A noob's reviews of cheap headphones (warning: image heavy)

[creatip123]

After reading a few references, that cheap headphones can sound quite nice, I thought I'd write some reviews based on a noob's (me) perspective.

 

My main headphone right now is the Audio Technica ATH-TAD300, which is, although quite cheap (around $45), sounds quite nice to my ears. The frequency of the TAD300 is quite balanced, with just a little emphasize in the mids and highs. It's very clear. When listening to classic musics, I can hear almost (if not all) all of the instruments. 

 

 

Well, I got a chance to lay my hands on a few more cheap headphones, sub $40. So I thought, what the hell, I'll just do small reviews on them. Might be useful for those who are on the budget.

 

1. Clarion DJ-1000

 

 

 

Closed back, on the ear

 

Around $20-$25

 

One look, and you'd know immediately that the design is a rip-off from Pioneer HDJ-1000. Even the name is the same (minus the H). 

 

 

I've used Clarion headphones from years ago, and the first thing that caught my attention was the loudness. Man, these things are loud. Even just using my Ipad or even my old blackberry, these things pack a punch.

 

 

The other thing that I like, is the material/durability. These things sure can take a beating. I've threw it around, yanked the cable, dropped, even sat on it (well not fully sat on it), and it just keep going. No cracks, no cable problems, nothing. Just keep working on

 

A lot of beginner DJs or 'bedroom' DJs who are on the budget use these. Few of them even deliberately erased the writings, because from a distance, without the writing, these headphone could easily mistaken as the HDJ-1000

 

 

Being a DJ headphone, the DJ-1000 can be folded for easy and compact carrying. The cups can be turned 90 degrees as well, for 1 ear monitoring. It have coiled cable that is thick and durable (like I said, accidentally yanked it a few times, and still keeps on going). The pad is covered in synthetic leather that is also thick and durable. I've used one of these for a few years, and not a single tear on the leather.

 

The minus point physically, at least for me, is that it's on-ear, not over the ear. So prolonged use can be quite torturing for the earlobes. Can be a plus though, for people looking for street-use headphones, as it doesn't completely block the environment sounds. Although the loudness of this headphone could easily drown the environment sounds.

 

 

The sound is quite nice. For a DJ headphone, the bass is good (obviously), the mids are surprisingly good. The highs, not so much, though. I also noticed that, compared to the TAD300, the DJ-1000 sounds like 'behind the veil'. It's hard for me to describe. For example, when I'm playing a song, it sounds like the singer is singing behind a veil between me and the singer. Not far away, but still there is like a 'gap' between me and the sound. With the TAD300, the musics are right inside and around my ears. I don't know what it's called, but that's the best way I can describe it though.

 

 

Conclusion:

 

Good for people who wants a pair of cheap headphone that sounds decent, looks nice, and don't have to worry too much about breaking them. Honestly, I have not found any headphones in this price range that have the same loudness and durability. Good bang for bucks. Not the best sound quality in it's price range, but the DJ-1000 makes up with the durability. These pair will serve you for years to come. Also, good if you want to give to kids, kid brother, niece, etc, because of the durability.

 

[creatip123]

2. "OEM" Sennheiser HD598

 

 

 

Open back type, over the ear

 

Around $35 (!!)

 

Found this at a store. The seller described it as 'OEM products, coming from original factory, using original materials'. But just one look at the price, $35 vs $300 (price in my country), spells 1 word: 'fake'. Got curious, and went in the store to test the headphone.

 

Tested with my Ipad. First impression, the sound was decent, but can't get to a high volume level, even at max volume at Ipad. Looking at the spec, it said 50 ohms. So I suspect that my Ipad wasn't strong enough to drive this headphone. But still, curiosity killed the cat. So I made a deal with the seller, that I'd buy this, take it home to test on my PC, because perhaps it would sound better with the right impedance. If turns out I still don't like it, I can exchange it with other types/brands. If I exchange it with cheaper type, the seller won't have to give me back the price difference. I know it's a bad deal, considering amazon would do it without any charge, but still it's the best I could come up with.

