[crazyfrenchman27]

WORST: My amp, no doubt...

Should have paid more for something better.

BEST: Grado SR-225.

Leagues above everything I've heard in that price range and a sound that fits me.

 

[zum]

AKG K340.

The sound, especially detail-wise, was good, great even.

*but*

the leather pads that are as uncomfortable as they can get. I can barely wear them for ten minutes.

 

[Reck45]

sennheiser hd 555. makes the music sound lifeless and boring. I really really wish I'd gotten the a500s or ms1 instead. for now though i'm making due with my 497s until i come across the money to buy another pair.

 

[mx daydreamer]

The best purchase: Sony MDRV700 (and I'm not kidding)

 

[Andrea]

Ah, forgot a couple: AKG K71, Sony MDR-E21LP.

 

[JHouser]

My worst would be some Sony MDR-EX71SL "canal phones" They sounded ok but after my dog chewed them up they were less than that. Now that I have my Er4p's I have learned my lesson. Back off dog!

j-

 

[mrsl]

I bought the PX100 as a portable headphone after reading recommendations here and at headroom. They totally suck: Very strong, bloated, distorted bass, they lack detail and simply sound dirty. However, you can get used to crap and will not recognize it after intensive use. But when you switch to better phones (like HD-600 or Grado 325) you will recognize how crappy the PX100 sound.

Next worst buy was the Senn 595. Also bought them through overly exaggerated recommendations from head-fi and headroom. They are quite well balanced, sound neutral, but have a slightly dirty, grainy, plastic coloured distorted sound signature. The HD-600, Grado 325, Stax 3030 are much better !

I am still not sure, if my 2004 Gilmore Lite was a good investment. There seems to be a subtle improvement in the soun, sounding slightly cleaner, but maybe losing some detail in the midrange ?

Best buys: Grado 325, Senn 600. Stax 3030 are only slightly better (better detail, more liquid, but less bass punch) and cost much more.

 

[hardtrance]

AKG K512
 
First dissapointment was the colour: they were black on the box but turned out to be this horrible dark gray color. I painted them white.
Soundwise they were awful for the price too: (+40 €) piercing highs, boomy bass and overall plasticy sound.

 

[alv4426]

This has to be a record for thread resurrection almost 7 years.
Quote:

AKG K512
 
First dissapointment was the colour: they were black on the box but turned out to be this horrible dark gray color. I painted them white.
Soundwise they were awful for the price too: (+40 €) piercing highs, boomy bass and overall plasticy sound.