Our top picks (help me buy headphones!)

[Jerms]

Hi,

Do you guys know when you'll be getting Brainwavz M2 back in stock?

Thanks

[Marcus]

In a week or two I believe

[namaiki]

Considering upgrading from my DT250-80s to DT250-250s. From what I have read, I get the impression that doing this will reduce bass a bit (not that I think that the bass is overpowering in the DT250-80s) and treble will be less rolled off? Any truth in that?

Got my hands on a DT250-250 and treble is definitely more present and the overall sound is not as dark (note: I will try to get someone to blind test me when I have some more time). Not saying that I like the sound better - not sure - but there is a difference driving each with my Audinst HUD-MX1.

At the moment, I think the DT250-80 would probably be my all rounders out of the two because they are less fatiguing and they make pretty much everything sound good because of their dark/solid sound.

[robbrim00]

I'm looking at getting a new set of canalphones, since my RO2 Pro2's are on the way out after a good few years of heavy use. I've been very happy with the R02's, so I'm looking at the GR02's, but also the Brainwavz M3. Are the M3's worth the $30 extra, especially when I was happy with my R02's? What's the difference between the R02 and the GR02? Thanks for any help.

[Marcus]

There isn't a huge deal of difference between the R02pro2 and the GR02, but the M3 adds another level of detail and balance to the mix which I think makes them a worthwhile upgrade.

[rich]

Hi,

Sorry if this has been covered before, there's a lot of pages to go through.

Basically, I want some phones to play my Microkorg synth with, it runs with batteries so i tend to play it anywhere. For the past while I've been happily using Senn. buds, but I'm starting to get into more production so I'm wanting something that I can do some half-decent mixes with.
I like bass, and abstract synth nonsense, so i guess something that covers all frequencies.

Don't want something to bulky, I'm a fan of slim design.

Don't have a load of cash, if I could find something solid between $100...200 max, I'd be stoked. The AKG K490 NC's look awesome, but I gotta say are a little out of my budget... Dunno, maybe I could hold off and save?

So yeah, i guess I'm asking for a lot. any ideas?

cheers.
Rich.

[Marcus]

No point buying noise cancelling headphones for non-airplane use, really

Alessandro MS-1, Audio Technica M50/AD700, Shure SRH440/840 etc - there's heaps of options - check the first page of this thread for a big list of models that we recommend

[rich]

I like the look of the Alessandro ones. Cheers.

[Marcus]

Great choice

[Marcus]

Before people ask - we'll be adding some Vsonic and Audiofly models to the original recommended list

[chewybacca]

Thinking of gift ideas for a friend's birthday at the moment. Currently looking at what headphone options are possible, as is typical with me

What would you recommend for someone that's predominantly a gamer, but also indulges in a bit of music - mainly consists of indie electropop and pop-rock bands? Cost - preferably no more than $300, but a few different price-range options would be nice. A closed headphone would probably be better (but I don't know, maybe the open ones are good too?). And preferably something that doesn't really need an amp.

Was looking at Beyer's MMX400 due to the mic, but probably want something with better sound quality than that. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be many good, audiophile headset options around.

[Drubbing]

No point in getting an expensive 'audiophile' headset for gaming. They don't make them because gaming audio demands are pretty low, and spending more doesn't add something that isn't there to begin.

Most gamers go for the AD700.

[hayseed]

Hi folks,

Over the last five years I've been using the KOSS KSC-75 as my portable/office headphone solution. I use them almost exclusively with my various iOS devices.

Sadly, my current pair are starting to fail. This is due to cabling failures that I'm pretty certain are caused by my poor method of storing them and transporting them between home and work. One thing I've noticed is that the cable becomes stiffer the closer it is to the ear piece. It's happened to both pairs as the loss of audio starts happening.

So I'm looking at just replacing my current pair with something different, rather than trying to get anything repaired.

Most of the music I listen to is orchestral (a lot of video game and movie scores), progressive metal, with a bit of dubstep and trance and a smattering of rock, pop and folk mixed in there as well.

I'm looking for something compact, comfortable for a work day's worth of wear and able to be protected during transit. My budget is up to $200, and inline controls for iOS/etc would be preferred.

Disclaimer: I've never used canalphones before, and I'm not sure how well I'd cope with them, hence my inital choice of the KOSS KSC-75s.

Thank you.

[Marcus]

Thinking of gift ideas for a friend's birthday at the moment. Currently looking at what headphone options are possible, as is typical with me

What would you recommend for someone that's predominantly a gamer, but also indulges in a bit of music - mainly consists of indie electropop and pop-rock bands? Cost - preferably no more than $300, but a few different price-range options would be nice. A closed headphone would probably be better (but I don't know, maybe the open ones are good too?). And preferably something that doesn't really need an amp.

Was looking at Beyer's MMX400 due to the mic, but probably want something with better sound quality than that. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be many good, audiophile headset options around.

There aren't a lot of headset options unfortunately, gaming sound isn't as demanding as music IMO, plus adding a broadcast quality mic pretty much doubles the price of a headset, and you don't need a broadcast quality mic to call people... well, you know what people call people via online voice comms these days.

I'd recommend models like the AD900 or Beyer DT250 as two of the better choices around the $300 mark.

Hi folks,

Over the last five years I've been using the KOSS KSC-75 as my portable/office headphone solution. I use them almost exclusively with my various iOS devices.

Sadly, my current pair are starting to fail. This is due to cabling failures that I'm pretty certain are caused by my poor method of storing them and transporting them between home and work. One thing I've noticed is that the cable becomes stiffer the closer it is to the ear piece. It's happened to both pairs as the loss of audio starts happening.

So I'm looking at just replacing my current pair with something different, rather than trying to get anything repaired.

Most of the music I listen to is orchestral (a lot of video game and movie scores), progressive metal, with a bit of dubstep and trance and a smattering of rock, pop and folk mixed in there as well.

I'm looking for something compact, comfortable for a work day's worth of wear and able to be protected during transit. My budget is up to $200, and inline controls for iOS/etc would be preferred.

Disclaimer: I've never used canalphones before, and I'm not sure how well I'd cope with them, hence my inital choice of the KOSS KSC-75s.

Thank you.

Koss have a lifetime warranty...
AKG Q460? Great little unit - inline controls and removable cable included.

[Drubbing]

Q460 are very nice.

Koss will fix your 75s or replace them, but if you're after something new and portable and Kossy, then the Portapro are the same drivers with full size fit, so they'll have a bit more oomph.