 

 

Well, visually (without touching), this headphone looks almost exactly like the original counterpart. But right after you touch it, you'd know right away. This headphone is very light. I know light is good, but this is too light. Might be a plus though, if you plan to carry it around or on the streets. The material is very plasticky all around. Although I've never laid my hands on the original, but common sense told me there's no way the original one use this kind of material (which the store claims to be). 

 

 

Another thing is the cable. If I understand correctly, the original one comes with a 6.3mm plug cable, with a 6.3mm to 3.5mm adapter included. Well, this one comes with 3.5mm to 3.5mm. 

 

 

On with the test then. Adjusted the headband to fit my head, and surprisingly, they are VERY comfortable. Just the right tension, with comfortable furry-like ear pads that feels very soft to the skin. Even the padding in the top headband is very comfortable. I could easily wear this for continuous hours.

 

So, I setup my Xonar DG's headphone amp to '>64 ohms', and fired up foobar. The sound really got better, compared to my Ipad. The sound is clear enough, and don't have that 'behind the veil' feeling I got from the Clarion (post above). 

 

To my disappointment though, the frequency curve is quite weird. It got a narrow range of very loud mid frequencies. So loud, it drowns the other frequencies. Don't get me wrong, by no means the sound is crap (considering the price), but still, not my cup of tea. I'm sure some people would love it though, as it really brings forward the vocal in songs. Audiophile pop songs (like Susan Wong's) sound quite good on this headphone. But for classic musics, where they have instruments on various frequencies....meh.....

 

Tried playing a song, listened with my TAD300 first, then paused in the middle, and switch to the HD598. Some instruments actually went 'missing', while the vocal suddenly got louder. Well, just not my cup of tea.

 

 

Tried tweaking the equalizer in Xonar's application, and the sound got better. But still, couldn't get it to sound to my liking. It's a shame, as I really like the comfort of wearing this. I really can picture myself wearing this for hours (playing games, or watching movies, etc) comfortably. 

 

So I've decided that this is not for me, and I'm gonna exchange this with another type/brand.

 

Conclusion:

 

 

If comfort is your main concern, then get one of these. Seriously, they are very very comfortable. Also, if you prefer popping out vocals, than get these. But other than that, go for other pairs.

[creatip123]

3. Sony MDR D333ML

 

 

 

Closed back, over the ear

 

Around $27

 

Following the story of the OEM HD598 above, I went back to the store to exchange it. Tried the Pioneer HDJ-1000, which to my surprise, got very good mids and highs, not a common trait for 'DJ headphones'. After that, tried this one, the Sony MDR D333ML, and found that this one actually sounds better on my Ipad. My thought was, 'ok for a fake pair, this actually sounds decent'. My common sense was, there's no way Sony have a full-sized headphone for under $30. So I exchanged the HD598 to this one (losing around $8 ), and brought it home.

 

 

Physically, I actually despise (beyond dislike) the skin on this. It's covered with those thin layer of synthetic rubber thing. Visually, it looks good and elegant, but I know for sure that it will only take a relatively short period of time before the rubber skin starts to peel off. 

 

 

It's foldable for compact carrying, and the cups can be turned 90 degrees. One small feature that I like though, is that the pivot joint is spring-loaded. When you turn it 90 degrees, and then let it go, it will return to its original position. A feature that I may not take advantage at all, but still nice to know it's there.

 

 

The ear pads are covered in thin synthetic material. I'm also afraid that the material won't resist tears for long. Well, just have to wait and see. The pad in the headband is also surprisingly thin. 

 

But, as it turned out, it's quite comfortable to wear. Although not as comfortable as the HD598, but certainly more comfortable than the DJ-1000. My only problem is my sweaty ears, because it's full-sized closed-back, it's like a mini sauna for my ears. Tried it with gaming, and found myself taking it off periodically, just to cool my ears. 

