Best headphones for around $150?

[Cpt. Duke]

I am looking to get a nice pair of headphones. I intend on using it with my computer when playing games and listening to my stereo late at night. I like to listen to mostly techno music, so I need a pair that's balanced, especially in the midrange.

Any suggestions???

 

[Duncan]

I love my Sony MDR-V600s. Get great sound out of them, whether playing Counter-Strike at 3am, listening to PvD before heading to the gym, or a little Schubert for post-essay relaxation. They ran about $160 Canadian.

However, I have since tried some Sennheiser headphones, and was totally blown away. They offer MUCH better sound, but at a higher price ($300 Cdn for the ones I tried).

 

[Workin']

There are several Sennheiser models in the price range you are looking. Or you can save some money and get some Grado's for half that.

 

[Cpt. Duke]

thanks guys!

 

[mikee]

Best you can get for that price are the Sennheiser HD580's. However, they have a high impedance and need a headphone amplifier to power them. A decent amplifier will run you more than $100.

The best headphones that are easy to drive are the Grado SR60s. They are very well regarded by audiophiles and have amazing midrange. Read reviews on them (and other headphones) at www.audioreview.com, www.etown.com, and www.headphone.com. You can buy the SR60's from www.qaudio.com for $59 shipped which is $10 less than anywhere else. Another pair you could also check out are the Sennheiser HD495's (not the 490's - yuck) which sell for ~$90-100.

 

[Cpt. Duke]

I appreciate the info Mikee

 

[mikee]

One thing to note, the Sennheiser 495s are less efficient than the Grados so they will not play as loudly as the Grados if you are using the same source for both.