I have been given around roughly $200 to buy headphones...<p>The question is, which headphones so I buy?<p>I'm thinking of beats solo2(White) but I'm really new to these kinds of things. So, a little help needed here, I am a general programmer, and I don't need some specialized headphones or anything, just plain old headphones that are nice and loud, and let me hear music...<p>So, what do you guys suggest as to which headphones should I buy?
It's best you go to a more suitable audiophile specific forum for advice. You'll just get a mixed bag of suggestions of "suggesting what I own" responses. This is from the forum I personally use for headphone suggestions. Also, get closed headphones that isolate sound well if it's for a office environment.<p><a href="http://headphones.com.au/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6206" rel="nofollow">http://headphones.com.au/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=6206</a><p>The only advice I can give you is try many headphones in person with music your familiar with and like. Shops like to play just the right music that compliments them specific phones. I settled on Brainwavz after testing Sennheiser, Grado, Beats, Audio Technica, Beyer, Koss and Shure.
You're paying largely for the brand with a pair of solo2 - they're fairly low-mid range headphones wrapped in an expensive package. Widely considered a waste of money among audiophiles.<p>Start looking here for something in your price range, and check reviews surrounding any particular set (<a href="http://www.head-fi.org/a/headphone-buying-guide" rel="nofollow">http://www.head-fi.org/a/headphone-buying-guide</a>)
Monoprice 8323's[1] have good reviews[2] for the price. I picked them up and I'm happy with them. I really like the detachable cables and the fact that they provide two cables in the box. I did do some modding to the headband to give more padding, using [3] as a guide. I believe I picked up the headband on amazon for ~10 dollars.<p>[1] <a href="http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=108&cp_id=10823&cs_id=1082302&p_id=8323&seq=1&format=2" rel="nofollow">http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=108&cp_id=10823&cs_id=...</a><p>[2] <a href="http://www.engadget.com/products/monoprice/8323/" rel="nofollow">http://www.engadget.com/products/monoprice/8323/</a><p>[3] <a href="http://www.head-fi.org/t/619640/modding-monoprice-8323-with-pictures" rel="nofollow">http://www.head-fi.org/t/619640/modding-monoprice-8323-with-...</a>
Quick comment.... If you really like your music, get some kind of headphone amp/usb-connected DAC so that you don't rely on the sound card of your laptop/desktop. Why spend lots of cash when you're using a 30-cent component?<p>Echoing another comment, closed-ear cans are a must for the office but I think open-ear cans sound better when you can use them. I have Grados but ears are a personal choice thing. There are some excellent in-ear earphones (Etymotics, for example), but these take some getting used to.
I'll just leave this here<p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsxQxS0AdBY&feature=youtu.be" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsxQxS0AdBY&feature=youtu.be</a>
<i>I don't need some specialized headphones or anything, just plain old headphones that are nice and loud, and let me hear music... </i><p>Then a pair of $25 Sennheiser HD 200 series headphones. Cheap, great sound, fairly decent at isolating noise. Why spend $200 if you don't have to?<p>Alternatively, look at noise cancelling headphones like the Bose series, but try before you buy, some people cannot stand the "pressurized" head feeling of noise cancellation.
SteelSeries Siberia V2 Full-Size Gaming Headset [1]<p>I am wearing those up to 5 hours a day.<p>- Fits nicely around me large ears<p>- Cable has an extension<p>- Audio quality feels better than with any beats I have worn<p>[1] <a href="http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-Siberia-Full-Size-Gaming-Headset/dp/B003N636VI/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1410346593&sr=1-4&keywords=steelseries" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-Siberia-Full-Size-Gaming-H...</a>
I have the LG Tone Ultra HBS-800 Bluetooth Stereo Headset - Pearl White<p>Love them. Charges in just over an hour, lasts all day. Connects over bluetooth to my iPhone for music or phone calls or to my laptop for Skype calls / music. Work great when landscaping or cleaning the house or working out. Really, I wear them all the time. Comes in black also.
If you can use in-ear phones and don't need to have any contact with your surroundings during your music, the ER4 from Etymotic Research are by far the best I have ever had...<p>They dampen the environment so much, that even when I have reasonable lound music, I get surprised about how LOUD the world around me is when I pull out the earphones..
You should have a listen to the SoundMAGIC E10, good price good sound. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/SoundMAGIC-Isolating-In-Ear-Earphones-BlackGunmetal/dp/B005HP3OB0" rel="nofollow">http://www.amazon.com/SoundMAGIC-Isolating-In-Ear-Earphones-...</a>
I have an Audio Technica ATH-M50 that I'm happy with. It's around the $150 range, sometimes $100 if you find a good sale. Using my iMac, I can never put the volume above 3 notches. It's definitely loud! And comfortable, since it's circumaural.
hi-fi: i don't know.<p>studio/audiophile: <a href="http://www.beyerdynamic.de/shop/hah/headphones-and-headsets/studio-and-stage/headphones-for-live-applications/dt-770-pro.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.beyerdynamic.de/shop/hah/headphones-and-headsets/...</a>
A little weak in the heights, and no hi-fi (no exaggerated subs). But really good for the money. Also available in half closed. With this clear and neutral sound you will begin to hear youtube compression and bad mixes though :) Also look for the ohms, they need quite some power.<p>If you prefer a more roomy sound I'd go for studio AKGs, but for a clean sound it might need a little more than your budget here.
I just bought the Beyerdynamic Custom Pro One (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDBWrSENTps" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDBWrSENTps</a>) for about $200 and I can't recommend them enough
I dig my audio-technica. I was happy to see a lot of people at [MHacks](mhacks.org) with them. I got mine for about $150 on sale, just check around the webs.