 

 

One more thing I like, is the design of the cups. It's shaped like a reversed water drop. Quite sleek and stylish on the eyes. 

 

Well, what about the sound then? This is the most surprising part. The sound is WONDERFUL!! I tried it in the store before, where people were passing by, and the store owner breathing down my neck, so I couldn't get a real sense of what I'm hearing. Back at my PC, Tried it with some musics and games, and wow....just wow....

 

The sound is very clear. Although it's labeled as 'XB Powerful Bass Blast', the bass is very smooth and not overpowering. I can still hear the mids and the highs very clearly. Tried it with classical musics, as well as slow pops, the sound came out terrific. Even with technos, the bass is still not overpowering, just the right amount.

 

The sounds come out a little echo-ey and reverby, probably because of the closed back dome type cups. Some musics actually sound better with the reverb. 

 

It have different sound characteristic compared to my TAD300, where the TAD300 tends to be balanced across the frequencies, while the D333 tends to pop out some range of frequencies in the low range, mid range, and high range. The TAD300 tends to be an all-arounder, while the D333 seems to be better when playing some types of music. 

 

To be honest, if I found this D333 before I found (and fell in love with) the TAD300, I would have chosen this as my main headphone. I got curious about how much power it can handle, so I setup for the loudest sound my PC can put out. Set the Xonar's amp to '>64 ohms' (although in the spec, the D333 is only 24 ohms), max windows volume, max foobar volume. Another surprise in stock, it got VERY loud, but no crackling noises. All sounds are still in perfect condition. By 'VERY loud' meaning I can take it off and put it on my desk, and enjoy the music like a mobile phone's speaker. Even put on my desk, I can still hear the vocal very clearly, even the highs like cymbal and stuffs. 

 

 

Funny thing is, when I google this one, I only got hits from Asia countries (I'm from Asia myself), namely from China (no surprise ), Malaysia, Phillippine, Vietnam, etc. There are no western/international webstores that carry these. Strange for me, fakes usually have an original (and usually quite good selling) counterparts, right? After experiencing the awesomeness of the sound, I suspect that this is indeed a real Sony product (not fakes). Perhaps cheap lines that only got distributed in Asia? Maybe they skimped on the materials to cut the retail price.

 

Conclusion:

 

 

For the price ($27), this is by far the best headphone I have ever found. If you ever found this one at a store or online stores, DO NOT hesitate, get a pair immediately!! Maybe try searching in ebay. You will not be disappointed (considering the price), this I guarantee you.

 

 

So, taking all into account, this is the order of my preference:

 

1. Audio Technica ATH-TAD300 - all-arounder, good for almost anything. Too bad it's kind of plasticky, with cheap thin line of cable, because it's from the cheaper lines of product from Audio Technica.

 

2. Sony MDR D333ML - on some types of music (like techno), this is actually better than the TAD300. The reverby characteristic can be a plus or a minus, depending on your preference.

 

3. Clarion DJ-1000 - Bad 'behind the veil' sound characteristic, but the loudness is awesome, and the durability of this thing is superb. Good for outdoor use

 

4. "OEM" Sennheiser HD598 - Least favorable for me, due to its strange frequency curve. The only plus is the comfortability, which is superb

[dragosudeki]

I probably took a space for something I would like you to do... But how about a conclusion to summarize the pros and cons against each headphone?

[MxRider9637]

I probably took a space for something I would like you to do... But how about a conclusion to summarize the pros and cons against each headphone?

I like his idea ^^^^

[creatip123]

I probably took a space for something I would like you to do... But how about a conclusion to summarize the pros and cons against each headphone?

 

Noted. Good idea.

[creatip123]

Hi, I know this thread is supposed to be my personal reviews of cheap headphones, but recently I got me a pair of amazing cheap IEM, and gosh it sounds wonderful for the price. So I thought, I'll just put the review here. 

