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Gear / Technical Help => Playback Forum => Topic started by: justink on May 03, 2010, 01:45:07 AM

Title: Over ear headphones
Post by: justink on May 03, 2010, 01:45:07 AM
any thoughts on some good cans?  looking to stay under $130-150 if possible.  sub a c-note would be awesome.
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: jlykos on May 03, 2010, 06:53:32 AM
Use the search function; this has been discussed many, many times.

Sony MDR-7506, Sennheiser 280, and Audio-Technica ATH-M50 are probably the most popular ones in that price range.  I prefer the Audio-Technicas; you may differ.
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: page on May 03, 2010, 08:23:11 AM
Use the search function; this has been discussed many, many times.

Sony MDR-7506, Sennheiser 280, and Audio-Technica ATH-M50 are probably the most popular ones in that price range.  I prefer the Audio-Technicas; you may differ.

Under $150, the M50s are tough to beat.
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: Brian Skalinder on May 03, 2010, 08:39:19 AM
"Over ear" isn't quite specific enough to me to warrant a recommendation, though perhaps I'm just being thick.

In what listening environment will you use them?
Are you looking for open or closed 'phones?
Are you looking for supra-aural (the pad rests on the ear) or circum-aural (the pad rest around the ear, leaving the outer ear largely untouched)?

Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: rastasean on May 03, 2010, 10:34:20 AM
Brian asks good questions but I doubt our responses would change too much.
If you're looking for a closed pair of headphones, I recommend the Audio-Technica ATH-M50. I have had these only for about a week or two but they have great response and fit my ears better than the 7506.
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: justink on May 03, 2010, 12:23:35 PM
"Over ear" isn't quite specific enough to me to warrant a recommendation, though perhaps I'm just being thick.

In what listening environment will you use them?
Are you looking for open or closed 'phones?
Are you looking for supra-aural (the pad rests on the ear) or circum-aural (the pad rest around the ear, leaving the outer ear largely untouched)?

In what listening environment will you use them?  mostly home, but may travel with them as well for road trips
Are you looking for open or closed 'phones?  i'm thinking closed
Are you looking for supra-aural (the pad rests on the ear) or circum-aural (the pad rest around the ear, leaving the outer ear largely untouched)?  more than likely around the ear.  i wear hearing protection daily at work, and i'd be most comfortable with that arrangement i'm thinking.

thanks for the suggestions already posted.  i was actually looking at the sony and senns, leaning toward the sony's but i'll definitely look at the AT's now as well.

Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: Brian Skalinder on May 03, 2010, 01:48:28 PM
I don't particularly like the Sony MDR-7506, mainly because the ear cups are not large or deep enough, so I get too much pressure on my ears for anything but very short-term listening.

At the upper end of your price range, you might consider AKG K-240s.  If/when I replace my K501s with closed 'phones, these are in the running.

You might try the Head-Fi.org (http://www.head-fi.org) forums, too, including this thread (http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f4/headphone-buyers-guide-271258/).  Though it may just contribute to options paralysis.  :P
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: kindms on May 03, 2010, 04:00:58 PM
I am a brand new owner of the AT-M50's I really like them, they sound fantastic, they are pretty comfortable for extended listening sessions. If you wear hearing protection at work you will probably think they are really comfortable

I still have the AKG K271's but I like the AT's better. they were 130 -135 shipped from here. They have a GREAT 30 day no questions return policy

http://www.headphone.com/

They have a nice list of top 10 cans. The AT-m50's seem to have the best bang for the buck IMHO.

Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: justink on May 03, 2010, 06:14:38 PM
i went a head and ordered the AT's based off everyone's reviews here.  thanks for the suggestions!
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: rastasean on May 03, 2010, 09:46:26 PM
i went a head and ordered the AT's based off everyone's reviews here.  thanks for the suggestions!

sound wise, I hope you won't be let down and disappointed. Its a nice thing to have the internet these days so you can order products from anywhere, but it is also more risky in the sense of time because you may not be pleased with the sound of them and you'll have to return them. most places do offer returns so its not usually a big deal, just a waste of time.

for the issue of comfort, I don't think you will be let down from the reviews you've read and what we have said about wearing them.

since you wear hearing protection you already know the importance of protecting your hearing. don't listen too loud for too long.

