[MGreenberg]

Hi everyone, first post here after reading for a while. So, looking to buy my first decent set of headphones, problem is I live in the middle of nowhere so I can't really test before I buy so budget will be about $125ish plus whatever shipping is.

Music I normally listen to is mostly every form of rock/metal with some hip-hop and rap thrown in occasionally. Mostly played on Laptop/Ipod Nano.
These are the few I narrowed it down too.

ATH-M50 
Sennheiser HD518
Grado SR80i 
Ultrasone HFI-580
KRK KNS8400

So, thoughts about what you guys each think is the best. Thanks in advance.

 

[BillsonChang007]

FYI, Grado headphones are completely open. It leaks sound a lot & let in lots of sound too.
HD518 has a 3m long cable with a 6.3mm jack at the end(it comes with a 3.5mm jack)

What types of sound are you looking for?

 

[MGreenberg]

Don't need a ton of bass and would like to hear things more clearly. Really don't know how to describe it properly since I have pretty much only owned trashy twenty dollar headphones for so long.

 

[BillsonChang007]

I might be going to a headphone store sooner or later, will try to report back as soon as possible

but if I can't, I'm really sorry, can't help much

 

[asdfghjkzxcvbnm]

M50's aren't very comfortable.

 

[streetdragon]

all the headphones listed are considered 'pretty clear' 
brief description of the headphones listed here:
ultrasone have powerful bass, good for bassheads
sennheiser HD518 has a decently big soundstage, relaxed and laidback sounding
grado SR80i has a sparkly treble with punchy but not very deep bass, soundstage isn't very wide
Audio technica M50 has prominent treble with decently deep and punchy bass, soundstage is really narrow though
for vocals the best 2 i think are the HD518 and the SR80i, with the HD518 having a deeper more powerful full bodied vocals while the SR80i has more crisp and energetic vocals

(side note: for pure detail king, get the Shure SRH440/840/940,(beautiful details and mids-upper mids) whichever is under your budget, bass has no impact here however)

 

[BillsonChang007]

The srh-440 aren't comfortable because of their thin earpads but can be fixed thought[Heard from revewiers haven't personally audition it]

 

[streetdragon]

Quote:

The srh-440 aren't comfortable because of their thin earpads but can be fixed thought[Heard from revewiers haven't personally audition it]

well yeah their earpads are quite useless, simple stuffing of cotton or rope should help. i have heard the SRH240,440,840and 940
240 is so badly dry and bassless (im no bass head so when i say bassless it really is bassless) 440 is a more liquid in the midrange, has some light tapping bass, and really nice details, same with the 840 except better and 940 which has really sharp&sparkly detailed treble with crisp midrange, bass as usual was light , but at least textured and is present

 

[BillsonChang007]

Get the HD518 with an e6 amp(if possible). It's better than SRH-440 in which ever way. Also, ATH-M50 are no good in my opinion

Just my 2cent.

YESH! Finally get to audition HD800 xD

 

[BillsonChang007]

Get the HD518 with an e6 amp(if possible). It's better than SRH-440 in which ever way. Also, ATH-M50 are no good in my opinion

Just my 2cent.

YESH! Finally get to audition HD800 xD

 

[streetdragon]

i forgot what the HD518 sounded like already lol

so, how was the HD800?

 

[wolfetan44]

Quote:

i forgot what the HD518 sounded like already lol

so, how was the HD800?

I would recommend the Brainwavz HM5 or the Shure 840.
And also, I've tried the HD800. Its my favorite headphone. I still have to try the 009/007.

 

[BillsonChang007]

i forgot what the HD518 sounded like already lol


so, how was the HD800?

I paired it with Beyerdynamic A1 amplifier. WOW! I'm in a concert hall It's so natural sounding. Nothing artifical! Best headphone I ever tried xD