Need some help on picking some good headphones

[tacosRcool]

I have an opportunity to get Monster Headphones 50% off (excluding Beats by Dre). I was looking at the Monster NCredible NTune:
http://www.monstercable.com/productdisplay.asp?pin=6491

I have listened to these and they sound good but not the best I have had heard. Are these any good for half off? I am in the market for some on the ear or over the ear headphones but I don't know of any good ones. I have read many different things on the internet in the last couple of day but still have questions. I am not an audiophile so studio type headphones do not appeal to me. I do listen to heavy metal (Pantera, Fear Factory, Strapping Young Lad etc), alternative rock (Bush, Matchbox 20 etc), Grunge, Nu Metal (Korn etc), some dance music of the 90s, a bunch of 80s music, sometimes Beat Dominator and the occasional old school hip hop (sorry no country and I don't listen to crappy music as well ). I do like a good amount of bass.

I don't want to spend more than $100. It turns out that after tax and shipping the Monsters are about $100. I really don't care about brand name except for Skullcandy since their headphones just suck. Any suggestions or recommendations?

[Fourstaff]

The only Monster stuff worth getting are the Monster Turbine line imo.

I am no good with metal music, wait for others to chip in, or visit headfi.org

[theJesus]

PM BumbleBee, she helped me a lot with my headphone purchases.

Personally, I say up your budget to $150 and get the Audio-Technica ATH-M50. They're circumaural (over-the-ear), sealed and have good bass. They sound good without an amp and they're very portable (small and fold up real nice). I have a pair and like 'em a lot (although I fucked 'em up trying to do the removable cable mod lol).

You say you're not an audiophile, but I guarantee that will change once you hear good sound.

edit: You could also try the Grado SR-60i, which are a lot cheaper ($80). They're on-ear (earpad), easy to drive without an amp and from what I've seen others say, Grado headphones are good for rock/metal.

[Fourstaff]

Don't get the M50, they were good back then because it was very value for money. Now its no better than Beats in terms of price-perf (ok maybe a bit better than Beats, but you get the point).

Grados are good, get at least the SR80 though, unless you want to change the pads.

[theJesus]

Originally Posted by Fourstaff

Don't get the M50, they were good back then because it was very value for money. Now its no better than Beats in terms of price-perf (ok maybe a bit better than Beats, but you get the point).

You just seriously compared Beats to the M50?

Originally Posted by Fourstaff

Grados are good, get at least the SR80 though, unless you want to change the pads.

The SR60 is easier to drive well without an amp. I'm assuming the OP doesn't want to purchase an amp.

[BumbleBee]

even this little kid knows the M50 are better than Beats

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QyPZCQN3b8

if you can't afford the Audio Technica M50 I would pick up the Grado SR-80i but keep in mind people either love these headphones or hate them so buy them from a seller with a good return policy like Amazon. Grados are pretty easy to drive and the 80i have a little better bass response over the 60i.

[LightningJR]

+1 for Grados, you can also get Alessandro's (may be stretching your budget)

Also, the Superlux HD-668B are touted as "Studio Monitors" but aren't. I bought these headphones after a review saying that they made Grado's/Alessandro's sound muddy in comparison (I have MS1i's) and after getting them I would have to agree, with a sad face..

These Superlux are well within budget, has amazing instrument separation and detail that surpasses my MS1i's. Flat bass and mids but bright. The detail and instruments separation makes it one of the best headphones for metal since it's difficult to keep metal from sounding muddy and garbled because of it's heavy nature. But these headphones accept the challenge and win. Only one thing, you may have to EQ down the highs because the headphones anre bright.

[baggpipes]

One word... Sennheisers...

[TheMailMan78]

Originally Posted by baggpipes

One word... Sennheisers...

Break after a week of usage.

[theJesus]

Originally Posted by baggpipes

One word... Sennheisers...

HD 280s are overrated imo and anything better from them is out of his price range.

[Ra97oR]

At 100USD. The Audio Technica WS70 is a more fun option other than M50, it is less balance but it is sure fun to listen to. Somewhat like a Grados closed back with very nice metal shell.

I also recommend Sony ZX700, a bit monitor style like the M50, but it is very comfortable.

[Fourstaff]

Originally Posted by theJesus

You just seriously compared Beats to the M50?

When M50 was retailing under $100, M50 roflstomps almost everthing out there. Now its really overpriced. Better options exist elsewhere for your money.

Originally Posted by theJesus

HD 280s are overrated imo and anything better from them is out of his price range.

I will have to agree with this, but the HD5xx are quite good for the money.

Another option is Sony XB series, they are not too bad and quite comfy (to my ears anyway). Make sure you get them for cheaps though, they are not worth that much.

[Ra97oR]

Originally Posted by Fourstaff

When M50 was retailing under $100, M50 roflstomps almost everthing out there. Now its really overpriced. Better options exist elsewhere for your money.



I will have to agree with this, but the HD5xx are quite good for the money.

