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Best Headphones $150?

Hello everyone

I need some help as I’m looking for a nice pair of ‘new’ headphones under $150.
Predominate use will be on the PC or DAC listening to music and movies,

Not for use while cycling, playing Polo, Jogging, Parasailing, Sky diving, SCUBA, pet grooming, Fondu-ing, listening to C-span, or while Noodeling, Armadillo hunting, spelunking, lumberjacking, surviaval outings, high wire walking, skiing, Safaris, and definitely no Ostrich racing will be involved, neither as jockey or spectator.

I’m thinking open back types as I need to hear things around me when I’m using them.

Primarily I listen to Jazz, Blues, R&B, Classic Rock, Big Band Jazz, C&W, Folk, Americana and Jazz Vocals… and of course the PC’s adaptive talking software as I use it for purely PC stuff too.

As extended use is a necessity, comfort is key. Thereafter, in audio, I’m all about natural sounding re-creations. I also lean towards something with a bit of jump to it over laid back finesse, albeit never to the point of the sound being bombastic or throbbing.

Clear, coherent, solid bass and musicality fill out the balance of my preffs.

Being able to upgrade or replace worn out parts would be really nice.

Not sure about how much impedance matters in this regard, or even if one has a choice in this price range.

So far, I’ve noticed Grado Prestige Series SR-60i, and 80i get much positive press and I’m leaning towards the 80i’s. I’ve not heard the 60s or 80s. Nor any others for that matter, but I feel pretty secure in going on what is predominately mentioned here as good solutions without actually auditioning them first. I’m thinking pretty much anything recommended in this thread will surpass the performance levels of those $20 - $25 Sony’s, JVC’s, etc., I’ve used for years.

I did own some plannar types once, but never liked the feel or the sound to much and they went for $300 about 20 years ago. Sure? STI? Sennheiser?, tight and bulky with flat foam on the ear pads. Yech.

Please help… thanks so very much.
blindjim
erik_squires
16,386 posts
 
AKG K701 through K712 are just a little higher than your budget.


https://amzn.to/2VIKc6Z

Range is $175, $220 and $300
I own the K712s and I couldn’t b happier with them, except at work when they let too much noise through.

I just bought the ESS headphones for $200 :


https://amzn.to/2SLh6C4


And the mid to treble is really phenomenal, but the bass is pretty elevated. It’s not a rocker headphone, but I find myself activating the EQ in my player to bring the bass down a couple of notches. I’ve read you can fix this with better earpads:


https://amzn.to/2M4QFop


The thing I love about these phones is how much detail in the BASS they have. Even after adding EQ, the bass is super smooth and extended, and you feel like you can tell the brand of drums, cymbals and double bass being played.


Best,


E
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big_greg
6,670 posts
 
Sony MDR-7506 best headphones at any price.
I have no experience with those, but if that's true I wasted about $1500 on the Sony MDR-Z1R. Glad I didn't pay full price for them!
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big_greg
6,670 posts
 
I like both.  For me (I know not everyone shares this opinion) the Z1R are right up there with the best headphones I've listened to, Focal Utopia, Audeze LCD-4, etc. 

I love my Audeze LCD-XC, but they are really heavy.  The Z1R and LCD-XC are great for music with a lot of bass, but for other types of music I prefer some of my open back headphones more.

I also have E-MU teak, which are the most disappointing headphones I've bought in terms of sound quality/built quality/price performance.

Another pair of inexpensive cans I forgot to mention are the  Massdrop x Fostex T-X0 at $150.  These are not for everyone, the top end is rolled off, but that can be a plus, especially if you like to listen at higher volumes.  They are very easy to listen to and have a lot of bass slam and are comfortable to wear.
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