 

Phrodi Pod M201

 

 

 

Handsfree IEM for smartphones

 

Around $15

 

Ok, who have heard of the brand 'Phrodi'? I'll honestly be amazed if any of you guys answered 'yes'. It's a generic brand from....yep you guessed it, China. 

 

Specifically, the M201 here is originally a 'handsfree' IEM for smartphone. At this point I'm sure there are a lot of rotten eggs and tomatoes flying my way. What the heck?!?! A smartphone handsfree?!?!

 

 

Well, that's exactly what I originally thought, what can I expect from a smartphone handsfree? I have a pair of Blackberry handsfree, and a pair of Ipad handsfree, and they sound....meh.... OK sound, but nothing more.

 

But this thing is a shock. I'm actually amazed by the sound. The sound is something I'd expect from a $50 up IEMs. It got very clear mids and highs, with good separation of the frequencies. And the sound is amazing, very clear all through the frequencies. The bass is a little lacking, which is somewhat strange for IEMs. It's not without bass at all, just a little small.

 

To put it into perspective, played with my Ipad, with flat EQ:

 

- Most pop songs have pop-out vocals and highs, a little lack of bass. Some songs even put out 'hurting' highs

- On the floor by J-lo and pitbull sounds balanced, which should be too much bass and lack of highs

- Once in a lifetime by Princessa also sounds nice

* I know it's different between various versions of recordings, but at least that's the impression I got.

 

 

It got a flat cable, which is a nice touch, to reduce the tangling problems commonly found when carrying IEMs around. With 1.2m cord length, it's just about right, not too long nor too short for portable use.

 

 

It got grooves on the unit, to 'hook' into the ear-lobes. The grooves are another fine touch. When it's hooked, the unit stays on ear firmly, and won't come loose by moving around. 

 

 

 

Being a handsfree, it got a mic with a touch button. When I plug it in my Ipad, and playing a song, the button acts as 'pause-play' button. I'd imagine in smartphones, it'd also acts as 'call-disconnect' button. The plug is the typical handsfree plug, with 3 rings or 4 polarities. The unit came with an adapter for smartphones that got reversed ground polarity, like in some android phones (along with 2 more sizes of rubber tips).

 

 

It got the words 'ME' and 'YOU' imprinted. I'd imagine, this is just to get extra points on 'cuteness'

 

 

I happen to have a pair of comply foam tips lying around. I plugged them to the IEM, and I'm amazed and shocked the 2nd time. The sound characteristic actually changed with the comply foam tips installed. 

 

The bass got raised to the 'right' level. Overall frequencies got toned down a bit, so when I'm playing songs that are originally have 'hurting' highs, now the highs sound just about right. The sound is now warmer and more solid compared to the stock rubber tips. To my surprise, there are even some reverbs to the sound. Lighthouse Family's 'High' sounds extremely good with the foam tips installed. Now, this pair sounds absolutely amazing, and I'm sure if I give them to people to try it out, they'd say that this is absolutely a $50 up IEM, maybe even $100 up. 

 

Conclusion:

 

So overall, I'd absolutely recommend this IEM, if you can find these at your local store. Together with the comply foam tips, it's still under $20. You'd get your bang for bucks with this IEM. I'm pretty sure there aren't many other IEM that sounds better with this price. Edit: Amazon carries this IEM now. Just search for Phrodi

[creatip123]

Ok, the following post is not a review at all, but a short story of my experience a few days ago.

 

So I was looking to buy the Audio Technica ATH AD700 headphone, and my search landed me on a headphone store in a mall/shopping center. The store was run by a group of VERY friendly young guys and gals. They carry a wide variety of brands, from cheaps to highends

 

Too bad they don't have any stock of the AD700 (it's discontinued, but I'm just hoping I can find an old store stock somewhere), but they offered me to try out various other brands. So I sat there in the store, trying some middle-end headphones (because I told them my budget is under $200), from Marshall to Denon, from JBL to Vmoda (yeah I know the Vmoda is more than $200, but they still offered me anyway). I couldn't find anything to suit my upgrade from the ATH TAD300, some are too bassy, some have hurting highs, etc. So we just sat there and chat around.

