[slowpickr]

I think a thread like this might be kind of fun.  I would define "Price Point" as street price (not retail).  Doesn't have to be lower priced phones either.  If you have experience with a $1000 headphone that you feel performs like a $1500 (or whatever) phone, by all means, please list it.  I'll kick this off with several lower priced models that I have experience with (in no particular order):
 

• Koss KSC-75 ($15)
• Creative Aurvana Live! ($70)
• JVC HA-S400 ($24)
• Superlux HD681 ($32)

 

[mvrk10256]

I suggest posting the retail price by the earphones. 
 
Honestly I think the AD700's perform much better than their $100 price tag. 

 

[slowpickr]

Quote:

I suggest posting the retail price by the earphones. 
 
Honestly I think the AD700's perform much better than their $100 price tag. 

Good idea.  Typical prices added to OP.

 

[noxa]

M Audio Q40 really punch above their weight

 

[Thujone]

Quote:

M Audio Q40 really punch above their weight

+5,000,000,000... hehe
 
Seriously though - $99
 
http://m-audio.com/products/en_us/StudiophileQ40.html

 

[blueangel2323]

Not quite street price, but at their current used price (around $250) the Sennheiser HD600 and Denon D600 are an amazing value, especially the HD600 which is considered one of the best headphones in the world.  
For custom IEMs, Cosmic Ears offers by far the cheapest price among comparable models, and without the customer service problems that plagued other low-cost CIEM companies.

 

[techboy]

Pioneer SE A1000 at $45 compares with HD 598. Tested side by side.

Is better than HD 558 / AD700

Just a step below AD900X and K701 despite being much cheaper.

 

[techboy]

I suggest posting the retail price by the earphones. 

Honestly I think the AD700's perform much better than their $100 price tag. 

Not really. Pioneer SE A1000 is comparable/better at half the price. HD 598 is a step up but nearly twice the price. K701 is several leagues above but 2.5 times the price.

 

[Vidmaven]

Takstar Pro 80/Gemini DJHSR1000 ($60)
Takstar HI2050 ($50)
Noontec Zoro HD (got them for $50 on a WOOT deal and immediately retired my JVC HA-S400)
NVX Audio HPT1000 ($99)
 
and I'll second the Pioneer SE-A1000 and M-Audio Q-40

 

[Magicman74]

Koss DJ100 w/M50 pads well amped sound as good or sometimes better then HD650   $50 + $20 for pads
I agree on the CALS- ($70-sometimes $49.99 on Amazon) Forget it!!  The Koss only beat it, If there was no Koss the CALs can't be touched under $200
Sennheiser HD428/9  ($30-Factory Refubs)
Sennheiser HD439 ($40-Factory Refubs) I seen these mentioned = a baby HD600- Never heard a HD600, They do sound pretty dang good tho.
Sennheiser HD558 -($105-$120 Factory Refubs) Pull out the reflector tape and you have a almost 598 without the pesky treble.
Grado 80s, ($99) Gateway to greatness..Cheap Build tho...You really need to do some modding, the plastic's are garbage.
 
As you see I own most of these, and for a good reason!!!   Not many phones are better, you really have to jump up in price to get better..

 

[elvergun]

Let me post before Katun finds this thread...
 
 
Sennheiser PX100 (I or II)
 
 
and
 
Grado SR60

 

[Magicman74]

Quote:

Let me post before Katun finds this thread...
 
 
Sennheiser PX100 (I or II)
 
 
and
 
Grado SR60

 


Dang I forgot the PX100, The original.  I guess I'd have to add the HD419 then as they sound just like the original PX but in full size.

 

[Achmedisdead]

KSC75, original PX100, CAL!, all are fine choices that I've had. Here are a couple more....
 
JVC "Flats" HA-S150. $12.99 on Amazon.com right now.
JVC HA-S500. My cost....$47.10 last fall on Amazon. Right now....a little over $50 on Amazon.

 

[slowpickr]

Thanks for the replies.  People looking for top performing headphones for the money will have a good thread to start with.
 
When I first got the CAL!s about a week ago, I though they were "just ok".  Now, after listening to them about a week with different types of music, I am REALLY impressed.  IMO they really shine with acoustic music.  However, I still enjoy them for electronic, country, rock and anything else I throw at them.

 

[elvergun]

Quote:

 original PX100

 
I have the original PX100 and the newer PX100II - both are excellent values and both sound amazing (there is very little difference between the two).