I think it's a small tradeoff for the sound you get from the M50s at that price range.
Also, just because they say they are monitor headphones doesn't mean they really are. They are far from being neutral/flat.
Having owned the Audio Technica M50's I can say from my experience that they are ok, but they have a flat sound stage ... They are monitor headphones, which are great for studio work, but for everyday listening they are just ok. I'd prefer to have a little more depth for everyday listening.
I think it's a small tradeoff for the sound you get from the M50s at that price range.
Also, just because they say they are monitor headphones doesn't mean they really are. They are far from being neutral/flat.
Well, without getting into a war of preferences here, I was just trying to steer the OP away from the M50s that IHateMyJob2004 said was the greatest thing since sliced bread. There are plenty of better options within that price range. They certainly aren't lively, and we'll have to agree to disagree on the "flatness" of them
OK, I'll make it simple.
If the goal is to simply spend as much as possible on sealed (over the ear) headphones that an iPod can power, then the answer is the Audio Technicas that were already mentioned (model M50). I have these on right now. A 12 year old probably wants bass. For sealed cans this is probably the way to go as these have a better low end than the Senn HD-280s and most other headphones in this category. Where category is defined as (1) Under $200, (2) for a kid (more basss is typically good to a kid), (3) over the ear (sealed) and (4) powered by an iPod.
You know more than alot of people.
If you want to spend less, the Senn HD 280s are an alternative.
The other bottom line is that without knowing exactly what this kid listens to, there is no way to recommend anything perfectly? The Audio Technica M50s are pretty much it in my opinion.
The nest step in sound quality would be to get a headroom BitHead which is a $150 headphone amp.
http://www.headphone.com/headphone-amps/amplifiers/headroom-total-bithead.php
The Airhead which would also work is $100.
You could try coupling the airhead with a lower cost pair of headphoens that need a dedicated amplifier. Probably not for a 12 year old unless he is an erd like us (likes engineering, etc)
You make a big deal about paying $200 for headphones, but then recommend old portable headphone amps that take up 50-75% of the budget? Portable amps are not a good value, and Headroom's are several years old and to be honest were never even that great to begin with. Recommending an eBay CMoY would make a lot more sense and would cost less money.
There's plenty of headphones that can go ampless, especially on newer players (iPod Touches do not have the bass rolloff issues that plagued older MP3 players, which is the primary reason you'd want to go with an amp).
The M50s are pretty much it? There are plenty of headphones to consider for ~$200 or less.
http://www.headfonia.com/closed-can...s-studio-srh-840-srh-750dj-k181dj-and-dj1pro/
http://www.headfonia.com/ultra-port...rtapro-k404-v-jays-tracks-oldskool-and-hd238/
There's others as well. Denon has some (not sure if the D2000 can still be had for around $200, although its not that portable) and Ultrasone has more than the one in that review. Beyerdynamic DT770s might be able to be had for that price and they'd be decently portable as well.
I bought the Bose with Monster Cable extensions at Best Buy AND the three-year extended warranty, so you can stop arguing!
MotionMan
I bought the Bose with Monster Cable extensions at Best Buy AND the three-year extended warranty, so you can stop arguing!
MotionMan
Well, if he has Lady Gaga on his iPod I think it is some sort of trifecta that just occured.
PS: Is this one of those joke threads?
Bla bla bla.
Point was that a headphone amp is another route that could be done for $200.
And if you are going to try and proove a point about price point, can you atleast read the articles you Google for. Most of the cans in your second link are not what hte OP wants.
You know, good $150 cans exist. The M50s are one. here are the requirments:
1) sealed (over ear)
2) Best for less than $200
3) iPod powered (that shuold limit you a bit)
4) reasonably good bas (assumption for a 12 year old)
Please do more than Google for random articles without reading them. All I gave was a good answer that meet this criteria. Give another option that sounds as good as or better than the M50s.
Exiting thread. Good bye everyone. OP, you have my advice. PM me if you want to talk amplifiers.