, but I'll keep an eye out.
Would far rather find a pair on a forum or something similar.

Don't suppose any of you audio guys have one too many sets and wouldn't mind selling one to help a newbie get into it?

[g8ina]

Well, as it happens I do have a pair of Sennheiser HD580s that I don't use that much. I did buy an external DAC headphone amp, intending to get some use out of them but that use has not materialised. I'll add them to my ad in Classifieds if you like.

[GeorgeStorm]

Oooh, that sounds interesting, so you'd say that would be a better buy than DT770s, ATH-M50s, AKG K601s?
Any more details?