Budget headphones for casual listening, around $75

[Erwitt]

Hello,

I need a new headphones and this time I want something decent, not the random, cheap ones I have had so far.

I will be using it mainly at home, for casual listening from my phone, laptop and PC: games, music, movies... . At the moment I don't plan to use any AMP or DAC (I hadn't even thought about it before I started researching, lol).

My budget is under 75 € / $ (I'm from Europe), but I could stretch a bit if it's worth it. I have read A LOT about the subject, but still have some questions:

1. At first I was looking for a wired/wireless option for versatility, like the 1More Sonoflow or the Soundcore Life Q30. But then I've read that usually this type or headphones offer a poor quality when wired. Will it be noticiable for a non-yet-audiophile like me?

2. I have tinnitus and a slighty hearing loss, that of course I want to keep at bay. For that reason I discard IEMs for everyday use. About closed vs open back, how much do you have to turn up the volume with open back compared to closed? I've never had open ones.

3 On-ear are an option, too. I had a creepy one years ago and they hurted my ears after a short time, but I could give them another chance, because I like their portability. Do they isolate at all? Or would I have to turn up the volume like with open back ones?

4. And last but most important: Does all this really matter? Maybe I'm overthinking, and since I'm just going to listen from my computer or phone I might keep buying the first ones I can find at an affordable price like I have been?

Thank you!

Edit: I listen a variety of music genres: mainly rock, but also some jazz, soundtracks, folk... I guess a balanced sound would be the best.

 

[Dunring]

I'd wait until the 17th for the AliExpress summer sale and get Thieaudio Ghost with coupons and coins with a cash back credit card to get at your budget. The U.S. version of the Apple 3.5mm to USB adapter is $9 and you'll have excellent quality audio and extremely good value for money. I have those and would recommend them to anyone at that price point when the sale starts.

 

[markanini]

JBL Tune 710BT would be worth checking out for your budget.

I'd wait until the 17th for the AliExpress summer sale and get Thieaudio Ghost with coupons and coins with a cash back credit card to get at your budget. The U.S. version of the Apple 3.5mm to USB adapter is $9 and you'll have excellent quality audio and extremely good value for money. I have those and would recommend them to anyone at that price point when the sale starts.

Can US Apple dongles be sourced on Aliexpress? Otherwise CX dongles are a good alternative.

 

[Dunring]

Check with the store to make sure which version they have unless it's specifically mentioned in the listing. The US version has much more power.

 

[DVDdoug]

Maybe the Koss Porta-Pro? They've been popular for about 40 years! I've got a pair in my laptop bag. They are an on-ear open-back design and there are adjustable pads (above your ears) so you can adjust the pressure on your ears.

About closed vs open back, how much do you have to turn up the volume with open back compared to closed? I've never had open ones.

As far as I know there is no correlation with sensitivity. There is some correlation with sensitivity and impedance. Lower impedance means more current and wattage with a given voltage so lower impedance headphones tend to be louder. But it's best to check the specs.

Do they isolate at all? Or would I have to turn up the volume like with open back ones?

It might depend on the particular design. The Porta-Pros are on-ear and open-back (hear through). Same with a pair of Grados that I have. Except on the Grados I swapped the ear cushions for larger ones that go over the ear and that makes them more comfortable.

And last but most important: Does all this really matter? Maybe I'm overthinking, and since I'm just going to listen from my computer or phone I might keep buying the first ones I can find at an affordable price like I have been?

All headphones and speakers sound different.... With headphones there is very little correlation between price and sound quality (which you can see looking at the reviews here at ASR). The AKG K371 at about $150 USD is rated along with some of the best and there are "not recommended" headphones that cost more than $1000.

Most of the difference in sound quality is frequency response and to a large extent that can be adjusted with equalization. There are limitations to what you can do and some headphones with weak bass can't be corrected without pushing the bass into distortion.

 

[Erwitt]

I'd wait until the 17th for the AliExpress summer sale and get Thieaudio Ghost with coupons and coins with a cash back credit card to get at your budget. The U.S. version of the Apple 3.5mm to USB adapter is $9 and you'll have excellent quality audio and extremely good value for money. I have those and would recommend them to anyone at that price point when the sale starts.

JBL Tune 710BT would be worth checking out for your budget.


Can US Apple dongles be sourced on Aliexpress? Otherwise CX dongles are a good alternative.

Thanks for your recommendations, they look promising! I will digg into them.

And excuse my ignorance, but my phone already has 3.5mm jack. Do I need an Apple adapter or CX dongle anyway? Will the sound be better?

 

[Brian Hall]

Maybe the Koss Porta-Pro? They've been popular for about 40 years! I've got a pair in my laptop bag. They are an on-ear open-back design and there are adjustable pads (above your ears) so you can adjust the pressure on your ears.

I like the Koss KPH40 a little better than the Porta-Pro. They are close, but the Porta-Pro sound is not as clear and the KPH40 is a little more comfortable.

 

[staticV3]

And excuse my ignorance, but my phone already has 3.5mm jack. Do I need an Apple adapter or CX dongle anyway?

You do not.

Will the sound be better?

Unlikely.

They may go a bit louder, but that's about the only improvement I would expect.

 

[mc.god]

You could still go the cheap way with this

https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/superlux-hd668b-review-headphone.19178/

they go loud even from smartphone, have flat impedance and with a bit of eq they will sound very nice.

You can even avoid eq and just tame the treble with toilet peper as nice explained here

https://diyaudioheaven.wordpress.com/headphones/measurements/brand-superlux/hd668b/

I own the very similar Samson SR 850 and would prefer them for the better velour pads and the more standard adjusting band, both are available at amazon and for the price the result is very very good.

