Best $50 or below headphones?

[GoldenBoy3.13]

If there are two things that you SHOULDN'T skimp out on, it's monitors and headphones. You want something that's going to play back a flat, clear sound. If you end up getting cheap headphones, your mixes will suffer, and I'm sure you don't want that to happen. I would get a pair of Sony 7506s or Sennheiser HD280s. Yes, they're both slightly over $100, but hey, they're not Grados. Professional engineers DO get headphones that are closer to the $500 realm, so if you put that into perspective, $100 headphones are cheap.

[ksandvik]

$10 headphones most likely means sonic headache. If you really are on a skinny diet get one of the Panasonic in-hear earbuds from Amazon for $17. I'm listening to my iPod just one with that set and the audio quality is decent.

[Scott003]

Budget + headphones isn't a good place to be. See if you can scrounge up more dough, you won't regret it. I have a pair of dt 770s (170 at GC) that are the shit, you get what you pay for etc.... I'd go for a pair of 7506s in the least

[GoldenBoy3.13]

RANKED: Best Budget Headphones Under $100 - Business Insider

[foldback]

the only good thing about the Behringer headphones I've heard is the price, unlike their speakers I think their headphones are very bland, but damn they're cheap.

The Audio Technica ATH-M30 don't sound inexpensive and they are only about $40 off Amazon. They are 85% as good as the M50's which cost over $100 more.

Don't be lulled in by the even cheaper M20, they suck, but not as bad as the Behringer headphones. I think Behringer headphones may get good reviews because they are cheap enough that a small project studio can have a few sets so everyone can listen and they don't break super fast. I had a pair I used on a trip to Singapore, when it came time to fly home I abandoned those headphones because they sounded so mediocre.

Check out the Audio Technica, they surprised the heck out of me, now I'm using them everyday.

Good luck and good music to you!

[draven5]

Originally Posted by GoldenBoy3.13

If there are two things that you SHOULDN'T skimp out on, it's monitors and headphones. You want something that's going to play back a flat, clear sound. If you end up getting cheap headphones, your mixes will suffer, and I'm sure you don't want that to happen. I would get a pair of Sony 7506s or Sennheiser HD280s. Yes, they're both slightly over $100, but hey, they're not Grados. Professional engineers DO get headphones that are closer to the $500 realm, so if you put that into perspective, $100 headphones are cheap.

+1

[classique]

What is most important for you? A booming bass? A flat sound? Or clear highs? This would help a lot in us helping you find headphones.

[electricity17]

Tape Op just had a very positive review of the "DJ style" headphones at Monoprice.com, somewhere between $20-30. Check out the Tape Op website and see if you can find the review, haven't tried them myself yet.

[chevybusa]

Hey guys. Thank you all so much for the replies, I really appreciate it! I absolutely agree that this is an area I really shouldn't be skimping on, but unfortunately my budget kinda dictates doing so...

Thank you all so much for the specifics, I'm gonna check out each set you guys listed...

As for what I'm gonna be using them for, you're right that makes a big difference, basically I just play and write and record at home with the gear in my sig for my own enjoyment...I'd really like something with a flat response cuz I live in an apartment so I can't always crank up my monitors, but I also listen to a lot of music with them. Thanks again for all the info and any more insight given this info would be greatly appreciated!!!!

[Kenny Gioia]

These are my favorite. Spring for the extra $9

Audio-Technica ATH-D40 | Sweetwater.com

[Gnu]

I've been really happy with the RH5MA from Yamaha. I use them for tracking and monitoring and they're very comfortable with minimal bleed, but they've also lent themselves to casual listening quite well. I've also put them through a fair bit of abuse for nearly two years and they're still like new. They're ever-so-slightly heavy on the bottom, but the bass is very defined and they're quite flat otherwise, particularly for the price. They're a hair above your range -- go for around $60 these days -- but they're really a hidden gem for low-end pro cans and I can't say enough good things about them.

[ramonovski]

Originally Posted by electricity17

Tape Op just had a very positive review of the "DJ style" headphones at Monoprice.com, somewhere between $20-30. Check out the Tape Op website and see if you can find the review, haven't tried them myself yet.

Originally Posted by Kenny Gioia

These are my favorite. Spring for the extra $9

Audio-Technica ATH-D40 | Sweetwater.com

I have those two, I use the Monoprice 8323 for casual listening and the M40fs(same as the D40) when I'm making music with my midi controller and some VSTis.

M40fs are a little bit "boomy" to my ears, but they are so comfy.
Monoprice 8323 are one of the most neutral headphones I've ever used (and I've tried a lot, at least in the 0-200 price range). Freq graphs don't lie.

[Kenny Gioia]

Originally Posted by ramonovski

M40fs are a little bit "boomy" to my ears, but they are so comfy.

Never noticed them to be boomy. I find them pretty exciting sounding without blowing your head off with the top end that many others (sony) have.

But I don't use them for critical listening at all. Just clear enough to inspire the talent and cheap enough that I can afford to replace them every few projects.

