$150-200 Headphone recommendations

[sazrocks]

I have a pair of these that I got two Christmases ago, but have started to come apart (normal use, no abuse), and I'm looking for a new pair of headphones.

Here is what I'm looking for:

Around ear 

Good Bass (not a bass head but I do like it to have decent punch)

Durable enough to survive several years of gentle normal use (in particular the top band; my current one is cracked)

Works with my motherboard audio (though I am planning to get a sound card or dac sometime in the next 1.5 years)

$150-200 (can stretch a little bit if you can prove it's worth it)

 

I would not describe myself as an audiophile, and as such can't explain my exact preferences, but that's why I'm asking here.

Any specific headphones or general pointers would be greatly appreciated.

 

[sazrocks]

2 minutes ago, RandomGuy13 said:

DT990 are a solid choice and have quite a nice balanced tight bass. as do the Sennheiser 598.

There are also some pretty decent AKG and Audio technica headphones.

 

You dont really need a DAC with this caliber of headphones unless your motherboard audio is bad. You are better off spending more on headphones than on a dac for this price range. 

$250 is a bit too much for me for the 598s. Any personal preferences? Which would you pick if you were in my situation?

[Loliplol]

5 minutes ago, RandomGuy13 said:

DT990 are a solid choice

1

100% agree. If I was in your place, I'd go with them. There's even some cash left over, so you can even add a DAC. Maybe something like FiiO E10k?

[Himommies]

13 minutes ago, RandomGuy13 said:

German

Why does that matter.

 

I would wait until boxing day at least.Dt880's drop down to 100-150 ish quite regularly

[sazrocks]

14 minutes ago, Loliplol said:

100% agree. If I was in your place, I'd go with them. There's even some cash left over, so you can even add a DAC. Maybe something like FiiO E10k?

 

13 minutes ago, RandomGuy13 said:

The 598SR is cheaper, I have no idea if they are as good as the 598 But its as good as the 598. the 598 vs DT990 is really down to preference, I haven't really compared them together so I cant really give you a detailed comparison, but they are both from really good German brands and are decent for music, gaming and the like, Neither of them are flat reference headphones.

Leaning toward the DT990s, but I have one major concern about noise leakage. How bad is it for others in the vicinity? I am very rarely alone at home and my computer room does not have a door. Will these be very audible ~10 ft and a corner away? Also the top review on amazon says that a DAC is pretty much required for these things. Any suggestions/pointers for buying a DAC?

15 minutes ago, Himommies said:

Why does that matter.

 

I would wait until boxing day at least.Dt880's drop down to 100-150 ish quite regularly

What is boxing day?

[seduce_me]

German companies haven't been leading audio technology, or whatever that means. The Senns are great, but beyers have that treble spike that make them seem like they were made in a Chinese sweatshop. OP, I'd suggest the HD6XX/HD600 instead.

[sazrocks]

5 minutes ago, seduce_me said:

German companies haven't been leading audio technology, or whatever that means. The Senns are great, but beyers have that treble spike that make them seem like they were made in a Chinese sweatshop. OP, I'd suggest the HD6XX/HD600 instead.

Interesting. The 650s are out of my price range, but those massdrop 6xx versions are $199. I'd like to hear @RandomGuy13 's opinion on them.

 

[seduce_me]

Just now, sazrocks said:

Interesting. The 650s are out of my price range, but those massdrop 6xx versions are $199. I'd like to hear @RandomGuy13 's opinion on them.

 

They are very resolving of detail and scale quite well with better gear. They also have a very pleasant FR and tone that even more expensive headphones cannot match. It is a great headphone at a low price point.

[nicobombai]

1 hour ago, sazrocks said:

Interesting. The 650s are out of my price range, but those massdrop 6xx versions are $199. I'd like to hear @RandomGuy13 's opinion on them.

 

HD6XX and HD650 are practically the same with different exterior and name iirc. If you can get the HD6XX, for gaming or for other purposes, that will be a great option.

BUT do note that its an open headphone, so sound will leak both in and out of the headphone. Normal listening levels will not leak that much sound out tho..

[sazrocks]

2 minutes ago, nicobombai said:

 

BUT do note that its an open headphone, so sound will leak both in and out of the headphone. Normal listening levels will not leak that much sound out tho..

How bad? Would it be noticeable 10ft and a corner away?

[GamerDude]

25 minutes ago, sazrocks said:

How bad? Would it be noticeable 10ft and a corner away?

That all depends on how high you have the volume set at, they certainly do leak sound both in and out. I have a pair of HD6XX myself, and it has pretty good, tight bass, good mids (sounds a tad recessed to me, but it's no biggie) and nice sparkle in the treble region without being bright. I have much more expensive cans in my collection, and the HD6XX acquits itself pretty well even against my more expensive cans.

[minervx]

sennheiser hd598.

[sazrocks]

7 minutes ago, GamerDude said:

That all depends on how high you have the volume set at

Say, loud enough to block out a normal conversation in the next room? Is this something I can simulate by turning my current headphones outward while they are playing at my normal volume and seeing how far away I can hear them? Sorry for the noob questions, never really had a really good pair of headphone before.

[nicobombai]

37 minutes ago, sazrocks said:

How bad? Would it be noticeable 10ft and a corner away?

 

7 minutes ago, sazrocks said:

Say, loud enough to block out a normal conversation in the next room? Is this something I can simulate by turning my current headphones outward while they are playing at my normal volume and seeing how far away I can hear them? Sorry for the noob questions, never really had a really good pair of headphone before.

Not enough to block out conversation in the other room, in the same room they can listen to everything you're playing, but in the other room, i don't think so, that is on normal listening levels not the i don't give a F loud listening level  

[GamerDude]

6 minutes ago, sazrocks said:

Say, loud enough to block out a normal conversation in the next room? Is this something I can simulate by turning my current headphones outward while they are playing at my normal volume and seeing how far away I can hear them?

Sorry dude, can't say since it all depends on what equipment you have and use. I can say that if you listen at volume loud enough to drown out extraneous noise, it's quite likely someone in the same room as you can hear it, whether it's enough to annoy or irritate them really depends on their tolerance for such noise.

 

I have a friend who loved open back cans, but had to give up his various high end open back cans because he listens at pretty loud level and it annoyed his children. Last I heard, he was using a MrSpeakers Ether C I think.