xxmartinxx Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 I recently bought a pair of HiFiMan FE-300 (they're on sale for 50% on Audioadvisor.com), which replaced a pair of Grado SR60i's. They're a bit darker than the Grados. They sound more similar to the Grado SR80's but more comfortable. I'd have no problem recommending any of these headphones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_stretts Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Just to counter the beats bashing - the latest model apparently has decent sound (according to Tyll at Innerfidelity) and I would trust that guys opinion on headphones given his experience. Out of curiosity, why not go for an open headphone, particularly since you are keen to use them for gaming - you will get a better soundstage with open - m50s wont give you that sense of immersion. I own the m50xs and they are fantastic for listening to music and I use them as my portables, but I think other models would edge them out in the gaming arena Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinch Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 http://time.com/74886/best-headphones/ scores based on: a ) 75% expert reviews from tech-oriented publications like CNET, Wired, PC Mag b ) 25% specs and features like frequency and noise canceling ability 01. Shure (90) 02. Grado (89) 03. Klipsch (84) 04. Pioneer (83) 05. Sony (80) 06. AKG (79) 07. Sennheiser (78) 08. JVC (75) 09. Audio-Technica (74) 10. Panasonic (74) 11. Apple (74) 12. Bose (73) 13. Philips (72) 14. Creative (68) 15. Koss (68) 16. Skullcandy (62) 17. Beats by Dre (58) 18. Plantronics (57) I'm sorry, but this list is completely useless. So is the linked article for that matter. It hurts my head just how many things are wrong with this, but I'll point out just a few of the most obvious ones. - score is based on "expert" reviews by publications like CNET, Wired, PC Mag... If those are the ones they mention, I don't even want to think about which other sites they took as reference. Seeing that those three mentioned are some of the worst places to go for audio advice, period. - score is partially based on specs... wait, what? Not only do specs have close to zero correlation with audio quality, the specified numbers are rarely even true. Oh, and let's not forget the noise cancellation ability, the pinnacle of fidelity in all top end products. - apparently budget is irrelevant, meaning every manufacturer that makes a good product in one price range makes a product of the same value in other ranges as well. And vice versa. But yeah, what I got from that article is that if I want to spend $200 on an open-back set of headphones I can settle for "sounds good" with a pair of sennheisers or audio-technicas, or I can jump two classes higher and go "supersonic" with klipsch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmhmm Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 I'm sorry, but this list is completely useless. So is the linked article for that matter. It hurts my head just how many things are wrong with this, but I'll point out just a few of the most obvious ones. - score is based on "expert" reviews by publications like CNET, Wired, PC Mag... If those are the ones they mention, I don't even want to think about which other sites they took as reference. Seeing that those three mentioned are some of the worst places to go for audio advice, period. - score is partially based on specs... wait, what? Not only do specs have close to zero correlation with audio quality, the specified numbers are rarely even true. Oh, and let's not forget the noise cancellation ability, the pinnacle of fidelity in all top end products. - apparently budget is irrelevant, meaning every manufacturer that makes a good product in one price range makes a product of the same value in other ranges as well. And vice versa. But yeah, what I got from that article is that if I want to spend $200 on an open-back set of headphones I can settle for "sounds good" with a pair of sennheisers or audio-technicas, or I can jump two classes higher and go "supersonic" with klipsch. So let's say you're right...what is a reliable source for creating a similar list that doesn't go by what you're referring to above and still provides as accurate as possible a list to go by? Didn't word that well but you catch my drift... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slinch Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 Although a very narrow selection, this photo posted by Derek on the first page is a really solid "bang for buck" guide. It doesn't really take into consideration different listening/sound signature preferences, but for what it is it's a solid guide. For earphones/IEMs, this is the list of all lists. Granted, it's still just a subjective point of view, as will every list be, but you can certainly see the effort, and more importantly, the abundance of experience that went into it. For full size headphones, this one is really great (it covers IEMs as well though). The info on each model isn't as in-depth, but it covers the most notable attributes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biodigitaljazz Posted August 23, 2014 Share Posted August 23, 2014 A headphone thread! I don't play games. Another vouch for the M50 for general listening purposes without amplification. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Avatar Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 Because naming their company 'Monster' is the closest they ever came to truth in advertising and ethical business practices. I had never heard of any of this. I just did a little bit of research and now I see why you're saying this and ugh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tardcore Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 I had never heard of any of this. I just did a little bit of research and now I see why you're saying this and ugh. The pricing issue and misleading advertising is sorta whatever....it's the fact that they routinely shake down small businesses just because they can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylo234 Posted August 24, 2014 Share Posted August 24, 2014 I have the Shure SRH440's. I use them for recording/mixing audio when I can't use my monitors. They're pretty good but not the best bass response. Definitely worth the money though and the detachable cable feature is great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JumpingBean Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 If you can swing proper high impedance amplification, the Sennheiser HD600's are absolutely phenomenal. I like my Audio-Technicas, but I love my Sennheisers.Unless you want to go portable or use them in a library, open back will give you better sound 9/10 times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooks Posted September 4, 2014 Share Posted September 4, 2014 I've got a pair of open back Senns. Sound stage is incredible, and for rock or anything in into at realm, they can't be beat. Only time I catch myself wishing had closed backs is when I'm listening to something deep and dark like Burial, the sound stage is a bit too open because I like to feel more "trapped" or enclosed with that kind of music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Vool Posted September 9, 2014 Share Posted September 9, 2014 I have Beyerdynamic DT-770 Pro and they're fantastic!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12k Posted September 11, 2014 Share Posted September 11, 2014 Just bought a pair of Hifiman HE500s with a Magni/Modi stack. Did a lot of research on different pairs on head-fi and went with the HE500 after trying my friend's HE 400s. Before these I've been using Logitech UE 6000s, which are nice, but these HE500s give way more detail and I'm sure the amp/dac stack will bring out an even better sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sad Heart Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Just bought a pair of Hifiman HE500s with a Magni/Modi stack. Did a lot of research on different pairs on head-fi and went with the HE500 after trying my friend's HE 400s. Before these I've been using Logitech UE 6000s, which are nice, but these HE500s give way more detail and I'm sure the amp/dac stack will bring out an even better sound. I pretty much did the same with a pair of DT990 250ohm and a Asgard / Modi stack. Sounds incredible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12k Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 I pretty much did the same with a pair of DT990 250ohm and a Asgard / Modi stack. Sounds incredible. In the future, I hope to upgrade to the Lyr2/Bifrost stack. I've heard a lot of great things about that pairing and the Hifiman series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sad Heart Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 In the future, I hope to upgrade to the Lyr2/Bifrost stack. I've heard a lot of great things about that pairing and the Hifiman series. If I had the money I would definitely do that, cause all I have heard are amazing things as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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