Need advice on choosing headphones

Communities Audio Hardware & Music
1

After some new headphones as a christmas gift to myself and having a hard time choosing.

Currently I've been using the Sennheiser HD 212s for years but one of the speakers is getting worn down so its time to replace them.

I did try the Corsair Vengeance 2000 for a couple weeks but after numerous problems i got rid of them, though they did sound a hell of a lot better than my 212s.

Price range is around $100.

After using the Corsair 2000s i had a hard time hearing the difference between stereo and 7.1 but perhaps i didn't spend enough time tweaking it? either way i don't care if it has virtual surround or not, preferred to be wired, just for gaming and music i primarily listen to game soundtracks which contains a mixture of everything lol, not fussed if it has a mic or not.

I briefly tried Audio Technica ATH-AD700 they're open air and i personally disliked the flat lack of sound they put off so open air definitely not for me.

I'm looking at the following:

  • Audio-Technica ATH-WS55x
  • SteelSeries 7H
  • ASUS ORION PRO
  • Corsair Vengeance 1400
  • SteelSeries Siberia V2
  • Steelseries 5Hv3 Pro
  • Ultrasone HFI 450
  • Tt eSports Dracco Captain Pro
  • Sennheiser HD429
  • Jaycar Pro Monitor Headphones

So if anyone has any pros/cons on the above lot or any other recommendations let me know :)

2

Sennheiser HD280 Pro's can be had for $90, and the HD558's can be had on amazon for $130, both of which are vastly better than the HD429's, or your old HD212s. The Audio-Technica's are also a great choice if you want something more bass heavy, whereas the HD280's are meant for flat-response. The HD558's have a very 'open' feel thanks to being open-air cans, but because of that are fantastic for a huge soundstage, and hours of fatiagueless listening.

3

Sounds like you're a basshead. Grab some V-Moda Crossfade LP's.

4

Awesome thanks for the information and quick response.

I'll do some more research on the HD280/558s and the Audio Technicas then make a decision Cheers.

5

Not sure if i consider myself a basshead as the things i enjoy bass in are explosions & gunfire in games/film and the odd techno/trance song but i just assume most people like to have nice bass in those situations?

Anyway seems there's lots of mixed reviews for that set so ill stick to researching the sets mentioned in my reply to WolfStrong thanks for the reply though.

6

I would suggest to stay away from headsets. If you are in america, try to look for a HD 558's or if you want more bass, pick up some MDR-XB500's.

7

Those V-Moda's litteraly shook my head...I was really surprised when my friend brought them over. I was also really disappointed in the VERY muddy mids and highs. Bass though? Wow...

I still prefer the HD558's and 280's. Audio-Technica also gets my vote too.

8

Yeah sounds like the VModas are not something I'm after.

I'm gonna see if there's some local shops that have the Sennheisers lot and Audio-Technica that i can listen to.

9

Cheers, I've been recommended the 558's before but ill check out the MDR-XB500s I'll see if some local places have them to give them a listen.

10

For those looking for a really awesome and really cheap($20!) set of headphones then give these a try. The base on them is awesome (bit like Dre's in terms of the base) and the overall sound is great too. You wont get better than these for $20. The downside (and the reason they're so cheap) is the build quality is crap, but for that price you cant complain really considering the sound quality.

http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=108&cp_id=10823&cs_id=1082302&p_id=8323&format=2

11

I hear good things about these, and they're right around your budget.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ULAP4U/?tag=pcpapi-20&tag=teksynd-20

12

My buddy got those for shits and giggles, and was blown away! Similar sound to the Sennheiser HD280 Pro's. Considering the price, it is a great pair of headphones that can not be beat. For sound quality, they are par with headphones 5x the price, easily beating out almost any headphones for clarity.

Cons to them were the lesser build quality compared to the HD280's, I liked the cable on the 280's more, didn't block out as much noise, and not as comfortable. As far as sound goes, if the HD280's were a 7/10, then the Monoprice cans were 6.5/10. Again, really amazing for the price, but I would still pick the 280's, because to me, those features are worth the extra $60.

13

Hey, just throwin an option out there, but I confess I didn't read the whole OP. It just sounded like you enjoyed the Corsair's so much you might be okay with sacrificing highs fo' dat bass if you catch my drift.

A more balanced recommendation no one's mentioned yet is the Pioneer SE-A1000. It's a great headphone I personally enjoy, and the $50 price tag is merely a bonus. Worthy of consideration, especially if you might value a comfortable, lightweight headphone.

 

 

14

Recently gave a friend a deal to downsize my collection, and with the option between the Sony XB700's and audio-technica's AD500X he chose the XB700's. He said that while the AD500X's were more "clear" he did enjoy the additional bass of the Sony. Not overwhelming bass like the V-Moda I recommended above, mind you, but just some more data for the thread.

15

Those headphones are a tad overhyped. There are better headphones for the money.

16

Better is subjective when it comes to audio equipment. What sounds good to some may not sound good to others.

17

I've seen a large amount of people recommending the ATH-M50 on other sites so ill see if i can check em out.

18

Unfortunately all my local stores the 280 Pros are $200 :/ sounded good on display though so ill consider picking them up online in the future.

19

XB700s are quite out of my price range but ill consider picking them up in the future :)

20

Just referencing because you mentioned the XB 500 which is somewhat similar sounding