 

[AetherDrive]

I'd second that sale on the Ghost, I daily drive them at work and they are very comfortable with a very pleasant sound signature. Since you are also going to be listening on your computer, might I also suggest checking out AutoEQ as it has a profile for those headphones that work rather well with the Peace Equalizer app. If you have any questions on how to do that, feel free to ask.

 

[Dunring]

Thanks for your recommendations, they look promising! I will digg into them.

And excuse my ignorance, but my phone already has 3.5mm jack. Do I need an Apple adapter or CX dongle anyway? Will the sound be better?

My Moto G Power has a 3.5mm jack also. I tried them, and they wouldn't go loud enough to be fun. The Apple adapter (U.S. version) gets them sounding great instead of "almost loud enough". Also you have some headroom to equalize with a preamp reduction, but I just use them out of the box. It's all personal preference though to a certain point. It's like the Hifiman HE5xx, I don't equalize them either. Mainly because I switch equipment almost daily and remembering to switch profiles is a hassle. APO and Peace is well worth it though. The Autoeq button makes it easy to try different premade profiles, and then customize from there if needed.

 

[markanini]

And excuse my ignorance, but my phone already has 3.5mm jack. Do I need an Apple adapter or CX dongle anyway? Will the sound be better?

No problem, it's always better to ask.

It's more good-to-have than required, assuming you are choosing a sensitive over-ear at this time, or wireless. If later you want to explore other options, like multidriver IEMs, or less sensitive over-ears then it's a good deal for $10.

 

[Timcognito]

But then I've read that usually this type or headphones offer a poor quality when wired. Will it be noticiable for a non-yet-audiophile like me?

My 1More Triple Driver closed back sound better wired than when on BT and are very comfortable. When I read the Sonoflow with noise canceling I thought about getting a pair for my woodshop but I have too many HP. Still thinking about it becuse price and specs are VG. IMHO when one has questions about a particular model make sure to go through all comments after the ASR review because usually so does someone else and it is discussed in detail. Happy with both of my 1More HP and IEM.

 

[rdo]

One more vote for koss - i have kph30i and scp35 with the parts express headband and i can't believe how good they are. I'm planing to get kph40 or the retrospekt p/21, just because that.

 

[Timcognito]

Oh yeah, welcome to ASR. Here's more help
Click on Review Index upper left > click on headphones > type Over-Ear in search box > click the column head (price or any) to sort > also sort recommended. Be careful because some get a No without EQ and Yes with, so it's best to look at all in your price range. And again commenters here are very savvy so don't miss those on any that seem interesting.
There are several threads on Tinnitus here.

 

[ShadowBoxer]

parts express headband

Link?

 

[rdo]

Parts Express Mini Stereo Lightweight Headphones with 4 ft. Cord

Parts Express Mini Stereo Lightweight Headphones with 4 ft. CordStandard mini stereo headphones for home stereo or Walkman type use. Disposable stereo headsets ideal for schools, hospitals, airlines, health spas and more. Makes a great give-away!! 4 ft. cord length. Buy in quantity and save!!

www.parts-express.com

Or Amazon

Amazon.com

Link?

 

[Erwitt]

Maybe the Koss Porta-Pro? They've been popular for about 40 years! I've got a pair in my laptop bag. They are an on-ear open-back design and there are adjustable pads (above your ears) so you can adjust the pressure on your ears.

As far as I know there is no correlation with sensitivity. There is some correlation with sensitivity and impedance. Lower impedance means more current and wattage with a given voltage so lower impedance headphones tend to be louder. But it's best to check the specs.

Thank you, those Koss Porta-Pro seems to be very recommended, I guess for a reason. It's just that its striking design puts me off a bit, in case I go out whit them. I wish I've discovered them in my rocking twenties

About sensitivity, I meant that because the lack of isolation, open backs needs to be louder, right? And that's what I want to avoid.

 

[Erwitt]

I like the Koss KPH40 a little better than the Porta-Pro. They are close, but the Porta-Pro sound is not as clear and the KPH40 is a little more comfortable.

One more vote for koss - i have kph30i and scp35 with the parts express headband and i can't believe how good they are. I'm planing to get kph40 or the retrospekt p/21, just because that.

Maybe the Koss Porta-Pro? They've been popular for about 40 years! I've got a pair in my laptop bag. They are an on-ear open-back design and there are adjustable pads (above your ears) so you can adjust the pressure on your ears.

Thank you all for your recommendations. One thing I don't like about those Koss is that everybody recommend using them with Yaxi pads (or similar) and/or Parts Express headband. So at the end the price wouldn't be that great.

The cheapest option I have is the KSC75 + Yaxi Pads for almost $55. And I can't find any Part Express in Europe.

Do you think they are still a good choice?

 

[rdo]

Thank you all for your recommendations. One thing I don't like about those Koss is that everybody recommend using them with Yaxi pads (or similar) and/or Parts Express headband. So at the end the price wouldn't be that great.

The cheapest option I have is the KSC75 + Yaxi Pads for almost $55. And I can't find any Part Express in Europe.

Do you think they are still a good choice?

Kph40 on amazon.com at the moment is 40$ +13$ delivery to Bulgaria. I see they have 15% promotion code, so the price is very good. Kph30i is even cheaper. Retrospekt is 32$+13$
I think they all are a good choice.

I'm listening at the moment my kph30i and for home use it is perfect. It looks and feel like a toy, but is ligth as a feather, the pads are open and doesn't sweat you in the hot, and is amazing how good it sounds. The only mod that i've made is to warm and stretch a bit the plastic headband as it was stiff.