Looking for $40 headphone recommendation

[john01dav]

Hello,

 

I, until recently, used these (identification based solely on appearance) headphones but I have had to stop doing so because the leather has decayed away and the foam is coming out thus making them exceedingly uncomfortable. As such, I need to buy new headphones. I am looking to spend $40 -- and no more than $50 to get them.

 

I would like them to meet the following specifications (in this order of priority):

• Connect to one of these ports (USB is not an option as they will be used on Linux which has spotty driver support and on a phone)
• Durable & comfortable when I lay down and use them (The previous ones listed were perfectly comfortable to me and didn't experience any perceivable damage due to this -- the newer US$10-20 replacement I have tried is physically falling apart likely due to this)
• No more than US$50 -- preferably around US$40 or lower
• Non-noise-cancelling to allow me to hear what is going on around me
• At least as comfortable as the previous ones listed
• Others should not hear what I am listening to as much as this is possible
• No batteries (ideally they would just run off the small amount of power in the audio signal since noise cancellation is absent

I realize some of these things may be somewhat costly, but, noise cancellation is to be absent and I imagine that will bring the price down alot.

 

TL;DR I am looking for a replacement for these the same in every aspect except for the cancellation, the durability of the leather (although they lasted for a really long time), and the price.

 

Thanks in advance for any responses.

[Aereldor]

Superlux HD-681 EVO/668B. The non-EVO 681s should be even cheaper. Just be careful with them- the wiring comes apart easily.

[john01dav]

Just now, Aereldor said:

Superlux HD-681 EVO/668B. The non-EVO 681s should be even cheaper. Just be careful with them- the wiring comes apart easily.

Thanks for the recommendation. Do you have these and can confirm that they are lay-down-able? I really want to get confirmation on this because I don't want to spend US$40 just to have them break.

[TheKDub]

1st bullet point - 3.5mm audio connector.

4th bullet point - You'll likely want open back headphones if that's the case, they'll let much more exterior audio in, however they'll also let interior audio out.

 

They may not be open back, and block a fair amount of noise, but I'd suggest taking a look at the ATH-M20X or M30X, they're reasonably comfortable and sound pretty good for the money.

[john01dav]

1 minute ago, TheKDub said:

they'll let much more exterior audio in, however they'll also let interior audio out

Thanks for the information. I'll definitely look at those headphones. Is it possible to get around this with (relatively) highly directional speakers at this price range?

[TheKDub]

Just now, john01dav said:

Thanks for the information. I'll definitely look at those headphones. Is it possible to get around this with (relatively) highly directional speakers at this price range?

The speakers likely won't be of very good quality at such a low price.

[food158]

1 minute ago, john01dav said:

Thanks for the information. I'll definitely look at those headphones. Is it possible to get around this with (relatively) highly directional speakers at this price range?

Don't quote me but, maaaaaybe not.(i'm not experienced)

[food158]

14 minutes ago, Aereldor said:

Superlux HD-681 EVO/668B. The non-EVO 681s should be even cheaper. Just be careful with them- the wiring comes apart easily.

 

13 minutes ago, john01dav said:

Thanks for the recommendation. Do you have these and can confirm that they are lay-down-able? I really want to get confirmation on this because I don't want to spend US$40 just to have them break.

 

http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/superlux-hd-668b-and-hd-681-headphones-page-2#bs11UwovEruIJdMj.97 https://teksyndicate.com/videos/best-headphones-under-50-superlux-hd681-hd668b-headphones People really like these.

 

Edit: be careful with the treble on the 681 according to tek syndicate

[The1whokill5]

Are you looking for a headset or just headphones 

[john01dav]

Just now, The1whokill5 said:

Are you looking for a headset or just headphones 

headphones (no microphone)

[Aereldor]

31 minutes ago, john01dav said:

Thanks for the recommendation. Do you have these and can confirm that they are lay-down-able? I really want to get confirmation on this because I don't want to spend US$40 just to have them break.

Lie on your back or on your stomach. Lying on your side with headphones is generally a bad idea, and that's what earbuds are for. Don't fall asleep with them, or you'll probably break them.

[john01dav]

Just now, Aereldor said:

Lie on your back or on your stomach. Lying on your side with headphones is generally a bad idea, and that's what earbuds are for. Don't fall asleep with them, or you'll probably break them.

I'm not disputing, just curious: what makes it a bad idea (headphone or ear damage?). I never fall asleep with them. The issue with laying on my back or stomach is that I find it gets quite uncomfortable fairly quickly. Also, from what I have heard, earbuds are absolutely terrible for ones ears both due to pressure and due to being even closer than headphones.

[Aereldor]

3 minutes ago, john01dav said:

I'm not disputing, just curious: what makes it a bad idea (headphone or ear damage?). I never fall asleep with them. The issue with laying on my back or stomach is that I find it gets quite uncomfortable fairly quickly. Also, from what I have heard, earbuds are absolutely terrible for ones ears both due to pressure and due to being even closer than headphones.

I think it may be the total amplitude that does the damage more than the proximity alone. It's true that earbuds can be louder at lower system volume levels, but the effective loudness is what you hear. If you can keep the volume reasonable, you should be fine. Just in case I'm wrong, I'm going to ask @SSL (resident audio guy) to help out.

 

Why is lying on your side with headphones a bad idea? You might break the headphones, and you're also going to press them into the side of your face with the entire weight of your head, which is not going to be comfortable.

[chodemonger]

If you're looking for audio for that kind of money Sennheisser is also a good option to the m20x/m30x. Things like the HD 203 and HD 202 II are pretty good and under your limit.