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Over-Ear Headphones

SSL

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How to Allocate a Budget

Under $200: Get the headphone you want.
Under $1000: Get the headphone you want and an amp.
$1000 and up: Get the headphone you want and split the difference between an amp and DAC.

If on a tight budget: only buy a DAC if your onboard has issues; only buy a soundcard if you want the software features.


Make Any Headphone Into a Headset
One of the most popular options is the Antlion Modmic. This will work with any headphones, but, they run about 50$, and can create messy cable set ups. Avalible with or without a mic mute switch.
http://www.amazon.com/Antlion-Audio-ModMic-Attachable-Microphone/dp/B00T6XUL8S/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1454077901&sr=8-6&keywords=boompro

 

Another great option is the V-Moda BoomPro Mic. This one is only 30$, and only has one cable to the headphones. However, it will only work out of the box on headphones with a removable 3.5mm cable. It also has an in line volume control pod and mic mute switch. 3.5mm to 2.5mm TRRS adapters are available to expand compatibility options.
http://www.amazon.com/V-MODA-BoomPro-Gaming-Headset-Headphone/dp/B00BJ17WKK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1454077901&sr=8-1&keywords=boompro

 

Finally, some headphone can be converted into a fully wirless headset using the BTunes BlueTooth headset adapter. A model compatible with the popular Sennheiser HD5x8 family of headphones is available.


$50

Spoiler

CLOSED

Monoprice 8323
Surprisingly low distortion for a headphone in the price range, these have decent build quality, a removable cable, and fold for easy transport. While the sound is hardly amazing, it is a cut above most headphones in the price range and would make a beater headphone for gaming or taking on the go.

Superlux HD668B (semi-open)
Distinctly V-shaped sound signature. Lots of treble, mid-bass boost. Not recommended if sharp highs are an issue. Removable (male on headphones) 3.5mm cables, not compatible with boompro without an adapter.

Superlux HD681 (semi-open)
Very balanced sound for the price, though still slightly bright. Non removable cable.

Superlux HD-681 EVO
Nice bass-head headphones on the cheap, though lacking sub-bass extension. Craptastic upper-mids. Removable (male on headphones) 3.5mm cable, not compatible with boompro without an adapter.

 

$100

Spoiler

OPEN:

Sennheiser HD 558
Good intro to "audiophile" open-back headphones. Balanced sound with slight mid-bass emphasis. Good soundstage. Removable 3.5mm cable, compatible with V-Moda Boompro mic with minor modification.

Philips SHP9500
Open-back, similar to HD 558 with slightly brighter treble. Lacks removable pads. Removable 3.5mm cables, compatible with boompro mic.

Audio-Technica ATH AD500X
Good soundstage for gaming, very open. Lacks some extension on the low end. Non removable cable.

Takstar HI2050
Baby DT880. Slightly less resolving and slightly lower quality, but otherwise an excellent value. Sound is fairly flat, tending bright. Non-removable 3.5mm cable.

 

CLOSED:

NVX XPT100
Good isolation and comfort. Good sound for the price. Includes angled and flat pads. Removable 3.5mm cable to each side, not compatible with boompro mic.

Creative Aurvana Live!
Good budget closed headphone with a balanced, slightly warm sound. Non removable cable.

Audio-Technica ATH M40X
Compact, folding, makes for good portability. Shares family sound with more expensive M50x, with slightly less bass boost. Removable 3.5mm cable, compatible with boompro mic.

Takstar Pro 80
Slightly bassy, mini Beats killer. Slightly uneven treble. Non removable cable.

Sony MDR-V6
Folding, only slightly less portable than the M40X. Lacking low bass, very even mid bass to upper midrange, but treble is on the bright side. Non-removable cable.

 

$300

Spoiler

OPEN:

Sennheiser HD 600
A very natural headphone. Comfortable, great for vocals, but lacking in some bass extension. Soundstage is decent but not particularly wide. Cables are 2 sided (some might actually like this) with 6.35mm plug.

