Best headphones for general listening for ?100 or under?

[danstan21]

I'm looking to get myself some decent, long-lasting headphones for my ipod. I've had a browse myself (basically the highest rated on amazon) and I've found these two pairs:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-HD-380-Pro-Collapsible/dp/B001UE6I0G/ref=sr_1_35?m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1359812330&sr=1-35

These seem to be pretty much the top rated on Amazon for the price bracket I was looking at, so even though they go 96p over my maximum limit, I'm tempted. Anyone have experience with these?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-MDRRF86...pr_product_top

On the other hand wireless headphones sound like a good idea. Cables are annoying and if these actually work (which I'm suspicious about) I think for convenience's sake I'd get these. - I now realise these aren't suitable for portable use. Whoops

If anyone can recommend any other quality headphones for around this same price range I'd be very grateful.

[speedlolita]

Sony MDR-V6.

[topper]

Okay, so not in your price range new, but if you're looking for the value closed-back, I can't tell you how much joy I get from my Shure SRH840s.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Shure-SRH840-Professional-Studio-Headphones/dp/B002E3IWQK/ref=sr_1_5?s=network-media&ie=UTF8&qid=1359815036&sr=1-5

Why not go over to head-fi and pick up a good second-hand pair?

The Audio Technica ATH-M50 is also in the mix at that range, but I feel the Shures are simply better, in terms of sound and comfort.

[ETC]

I was reccomended these by Speedy and they are superb, save yourself the ?60

http://m.richersounds.com/product/headphones/akg/k450/akg-k450

make sure you get a Fiio amp to boost the piss poor ipod/phone amplifier I use a cheap E5 does the job

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0026RJQJ6

AKG K450 Review for you

http://www.whathifi.com/review/k450

[speedlolita]

Oh, if you're using them with an iPod then you'll want something.. Easier to drive.

[ETC]

Oh, if you're using them with an iPod then you'll want something.. Easier to drive.

Iphone5 but I tend to use a F11 with that

Sorry Danstan for the little derailment

[speedlolita]

Was referring to earlier suggestions really.

But yes, damn EU volume limit.

[topper]

I was reccomended these by Speedy and they are superb, save yourself the ?60

http://m.richersounds.com/product/headphones/akg/k450/akg-k450

make sure you get a Fiio amp to boost the piss poor ipod/phone amplifier I use a cheap E5 does the job

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0026RJQJ6

AKG K450 Review for you

http://www.whathifi.com/review/k450

Maybe good for the price, but not in the same ballpark as the Shures or Senns mentioned ^^^.

[PaTaito]

Maybe a tad over ?100 but the Sennheiser hd558....next.

[Lyris]

EDIT: just saw you want these for iPod, so presumably portable. In that case disregard, you probably don't want a pair of ear cans with a heavy cord!


I use a pair of Sony Professional MDR-7506s.

I don't know how true to flat response they are because I don't have a way of measuring them, but I like the sound a lot. There's bass but it's not too boomy, etc.

You can often see headphones from this range in use in broadcasting.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=mdr7506

[CMcK]

iGrado (?55) if you like neckband style phones or their regular equivalent the Grado SR60i (?105). You should be able to find them cheaper though.

https://www.grado.co.uk

[speedlolita]

iGrado maybe, but not proper Grado. They're highly uncomfortable and leak sound like nobody's business.

[danstan21]

Thanks for all the input guys, was all valuable for making an informed decision! I'm sorry to say that in the end I didn't go for any of the suggestions here - I was in Westfield today so I tried out some of the headphones in the apple store and I rather liked the Logitech UE4000 due to their form factor (pretty slim so easy to carry around) as well as sound quality, so after I got home I went and bought them off Amazon.

[CMcK]

iGrado maybe, but not proper Grado. They're highly uncomfortable and leak sound like nobody's business.

Granted not everyone likes the open back style of headphone but it gives a nice wide soundstage. And for the money the iGrado is unmatched. I would still be using them if I didn't keep breaking the cables.

[speedlolita]

Oh I love open back, my point being that they wouldn't be great for portable use.