audiophiles - headphone suggestions

[Zero1]

My friend has been wanting to buy the beats by dre for sometime now but the moment he found out the price, he said no. Are there any good or better headphones out there (with mic - if not no biggy) that are comfortable, have leather cuppings, great sound quality and most importantly a cheaper price than beats?

Also if there are any stores which have some out on display to compare that would be great.

[warpdrive]

you can't go wrong with these.

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/soundprofessionals-audio-technica-ath-m50-s-136-le-146-shipped-1155570/

[spandexninja]

Unless you're talking about gaming headsets, you won't find any over-ear headphones that have a mic. Bay Bloor Radio has a lot of headphones that you can try. Exactly how cheap is your friend talking about? What kind of sound does he like (neutral, extra bass etc...)? Does he need noise isolation?

Bold means that the headphones are bass heavy . Red means that they sound better than Beats Studios (in my opinion).

Closed headphones:
-Sony MDR-XB500 $60
-Sony MDR-V6 $90
-Creative Aurvana Live! $100
-Superlux 668b $60 (semi-open)
-Monoprice 8323 $22
-Panasonic RP-HTF600-S $40 (semi-open)
-Audio Technica M50 $150
-V-Moda M80 $200
-Sennheiser HD25-1 II $250

Open Headphones:
-Grado SR80i $100
-Koss Portapro $31
-Sennheiser PX100-II $80
-Sennheiser HD558 $190

[Zero1]

Unless you're talking about gaming headsets, you won't find any over-ear headphones that have a mic. Bay Bloor Radio has a lot of headphones that you can try. Exactly how cheap is your friend talking about? What kind of sound does he like (neutral, extra bass etc...)? Does he need noise isolation?

Bold means that the headphones are bass heavy . Red means that they sound better than Beats Studios (in my opinion).

Closed headphones:
-Sony MDR-XB500 $60
-Sony MDR-V6 $90
-Creative Aurvana Live! $100
-Superlux 668b $60 (semi-open)
-Monoprice 8323 $22
-Panasonic RP-HTF600-S $40 (semi-open)
-Audio Technica M50 $150
-V-Moda M80 $200
-Sennheiser HD25-1 II $250

Open Headphones:
-Grado SR80i $100
-Koss Portapro $31
-Sennheiser PX100-II $80
-Sennheiser HD558 $190

Forgot to mention he likes bass in his music.

does the bold red means bass heavy and better than beats dre? Also difference between open and closed headphones.

[spandexninja]

Forgot to mention he likes bass in his music.

does the bold red means bass heavy and better than beats dre?

Yep... his best bet is probably the Audio Technica M50. If he wants to use it outside, he should get the version with the detachable cable.

[warpdrive]

closed headphones means it blocks some noise and helps prevent sound leaking out. I would never get open headphones if you go outside.

The M50 is a good general purpose headphone for most types of music. It isn't really a bass heavy headphone, but it errs toward a "fun sound" (others like the XB500/XB700 have more deep bass)

[JLee]

Just like to add that V-Moda headphones are also very aesthetically pleasing. So you can mix in with the Beats wearers wherever you go!

[djemzine]

One thing I have to say and some might agree or disagree with me. Any Beats by Dr Dre headphones are not real or true audiophile headphones and they're expensive.

[MkmBandit]

Unless you're talking about gaming headsets, you won't find any over-ear headphones that have a mic.

Not exactly true, I have the AKG HSD171's which has a boom mic. Excellent for gaming, but not meant for portable applications. More and more manufacturers are releasing full-size headphones with in-line mics though so options are out there. The other option is to use something like a Modmic/clip on in-line mic with a 4pole adapter. Messy solution, but pretty stealthy if the wire is coiled..

Not going to suggest anything as I'm not an audiophile, but Beats are definitely nowhere near an even stage and aren't marketed as such. @OP, go to MoogAudio (www.moogaudio.com) and test out some headphones. They have the largest in-stock selection I've seen and will let you test just about anything on their shelves unless it's their last stock.