HiFiMan HE-400S
THE entry level planar. Similar to HD 600 in sound, easier to drive. Typical mediocre HiFiMan build quality. Removable cable, incompatible with boompro mic.

Philips Fidelio X2
Easy to drive, fun souding and very comfortable. Sacrifices true bass extension for a mid-bass boost; combined with a sparkly treble peak, this makes it less neutral than other headphones in the price range. Single-sided removable cable with 3.5mm plug.

Beyerdynamic DT880 Pro
Taught, punchy bass, uncolored mids, somewhat tizzy treble. Non removable 3.5mm cable.

Beyerdynamic DT990 Pro
Emphasis on the bass and trebble, lacking somewhat in the highs. The pads are huge oversized velour pads which make for a comfortable headphone but somewhat oversized design. Non removable 3.5mm cable.

AKG K7XX
Combines excellent soundstage with deep bass extension and treble clarity. Reasonably neutral, tending warm. Treble may not appeal to everyone, along with a lack of mid-bass lushness.

 

CLOSED:

V-Moda Crossfade M-100
A highly durable, collapsible portable perfect for bassheads. Bass extends deep and is well-controlled, making it a good match for Hip-hop, Rap, and Electronic. Due to small stock pads, benefits from the XL pads, purchased separately. Laid-back mids are less ideal for vocals. Removable 3.5mm cable, compatible with boompro mic.

Beyerdynamic Custom One Pro Plus
Adjustable bass sliders that actually work. Goes from near-basshead material to fairly neutral. A good substitute for the ATH-M50X when on sale. Removable 3.5mm cable, compatible with boompro mic.

Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro (80 or 250)
The headphone that should be hyped instead of the ATH-M50X. Broadly similar V-shape to the M50X with more treble and less boosted bass. Excellent soundstage for a closed headphone. High comfort due to velour pads. Non removable 3.5mm cable.

NAD VISO HP50
Removable 3.5mm cable, compatible with boompro mic.

AKG K553 Pro
Excellent soundstage, especially for a closed headphone. Non removable cable.

MrSpeakers Mad Dog
Lower cost closed back planars. Based of Fostex T50RP, with mods done for better comfort and sound. Slightly "fun" sound signiture, slightly darker. Luxurious lamb leather angled pads. Removable 90 degree locking 3.5mm cable. Will need a 90 degree adapter to use a boompro mic without it being sideways.

PSB M4U2
Good soundstage, thanks in part to "Roomfeel" technology. Slightly V-shaped signature; an internal amp provides a minor bass boost. Easy to drive, pads are a little small but not uncomfortable. Folds for travel. Has a 3.5mm input on both sides, with one used for input, the other used for music sharing. Supports V-Moda boompro mic. Has active noise cancellation.

PSB M4U1
Slightly cheaper version of the M4U2 without ANC or bass boost.

 

$500

Spoiler

OPEN:

HiFiMan HE-400i
No, not a "HE-400, improved". These are more like a slightly cut-down version of the HE-560 with less soundstage and a more forward mid-range. Removable two-sided 3.5mm cable.

Sennheiser HD 650
The warmer version of the HD600 with slightly larger soundstage.

Fostex TH-X00 (semi-open)
Close to the technicalities of the TH-900, with a better sound signature. Expensive, but reasonably so at $400.

 

CLOSED:

Shure SHR1540
Build quality and comfort as befits a $500 headphone. Fun, slightly U-shaped sound with good bass, without sacrificing soundstage. Removable 3.5mm cable.

Oppo PM-3
Planar bass and a fun sound in an attractive, mobile form factor. Suitable for use on the go. Well-built, with a removable single-sided 3.5mm cable.

 

$1000

Spoiler

OPEN:

HiFiMan HE-560
Extended, impactful bass, high resolving power, mediocre build quality. Suffers from a moderate peak at 4kHz. Excellent soundstage for a planar. Focus-A pads highly recommended for smoother upper midrange and moar better sound overall. Removable two-sided cable with 1/4" plug.

Koss ESP-950
Cheapo electrostat with lifetime warranty. Get it when it's on sale. Good first taste of electrostatic headphones.

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