What are the best headphones you would recommend in the $100-$250 range? What headphones do you have?

[solderdude]

I have some Chinese aftermarket HD800 pads lying around (that look similar to the originals).
Still planning to measure them.

you don't have any experience of Vesper Audio's pads do you?

Nope.

 

[Shoaibexpert]

I have some Chinese aftermarket HD800 pads lying around (that look similar to the originals).
Still planning to measure them.

My existing used pads are also OEM, was wondering if it would be a good idea to them with new OEM pads if the condition of existing pads was giving in and affecting the sound...

 

[Vintage57]

Sony MDR-V6,

 

[MrMaruku]

I rarely use headphones myself, but I have owned a number of them over the years. Mostly Sony’s and one pair of Bose. After my last pair went, I bought a pair of Chinese “Symphonized” over ears for $60ish after hearing them. They make literally everything sound ”pretty”. Good recordings, bad recordings, everything sounds pretty. Funny description I know, but it’s my take on the sound. I listen to mainly Kpop and classical music, nothing sounds over done, bass is smooth, mids are lovely, treble is slightly subdued but still sparkles if it is supposed to. They have a replaceable cord and are made with real wood (cherry in my case), plus they are very comfortable to wear. Certainly not best, but I am content with them, and that means a lot to me. I refuse to spend a lot of money on these things ever again. I just want to enjoy my music, these let me do that.

 

[BobbyTimmons]

Not tried them nor heard them (no dealer nearby) so am opinion-less.
Did measure/play with the better known HPH-MT220
my conclusion:

Not a real high flyer for hi-fi, good for studio usage/monitoring.
The high-ish clamping force is also something to take in consideration when using this to relax and listen to an album or so.
The original pads not being made available and headband pleather quality are clearly downsides.

Hmmm it seems there's nothing quite for me in this price range. (I already have Sennheiser 599s which are ok for my digital piano).

I forgot to add I need relatively low impedance so I can use them with my DAP while walking around the house.

The Philips Fidelio have too many quality control issues? (Including with channel imbalances, according to Amazon reviews).

Roland headphones have a lack of reviews, and strong recommendations (even though I trust the Roland brand almost more than any other brand, along with Yamaha).

Yamaha HPH-MT8 we don't have much strong information on.

 

[BobbyTimmons]

Sony MDR-V6,

Interesting... they don't seem to be produced anymore?

 

[ZolaIII]

Interesting... they don't seem to be produced anymore?

Sony MDR7520 but those are around 300$ if you consider Sony don't consider any other model. MDR7520 whose reserved for Japan only & become wider available in last couple of years.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjACegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw2zHf8BmT4zwam3ip5MjGSz

 

[snake3276120]

I bought and now use the Sennheiser HD 599 with my digital piano, for silent practice (as I got them very cheap at Sennheiser outlet). They're quite good especially in terms of comfort, and making it feel like you're not wearing headphones while playing the digital piano.

I also got a Hifiman HE400i. It sounds different (in a good way), but I couldn't really tell which one I prefer. One thing HD598/599 wins obviously is the comfort. Hifiman is squeezing my face. Have fun listening to the 599! You can hook it up at some decent DAC/Headphone amp to get the full details out of it.

 

[Doodski]

One thing HD598/599 wins obviously is the comfort.

I wear my HD 598 even when not listening to music because I can still hear the TV and door knock and they are so cozyyy

 

[BobbyTimmons]

I also got a Hifiman HE400i. It sounds different (in a good way), but I couldn't really tell which one I prefer. One thing HD598/599 wins obviously is the comfort. Hifiman is squeezing my face. Have fun listening to the 599! You can hook it up at some decent DAC/Headphone amp to get the full details out of it.

They project quite a good stereo sense of the location of sound on the digital piano.

The sound doesn't come exactly from the right place, but the stereo sense is better than other headphones I've tried with the digital piano. So when you play C6 on the digital piano the location of the sound is clearly further to the left than C7, which is further to the left than the final C8, etc.

 

[BobbyTimmons]

Sony MDR7520 but those are around 300$ if you consider Sony don't consider any other model. MDR7520 whose reserved for Japan only & become wider available in last couple of years.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjACegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw2zHf8BmT4zwam3ip5MjGSz

I'm very interested in these Sony WH-1000XM3 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-WH-1000XM3-Wireless-Cancelling-Headphones-Black/dp/B07GDR2LYK
, but that's for the very different purpose of noise-cancelling headphones, to use while travelling with bluetooth.

