Best headphones for around $50?

[stillillmatic7]

My friend wants to buy some headphones for around $30-$50. What are some good headphones in that price range?

[dimmer]

$50 or less:
Sennheiser PX100
iGrado
Koss Portapros
Koss KSC75

or at about $60:
Grado SR60
AKG 81DJ

[captainnewbie]

$50 or less:
Sennheiser PX100
iGrado
Koss Portapros
Koss KSC75



I have all the above suggestions, but the Koss KSC75, and the only ones I'd put my name to is the iGrado's. the rest are good in isolation, but when compared to the iGrado's, well, they just don't compare.

my only other recommendation at the price is the JBL reference 410 headphones.

[makinao]

For under $25 you can get the Sennheiser hd201. I bought it based on some rather good reviews on the net. Sounds pretty good for something that cheap.

[dimmer]

Each have their preferences - I would rate the iGrados after the Senn PX100s, due to their muffled sound and ugly construction, but the sound is capable of being modded to acceptable standards. Many prefer the Koss phones to either of those two, although I find them too bright in sound.

[Elecuacolombian]

Circuit City is selling SkullCandy Smokin' Buds for $15 plus tax.

[hyroboarder]

Circuit City is selling SkullCandy Smokin' Buds for $15 plus tax.

disregard this please. Skullcandy are the most awful sounding headphones in existance. I prefer ipod earbuds to their cans.

Listen to captainnewbie and go with the iGrados. Very similar to the full-size sr-60's but in a smaller and cooler looking package. I have sr-60's in my household and love them. I've auditioned the iGrados and they were excellent sounding even for a price range of double their cost.

Edit: If your friend really loves bass and will compromise for sound quality, Jbl reference 210's are very bassy. Not neccessarily good, but bassy.

[daihard]

disregard this please. Skullcandy are the most awful sounding headphones in existance. I prefer ipod earbuds to their cans. .
I learned the lesson the hard way. I bought Skullcandy Smokin' Buds today based upon some good reviews. After I tried them with a couple of songs, I was ready to throw them back on the "Return/Exchange" counter of Best Buy. The sound was awfully muffled, and the treble was extremely weak. The only positive aspect of the sound was a relatively good bass. They're definitely not worth $30.

I guess I will stick with my Sony pair for another while.

[Music Hunter]

if your friend is a bass lover than you can get skullcandy's ink'd or smokin buds as long as you don't get the worse sounding which is the super fi. 3 my god what awful quality for that amount of money!

[daihard]

if your friend is a bass lover than you can get skullcandy's ink'd or smokin buds as long as you don't get the worse sounding which is the super fi. 3 my god what awful quality for that amount of money!
Oh no, please do not advertise Smokin' Buds in any way. Like I said above, the sound was purely horrible. I can't believe they charge $30 for that piece of crap.

[Music Hunter]

Oh no, please do not advertise Smokin' Buds in any way. Like I said above, the sound was purely horrible. I can't believe they charge $30 for that piece of crap.

Well hey thats YOU! i got em for 20 bucks at staples if you think that they sound horrible thats your opinion im just giving mine

[captainnewbie]

For under $25 you can get the Sennheiser hd201. I bought it based on some rather good reviews on the net. Sounds pretty good for something that cheap.

i think the Sennheiser HD201's absolutely stink. the build quality is iffy, they rattle about more than two rattle snakes on honeymoon, and where's the bass? 'cause i don't hear any! Try the HD202's instead, they're far better!

[daihard]

Well hey thats YOU! i got em for 20 bucks at staples if you think that they sound horrible thats your opinion im just giving mine
This is no sarcasm; I'd really like to sit down together with you, listen to the same music using Smokin' Buds, and exchange opinions about them. I agree that we all have personal preferences; however, the difference between the sound quality of Smokin' Buds and my Sony pair is so huge, personal preferences alone can't bridge the gap. So it's either the Smokin' Buds I happened to pick up were defective, or my ears are rotten, or... you know. :(

[Music Hunter]

im sorry but i did not mean to be rude to you but everybody like you said people have different preferences if you fell comfortable with your sonys than hey rock on :)

[daihard]

im sorry but i did not mean to be rude to you but everybody like you said people have different preferences if you fell comfortable with your sonys than hey rock on :)
Thanks. You were not rude at all. Peace. :)

[kraftyd]

If you must adhere to 50 dollars I'd get the Sennheiser PX100's. (If you can stretch 10-20 bucks private message me and we can discuss the Grado SR-60's without going on a tangent from the thread topic).

iGrado's: I know Grado is great, in my mind they rule supreme, but I have heard on head-fi's forums that they don't live up to their brand name. The SR 70's are worth the little-bit-extra if you want Grado magic as they are a definite sure shot. I don't own iGrados though, nor have I tried them

Koss Porta-pro's: Heard great things about them. I have heard they are an older design and took the portable headphone world by storm until the PX 100's emerged as their rival. Lightweight, collapsible, never owned, never tried. They would be my second choice.

Sennheiser PX 100's: I actually own these. I did a lot of research before buying them. They fold up into a case you can put into your pocket. They sound great, a bit dry but punchy bass. They are great for the gym and are very light-weight and stylish. These I would highly recommend and I wouldn't have bought them unless I had heard consistent consent in appropriate reviews and forums. Could someone speak for Porta-pros? I personally would like to hear the scoop on its rival.

[1138]

If you must adhere to 50 dollars I'd get the Sennheiser PX100's. (If you can stretch 10-20 bucks private message me and we can discuss the Grado SR-60's without going on a tangent from the thread topic).

iGrado's: I know Grado is great, in my mind they rule supreme, but I have heard on head-fi's forums that they don't live up to their brand name. The SR 70's are worth the little-bit-extra if you want Grado magic as they are a definite sure shot. I don't own iGrados though, nor have I tried them

Koss Porta-pro's: Heard great things about them. I have heard they are an older design and took the portable headphone world by storm until the PX 100's emerged as their rival. Lightweight, collapsible, never owned, never tried. They would be my second choice.

Sennheiser PX 100's: I actually own these. I did a lot of research before buying them. They fold up into a case you can put into your pocket. They sound great, a bit dry but punchy bass. They are great for the gym and are very light-weight and stylish. These I would highly recommend and I wouldn't have bought them unless I had heard consistent consent in appropriate reviews and forums. Could someone speak for Porta-pros? I personally would like to hear the scoop on its rival.
Apparently the portapros use the same drivers as the ksc35, which are pretty good.

And if you have noticed, koss has the ksc35 back on their website for a limited run until they get rid of what they have left of them. 45 bucks, which may be a bit high, but I think they're worth it.

[EmilAusTirol]

If isolation is important then for about $50 you can get decent canal earphones already.
I use these earphones with my ipod. http://www.thehardwarereviews.com/creative-ep-630-earphones/
Mine are actually ep635, they are white. Good sound and it does not crackle or anything, perhaps if i used portable headamp, but not going to, so they are fine.