Headphone Advice Thread - 21

Talon · 01-13-2014

I know I'm going against your desired form factor and ventilation, but I'm going to go ahead and recommend the Grado SR80i anyway. It's on-ear and open-backed, but its the absolute best rock headphone you can get at that price, hands down. Though, if you really need closed-back and over-ear, you might be able to find an AKG K240 in that range, if not a little bit higher. I still strongly suggest the Grado SR80i (but then again, you said looks are important, so whichever works for you).

Never mind. Creative Aurvana Live! headphones are perfect for you.

MementoJoker · 01-14-2014

Posted by InuKaT

Budget: 80 dollars or lower
Music Preference: Punk Rock
Form Factor (Type): Over ear
Open-backed or close-backed (not for IEMs): Close-Backed
Source (MP3 player/desktop/etc): MP3, Laptop with Beats Audio
What's above everything else? - Sound quality (but of course it can't look like a piece of garbage)

Currently I'm just using Skull Candy Aviators I got for 50 dollars on a special sale. It's at the end of its life (even though I used it for only four months, it's already wearing down). So something similar to that or has noise cancelling technology would be even better.

That's why you always have to check the reviews. No wonder it was reduced from 150 pounds to 50 when I was on holiday.

iHot · 01-14-2014

hey memento joker is back!

MementoJoker · 01-14-2014

Posted by iHot

hey memento joker is back!

Senpai finally noticed me *blush*

hosler · 01-14-2014

Posted by MementoJoker

Senpai finally noticed me *blush*

This is not weird.

Anyway my headphones came today. So far so good.

Talon · 01-14-2014

Posted by MementoJoker

That's why you always have to check the reviews. No wonder it was reduced from 150 pounds to 50 when I was on holiday.

Aviators actually have solid SQ for the price, they definitely compete with the M50 to a certain degree. Can't speak wonders about the flimsy build quality though.

iHot · 01-14-2014

Posted by MementoJoker

Senpai finally noticed me *blush*

Lol. Welcome back. When did you decide to return?

Talon · 02-08-2014

Friend lent me his SteelSeries Siberia V2 3.5mm, will let you guys know what I think soon. I'll have to hold it of for a day or so, sick right now, so I can't hear correctly. Even my HD25 sounds distant ):

I do write reviews for all of my headphones for Head-Fi, so I'll post the Siberia V2 review here even though I doubt anyone gives a ****.

Talon · 02-08-2014

Okay, I decided to give it a quick shot before I seriously listen to them and I must say I'm pleasantly surprised. The bass has solid impact, the mids aren't tinny (really wasn't expecting this!), but the treble lacks some sparkle. Here's to hoping it'll open up with some use - or my ears getting unclogged. I'll also have to test soundstage, but so far, these surprisingly impress for a $70 headset. They're comfortable as well, I like the suspension headband.

Really quick first impressions review:

-Tested on an iPhone 4S via FiiO E5 Amplifier-

Treble: Lacks sparkle, but feels present
Mids: Also lack sparkle and quite recessed depending on genre, but otherwise, thankfully not tinny and has richness
Bass: Focus of the signature, very impactful but feels flat
Detail: Passable, but I expected it to be more revealing considering its designed for gaming.
Soundstage: About same level as my HD25, subpar to my SE215 and a little better than your standard M50.
Instrument Separation: Don't feel it at all, hope it opens up.
Tone: Feels flat, most likely my ears or the lack of diaphragm burn-in.

Crono · 02-08-2014

i told you!!!!

they're priced cheap, have great microphones, and if you don't listen to classical or any other joke genre they do the job.

randomuser3954 · 02-08-2014

Can headphones make the sound better or is the best sound you can get is by just using no headphones?

And what is the best sound card for $200?

hosler · 02-08-2014

It depends on a lot. Analog signals need to be noise free and digital signals need a large sample size. After that comes the amplifier. Then after that is the actual speaker.

Talon · 02-08-2014

Posted by Neil

Can headphones make the sound better or is the best sound you can get is by just using no headphones?

And what is the best sound card for $200?

ASUS Xonar Essence STX, but you'll want to pair it with a nice amp/DAC.

Posted by Crono

i told you!!!!

they're priced cheap, have great microphones, and if you don't listen to classical or any other joke genre they do the job.

They're quite clearly geared towards the gamer community, and it shows since they're solid for EDM if not a little lacking it detail, but I think they hit the nail on the head for the target they were going for. The mic and suspension headband are pretty nice too. I'd still take a Grado SR80i for music that isn't super bass-heavy, but for the price and what they're worth, they do the job. I'm glad these are much better than that horrid A40. $250 and worse than my M50 by far

but holy **** while I was at Best Buy I had the chance to listen to Razer's headphones - TERRIBLE DO NOT BUY

Crono · 02-08-2014

bring on 3.5mm siberia v3 pls

Talon · 02-19-2014

only if SteelSeries is willing to send me a review copy

02-08-2014	309
Talon don't call it a comeback Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 8,268	Okay, I decided to give it a quick shot before I seriously listen to them and I must say I'm pleasantly surprised. The bass has solid impact, the mids aren't tinny (really wasn't expecting this!), but the treble lacks some sparkle. Here's to hoping it'll open up with some use - or my ears getting unclogged. I'll also have to test soundstage, but so far, these surprisingly impress for a $70 headset. They're comfortable as well, I like the suspension headband. Really quick first impressions review: -Tested on an iPhone 4S via FiiO E5 Amplifier- Treble: Lacks sparkle, but feels present Mids: Also lack sparkle and quite recessed depending on genre, but otherwise, thankfully not tinny and has richness Bass: Focus of the signature, very impactful but feels flat Detail: Passable, but I expected it to be more revealing considering its designed for gaming. Soundstage: About same level as my HD25, subpar to my SE215 and a little better than your standard M50. Instrument Separation: Don't feel it at all, hope it opens up. Tone: Feels flat, most likely my ears or the lack of diaphragm burn-in. Last edited by Talon; 02-08-2014 at 06:23 AM.

01-13-2014	301
Talon don't call it a comeback Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 8,268	I know I'm going against your desired form factor and ventilation, but I'm going to go ahead and recommend the Grado SR80i anyway. It's on-ear and open-backed, but its the absolute best rock headphone you can get at that price, hands down. Though, if you really need closed-back and over-ear, you might be able to find an AKG K240 in that range, if not a little bit higher. I still strongly suggest the Grado SR80i (but then again, you said looks are important, so whichever works for you). Never mind. Creative Aurvana Live! headphones are perfect for you.

01-14-2014	303
iHot Graalian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Belle Isle Posts: 4,481	hey memento joker is back!

02-08-2014	310
Crono :pluffy: Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sweden Posts: 5,945	i told you!!!! they're priced cheap, have great microphones, and if you don't listen to classical or any other joke genre they do the job.

02-08-2014	311
randomuser3954 Banned Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: California Posts: 313	Can headphones make the sound better or is the best sound you can get is by just using no headphones? And what is the best sound card for $200?

02-08-2014	312
hosler Banned Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 1,059	It depends on a lot. Analog signals need to be noise free and digital signals need a large sample size. After that comes the amplifier. Then after that is the actual speaker.

02-19-2014	315
Talon don't call it a comeback Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 8,268	only if SteelSeries is willing to send me a review copy