 

Then he offered me to visit his other store (in the same mall) that carries high-end products. They got a separate testing corner, with tube amps and stuffs. He offered me to try out the Audeze LCD 2. Why not, right? So I sat in the chair, he showed me how to operate the media player, and left me to fiddle around. 

 

I found a Chinese audiophile album in the media player, and played it. The song I chose was a slow rhumba song, started with a single violin with vocal. Then the other instruments played in, and WOW.....just WOW.... I believe I have just experienced an eargasm, or at least came pretty close to one!! The instruments were so clear, warm, and natural. It felt like I was actually there, in the recording studio. listening to them playing the instruments. Literally every hairs on my arms were standing right at that moment, and I got shivers on the back of my neck. That was some crazy sh*ts I heard there. I literally dared not lay back and close my eyes, because I know for sure I'd drift away, and forgot where I was (which is rude, considering I'm in a stranger's store for the 1st time ). I'm just glad I was not drunk that day, or I'd impulse bought that LCD2 for sure....

 

After some time, I took off the Audeze and chat with the guy some more. I asked him, how much influence does the peripherals (tube amp, etc) in the testing booth play parts in the awesome sound quality I just heard. He explained the peripherals, which is a bookshelf media player, a bookshelf DAC, and a tube amp (which later I found out, the total things in the testing booth sum up to more than $10.000!!) Then we took the LCD2 and plugged it into my Ipad, with a Fiio amp in between. Holee sheet, now I know that a DAC (or perhaps the tube amp) play a significant part in sound quality. The LCD2 sounded nice, but not amazing on my Ipad+Fiio. Nothing extremely special, and absolutely different compared to when I tried it on earlier, on their testing booth setup. 

 

The guy said that there are even few people that regularly visit their store, just to spend some time on their testing booth, listening to the Audeze. Some of them could even go for hours on their testing booth. 

 

Well, we chat around, and that's when he offered me the Phrodi IEM I reviewed above, which sounds amazing compared to the price, so I bought a pair. Now the other guy in the store saw me buying the IEM, and he offered me to try out a brand of IEM. So we hooked it up to his portable media player, and I chose Celine Dion's 'To Love You More'. Holee sheet, I got my second eargasm!!! It literally felt like Celine was standing right where I'm standing, and the instruments are circling me in 360 degrees!! I couldn't believe my ears. Certainly not what I expected from a pair of IEM. The song actually got dimension, and it felt like I could really pinpoint which instrument is which direction. Maybe you think I'm exaggerating, but that's what I experienced. 

 

I'm not sure what was the exact type of IEM he had me try out, but I think it's this one:

 

 

Website: www.fitear.jp

 

They sell it for around $2500 (yep, it's not a typo, 2 and a half grand), and judging by the sound I experienced 1st hand, I can totally understand if some audiophile mania would want to buy these.

 

Well, I was literally afraid of getting poisoned more and more by the products they carry, so I decided to head home shortly after that.

 

For people in my country (Indonesia), or happen to visit here, I absolutely recommend you guys to visit the store. The guys and gals are very friendly, and they don't mind to chat around with you for a long time (while there are many other stores that the guys just put on sour faces if you ask too much, or stay too long, or don't buy anything worth their while. I know first hand ). Here is the store's website: http://www.headfoniastore.com/

 

* this is not an advertisement, this is just my personal opinion as a very satisfied customer. I'm not in any way personally related to this store.

[ShearMe]

Next time you return to Headphonia (Because we all know you will), See if they've got a 598 you can listen to and compare with the "OEM" version you previously had.

[Dragonzeanse]

I honestly had to laugh at the "OEM" Sennheiser HD 598. You meant to tell me a headphone store was actually selling a counterfeit Sennheiser? I can only imagine they aren't an authorized reseller.