[VCR]

My friend has been wanting to buy the beats by dre for sometime now but the moment he found out the price, he said no. Are there any good or better headphones out there (with mic - if not no biggy) that are comfortable, have leather cuppings, great sound quality and most importantly a cheaper price than beats?

Also if there are any stores which have some out on display to compare that would be great.

Here's another option:

http://www.headphonebar.com/products/AiAiAi-TMA%252d1-w%7B47%7Dmic.html

[beuh_dave]

If you friend likes a lot of bass, I'd recommend the Audio Technica ATH-PRO700MK2. It will put nearly every other headphone to shame (as far as bass is concerned). Review here (http://www.headfonia.com/bass-to-the-power-of-two-pro700-mk2/).

http://www.headfonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/pro700_mk2_01.jpg

The AKG K550 also just came out. Those are really nice. Review here (http://www.headfonia.com/akgs-new-reference-the-k550/)

http://b.headfonia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/akg_k550_12.jpg

[fatestkid]

My friend has been wanting to buy the beats by dre for sometime now but the moment he found out the price, he said no. Are there any good or better headphones out there (with mic - if not no biggy) that are comfortable, have leather cuppings, great sound quality and most importantly a cheaper price than beats?

Also if there are any stores which have some out on display to compare that would be great.

Many, many many, almost all other headphones at the price range.

Anyways shure SRH440 go on sale for $100 often. They are not bass heavy.

If he wants headset for mobile use I recommend in ear monitors, because big headphones will eventually get too bulky heavy to carry around. Just my opinion.

For in ear, there is etymotic HF2 (for android) or HF3(for iphone) both are the same. You can also pick up shure se215 + a microphone adapter from shure for around $175.

[uber_shnitz]

Also difference between open and closed headphones.

Open means the sound is not isolated within the cup so others can easily hear what you're listening to. Closed means they try to confine the sound to the cup of the headphone so as long as you'er not at max sound and don't wear the headphones on your neck, people shouldn't discern much about your music.

Btw I second the Audio-Technicas. Also, I'll probably get cruficied for saying this, but since your friend was considering Beats....maybe opt for an additional software-based bass-booster.

[Zero1]

Wow that is a lot of information. Thanks guys, all this makes me want to go and buy one for when I want to listen to music.

[hdom]

The Monoprice 8323 Premium DJ Style Pro Headphones (http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10823&cs_id=1082302&p_id=8323&seq=1&format=2)are getting great reviews and I don't think you can beat it for the money (<$30 shipped). I have one on order myself, so can't wait to test.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13645_3-57337747-47/how-good-can-$21.59-headphones-be/

http://www.head-fi.org/t/569239/monoprice-hi-fi-dj-style-headphone-review

[MkmBandit]

Other options in the same class as AT M50's (I also +1 the M50's)

Allen & Heath Xone XD53
Denon HP1000
Sony MDRV700
Ortofon O One
Pioneer HDJ1000
Pioneer HDJ2000
Ultrasone DJ1/pro
AIAIAI TMA1
AKG K181DJ

If DJ class headphones are a bit much in terms of the balance, check out some BeyerDynamics. Not the best for portable applications though. The M50's are tuned more towards studio applications so that's probably the best of both worlds. As would the DenonHP1000's and Ortofon O One's.

[brumedutemps]

Tempted by the Focal Spirit One headphones.

Made by a company that produces up to 150000+$ speakers, those are new headphones to enter the market.

Heard great things about them and can't wait to listen to a pair. They seem portable, high quality, they have mic and iPhone controls, and they're slightly cheaper than the Beats.

I own the Sennheiser HD800 but was looking for a good pair of travel headphones for the airplane. Those might fit the bill. With free shipping from Apple online store.

Unboxing here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOhLC1gcNm0