Good Headphone Recommendations

[Rthorne435]

I am looking for good gaming headphones that cost 100-200$. I am buying a Blue Snowflake so I would prefer that the headphones are not equipped with a mic. I would prefer the headphones to be black/blue in color. I am looking for headphones with very good sound. I don't care much about features. I will also not be using an amp or dac. Thanks for any help.

[Izaya Orihara]

How about the Sony MDR 1R's? I like mine. 

Also they are smexy. 

[Guest Kloaked]

How about the Sony MDR 1R's? I like mine. 

Also they are smexy. 

 

How comfortable are those for you?

[Izaya Orihara]

How comfortable are those for you?

That will differ from head to head but I think that they are comfy.

[Thebman712]

custom one pros

[NannerBeans]

What kind of headphones are you looking for? open or close? Neutral or fun (v-curved)?

[Rthorne435]

I have actually decided to buy some VMODA crossfade lp2's and also a dac/amp combo from mayflower. Here are the links:

Heaphones:http://v-moda.com/crossfade-lp2-matte-black-metal/

dac/amp:https://www.mayflowerelectronics.com/shop/digital-to-analog-converters/objective2-odac-combo-with-rear-power/

 

I am also getting the add-on mic from VMODA as I will be gaming and it has great audio quality and costs less than a Snowflake.

[RAGINRICKY]

i got picked up the Bose AE2's for about 130$. first off the color is white and grey, i am pretty sure you can get them in black and silver too, and have a sleek and simple design. the comfort is the biggest pro of these headphones, they are over the ear and have a lot of cushion, altogether have amazing comfort. although the headband may hurt every once in a while, i seem to not notice all that often. the sound quality is also very good. i  have never used a studio- grade pair of headphones but from what i can tell, the high's, mid's, and low's are very balanced, just not too much bass. the sound output isnt high either meaning if you wana go deaf in 2 hours, you wont, but i could still play BF4 on my PS4 and still hear footsteps and shots just fine. the connector is just a simple 3.5 mm so you can use them with practically anything. i find these to be a good 130$ pair of headphones.  but i want to mention i brought these with music first and then gaming so don't expect the most imersive gaming experience ever. despite the low amount of bass and noise output, i'd highly recommend this set of headphones. Also did i mention that these are Bose? 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Bose%C2%AE-AE2-Audio-Headphones-White/dp/B0091EBU28/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1402448959&sr=8-4&keywords=bose+ae2

[ShearMe]

I have actually decided to buy some VMODA crossfade lp2's and also a dac/amp combo from mayflower. Here are the links:

Heaphones:http://v-moda.com/crossfade-lp2-matte-black-metal/

dac/amp:https://www.mayflowerelectronics.com/shop/digital-to-analog-converters/objective2-odac-combo-with-rear-power/

 

I am also getting the add-on mic from VMODA as I will be gaming and it has great audio quality and costs less than a Snowflake.

 

Is there any way to convince you to not do that?

[Lays]

I have actually decided to buy some VMODA crossfade lp2's and also a dac/amp combo from mayflower. Here are the links:

Heaphones:http://v-moda.com/crossfade-lp2-matte-black-metal/

dac/amp:https://www.mayflowerelectronics.com/shop/digital-to-analog-converters/objective2-odac-combo-with-rear-power/

 

I am also getting the add-on mic from VMODA as I will be gaming and it has great audio quality and costs less than a Snowflake.

 

 

PLEASE do not do that, that is a horrible price to performance match-up.

 

I would recommend something like the HD650, with a cheaper amp+dac, then upgrade that later if you feel like it.

Other options: he-400, fidelio x1, Dt990, t50rp v3 or hd600 if you want a more balanced alternative than the HD650's. 

 

All of those options would sound miles better than the LP's, and you would have big expandability in the future.

[Guest]

Yeah, definitely an imbalance in amp/DAC and headphones. You should really consider getting good headphones first and only adding an amp and maybe a DAC if they are required.

[NannerBeans]

Also did i mention that these are Bose? 

Most of us here don't actually care too much about Bose. They make ok-ish products and then overcharge for them. The AE2 seems to be extremely popular though so it's probably one of their better offerings. Haven't listened to them myself so can't say for sure. 

[Rthorne435]

PLEASE do not do that, that is a horrible price to performance match-up.

 

I would recommend something like the HD650, with a cheaper amp+dac, then upgrade that later if you feel like it.

Other options: he-400, fidelio x1, Dt990, t50rp v3 or hd600 if you want a more balanced alternative than the HD650's. 

 

All of those options would sound miles better than the LP's, and you would have big expandability in the future.

Are there any options under 300$ that you could recommend?

[Rthorne435]

Also, are there any good 100-200$ amps? I am thinking about getting the Sennheiser HD558 headphones and I might get an amp as well.

[Guest]

Also, are there any good 100-200$ amps? I am thinking about getting the Sennheiser HD558 headphones and I might get an amp as well.

 

HD 558 don't really need an amp. A Fiio E10K when it comes out later wouldn't hurt if you just gotta have one.

[Lays]

Are there any options under 300$ that you could recommend?

 

 

I think personally I'd get used HD650's from amazon/ebay/ head-fi's classifieds. (I'm partial to warmer sound signatures)

 

When it comes to used high-end headphones, people usually take very good care of them, and they're practically in like-new condition, with maybe a few small scratches on the paint.

 

If you don't want used, something like the fidelio x1, or the mayflower fostex T50RP v3.

 (Both of which are extremely comfortable according to reviews + friends I know that own them)

 

Both have great presence in all 3 ranges, with great bass.

