help me choose new headphones

[cmdrdredd]

I've narrowed my choice to a few in the same price range. I'll list them...

Sennheiser HD-500
Sony MDR-7506
Grado SR80

Now they are in the same range of price, but the sony and Sennheiser seem to be more widely available and get a better comfort rating. The Sony seem to be more high end from the specs (freq response 5-30Khz)

I'll be using these for music and gaming.

 

[BigFatCow]

i dont know anyhting about those headphones, but i have a pair of sennheiser HD-470s and i love them.

 

[Cat]

I have the 7506s, and SR-125s. The 125s are more comfortable once you adjust the headband. (It has a pipecleaner-like wire inside it, which you bend to fit your head.)

 

[Is]

I love my 7506s, but I come from a recording background. I think the 7506s are about the most accurate in that price range, but they don't sound the best, they tend to expose deficiencies in sounds (which is why I like them). The Sennheisers tend to color the sound in a way the Sonys don't, and the effect is quite pleasant for listening to music. If you were planning on using them professionally, I'd recommend the 7506s, but for music, gaming, etc. I'd go for the Sennheisers.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Is
I love my 7506s, but I come from a recording background. I think the 7506s are about the most accurate in that price range, but they don't sound the best, they tend to expose deficiencies in sounds (which is why I like them). The Sennheisers tend to color the sound in a way the Sonys don't, and the effect is quite pleasant for listening to music. If you were planning on using them professionally, I'd recommend the 7506s, but for music, gaming, etc. I'd go for the Sennheisers.

I heard the Sennheiser's sound a bit muddy in the low end though and the 7506s were more natural sounding. Is this correct?

I'm looking for the best sounding headphones around $80-$100

since you're afrom a recording background you must know a bit about music and sound production...which of those headphones would you recommend for a music listner(rock, and some techno) and a gamer (need for lan party)

 

[Cat]

Grados are often recommended for rock. The 7506s are pretty good for techno, as their low frequency range is astounding.

Will you be using these in an office/library environment? Grados leak lots of sound.

 

[Is]

7506s have excellent low-end, it's very prominent and punchy. But I'd still recommend the Sennheisers unless you're completely anal about sound and you listen to very detailed recordings (unless the rock you listen to is really esoteric rock like sigur ros or something, or if by techno you mean IDM and other related genres, this probably doesn't apply to you), and you have a soundcard better than an audigy (crappy DACs IMHO). The Sennheisers don't have perfect frequency response, but they are comfy and their high-end isn't too harsh. If I had the money, I'd definitely pick up the Sennheisers myself for casual listening, gaming, movies, etc.

I should note that the 7506s are extremely rugged, probably moreso than the Sennheisers. So if you want to really take your headphones out of your home a lot, if you ride the bus or train or whatever and need to throw them in a bag, the 7506s are great.

When it comes down to it, both headphones are great and if you got either one you'd be happy. I wouldn't stress about it. Overall, I'd still recommend the Sennheisers, but if you're feeling adventurous or like I said you really want to take your headphones out a lot, or if in the future you plan on using them for any kind of professional application, try the 7506s.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Cat
Grados are often recommended for rock. The 7506s are pretty good for techno, as their low frequency range is astounding.

Will you be using these in an office/library environment? Grados leak lots of sound.

I'd be using them at home and at lan parties for Music (rock like AC.DC, Ozzy, and 80s rock) and some Techno (moby, Chemical Brothers)
and gaming applications (Q3, UT2k3, Halo, BF1942, Call Of Duty)

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Is
7506s have excellent low-end, it's very prominent and punchy. But I'd still recommend the Sennheisers unless you're completely anal about sound and you listen to very detailed recordings (unless the rock you listen to is really esoteric rock like sigur ros or something, or if by techno you mean IDM and other related genres, this probably doesn't apply to you), and you have a soundcard better than an audigy (crappy DACs IMHO). The Sennheisers don't have perfect frequency response, but they are comfy and their high-end isn't too harsh. If I had the money, I'd definitely pick up the Sennheisers myself for casual listening, gaming, movies, etc.

I should note that the 7506s are extremely rugged, probably moreso than the Sennheisers. So if you want to really take your headphones out of your home a lot, if you ride the bus or train or whatever and need to throw them in a bag, the 7506s are great.

When it comes down to it, both headphones are great and if you got either one you'd be happy. I wouldn't stress about it. Overall, I'd still recommend the Sennheisers, but if you're feeling adventurous or like I said you really want to take your headphones out a lot, or if in the future you plan on using them for any kind of professional application, try the 7506s.

which have a better sound is my main concern. If I buy the sennheisers because the 7506s point out the flaws and I get a muddy sound that hides alot of the frequencies what is the point?

