Headphone (over/on ear) recommendations for

Forums › Gadgets, robotics, home automation, electronics (including wearables) › Headphone (over/on ear) recommendations for < $200?

jonathan18

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#136311 22-Nov-2013 16:44

Hi there

I know there are a few posts on this topic, but there are a few factors which limit the possible selection -

My niece (17 years) is looking at purchasing a pair of headphones, and is happy to pay up to $200. Given her age and personality she's after not only something that sounds good AND looks ok but isn't w@nky. This rules out Beats Audio et al similar phones (putting aside the matter as to whether they're good value for money).

Sound-wise, I'd be recommending for her going for something relatively balanced rather than too bass-heavy (especially no muddy bass!).

She'll be listening to them mainly with an iPod, so isn't keen on a long cable.

I'd be interested in any specific recommendations for such phones, whether they be available here or from an overseas site.

Given by the positive things I've read elsewhere on Brainwavz in-ear phones, I wondered what their larger models are like - has anyone heard their HM9 model? Seem to be good value for money, and also comes with cables of different lengths (including one with a mic). Also, unusually Amazon ship them to NZ and with a cheap postage price.

Anything else out there we should look at/listen to? Given the budget, we're looking for value for money.

Many thanks
Jonathan

vexxxboy

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#939174 22-Nov-2013 16:54

have a look on MP4 nation, most of the headphones have professional reviews and they are a reliable company . I recommend the Brainwavz, well built and sound really good at a really good price

http://www.mp4nation.net/headphones/headphones

Common sense is not as common as you think.

NZtechfreak

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#939196 22-Nov-2013 17:58

I will pop by this thread later when I have time (just leaving work) with some thoughts for you.

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

jonathan18

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#939201 22-Nov-2013 18:17

vexxxboy: have a look on MP4 nation, most of the headphones have professional reviews and they are a reliable company . I recommend the Brainwavz, well built and sound really good at a really good price

http://www.mp4nation.net/headphones/headphones

Thanks - yeah, I've just bought a pair of in-ear phones from this website (Astrotec A90s), and many people seem to recommend the Brainwavz brand, especially quality relative to price - hence my question on the HM9s (the site clearly specialises in in-ear models, with not many over-ear phones). Has anyone heard these HM9s?

NZtechfreak: I will pop by this thread later when I have time (just leaving work) with some thoughts for you.

Thanks - look forward to your ideas!

I've also confirmed with my niece she's def. after over-ear ones, and doesn't mind them being fairly large. Also, cable length is indeed important, as she finds the long ones on her current pair (c. $70 Sennheisers) totally impractical.

[adding text]

jonathan18

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#939234 22-Nov-2013 19:33

With a bit more research, I've also come across these, and welcome others' opinions on them:

AKG K451 - these get some pretty good reviews; have iPod controls; short cords; \within budget and would be an even better price at Computer Lounge this weekend (with 7% off all products in stock). While 'on-ear' rather than 'over-ear', this may not be a problem given the other advantages (as long as they sound good as well!).

Cheers...

NZtechfreak

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#939334 22-Nov-2013 23:16

jonathan18: With a bit more research, I've also come across these, and welcome others' opinions on them:

AKG K451 - these get some pretty good reviews; have iPod controls; short cords; \within budget and would be an even better price at Computer Lounge this weekend (with 7% off all products in stock). While 'on-ear' rather than 'over-ear', this may not be a problem given the other advantages (as long as they sound good as well!).

Cheers...

Just checking out reviews for those (not heard them myself), sounds like a very nice headphone for the money.

Seems they have a bit of bass tilt, but within the given budget that will probably be difficult to avoid as everyone is pandering to a populous sound which generally involves some bass emphasis.

They also seem to have a moderate clamping force on the head, which is fairly common to on-the-ear headphones. If you don't wear glasses and/or have a narrow head that is an advantage - they'll isolate better from surrounding noise and leak less to annoy people nearby (but for people like me with a slightly wider head, and who also wear glasses, that is often a liability in the comfort stakes).

Computer Lounge are fantastic to deal with though, and will probably also let her audition them and several other headphones to see what suits (not many offer this in NZ). Making a trip there will likely be well worth your while.

The Logitech UE6000 may also be worth a look, they can often be had for the same money and are over-the-ear and with a fairly balanced sound.

Ordinarily they are decidedly out of budget, but the Beyerdynamic DT-1350 have a towering reputation, and recently Amazon have had them on great specials - worth checking out sourcing from overseas. Computer Lounge have them, so she'd be able to try them and if she liked them look online for deals. V-Moda also have a number of headphones worth checking out, some are over budget, some within, and again they are often discounted on Amazon and worth checking out online pricing.

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

jonathan18

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#939371 23-Nov-2013 06:57

Thanks so much for these suggestions; I've passed them on to my niece for her to consider.

The UE6000s are a good price on Amazon, but they won't ship them here; she'd still get them cheaper even using YouShop or that alternative than buying them here. Does the noise cancelling of these models add in much background hiss? I've never been that happy with that from my Blackboxes - it was always there in the background during quiet passages.

Cheers
Jonathan

NZtechfreak

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#939495 23-Nov-2013 14:31

jonathan18: Thanks so much for these suggestions; I've passed them on to my niece for her to consider.

The UE6000s are a good price on Amazon, but they won't ship them here; she'd still get them cheaper even using YouShop or that alternative than buying them here. Does the noise cancelling of these models add in much background hiss? I've never been that happy with that from my Blackboxes - it was always there in the background during quiet passages.

Cheers
Jonathan

They have a passive listening mode, so no need to use the ANC at all if not desired (apparently their ANC is a middling sort of affair, I would just consider it a bonus feature you might occasionally use it).

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org