Enjoy the music with the cans!
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: page on May 03, 2010, 09:58:37 PM
If you get bored with those or don't like the (some would argue natural) bass on the ATs, then the Senn EH-350s are nice and cheap but the sub-40hz bass isn't accurate at all, there is a sharp rolloff that starts around 60hz or so and it doesn't become noticeable until you get to around 40 or 30hz. Other then that, they sound to be rather flatish and I'll use them when I'm too lazy to use my iems. Part of what creates that roll off is they are open cans and not closed backs.
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: Scooter123 on May 04, 2010, 01:31:41 AM
Any Sony Over $100; Senheiser HD 570. 
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: rjp on May 04, 2010, 10:58:26 PM
I've been quite happy with my Beyerdynamic DT 770 Pro/80 cans - they have become my "go-to" for home listening. I did have to open them up once and pull out some hairs that got stuck (creating a rattle at low frequencies), but that was a lot less difficult than I was expecting; just pull off the velour earpieces and pry up the retaining rings to get access to the drivers.

They're a bit power-hungry, though - so for portable listening I usually use my Grado SR60 set, even though it's an open design.
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: Tim on May 04, 2010, 11:03:50 PM
these get rave reviews in some of the audio mags,
http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-AD700-Audiophile-Headphones-Neodymium/dp/B000CMS0XU
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: Neilyboy on May 05, 2010, 08:10:59 AM
I love my m50's you will to..

neil
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: fotoralf.be on May 05, 2010, 04:42:55 PM
After 30 years with my original 600 ohm AKG K240 (still the same pair), I wanted some closed headphones as a complement, not as a replacement.

I bought an AKG K271 and wasn't happy at all. Main problem being the noise generated by the sidepieces of my glasses squeaking on the faux leather of the capsules and the constant feeling of listening to an empty sea shell. So, I ordered an AT M50 and haven't looked back since.

Even the trusted K240 hasn't seen much use, lately. But I'm not quite sure if this might be because the M50 is one of those products which exaggerate in a way that anything more neutral can only sound naff by comparison.

Ralf
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: rastasean on May 05, 2010, 05:13:26 PM
I don't think I have ever know this many people to agree on one product on this board. Furthermore, it may be a record for people saying their AKG gear is in some form or fashion less superior to something else.
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: page on May 05, 2010, 10:59:10 PM
I don't think I have ever know this many people to agree on one product on this board. Furthermore, it may be a record for people saying their AKG gear is in some form or fashion less superior to something else.

 ;D

AKG may make great mics, but their headphones are nothing to write home about IMHO.
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: fotoralf.be on May 09, 2010, 08:03:18 AM
AKG may make great mics, but their headphones are nothing to write home about IMHO.

I've been quite happy with my K240 for 30 years which is more than can be said of any other equipment I've ever owned. They also deserve the highest praise for the fact that I can still get all spare parts for it.

Ralf
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: Brian Skalinder on May 09, 2010, 08:12:07 AM
AKG may make great mics, but their headphones are nothing to write home about IMHO.

Heh...I feel exactly the opposite:  I like their headphones a lot, but think their mics are nothing special.  After reading through the thread and poking around a bit online, I'm intrigued by the AT-M50s, now.
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: rastasean on May 09, 2010, 10:17:15 PM
Heh...I feel exactly the opposite:  I like their headphones a lot, but think their mics are nothing special.  After reading through the thread and poking around a bit online, I'm intrigued by the AT-M50s, now.

best price I have seen is at b&h, $107 with free shipping. The only downside to b&h is that you have to return within 15 days.
That may be enough time, it may not be but that's a great price.
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: Will_S on May 09, 2010, 10:46:00 PM
Anyone done a direct comparison of the AT-M50s and the Sennheiser HD280?
Title: Re: Over ear headphones
Post by: Brian E. on August 02, 2010, 04:21:28 PM
AD700's are like 90 bucks now.