 

[snake3276120]

I'm very interested in these Sony WH-1000XM3 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-WH-1000XM3-Wireless-Cancelling-Headphones-Black/dp/B07GDR2LYK
, but that's for the very different purpose of noise-cancelling headphones, to use while travelling with bluetooth.

My friend has this one. I listened to it and it's good for the first impression, but I didn't bring anything for comparison. I think this is a good sign as if a headphone sucks you can tell it right away when listening to the tracks that you are familiar with.
He got it when Costco has it on sale for about $200 Canadian which is a good deal.

 

[Daimiel]

What are the best headphones you would recommend in the $100-$250 range? For a person who listens mainly to classical music and jazz music?

I had a pair of Grado SR-80, but they broke after a few months - so personally, I'll avoid Grados.

Hi! For Classical and Jazz the AKG K701 are a ver good option.

 

[Doodski]

Hi! For Classical and Jazz the AKG K701 are a ver good option.

Too expensive for the price range requested
https://www.amazon.ca/AKG-701-Headphones-Varimotion-Technology/dp/B000EBBJ6Y
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/K701--akg-k701-open-back-studio-reference-headphones
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/413242-REG/AKG_2458_Z_00180_K_701_Reference.html

 

[Daimiel]

Hi! For Classical and Jazz the AKG K701 or K702(the same but with detachable cable) are a very good option.

 

[BobbyTimmons]

Too expensive for the price range requested
https://www.amazon.ca/AKG-701-Headphones-Varimotion-Technology/dp/B000EBBJ6Y
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/K701--akg-k701-open-back-studio-reference-headphones
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/413242-REG/AKG_2458_Z_00180_K_701_Reference.html

They are only £89 in the UK.

However, they seem to have some issues with quality control? I read a lot of mixed reviews about both AKG and Beyerdynamic.

It's a shame there are not more options from the great Japanese brands like Yamaha and Roland.

 

[Daimiel]

Too expensive for the price range requested
https://www.amazon.ca/AKG-701-Headphones-Varimotion-Technology/dp/B000EBBJ6Y
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/K701--akg-k701-open-back-studio-reference-headphones
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/413242-REG/AKG_2458_Z_00180_K_701_Reference.html

Edited with K702 .
In Europe it's much more cheap.

 

[Daimiel]

They are only £89 in the UK.

However, they seem to have some issues with quality control? I read a lot of mixed reviews about both AKG and Beyerdynamic.

Mine it's from december and don't have any problem.

 

[Doodski]

They are only £89 in the UK.

However, they seem to have some issues with quality control? I read a lot of mixed reviews about both AKG and Beyerdynamic.

It's a shame there are not more options from the great Japanese brands like Yamaha and Roland.

I've always found Yamaha transducers to be midrangy sounding and not have the top end of American and Euro branded stuff.
I'm curious about the Roland stuff too. We have a retailer here selling them and whenever they stock stuff it's usually good plus it's Roland.
https://www.long-mcquade.com/65369/...es/Roland/OPEN-AIR_PROFESSIONAL_HEADPHONE.htm
https://www.long-mcquade.com/170336/Pro-Audio---Recording/Headphones/Roland/RH-300-Headphones.htm
https://www.long-mcquade.com/54751/...Earplugs/Roland/Roland_V-Drums_Headphones.htm

 

[BobbyTimmons]

I've always found Yamaha transducers to be midrangy sounding and not have the top end of American and Euro branded stuff.
I'm curious about the Roland stuff too. We have a retailer here selling them and whenever they stock stuff it's usually good plus it's Roland.
https://www.long-mcquade.com/65369/...es/Roland/OPEN-AIR_PROFESSIONAL_HEADPHONE.htm
https://www.long-mcquade.com/170336/Pro-Audio---Recording/Headphones/Roland/RH-300-Headphones.htm
https://www.long-mcquade.com/54751/...Earplugs/Roland/Roland_V-Drums_Headphones.htm

Yamaha are a truly reliable and solid company. I mean, their digital pianos are made like tanks. And their CF Series grand pianos are supposed to be as good as Steinways now. So making some headphones should be a walk in the park for such a company.

I'm curious about the Roland headphones, and wonder why they receive so little attention. Considering I would expect that consumers would flock to them just from the legendary brand name alone.