I'm in need of some good headphones and was wondering if any of you guys had any suggestions.. I'm really not trying to pay more than $100-150. So far I've been peepin the Audio-Technica ATH-M50, and the Sennheiser HD 448.. Does anyone want to put their 2cents in this?

hi man
personally i got the audiotechnica ath-m40; they're monitors phones...what do you want phones for? monitoring or listening?

for monitoring... AKG, audiotechnica, sennheiser (be careful because they mix consumer & studio grade headphones.. I think it is HD360/380 something like that that many people have recommended for monitoring))

I got my Sennheiser 595s for about $150 used on craigslist. I love em to death and have logged a ton of hours on em over the past 2.5 years. A+ comfort, A+ sound, A+ durability.

Don't be scurred of finding em used. Just make sure the previous owners don't have lice or earwax buildup.

Ive been recently looking for a headphones too.

What I've found out is - headphones as a main monitoring gear instead of real studio monitors is not a good idea ( you probably knew that - I didnt )

It's mainly because of the different dynamics impression on headphones ( another thing - closedback cans~better dynamics, openback cans - worse )

Aside from this dynamics thing, it's just hard for the headphones to sound just flat. They almost always colour the sound in a way. ( check those 300usd cans - it's really flat frequency response in comparison to the cheaper ones, but still, not the one we could dream of.)


When choosing headphones, read as many reviews as you can. Some headphones - especially those with closedback cans - can be tiring in the long run. There is no airflow between the closed space of the headphone and the outside ( unlike in openback/halfopen headphones ). Comfort is really important. No review though will replace checking them out in store by yourself.

The other thing is the price. Yeah, I wanted to pay like 400$ for headphones ( those beyerdynamics ) just to know that I bought the quality. But then I read that I'd need additional amplifier ( another ~200$ ) to really use their potential... fuckouttahere...

There is of course an option to buy them ^used, but as with everything used, its a lottery. To me headphones are like socks - I aint buying them used - sorry

Plus, 5 times more expensive headphones arent even 3 times better. Shit, they cant be... Plus, what kind of a professional sound I want to create with them? Shit, I dont care about the proffessional sound, I like it lo-fi and shitty-quality, just dope melodies.



soooo, to sum up and give you some nice recommendations - from what I read on few forums yesterday:

<100 usd - ( im getting those even though their looks just wack ) Sennheiser HD 438 http://www.headphone.com/headphones/sen ... hd-438.php

+ closedback cans, pretty comfortable, price, acceptable frequency response, no amplifier needed
- looks, higher frequencies

<300 usd ( I wanted them sooo bad because of their comfort plus openback thing ) Audio Technica ATH-AD700 http://www.headphone.com/headphones/aud ... -ad700.php

also these Audio-Technica ATH-M50 ( big bang for a buck, good opinions, not the best for longer listening sessions, closedback ) http://www.headphone.com/headphones/aud ... th-m50.php

>300 usd ( my first choise but like I wrote, I changed my mind )top notch, hand made quality, ultra-comfortable, really nice frequency response ) Beyerdynamic DT 880 + some decent headphone amplifier
http://www.headphone.com/headphones/bey ... dt-880.php

I use these audio technica's to dj at bars http://www.turntablelab.com/dj_equipmen ... /8997.html

ATH-PRO5MSA MS

I don't use them to monitor beats however

Thanks guys.. Extremely helpful. I'm using them for monitoring beats. But also for listening to others music once in awhile. I think I'm probably going towards the Sennheiser 595s

Damn.. Im kinda feeling the Audio Technica ATH PRO5 MS though.. what to choose??

They are very comfy and they use to be japan imort only.

for what its worth, i've long been a fan of sennheiser hd280 pro's . they are flat sounding, comfortable, and have great isolation from outside sounds. Only about $100 as well

I do everything through cans. I use the pioneer hdj1000 and the Sony 7506s. I like the pioneers better. They don't give me a headache like the sonys do. However, the hdjs are slightly uncomfortable after about an hour.
I love the hdjs though and if they break, I'll get the 2000s (maybe just another pair of 1000s since they are so much cheaper.)