[Shaoty]

The material on the "598"  pads doesn't even look right to me, the colouring and just how fluffy they are in one of those pics. Seems legit, I'd be kinda worried if this store didn't know they were counterfeit at that price.

[Dragonzeanse]

The material on the "598"  pads doesn't even look right to me, the colouring and just how fluffy they are in one of those pics. Seems legit, I'd be kinda worried if this store didn't know they were counterfeit at that price.

Having seen the 598s in person, I can confirm that that OEM texture is far too cheap-looking. It looks patchy, more like carpet and less like velour. Not that you'd really know if you didn't actually see them in person.

[creatip123]

Next time you return to Headphonia (Because we all know you will), See if they've got a 598 you can listen to and compare with the "OEM" version you previously had.

 

Will do. I asked for it that day, but they ran out of 598, so they had me try out the HD 600. The 600 actually have all the characteristics I'm looking for, good clarity and separation, balanced frequencies. Too bad, it's way over budget, it's $500+ in the store

 

 

I honestly had to laugh at the "OEM" Sennheiser HD 598. You meant to tell me a headphone store was actually selling a counterfeit Sennheiser? I can only imagine they aren't an authorized reseller.

 

I bought the first 3 headphones in an electronic store, where they sell various electronics, along with those headphones. So it's not a 'specialty' audio store or something like that. Many stores carry fakes in my country. Usually they put the words 'OEM', or 'Grade A', etc, to give people some hints (although people would still know right away, from the prices). 

[creatip123]

Next time you return to Headphonia (Because we all know you will), See if they've got a 598 you can listen to and compare with the "OEM" version you previously had.

 

Tried the HD598 (the real one ) yesterday. Surprisingly, it really got that mid-range curve, like the fake one. Of course it sounded a lot more better in terms of quality compared to the fake one. But yeah, not my cup of tea. Good for vocal emphasize, but drowns a bit of ambient instruments in the background. If I have the dollar and had to choose, I'd definitely go for the HD600 over the HD598...

[ShearMe]

Tried the HD598 (the real one ) yesterday. Surprisingly, it really got that mid-range curve, like the fake one. Of course it sounded a lot more better in terms of quality compared to the fake one. But yeah, not my cup of tea. Good for vocal emphasize, but drowns a bit of ambient instruments in the background. If I have the dollar and had to choose, I'd definitely go for the HD600 over the HD598...

 

Hmm, that makes me wanna try them out for myself....

 

So many headphones to buy, so little money to do so!  :angry:

[creatip123]

Hmm, that makes me wanna try them out for myself....

 

So many headphones to buy, so little money to do so!  :angry:

 

It's lucky that I found the audio store I was talking about, where they have lots of demo units. It's like candy stores for adults there

 

BTW, just found out not long ago, that the store I was talking about, is the same as the review website, headfonia.com.

[Valhallatier]

wait,..... Indonesia? WHERE???

[creatip123]

wait,..... Indonesia? WHERE???

 

Lol, wait a while, I'm opening a new thread about this store. Like the one post in another thread (http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/142176-so-i-went-to-a-hifi-store-d/), when we found a good store with good service, we should support it to keep it in business...

[creatip123]

wait,..... Indonesia? WHERE???

 

Done writing. The thread is here: http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/147249-candy-store-for-audio-manias/

[koteka]

hi creatip123 i really like your review on the phrodi m201. just bought the iem recently and in your review you said that the phrodi m201 just get the "right" sound when you chenge the tips with comply. can you tell me which type of the comply to suit this iem? thanks in advance

[creatip123]

hi creatip123 i really like your review on the phrodi m201. just bought the iem recently and in your review you said that the phrodi m201 just get the "right" sound when you chenge the tips with comply. can you tell me which type of the comply to suit this iem? thanks in advance

 

The one I use is the T-500.

[Manny Calavera]

Holy balls so you need 10 grand (+ headset) for perfect sound?

Well, im just gonna wait for graphene headphones.