 

You can also look into this:

http://www.razordogaudio.com/collections/headphones/products/hifiman-he-400-planar-driver-over-the-ear-headphone-1

 

really good deal for 250$ imo, a few friends of mine have them and love them to death, apparently they're great for dubstep & electronic music.

 

 

The he-500 is a bit more balanced then the 400, I had the 500's for about 2 weeks, and I quite enjoyed my listening time with them, but unfortunately they weren't the same as the LCD-2's I have been chasing after for awhile, so I returned the he-500's to buy LCD-2's

instead.

If the he-400 is anything like the 500, which it apparently is, you'll really enjoy it.  The bass is quite fun and exciting, it has a LOT of impact without sacrificing the rest of the music.

[Rthorne435]

I think personally I'd get used HD650's from amazon/ebay/ head-fi's classifieds. (I'm partial to warmer sound signatures)

 

When it comes to used high-end headphones, people usually take very good care of them, and they're practically in like-new condition, with maybe a few small scratches on the paint.

 

If you don't want used, something like the fidelio x1, or the mayflower fostex T50RP v3.

 (Both of which are extremely comfortable according to reviews + friends I know that own them)

 

Both have great presence in all 3 ranges, with great bass.

 

You can also look into this:

http://www.razordogaudio.com/collections/headphones/products/hifiman-he-400-planar-driver-over-the-ear-headphone-1

 

really good deal for 250$ imo, a few friends of mine have them and love them to death, apparently they're great for dubstep & electronic music.

 

 

The he-500 is a bit more balanced then the 400, I had the 500's for about 2 weeks, and I quite enjoyed my listening time with them, but unfortunately they weren't the same as the LCD-2's I have been chasing after for awhile, so I returned the he-500's to buy LCD-2's

instead.

If the he-400 is anything like the 500, which it apparently is, you'll really enjoy it.  The bass is quite fun and exciting, it has a LOT of impact without sacrificing the rest of the music.

Thanks for the recommendations. I listen to mainly electro/dubstep music and play a lot of video games. Right now I guess i'm choosing between the Fostex t50rp v3's, sennheiser hd558's, and he-400's.

[Lays]

Thanks for the recommendations. I listen to mainly electro/dubstep music and play a lot of video games. Right now I guess i'm choosing between the Fostex t50rp v3's, sennheiser hd558's, and he-400's.

 

 

IMO the v3 + 400 are better in terms of sound quality, reading a few reviews online people say the 400 is a definite upgrade from the 598's, which are somewhat similar to the 558 from what I can tell from looking at freq. curves. ( they look nearly identical )

 

The bass on the v3 & 400 for dubstep will most certainly have much more impact, depth, and overall "quality" to it, while not sacrificing anything else in return.

It may also add a more realistic feel to games, when explosions & lower-end noises are in the gameplay.

[Rthorne435]

IMO the v3 + 400 are better in terms of sound quality, reading a few reviews online people say the 400 is a definite upgrade from the 598's, which are somewhat similar to the 558 from what I can tell from looking at freq. curves. ( they look nearly identical )

 

The bass on the v3 & 400 for dubstep will most certainly have much more impact, depth, and overall "quality" to it, while not sacrificing anything else in return.

It may also add a more realistic feel to games, when explosions & lower-end noises are in the gameplay.

 

I am leaning towards the v3's. Do you think they will sound fine on a computer without a sound card? I don't really have the money to get an amp or dac unless the cost isn't much. I'm also going to purchase a modmic 4.0 so I can talk in-game.

[Lays]

I am leaning towards the v3's. Do you think they will sound fine on a computer without a sound card? I don't really have the money to get an amp or dac unless the cost isn't much. I'm also going to purchase a modmic 4.0 so I can talk in-game.

 

Yeah they'll sound fine for sure.  If they sound messed up, buying a cheap dac + amp will fix your issues.  ( anything from 25-50$ is perfectly fine )

 

@MayflowerElectronics are you here?  or @NannerBeans how do the v3's sound off onboard? ( if it's not plagued by artifacting + other issues that onboard suffers from sometimes)

[Rthorne435]

Yeah they'll sound fine for sure.  If they sound messed up, buying a cheap dac + amp will fix your issues.  ( anything from 25-50$ is perfectly fine )

 

Sounds cool (pun intended). Do you know what size the jack is? I'll just buy a 3.5mm cord if there isn't one in the package. Also, thanks for all of your input. It helped a ton.

[MayflowerElectronics]

Yeah they'll sound fine for sure.  If they sound messed up, buying a cheap dac + amp will fix your issues.  ( anything from 25-50$ is perfectly fine )

 

@MayflowerElectronics are you here?  or @NannerBeans how do the v3's sound off onboard? ( if it's not plagued by artifacting + other issues that onboard suffers from sometimes)

 

Entirely depends on what motherboard he has. If it's something fairly new he should be fine. Amps are not 100% necessary, but a good upgrade later down the road.

[Lays]

Sounds cool (pun intended). Do you know what size the jack is? I'll just buy a 3.5mm cord if there isn't one in the package. Also, thanks for all of your input. It helped a ton.

 

 

The cable on the v3's is 6.3mm, (1/4") but they have an adapter you can buy along with em.

[Rthorne435]

Entirely depends on what motherboard he has. If it's something fairly new he should be fine. Amps are not 100% necessary, but a good upgrade later down the road.

 

I have an ASRock H97 Pro4 LGA 1150 Intel H97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s Intel Motherboard

[Lays]

I have an ASRock H97 Pro4 LGA 1150 Intel H97 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s Intel Motherboard

 

 

I'd think it'd be alright then, if you have any issues get something like this:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Syba-Stereo-Headphone-Amplifier-SD-DAC63057/dp/B009WN7QT4