Another option is Sony XB series, they are not too bad and quite comfy (to my ears anyway). Make sure you get them for cheaps though, they are not worth that much.

M50 in the UK are still selling at a very competitive price. At that range, there is Shure SRH840 (far to big and heavy), Beyer DT150 (need amp badly), Song ZX700 (not on the same level in sound quailty).

M50 cannot really compared to the Shure and Beyer in sound alone, but the advantage in size, comfort and ease of use outweighs it somehow.

[OnePostWonder]

I know from reading and from personal experience that the Sennheiser 555s had flawed engineering and would crack often. They've since been discontinued and I now own the 558s, which frankly don't appear to be engineered any differently, but have not yet cracked; perhaps its a reformulation of the plastic, if anything.

That said, I think the ATH-M50 is a bit high in price right now, and apparently out of your price range by $40+. I never understand why people begin suggesting headphones that don't fall within the price stated by the OP.

I'd have to research further using websites such as the aforementioned HeadFi (a definitive website in that community) to find suitable headphones that come at a price of $100 or less.

[natr0n]

[Aquinus]

I have this and I love it.

Sennheiser HD 280 PRO Professional DJ Styled Headp...

[Ra97oR]

Originally Posted by OnePostWonder

I know from reading and from personal experience that the Sennheiser 555s had flawed engineering and would crack often. They've since been discontinued and I now own the 558s, which frankly don't appear to be engineered any differently, but have not yet cracked; perhaps its a reformulation of the plastic, if anything.

That said, I think the ATH-M50 is a bit high in price right now, and apparently out of your price range by $40+. I never understand why people begin suggesting headphones that don't fall within the price stated by the OP.

I'd have to research further using websites such as the aforementioned HeadFi (a definitive website in that community) to find suitable headphones that come at a price of $100 or less.

First, I don't read and recommend. Only recommending via first hand experience and first hand experience tells me good headphones that worth your money under $100 is only a hand full.

A few here that are at least useable outdoor:
Creative Aurvena Live! (bass and treble heavy Denon sound)
Sony XB700 (very bass heavy)
Sony ZX700 (monitor style sound, a bit bright)
Audio Technica WS70 (CAL! with a better mid range and metal shells, less comfy)

Unless OP are also into getting some IEMs, I do recommend spending just a bit more and get something like a Beyer DT770 or the dreaded M50 if those are not wanted.

[Fourstaff]

Grado SR80i and Sony MDR-V6 are also options. Grado is very open, so you might want to be a bit more careful in public. Sound wise very pleasing, and "Grado flavoured". The V6 is a bit bright like the ZX700 and its a classic, coily wires and all.

I think there are headphones lower than $100 which are worth your money, as long as you are willing to sacrifice flexibility for specific usage, eg: CAL is very good with orchestra and bassy music, but absolutely fails with female vocals. The SR80 is very good all round, but does not shine in any way and is pretty useless in public. This is coming from a classically trained musician and TF10 user, so I think I have at least some authority on the matter.

[Ra97oR]

I wouldn't hesitate recommending Grados and MS-1s if OP are only going to use the headphones at home. Outdoor and in library, they are a big no no along with Senn HD5xxs.

CAL! are just average on the vocal front but far from terrible. The Sony XB700 is far worse in that area.

Just avoid HD280Pros in general, unless you have a tiny head or it is made of steel. It doesn't sound that nice either.

[tacosRcool]

Thanks for all the replies. Also I will be mostly listening at home and sometimes to take it with me when I travel. This is a lot to take in at the moment. So I will assume no Monsters then.

[Aquinus]

Originally Posted by Ra97oR

Just avoid HD280Pros in general, unless you have a tiny head or it is made of steel. It doesn't sound that nice either.

They feel fine on my head and it's not exactly small, but it's not big either. It's flat response, so no boost on the bass or high end. That is definitely not the experience that I've had with them. I have found that these headphone will make bad music sound worse but will make good music sound amazing. To each their own I guess.

[theJesus]

Originally Posted by tacosRcool

Thanks for all the replies. Also I will be mostly listening at home and sometimes to take it with me when I travel. This is a lot to take in at the moment. So I will assume no Monsters then.

I think you'd be really happy with the ATH-M50 for traveling because they fold up so nice and they're closed-back so they have good sound isolation. They're my top pick for when I travel.

[tacosRcool]

I heard a lot of good things about the Audio-Technica ATH-M50. I did found them on ebay by an authorized reseller on ebay for $119. I do like the Grados though but I like for other people not to hear my music. I like Sony's too as well. I have a pair of Sony MDREX58V earbuds and they are decent. I still gotta think....

[theJesus]

You really can't go wrong with the M50. Is there anywhere local that you can audition headphones at?

[Frederik S]

There are a lot of good headphones for around $100 like: KRK KNS-6400 or 8400 used, SR-60i or 80i, Audio Technica M50s or A700s used maybe.