I have 6 pairs now and I usually buy one new set every project.

[heyokay]

Superlux HD660 or HD668B. Great bang for your buck, and the mixes I've done with them translate very well (I have the HD660 with velour pads). Like with anything, you need to get used to them and get used to how music sounds like through them.

[SquashPile]

Monoprice Under $24 lulz

[Rustam]

I use Samson SR850. About 35$. Very good choice. I love it.

[draven5]

Originally Posted by chevybusa

Hey guys. Thank you all so much for the replies, I really appreciate it! I absolutely agree that this is an area I really shouldn't be skimping on, but unfortunately my budget kinda dictates doing so...

Thank you all so much for the specifics, I'm gonna check out each set you guys listed...

As for what I'm gonna be using them for, you're right that makes a big difference, basically I just play and write and record at home with the gear in my sig for my own enjoyment...I'd really like something with a flat response cuz I live in an apartment so I can't always crank up my monitors, but I also listen to a lot of music with them. Thanks again for all the info and any more insight given this info would be greatly appreciated!!!!

Save up the money, buy the Sony 7506.

Can't recommend them enough. A budget is a budget but people need to have the discipline to save up when they need something.

A quick cheap buy is not a good thing. It will leave you with quick cheap results. Quality drops.

[machoboy]

You can get Shure SRH440s for $70 occasionally. $50 headphones generally suck and the only ones I see consistently recommended are Superlux. Behringer headphones would probably sound inferior to built in computer monitor speakers. Panasonic Monoprice etc are very "recreational" sounding.

Headphones are one of those "buy once" things imo. I tried cheapo models for a long time and they either misled me while recording or fell apart. Must have spent hundreds of dollars to end up nowhere. I spent $300 on my AKG 702s and couldn't be happier with them.

[Dpro]

Originally Posted by ramonovski

I have those two, I use the Monoprice 8323 for casual listening and the M40fs(same as the D40) when I'm making music with my midi controller and some VSTis.

.

Well actually they are not. The D40 is bass boosted. So there is a difference for what it is worth.

[kesslerjesus]

I have always found HD280's, used, for 50$ including shipping. Try ebay or craigslist.

Monoprice also makes a mean headphone for 24 dollars. Google them, as I think a few websites have their freq response charts and the headphones are def. good for the price.

[RoadToNever]

Look no further than Superlux HD661

[chevybusa]

Hey guys. Sorry it's been so long since I posted...I really appreciate all the replies, but after much thought and going back and forth I'm pretty sure I'm gonna save up so I'll have a bigger budget to work with...I really appreciate the advice, TBH my post was kindof a knee jerk reaction to all of the sudden having no headphones and being in such a piss poor financial situation, however I dug out a pair of cheapie ear buds I've had for a while that I can use in the meantime to save up, after a lot of consideration I really think I'll be better off having a bigger budget to work with in a little while....thanks again for all the help, I really do appreciate it, and I will definitely keep you guys updated...thanks again!

[Stevil]

the $10 behringers i bought were total crap. better off with cheap earbuds.

Sennheiser HD202's aren't bad for $30. i bought a bunch when i was headphone recording a band a few years back. they're very comfortable & clear. the bass is a bit hyped but if you're not doing any critical mixing on them it's not really an issue.

otherwise there are some great choices in the $100 range.

[Jidis]

Did anyone ever get or try the "iGrado"? It's supposed to be the same driver elements as the SR-60. I keep the 60 and a pair of ATH-M50's hanging up beside me and like them both. The Grado is perfectly usable and easier to grab when I want something lighter with less head clamping (open-back of course). The housings can rattle a little sometimes, but the "i" version would probably be different there. Always wondered about them. They're also less expensive.

Take Care

@Stevil- If that's those same silver closed-back Behringer cans I tried, I agree 100%. I gave them to my 8 year old niece. They sounded like a roll of paper towels. Funny how opinions can vary on stuff like that. I read they were some of the best bang for the buck phones in several places.

[cjogo]

The three we use on a regular basis

On the budget::: ATH-M30/ 40fs - for session players

Ultrasone at the board


Stax if you have the budget > these are amazing electrostatics > we have the early version for overdubs ..singers love them [URL="http://www.stax.co.jp/Export/SRS4170e.html[/URL]

[zzzxtreme]

i bought my 2 pairs of ATH-M40fs for $48 each.
I'm pretty sure M30 is pretty awesome too. comfortable and pleasant to listen to

[goodkeys]

The Koss PortaPro's are most often mentioned as being outstanding. If you don't shy away from their looks I think you can't do much better in this pricerange

[KrisHayes]

Shure SRH-240's, IMO.

[voworkshopllc]

for my home voice over studio, i recently got 3 pairs of ATH-M40fs for $51 each on Amazon w/free shipping. pretty good deal. in a recording studio last week, i sang with a live guitarist and they had vic firth headphones, which had the best isolation characteristics i've ever heard. the vics are around the $50 price point too.