Vintage HiFi Audio Forum
Audio Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: audiott on June 01, 2013, 08:04:31 PM
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I am growing tired of my wife telling me to turn it down. So I am going to put my foot down and let her know who the boss is. Can ya'll make recommendations for headphones under $150? I'll show her ;)
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It all depends on what sound you are looking for. What type of music do you primarily listen to?
Do you want open or closed cans? What are you powering them with?
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Classic Rock. I like base. Will be powering them with a Tanberg 3008 a preamp. What are open and closed cans? Totally new to headphones!
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Open air are designed so that the rear of the diaphragm is open to the environment. They offer no noise cancelling and you can hear things in the room around you.
Closed are the traditional headphones that you are most likely familiar with. The diaphragms are in housings and the housings and are typically sealed to the ear with leather or plastic pads.
Once you determine which design is best for you, then start looking at specific brands and models.
www.head-fi.org (http://www.head-fi.org) is a useful site, although I try to avoid it.
Headphone.com is also useful. They have graphs of frequency response vs SPL for most of the major brands and models.
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What are the pros and cons of the two designs?
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Go straight to Vintage Hi-Fi and get a pair of Grado SR-60s. I've had mine for 25 years and still think they are the best $80 I ever spent in this hobby.
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BTW, my wife hates the occasions where I will use my closed back AKGs, because I can't hear anything. At least with the Grados she has a fighting chance at getting my attention if she yells (since this came about to appease your wife).
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Open back cans will leak sound into the room and let room sounds interfere with your music. But, if you have a quiet room, open back cans many times will sound better.
This is an interesting review thread on Head-Fi.org
http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-57-headphones-compared-update-ultimate-ears-uerm-added-4-14-13 (http://www.head-fi.org/t/634201/battle-of-the-flagships-57-headphones-compared-update-ultimate-ears-uerm-added-4-14-13)
AUDIO-TECHNICA ATH-AD900 can be had for $189 on Amazon.com
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For rock and roll, I have to recommend the Grado SR60 and / or SR80.
You won't be disappointed.
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Both of which are open cans, by the way.
As Scott said, a vast majority of open cans will outperform their closed counterparts.
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Great! I appreciate the input. Thanks!