So many headpones

Alright I'm going to be a freshman at college which means i'll be in a dorm the first year. From what people have been describing, headphones would be the much smarter choice than a pair of quality speakers. I like that idea and am looking for a nice pair of closed headphones preferably with a lot of bass. I'm trying to keep my budget around $100-$200. Someone point me in the right direction...

 

Audio Technia A700's

180$ originally but down to 110$ if you look around. Very high quality audiophile headphones.

Reasons to appeal to you:

> low impedance so they can be driven directly from a source with no expensive headphone amp like many high end headphones

> very large driver with great bass and comfort, frequency responce down below 20hz so you can hear all kinds of bass (if your hearing is that good )

> be diffrent... not everybody has to use Senns just because american media and public opinion says so, these are from japan and very popular there so they are less known about, not inferior.

I also appreciate the auto adjusting headband, so me and my wife can both use them without me having her mess up my settings like my old headphones.



http://reviews.cnet.com/headphones-...ca-ath-a700/4507-6468_7-31649806.html?tag=nav

 

Go for a pair of Sennheiser headphones

 

See what I mean??

Its like how everybody had to have a certian brand shoes in high school, just because it was the "thing" to have and the name brand.

When there are cheaper brand shoes of the same quality, nobody would buy them just because of the public opinion.

You really need to go by the stats, or if you can find a place that has them, just listen to the AT's and you will know the diffrence.

Sen has some good stuff, but mostly in there super high dollar area, and again usually that means alot more money for an amp.

the AT's will beat out the Sens IMO in the 100-200$ range, I have heard both with my own ears and got to judge.

 

Another headphone to consider is the Alessandro MS-1. The AT A700s are excellent too. I was deciding between the two but went for the MS-1s because popular opinion at Head-Fi said they made you feel more 'involved' in the music, and that is what I was after.

I'll actually point you to Head-Fi for recommendations:
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/index.php

 

For music, AD700's ^^ I had a pair for a few weeks. I used them for everything except the games or heavy bass music.

The open air design really brought out the sound stage, and they were more comfortable.

I will definitely get a pair down the road when I have the time to listen to music again and some spare money.

Another plus with the open air is that I could hear the kids while doing things. If you want to feel "in" the music open air is definitly the way to go. Much more natural like your there rather than "in your head"

edit: just pulled up some images of the Alessandro MS-1 looks like they are open air aswell so that would go along with my opinion. Only flaw with open air is the loss of bass dynamics. The op asked for heavy bass tho.

 

The Sennheisser HD 280 is a very good option.

 

I'm a strong proponent of spending more, when it comes to audio

If you can make it happen, the Beyerdynamic DT 770 would be excellent for you, and can be had for $250 at Head Room.

 

I recently purchased the Beyerdynamic DT 770 (2x80Ohm)
Guitar Center has them for $199 you can likely talk them down in price.
For a sealed headphone they produce wonderful bass. I'm currently powering mine with a Creative xFi card (unfortunately I do not have the exact specs for the card and its output ratings :/)
The gray velour material on the ear cups is quite comfortable and you wont have to worry about the vinyl peeling from the foam like I've seen on some cheaper headphones. The headband is leather and is likely quite comfortable as well (I have a thick head of hair, it could be made of concrete and I wouldn't know the difference)

Keep in mind that you won't feel the bass in your gut and what not as you are most likely used to. Also, as with most things, the more you spend the better quality you get and in the case of headphones better quality means more true representation of the source signal. This includes artifacts in digital media and dust on vinyls.

my 2 cents

Did I mention they seal terrificly? Think personal Rush concert in your local library. Just be prepared to be asked to leave if you sing along.

 

Stax Omega II

Google it

 

IEM's are another option, the Shure E4c should be at the max of your budget.

 

Everyones interpretation of what sounds good is unique so while suggestions are good starting points I strongly advise you to audition several headphones that fall within your budget that appeal to you prior to making any purchase. I know in Texas (and I assume the same is true in most states) that headphones can not be returned once purchased for health reasons. So better to get your germs all over them in a nice audition room for free before busting out the wallet.

 

I had those for a short while but RMA'd them because while the treble was very good and vocals sounded awesome, they had no bass at all. Great clarity though.

The HD280s also have a vice grip so if you're sensitive to that . . .

 

Excellent, you can get them in your budget, likely somewhat locally. I just don't see anything in your price range being a better choice, but you should definitely give a listen if you can. Everybody's taste is different, and you just might not like the level of bass any headphone can give you.