I like to listen to music with a good set of over-the-ear headphones, but I am too damn cheap to spend some serious money on a really nice set of headphones. So looking on the lower-end for pricing (under $50)... what's the best I can get? I'd love to find something that I can collapse and carry in a laptop case... I hate ear buds... and I don't want to wear anything that makes my choice in music everyone else's choice in music...
kvrdave
05-27-06, 03:15 PM
If you are talking about a closed ear one, go with these....
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000065BPA/sr=8-12/qid=1148757383/ref=pd_bbs_12/103-5708716-6188609?%5Fencoding=UTF8
headphones and sunglesses seem to be the only things I can stop by tightass ways with.
The Edit King
05-27-06, 03:28 PM
Here's (http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/koss/headphones/MPL_1053_2750CRX.ASPX) a page that lists a few...
After shopping around for months, buying and returning many types, from the very expensive to really cheap, the last two pairs of headphones I ever bought (and still have and use today) are those big, black, Koss TD/65's and they were like $29 each!
(Go figure, one of the cheapest had the best sound...for me anyway.)
Even though they are not collapsible (and most sadly, discontinued), they can still punch the Hell out of you with bass, take a serious arse kicking & beating, and last what seems like Forever! :eek:
-Paul
J-Log
05-27-06, 03:53 PM
Not sure if you're looking for a closed earcup or not, but for open-air headphones, I must put in a good word for the Koss KTX-PRO1. $14.35 at Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00007056H/sr=8-3/dvdtalk/qid=1148759233/ref=pd_bbs_3/103-1939048-2702259?%5Fencoding=UTF8). They are widely considered to be by far the best headphones in their price range and reportedly compare well to much more expensive phones. I have had a pair for over two years... they sound excellent and have held up well. The only downside is that they're kind of funny lookin'.
I also have folding JVC headphones (HA-P75) that are semi-open air (ring-shaped cushions sit on the ears but not completely over them) and do a fairly good job of blocking out surrounding noise. These also sound quite good and were fairly cheap at Amazon, but I don't think they're sold there anymore and may be discontinued.
The Edit King
05-27-06, 07:26 PM
WOW J!
Good ol' Koss does it again! :up:
(Look at all them mighty fine reviews!)
Hey! The Pro1 is on that Audio Review list I posted for $13 clams!
(Check it out Here (http://www.audioreview.com/mfr/koss/headphones/PRD_289050_2750crx.aspx).)
I'm gettin' a couple of those for me & Momma ASAP!
-Paul
NCMojo
05-27-06, 10:54 PM
If you are talking about a closed ear one, go with these....
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000065BPA/sr=8-12/dvdtalk/qid=1148757383/ref=pd_bbs_12/103-5708716-6188609?%5Fencoding=UTF8
headphones and sunglesses seem to be the only things I can stop by tightass ways with.
I do want closed-ear headphones -- what makes this one so good?
J-Log
05-28-06, 12:41 AM
I'm gettin' a couple of those for me & Momma ASAP!
You will not be disappointed.
As for closed-ear headphones, which it turns out the op is looking for, I too had a Koss pair that sounded pretty good... I think the model was UR20. But that was years ago. And part of the headband cracked at one point so they no longer fit well.
I got them at Circuit City (for $20 I believe). I like this style for work because I can put them on one ear, and leave the other side off so I can hear the phone ring, people talk, etc.
The link Dave posted was for the Senneiser HD-212. What's the difference? (Aside from the price.)
Probably not much that you will be able to really hear.
I use to think headphones were headphones. Then I had a GC for amazon or something and bought some nice Sennheisers. It's like wearing Oakley sunglasses after only having $5 K-Mart sunglasses. It great sound. I have probably owned 8 pair (closed, open, 900 Mhz, in ear, ear bud, etc.) and am constantly amazed at them. However, I would certainly be inclined to try the Koss stuff for the price as well.
drmoze
06-20-06, 11:44 PM
Wow, the otters have escaped the farm and are swarming in the hot deals forum....
The best headphones I've used (portable) are the Sony MDR-A44's. They have 16mm drivers and a small headband, face forward in the ear (so the drivers 'look' in the same direction that you do!). They are hugely efficient (around 107 db/mW) and have nice clean, full bass and clear highs, decent midrange. They fold up with hinges. The A34's are similar, with a singl headband instead of a double one. Inexpensive, semi-open, great sound, great for portables, under $30.
The link Dave posted was for the Senneiser HD-212. What's the difference? (Aside from the price.)
The HD212's is muddy and too bass heavy - not recommended. The HD201 is really bass shy, but has excellent highs for the price. The Philips HP460 has fun bass and is good closed, over the head portable headphone. I think it's now discontinued and the prices for them have been inflating because of this so I'm not sure how much you can get them right now.
The best headphone for under $50 would probably be the Koss KSC75. It's not really what you're looking for since they're earclips and open, but they are a bargain at $15-20 and are darn close in sound quality to offerings by Sennheiser, AKG and Grado in the $50-100 range.
Buy: