I need some new headphones, gang, and I know some o' y'all have just the insight I need. I've never had a nice pair before, and I'm thinking it's about time... I recall some talk of Sennheisers being quite good in the past, but I really don't know where to begin (well, yeah I do, here).

I want some good cans, mans, and I'd like to spend not too much, but provided they'll last for a long time under my tender loving care, I'd go up to, say 100-150 dollars? (??)

Lemme know some stuff! Ask me some questions that I should be asking myself.

Thanks thanks thanks thanks thanks thanks!

BEATS BY DRE

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-518-Headphones-Black/dp/B0042A68R8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1340753519&sr=1-1&keywords=HD+518

For a serious answer, at least. I am no audiophile, I just know Sennheiser is amazing, and open-back headphones sound better (and are far less distracting).

It would be more accurate to say they typically sound better because they're easier to design. There are some really good sealed headphones out there.

I highly recommend http://www.headphone.com. Their reviews and value ratings are generally right on the money. They have a great view to sort and filter headphones by type and price range. My general advice to people is go there, pick a style and a price, then get whatever they say is good for the value. It's usually hard to go wrong.

If you want to jump straight to an answer, CM's suggestion is great and you definitely can't go wrong with that pair. Sennheiser also has great service and does many repairs for cheap or free.

The problem with closed headphones though is that they're really, really sealed (good ones are). Which means cord noise and such echoes loudly, and you can't hear anything outside it (like earmuffs). It can be really disorienting if you're not used to it.

http://www.headphone.com/headphones/akg-k-272-hd.php

I have these. Ergonomically, they took some time getting used to since I have rather large and somewhat floppy ears and these sit atop them instead of completely enclosing them. For me, I would say my old Sennheiser HD555's are still a bit more comfortable to wear, but the AKG's have been comfy enough for however lengthy sessions once I got used to them, and they sound better. I also like the design where I don't have to adjust them (and then readjust whenever I accidentally mess up the setting), as they adjust themselves according to your size when you put them on.

I currently have the Audio Technica ATH-A700s and they are fantastic. My friends have A500s and they said they are also just as great. They look goofy as hell for walking outside and sich, but they are great headphones for the price. They fit right into your budget as well.

I hear the ATH-M50's are fantastic as well, and throughout many sites are award winners.

I have been super pleased with them. I particularly enjoy them greatly for listening to my vinyl.

For what it's worth Audio Technica's headphones have some of the best auto adjusting headbands. You just put them on your head and get them in the right spot and they stay (it's this counterbalanced thing, you just put them on and you're good). They're extremely comfortable to wear.

you might be able to find a used set of HD580s around the top end of your price range

Ditto on the Audio Technica recommendations. I can wear my A500's forever without even noticing them, and they sound great.

My Sennheiser PX100s have lasted for 8+ years and still sound great. If they would only go bad then I could justify getting a newer pair with noise cancelling. I don't have much experience with other high-end headphones, but the base on these Sennheisers always impresses me.

y do they have a base

PX100 are a bit bloated on the bass

you can tame it with some EQ

I don't see how Everquest will help at all!

I think it depends on which model you get. Original PX100 were heavy on the bass, but I believe PX100 Mk2 or whatever has slightly more balanced sound.

from what i've read the PX100-II has more bass

Thanks a lot for the feedback, guys! I'm gonna sit down and review some of these options tonight, as well as check out headphones.com

whatever you do, do NOT take Alan seriously.

Beats by Dre are a terrible choice.

they are not a terrible choice but there are better options for less money

Oh man, I was expecting a thread where I could talk with saberopus' headphones but ALAS.

it is a bit misleading since it kinda implies in the title he already has new headphones... never said anything before but it has been bugging me a little

In 2005 I wanted to get closed/studio phones that would have isolated sound near-perfectly. From various sources I was recommended the Sennheiser HD280 Pros, so I got those. Of course, even on the first day I noticed that they didn't really isolate that much and for that matter, within the first 6 months they had already started breaking apart. By August 2009, the whole thing was kept together by duct tape, cable ties, rubber bands and socks (which looked quite interesting actually).

Deciding that enough was enough, I got AKG K271 MkIIs from Thomann.de in August 2009 and mang, they were exactly what I already needed in 2005. Sure, (97.5%) perfect sound isolation you need in-ear phones (which is why I always use those outside the house) but the AKGs really isolate it properly and for that matter, they've been far far far far far more durable than the HD280s ever were - only one of the round plastic stereo channel indicators has fallen off in ~3 years, at which point the HD280s were already requiring extensive measures (duct tape and sock probably) to hold them together.

So... remind me how that's not a terrible choice then?

Also, for the price, they sound mediocre, and they are extremely fragile.

i've never said anything before but you've always bugged me a little

e: buggered*

FGR in a few days you will be able to do just what you had hoped in this thread, so no worries!

because terrible choice would imply the headphones are awful... 90% of what walmart stocks would be a terrible choice, beats are more of a "you could have done better" choice... cut the price of the beats by at least 35-40% and they would be a good choice because they would be in the right price range for how they sound but being a monster product and having dr. dre's name on them bumps the price up