[Hoptologist]

Wasn't really sure where to put this. Didn't think it was off-topic enough for the off-topic section, so that left this place.

I'm looking for over-the-ear, closed-back headphones. ~$200. No headphone amp. Source will be laptop, desktop, and iPod (in order of most use).

Electronic/Synthwave/Chillwave/Nu Disco/Deep House/Indie/Alternative R&B genres.

I can't audition in town. There's nowhere that has headphones on display anymore like I remember there being when I was 12 years old. I went to Guitar Center because that was my best bet, was told there were none on display... as I was walking out a manager said they could open some up for me so I agreed. It was as close to a non-ideal auditioning environment as you can get. 2 employees were watching me the whole time, and I felt rushed and pressured to buy. Did get to listen to 2 for about 5 minutes each though (Shure 840 and Audio Technica M50x). My 5 minute conclusions were that the M50x was very smooth sounding and all-around pleasant; the 840 was more forward, intimate, and detailed.

I want headphones for pure enjoyment. No critiquing/critical listening, so nothing overly clinical or revealing.

I'm planning to purchase 2 or 3 models, compare them at home for a couple weeks, and keep the one I like best. Please help me decide on which ones to try. <3

I'm looking for:

• An overall sweet and smooth sound
• No fatigue, harshness, overbearing treble, and minimal sibilance
• Slightly more bass than neutral

Right now my top 3 choices are Audio Technica M50x, Shure SRH840, and Sennheiser Momentum. Should I just get those and call it a day? Any other obvious choices?

 

[WestCo]

subed, lmk your findings
Needing a good set.

 

[Hoptologist]

The Sennheiser HD380 Pro's seem like another strong contender, especially considering their street price.

I've checked into AKG and Grado, but they seem to lean towards being too hot in the treble region/bright for my tastes.

The NAD HP50 gets a LOT of praise and seems to fit my sonic preference, but they are above my price range.

Focal's models also seem to fit my sonic preference extremely well, which is funny and ironic since their car audio counterparts are often plagued by a stereotype of sounding bright/aggressive (which is a flawed generalization). Nevertheless, Focal headphones seem to suffer from longevity and durability issues, so I won't chance that.

The Sony MDR-1R seems to be a nice all-rounder that doesn't really have any prominent weaknesses or strengths. Seems to lean toward warm and slightly midrange forward, albeit lush/pleasant sounding. I forget why I nixed them from my considerations... I'll have to go back and re-research.

There are so many freaking headphones, and I've spent a couple weeks vigorously researching them, but I feel like my brain has overheated on information overload, so I find myself having to go back and reread the same reviews/user comments. And I pretty much have to stick with Amazon/Best Buy/Crutchfield/Guitar Center...places with very easy return policies, which is fine because there are still so many to choose from.

But I really want to just buy 3 and try at home, because reading user reviews sucks. I can't tell you how many times I've heard the Audio Technica described as sweet/smooth by some yet treble-hot/harsh by others. Same with the Sennheiser HD380. I just read a review saying the top-end was very relaxed and fatigue-free, then someone else comes along and says its highs are too sharp/overbearing. So annoying. I just want to shake those people and ask them how many times they have fallen on their head throughout their life. I mean really, it's not like car/home audio where installation and room acoustics play a huge part in the sound. Sure everyone has different limits to what is bright/harsh, but if they're not using an eq/external device, it should be easier to come to a consensus on driver characteristics. What are they using, 64kbps music files as their source? Geez louise.

With that said, I think I'll order the Sennheiser Momentums since they are currently almost the lowest they have ever been on Amazon, for the brown color. The black/red combo has been cheaper, but reminds me too much of Beats, hehe. The only downside about the Momentums is that I've heard the ear cups lean towards the small side. I'll still need to decide on 2 other models to compare them to though...

 

[Zippy]

Have you tried the v moda crossfade M-100? Best buy carries them and the are at the $300 price point. Reviews consistently say they play well above their price.

VMODA CROSSFADE M100 OvertheEar Headphones Multi M-100-U-SHADOW - Best Buy

 

[JVD240]

DT-770 80ohm?

I have the 250ohm and love them. Always pick them up over my Q701's when I'm looking to grooooove.

 

[Mike Bober]

Im big fan of the Sennheiser HD380 Pro's also, and for a bluetooth set the Velodyne VFree when on sale for 35 bucks is best headphone deal ive ever seen period.

 

[teldzc1]

I have the Momentum's and they're nice. They are a little small on the ear pads for sure and fit more like and on ear can. I like them, but I think my favorite were the Audio Technica ATH-Pro700mk2. I used those on my DJ rig for a while and loved the sound. To me they're more comfy than the Momentum's, have better isolation and have nicer bass. Given your musical tastes, I'd highly consider them. They DO NOT have Beats Bass. I have Beats wireless and the ATH and Momentums are def more accurate.

I'm more of an IEM guy and like the Yamaha EPH-100 a lot for my daily drivers.

 

[Old Skewl]

I own the Shure 840s and find them to have nice detail with adequate bass. They are fairly comfortable and the sound is not fatiguing at all. My Ipod/iPhone drives them just fine. When I want some added impact I throw one of these inline!

Audiophile Cmoy Headphone Amplifier Made with High Quality Part in USA Altoids | eBay

 

[HiloDB1]

Set on closed back cans?

