Hey Audiophiles!

I just got my new laptop this morning, and as expected the speakers suck. Surprise surprise. I'm wondering if there are any audiophiles out there that could recommend some nice headphones at a not-so-insane price. I prefer $50 or less if possible, and with DAMNED good sound - again, if possible.

If I have to spend a lot more than that to get killer sound I'll just live with my little Sony headphones. I'd just like to get something that can really wow if I can.

The more portable the better, but I can use a lens slot in my bag for 'em if I need to.

And to keep this related to photography, I'm on POTN with this laptop right this moment!

seinhauser are very good

Any models I should be looking at? Are they priced around the $50 I named?

Sennheiser CX 300 are pretty good - they're an in-ear type so block out a lot of background noise. I use then all the time on my ipod and my mac at work.

Hey sorry I didn't mention before...I hate in-ear style. I'm thinking of something large and dynamic. I'd like something with really serious clarity. Does anyone have experience with the HD477 Model?

http://www.sennheiseru​sa.com …detail.asp?tran​sid=005178

At $60 it's over budget but not too far that I'd mind paying it if they're pretty awesome.

Monkeymicra wrote in post #2299200
seinhauser are very good

Do you mean Sennheiser ? I agree these headphones are great. I have an old HD320 and it is one of the best heafphones I have ever had. I think it is close to 10 years old.

$50 won't buy you an audiophile's set of headphones. Not a chance. You'd be lucky to get decent crap, not even good crap, for $50.

But that all depends on your definition of Good. Looking for a small pair for my MP3 player, I tried every pair of headphones in Circuit City, best Buy and finally Tweeter Etc. Every pair under $100 sounded barely tolerable. I finally tried on a pair of $150 Koss headphones, and walked out $150 poorer.

My "real" headphones are Sennheiser.


You get what you pay for.

Scottes wrote in post #2299285
My "real" headphones are Sennheiser.

Which model do you have

Scottes wrote in post #2299285
$50 won't buy you an audiophile's set of headphones. Not a chance. You'd be lucky to get decent crap, not even good crap, for $50.

But that all depends on your definition of Good. Looking for a small pair for my MP3 player, I tried every pair of headphones in Circuit City, best Buy and finally Tweeter Etc. Every pair under $100 sounded barely tolerable. I finally tried on a pair of $150 Koss headphones, and walked out $150 poorer.

My "real" headphones are Sennheiser.


You get what you pay for.

I do realize that but I know zip about headphones and just want a little insight into good models vs total sh*t.

tommykjensen wrote in post #2299297
Which model do you have

I want to say "610" but I'm not completely sure. Edit: I really don't think that's right. I'd have to check at home.

To put this in perspective, I am listening to a pair of Sony MDR-A110 foldable 'phones that I believe came with a CD player awhile back. I don't consider them great, but to me they aren't piss poor either. I do want better though. I can "hear" a bit of a lack of clarity, and the lows aren't really all that low.

cdi-ink.com wrote in post #2299300
I do realize that but I know zip about headphones and just want a little insight into good models vs total sh*t.

If you find them at the price, Sennheiser and Koss make inexpensive models. Both companies have been making "real" headphones for many years. For $50, either will be adequate. You can find Sony at that price, but I thought the $150 Sony pair I tried sounded like crap - just like the other 2 cheaper Sony pairs. I won't touch anything made by Bose.

I know that your budget is $50, but as long as your ears are in good shape I don't think you can buy anything pleasing for under $200 to $300. Every time I decide I need a new pair of headphones and do the research, I end up spending $300. Right now I use a Sennheiser HD 590 and an HD 600 (one for the computer, one for the CD player).

www.headphone.com may help you sort out headphones by type, price, manufacturer, etc. The site has lots of ways to compare. (I do not have anything to do with the site, so if you buy or don't buy from them, it doesn't matter to me)

Scottes wrote in post #2299327
If you find them at the price, Sennheiser and Koss make inexpensive models. Both companies have been making "real" headphones for many years. For $50, either will be adequate. You can find Sony at that price, but I thought the $150 Sony pair I tried sounded like crap - just like the other 2 cheaper Sony pairs. I won't touch anything made by Bose.

Ok good to know. I'd probably be thrilled with anything better than these little Sonys anyway. I just don't want to go overboard since they'd only be used with this laptop anyway - and the audio card is a limiting factor as well.

Scottes wrote in post #2299327
I won't touch anything made by Bose.

Too bad...I love my noise-cancelling headphones. They work, and they sound pretty good. At least you don't have to blast them to drown out ambient noise. FWIW, I bought the new, smaller style, and I believe they're worth the price.

Sennheiser makes excellent headphones.