Good headphones from US, <$80

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techie_007

Galvanizer
Hello All,

So I am looking to pick up a half-decent pair of headphones.

Usage will be movies/games/music, say 50% movies, 30% games, and 20% music.

Not an audiophile, tho I appreciate clarity and good quality rather than heavy bass, so heavy bass headphones are out.
Not interested in IEMs.

Can get stuff from Amazon US as well, so $ references are fine. Budget is ~$80 max.

Some of the options I have seen are:

Denon D1001 from market section

From Amazon:

senn hd202-II $23
px100 $45

ad300 $70
ad500 $86
ad700 $93
ath m35 $55

jvc rx900 $56

What did I miss? :) Recommendations welcome.
 
Techie, Senn hd202 you can always get it here itself for a bit over 1000Rs. Not really worth sourcing from US.

From Amazon you could look at AT AD700, Senn HD555, JVC RX900, Shure Sh440 etc

Titana's d1001 as you have noted is a good option too.

Edit: Check out the superlux range too, they are supposed to be quite VFM.
 
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Thanks @iaudio.

SO I did some more research, and the m35 is in the same range as the AD300, but with more bass, so I am ok with the better soundstage of the ad300. So the m35 is out. ( unless I am really pinched on cash :P)

Similarly, the Senn H555 is also similar to the AD700, except for more bass. Removed those too.

AD500 and 700 are too similar in price, so if I can do $86, I can do $94 :P

EDIT: Split into 2 price ranges:

New list:

$70-$90

Denon D1001 from market section

ad300 $70

ad700 $93

Shure Sh440 $80

$45-$55

px100 $45

m35 ~$50

jvc rx900 $56

What did I miss?
 
techie, I beg to differ. The AD700 and HD555, though both open, have different presentation of music. The HD555 has a bit more warmth, bass. However it lacks the treble extension and spatial presentation of the ad700. I have had both for considerable time and I can say that they dont sound similar.

But yeah, your shortlist does make sense otherwise.
 
The Grado Sr60i for 79$ are really good. Sr80i if you don't mind the extra 20$. They are really good for rock music and can be driven from practically any laptop/pmp.
 
as a certified basshead, my vote goes for the HA RX 700, but the 900 is fine ( it has less bass for more cash, kinda a lose lose deal for me, but makes sense for you :P)
 
Going by your requirements , the AD700 fits the bill perfectly . Not too heavy bass . The kind of bass that can hardly be felt .Just a little punch . Amazing mids and treble for the price and an unmatched soundstage (advantage in movies and games). Ohh and yeah the biggest plus point IMO , they are literally weightless and you just cant feel them when using it thanks to those 3D wing headband . Can easily be used for 5-7 hrs at a stretch without any fatigue or sweating .

Just make sure you are fine with slight sound leakage at medium volumes .

I would strictly vote against the RX-700/RX-900 . They are totally a bassheads can and make your ears hot when used for long duration . Not very comfortable as well .
 
Just thought I would close this loop with some good news.

Walked into an audio showroom in Bangalore today, and he had some Audio Technica stuff - mostly lower end in-ear phones that sell easily, BUT also a single AD300. NO AD500/700 etc, BUT I picked up the AD300 for the sheer VFM it offered!

The price? 2k :ohyeah: Exactly!

Could have something to do with the fact that the month of import and sticker pricing was from Dec 09, but he hadnt been able to sell it in a while, and it was in a corner, waiting for me to come pick it up :)!
 
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