Best ~$100 Headphones

[sinbad269]

Linus' most recent review sparked this thought process for me, and I noticed nobody else [at least recently] has asked this question.

 

I'm looking for something along the lines of the the Shure H440's, or the Audio-Technica M50's. So over-ear headphones. Preferably Open-Back, just for the superior sound-stage my current headset is open-back and I've had no complaints about thus far]. I won't be averse to Closed-Back though

I notice the H440's on Massdrop for <$90, but I'm only starting research now, and won't have the money for a while. Once I get the money, and I see something at this quality or better on Massdrop, I will probably get it [i bought an AKG P120 USB from Massdrop not long ago - hence why I'm looking for a pair of just headphones to pair with the Mic].

 

I listen to a wide variety of music, but mainly Rock. As an example, on my way home from work last night, I listened to Deftones, Justice, Breaking Benjamin and John Butler Trio in my primary playlist on shuffle. I also game quite a bit, mainly Dota 2 and BF4, but I'm not tied down to them specifically [just finished Black Flag again actually]. Essentially, I need a pair of cans that are able to handle anything I throw at them, preferably with a flat frequency response.

 

I've a headset for the time being though, that I'm reasonably happy with, so I'm in no rush.

Also, I live in Ireland, so something that's available on Amazon UK [and available on Amazon Prime - not everything is available to Ireland from the UK site, but if it's fulfilled by Amazon, it's nearly a sure bet!]. I might be persuaded go a bit over the budget, provided they're worth it.

 

I know this is a fairly subjective subject, as everyone's ears a different, and everyone wants a different experience, but I'd still like your opinions.

 

Thanks!

[DeViLzzz]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-HD280pro-Closed-Monitoring-Headphones/dp/B000065BPB

[ZetZet]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Audio-Technica-ATH-M40X-Professional-Headphones-Black/dp/B00HVLUR54/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1410686049&sr=1-1&keywords=m40x

[Manny Calavera]

Pioneer Se-A1000

[DeViLzzz]

OP when you said $100 did you mean $100 Euros?

[XYrZbest]

the ath m50s are pretty good a little over in dollars but in euros it is just under

 

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50S-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B004ZG9TMA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1411909054&sr=8-3&keywords=ath+m50

[TriBeard]

Sennheisser (sp?) HD 380 pro's are usually not too much above 100, and they sound really nice. I've been nothing but pleased with mine. If you want something super portable, they do fold, but they are still a rather large package. That being said, I don't know of any Over the ear headphones that are much better.

[sinbad269]

Thanks for the reply's guys. For some reason the notification centre wasn't showing anything [not even my post!] until now.

 

Anyway, I am living in Ireland, so Euros are my main currency, but I've become accustomed to doing basic conversions in my head from GBP [on Amazon for example] or USD [on Massdrop]. I noticed the SRH440's were on Massdrop again this week, but didn't have the money for them. Suppose I should've been straight-up and saying ~€100 budget. 

 

I'm not concerned about portability as these won't be leaving my desktop - although it would come into play if I were to go to a LAN party or something [i've a pair of Audio-Technica IEM's for music on the move ]

 

But now I'm even more confused, especially after watching a few review vids about the M40x, MDR7506 and HD280 Pro. I'm leaning more towards the M40x though, given that it's cable is removable and it comes with a straight cable, which I like more. And I'll also get a secondary cable so I can plug these into my speakers to use with my PS3.

 

 

Thanks for the response guys!

[TriBeard]

Thanks for the reply's guys. For some reason the notification centre wasn't showing anything [not even my post!] until now.

 

Anyway, I am living in Ireland, so Euros are my main currency, but I've become accustomed to doing basic conversions in my head from GBP [on Amazon for example] or USD [on Massdrop]. I noticed the SRH440's were on Massdrop again this week, but didn't have the money for them. Suppose I should've been straight-up and saying ~€100 budget. 

 

I'm not concerned about portability as these won't be leaving my desktop - although it would come into play if I were to go to a LAN party or something [i've a pair of Audio-Technica IEM's for music on the move ]

 

But now I'm even more confused, especially after watching a few review vids about the M40x, MDR7506 and HD280 Pro. I'm leaning more towards the M40x though, given that it's cable is removable and it comes with a straight cable, which I like more. And I'll also get a secondary cable so I can plug these into my speakers to use with my PS3.

 

 

Thanks for the response guys!

If you are interested in the 280 pros, the 380's are similar but most people think they sound a little better, though the 280's are still good for the price and more portable as well (though you said that wasn't a concern).

[sinbad269]

If you are interested in the 280 pros, the 380's are similar but most people think they sound a little better, though the 280's are still good for the price and more portable as well (though you said that wasn't a concern).

 

Yea I noticed the 380's. And they've been reduced to be only slightly more than the 280's! Think I've found my headphones [those massive ear-cups sold me on them - and I know Sennheiser will be top-notch sound-wise]. Let's just hope it stays there for another day or so!

 

Update - So I didn't end up having the money for the 380's, and a life cropped up in the mean time. But on the flipside, I managed to score a pair of M50x's from Massdrop. They're costing me about $140 incl. postage, which turns out to be a bit under €115. After Customs [which was never a thing if I got something via US Postal Service], it'll probably cost about €140, which is still €10 less than what they currently cost on Amazon UK.

 

So in that sense, it's still a win. But looking at the HD 380 price right now, I see I've lost out [they're currently at £88, or <€115/$140]. Damn