Basically I'll put it this way...if I play Q3 and want to hear everything in the game (footstep, bullet, laser, door, pannel, background noise) what would best suit? WIll the Sennheiser capture all the gaming sounds while still having that low rumble of the shotgun blast? or will the Sony 7506s have the better crispness?

BTW: I use a Hercules Gametheater XP soundcard

 

[us3rnotfound]

my Garret Metal Detector headphones are great!

 

[Dormant]

I use a Gametheater XP Soundcard and Sennheiser HD470s for basically the same stuff your using. I compared the Sennheiser HD470 to the Sennheiser HD500s, HD600s, Grado SR125s, Koss A250s and the Sony 7506 (Old name: MDR-V6?). If I was going to pick one pair of headphones out of this mix it would obviously be the Sennheiser HD600s because those are the best sounding cans I've ever tried. 2nd place goes to the Koss A250s. They have a better midrange than my 470s but they cost a little more. I think the Koss A250s are one of the most comfortable cans I've ever tried and they sound unbelievable. I have tried Grado's whole line and never found a pair that didn't give me headaches. Its like wearing steel earmuffs in sub-zero temperatures I swear!

Caution: If you plan on constantly unplugging and plugging your Cans into your GTXP it will kill the Headphone Jack.

Tips for GTXP w/headphones:
- The headphone jack can not output at a very high volume. The HD470 is ok and the Koss A250 is a little louder. Don't try an HD 600 though. Get a real headphone amp for those.

- Turn off headphone auto connect and enable your speakers while in headphone mode through OS.

 

[simms]

Seinhenniser RJ-45's. Wireless Rocks... I've had my Sein's bought from AT for a few months now, then work fine. My roommate uses Sein's too, HD-500's as well.

 

[Dormant]

If your an Audiophile I highly suggest avoiding wireless cans. I have done test comparisons and the Wired sound much better...

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Dormant
I use a Gametheater XP Soundcard and Sennheiser HD470s for basically the same stuff your using. I compared the Sennheiser HD470 to the Sennheiser HD500s, HD600s, Grado SR125s, Koss A250s and the Sony 7506 (Old name: MDR-V6?). If I was going to pick one pair of headphones out of this mix it would obviously be the Sennheiser HD600s because those are the best sounding cans I've ever tried. 2nd place goes to the Koss A250s. They have a better midrange than my 470s but they cost a little more. I think the Koss A250s are one of the most comfortable cans I've ever tried and they sound unbelievable. I have tried Grado's whole line and never found a pair that didn't give me headaches. Its like wearing steel earmuffs in sub-zero temperatures I swear!

Caution: If you plan on constantly unplugging and plugging your Cans into your GTXP it will kill the Headphone Jack.

Tips for GTXP w/headphones:
- The headphone jack can not output at a very high volume. The HD470 is ok and the Koss A250 is a little louder. Don't try an HD 600 though. Get a real headphone amp for those.

- Turn off headphone auto connect and enable your speakers while in headphone mode through OS.

so would you say the Koss A250 is better than the Sony 7506 Professional headphones?

 

[BuckNaked]

You might look into the Sennheiser 497's.... I have heard alot of good things about them... I have the 495's, but need an amp to get the best out of them...

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Buck_Naked
You might look into the Sennheiser 497's.... I have heard alot of good things about them... I have the 495's, but need an amp to get the best out of them...

would I need an amp to drive the 497? They are pretty reasonable price

 

[BuckNaked]

from what I have heard, no... You might check a couple of these links and do some research, or better yet, try some in person...

http://www.headwize.com/
http://headroom.headphone.com/layout.php?topicID=1

Those are some pretty good resources...

Dave

 

[wetcat007]

check out thoser new zalman headphones

 

[hagbard]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
I've narrowed my choice to a few in the same price range. I'll list them...

Sennheiser HD-500
Sony MDR-7506
Grado SR80

Now they are in the same range of price, but the sony and Sennheiser seem to be more widely available and get a better comfort rating. The Sony seem to be more high end from the specs (freq response 5-30Khz)

I'll be using these for music and gaming.

Yamaha HP-1. Good luck finding them

 

[cmdrdredd]

I got the SOny 7506 and I'm really liking them. Confortable and good sound = a winner

 

[Cat]

Somewhat random, but Thresh wore V600s (shudder.) The greatest Q1 and Q2 player used phones similar in design to the 7506/V6s, maybe you'll follow.

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/sonyv600/

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Cat
Somewhat random, but Thresh wore V600s (shudder.) The greatest Q1 and Q2 player used phones similar in design to the 7506/V6s, maybe you'll follow.

http://www.firingsquad.com/hardware/sonyv600/

LOL I doubt that haha I usually play for fun and not competition