 

[Hoptologist]

Have you tried the v moda crossfade M-100? Best buy carries them and the are at the $300 price point. Reviews consistently say they play well above their price.

VMODA CROSSFADE M100 OvertheEar Headphones Multi M-100-U-SHADOW - Best Buy

I haven't tried them, but I did consider them. From what I've read from nearly all sources, they are basshead approved. I love a LOT of bass in my car, but in headphones I'd rather be closer to balanced/neutral. Durability is supposed to be amazing too.

 

[Hoptologist]

I picked up the M50's awhile back and they're pretty good. Especially if you can find them on sale. Here's a quick FR that I took on them.

Looks good to me. Thanks.

 

[Hoptologist]

DT-770 80ohm?

I have the 250ohm and love them. Always pick them up over my Q701's when I'm looking to grooooove.

I did look into Beyerdynamics, and I don't remember why but I ended up not putting them on my short list. 80ohms, though, sounds like it would greatly benefit from an amplifier, right? And that's something I'm not looking to add ...at least not yet.

The DT-770 actually have a 32ohm version, strong reviews too, I'll have to look at them again.

 

[Hoptologist]

Im big fan of the Sennheiser HD380 Pro's also, and for a bluetooth set the Velodyne VFree when on sale for 35 bucks is best headphone deal ive ever seen period.

Nice, yeah I don't need wireless, but the HD380 is looking like a strong contender.

I have the Momentum's and they're nice. They are a little small on the ear pads for sure and fit more like and on ear can. I like them, but I think my favorite were the Audio Technica ATH-Pro700mk2. I used those on my DJ rig for a while and loved the sound. To me they're more comfy than the Momentum's, have better isolation and have nicer bass. Given your musical tastes, I'd highly consider them. They DO NOT have Beats Bass. I have Beats wireless and the ATH and Momentums are def more accurate.

I'm more of an IEM guy and like the Yamaha EPH-100 a lot for my daily drivers.

I haven't looked at the ATH-Pro700mk2, were you ever able to compare them to the ATH-M50x? I'll have to do some researching on them.

The ear cup size on the Momentums is definitely a concern. Why couldn't they just make them the same size as the HD380, is it made small for looks? Definitely a bummer, and something to consider.

I own the Shure 840s and find them to have nice detail with adequate bass. They are fairly comfortable and the sound is not fatiguing at all. My Ipod/iPhone drives them just fine. When I want some added impact I throw one of these inline!

Audiophile Cmoy Headphone Amplifier Made with High Quality Part in USA Altoids | eBay

Nice, +1 for the 840's. They really intrigue me. I wish I had been able to listen to them longer than the 5 minutes in the store.

Set on closed back cans?

Yeah. :antlers: I mean I'd love some open backs, but this pair definitely needs to be closed for my priorities at hand.

 

[pjhabit]

Have you tried the v moda crossfade M-100? Best buy carries them and the are at the $300 price point. Reviews consistently say they play well above their price.

I haven't tried them, but I did consider them. From what I've read from nearly all sources, they are basshead approved. I love a LOT of bass in my car, but in headphones I'd rather be closer to balanced/neutral. Durability is supposed to be amazing too.

I own the V-MODA XS & they aren't as bass heavy as some of their other models. Only downside is they're not as comfy as the over-ears.
But I can attest to the durability & I love the foldable/portable design.

 

[Zippy]

I haven't tried them, but I did consider them. From what I've read from nearly all sources, they are basshead approved. I love a LOT of bass in my car, but in headphones I'd rather be closer to balanced/neutral. Durability is supposed to be amazing too.

I'm also looking for closed back headphones right now for myself. I'm looking at getting these Fostex headphones. From what I have read Fostex manufactured Denon's headphones for them and the Fostex's are actually better quality. The website I'm listing below has frequency response graphs for headphones. The Fostex are twice your budget though.

Fostex TH-600 Premium Closed Back Headphones | headphone.com

 

[pjhabit]

I'm also looking for closed back headphones right now for myself. I'm looking at getting these Fostex headphones. From what I have read Fostex manufactured Denon's headphones for them and the Fostex's are actually better quality. The website I'm listing below has frequency response graphs for headphones. The Fostex are twice your budget though.

Fostex TH-600 Premium Closed Back Headphones | headphone.com

Unless its a matter of being courteous to others, I'd go with some open-backs...love my HiFiMan HE-400's.

 

[Zippy]

Unless its a matter of being courteous to others, I'd go with some open-backs...love my HiFiMan HE-400's.

It is a case of being courteous to others. I'd like to be able to use them at work. The guy that sits across from me is a curmudgeon and will complain about anything. Normally a majority of my music listening time during a day is at my desk. Followed closely by my car.

 

[Notloudenuf]

For $24 these are going to be hard to beat.

Premium Hi-Fi DJ Style Over-the-Ear Pro Headphone - Monoprice.com

 

[Victor_inox]

DT-770 80ohm?

I have the 250ohm and love them. Always pick them up over my Q701's when I'm looking to grooooove.

that`s has been my favorite cans for a couple years now. 80 Ohm.

 

[HiloDB1]

Yeah. :antlers: I mean I'd love some open backs, but this pair definitely needs to be closed for my priorities at hand.

Thats too bad, because I think the Philips Fidelio X1 would have been a great match for what you're looking for. Minus the open back of course