Headphone guide for serious sound quality.

This is just a headphone primer for serious listening. Since most people don't know much about better headphones since Bose and Beats get all the advertisements. I've arranged this by price range with notes. Some I've heard and some I haven't but I've spent years on the following website discussing headphones: http://www.head-fi.org/f/4/headphones-full-size Under $100: Sony MDR-V6 $88-99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826159110 Unlike Beats false addvertisements, these have actually been used in studios for years. Nothing spectacular but good all around headphones and decently comfortable. I used to own a pair years ago. Grad SR80e $99 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L1LXOWS/ Great for portable use but are open and leak a fair amount of sound. Pretty spectacular sounding going from cheaper headphones. Very clear and dynamic though I'm not as impressed with the overall tonal balance. Good for guitar rock. AKG k240 $67 http://www.amazon.com/AKG-240-Semi-Open-Studio-Headphones/dp/B0001ARCFA Also used in studios. Havent heard it but Ive heard good things and the price is good. $100-200 Audio-Technica AD900X $188 http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-AD900X-Open-Back-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S331VU Ive had cheaper Audio Technicas that I loved for the price. Supposedly great for Asian music, kpop, jrock. Doesn't need an external amp. Senheiser HD598 $181 http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-598-Headphones-Accents/dp/B0042A8CW2 Good all around headphones. AKG k612 $175 http://www.amazon.com/AKG-Pro-Audio-K612PRO-Reference/dp/B00DCXZY1W Needs an amp to sound really good, portable devices may not be enough. Havent heard it, but its often compared to much more expensive headphones. Good value if your ok buying an amp that will cost $100. AKG Q701 $194 http://www.amazon.com/AKG-Signature-Reference-Class-Premium-Headphones/dp/B004444O3W Supposedly one of the best headphones for FPS games because of its incredible soundstage has pinpoint positional accuracy Soundmagic HP100 $199 http://www.amazon.com/SoundMAGIC-HP100-Premium-Folding-Headphones/dp/B0086YJ86Y Should work ok from portable devices, often compared to more expensive headphones. $200+ Beyer DT880 250ohm $199-270 http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-DT-880-Pro-Headphones-250/dp/B001B1QENY My favorite headphone, super comfortable. Can be powered by some portable devices that are fairly powerful but an amp is better. Great for female vocals. Sennheiser HD600 $330+ Probably the best tonal balance and accuracy for natural acoustic instruments in almost any headphones from what most people say. Also needs an amp for best sound. Probably better options for electronic music. Philips Fidelity L2 $387 http://www.amazon.com/Philips-Headphones-Incoming-Function-Microphone/dp/B00F4P7NG0 Looks to be the best portable phones for electronic based music. However the sound quality improves with better amping like any really good headphone. AKG k712 $396 http://www.amazon.com/AKG-Pro-Audio-K712PRO-Headphones/dp/B00E4WXWBE One of the best headphones around at this price according to some. Really needs an external amp. Great out of head soundstage. HiFiMan HE400 $300 http://www.amazon.com/HiFiMAN-HE400-HiFiMan-HE-400-Headphones/dp/B007ZG32I4 Great value planar magnetic headphone. All of the headphones in the same range are very popular among audiophiles. OMG! I just won the lottery, what headphones should I get? Sennheiser HD800 $1,460 http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Over-Ear-Circum-Aural-Dynamic-Headphone/dp/B001OTZ8DA Supposed to have the most expasive 3d soundstage of any headphone. Audeze LCD-X 1,699 http://www.audeze.com/products/headphones/lcd-x Stax SR-009 $4,450 http://www.wooaudio.com/headphones/stax/sr009.html Because only the best will do

For headphones that need external amps, look at: http://www.amazon.com/E17-Alpen-Portable-Headphone-Amplifier/dp/B0070UFMOW/ref=pd_cp_e_2 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E9O6C96?psc=1 http://www.amazon.com/JDSLABS-Objective2-Combo-Headphone-NwAvGuy/dp/B00EJ9405O http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CF9JON8?psc=1 http://www.wooaudio.com/

Sure, if you don't give a shit about sound quality! I can't stand cheap headphones anymore and cheap earbuds feel like ear rape they are so bad! I can't enjoy music with anything like that!

And no I'm not rich, I rarely make much over $10,000 a year but have no problem spending $250 on headphones so I can actually enjoy the music.

Sony will always suck in the headphones dept. Except their gaming headphones Go get Pioneer.

My old Proline 750's died on me about 3 months ago kinda sucks but they lasted a good 6 - 7 years so I can't complain too much. The New cans I ended up going with you mentioned in your list, Sennheiser HD600, I have to say they are a noticeable step up in quality over the last pair, way better for music than the Proline, pretty happy with them :) While I've heard good things about the HD800's I don't think I'd be willing to pay that much for my cans, that and I think they look kinda silly, too futuristic for my tastes.

I have Ultrasone Pro 750s right now, but I think the DT880 was better and way more comfortable. I want to try the HD600 sometime.

I am ashamed to say I've been using yellow walkman earphones for over ten years. It's not as bad as it sounds (ha, pun!) but it's uncomfortable and is not soundproof at all. Tv and people talking make just as much noise as the earphones. It's only useful in quiet places when you don't want to disturb others and when you don't want people overhearing things. I want real headphones ._.

I have a pair of Sony MDR-X10's and the quality is the best I ever experienced but the materials not so much (made of a thin sheet leather and foam?). I use them every now and again when drawing. The outside along with the earcups had begun to peel back and get all frilly after a year of light use. I bought them half off on black friday on amazon last year - But now if you go on ebay you can snag a pair for around 40 - 60 bucks. If you can't afford the good stuff - I recommend if sound matters more than durability.