I'm trying to help a friend of mine out who is new to the head-fi world. Heh, yes, I've already warned him with a laugh about his wallet but we'll keep this clean for now.

I'm a bit out of the loop so I need some help to help him.

So far the cans he's looked at are:

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-518-Headphones-Black/dp/B0042A68R8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1327888696&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Shure-SRH750-DJ-Headphones-Black/dp/B002PAQYK8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327888558&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-280-Pro-Headphones/dp/B000065BPB/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_1

http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD25-1-II-Closed-Back-Headphones/dp/B000TDZOXG/ref=sr_1_2?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1327883303&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR7506-Professional-Diaphragm-Headphone/dp/B000AJIF4E/ref=sr_1_4?s=aht&rps=1&ie=UTF8&qid=1327883022&sr=1-4

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B000ULAP4U/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_0

http://www.amazon.com/Technica-ATH-ANC7B-Noise-Cancelling-Closed-Back-Headphones/dp/B002HWJT1A/ref=sr_1_2?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1327883022&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/AKG-Open-Back-Studio-Headphones-K601/dp/B000NDJRSU/ref=sr_1_1?s=aht&ie=UTF8&qid=1327883486&sr=1-1

And some others but you get the idea. I feel like I remember AT being a hell of value in this price range.

He's lurked around on head-fi's forums but as you might imagine that's been murky for him to get a clear read on some things.

Ideally, he'd like to be knocked off the fence a little bit or at least steered in a direction where he can ice something down. I'm pretty confident he really couldn't go wrong with any of those cans but we'll see.

For now this is all he can do so he needs good cans that don't necessarily "need" a headphone amp, either.

Thanks gang.

http://www.innerfidelity.com

From these I'm currently using the HD-25-II, bought it for 125$ slightly used but quite minty with all accessories. So far I'm rather content about what it does. If one needs portability, rugged build and isolation then it should fit perfectly. On the downside whilst the voicing is quite good the driver is starting to show its age and resolution wise can be bested by much cheaper headphones. Also the HD25-II isn't too hungry for amping but I'd recommend a better-than-laptop quality source because they show noise quite easily. As for the first serious (?) headphone it's a swell choice because it does very little wrong, as far as I'm concerned.

I also recently tried out the Superlux HD668b, I think these guys might be on to something there. For open cans the low-end Grado isn't a bad choice either. In any case check out Tyll's recommendations and maybe wait for the new Philips headphones.

http://www.innerfidelity.com

I'll send him that link right away.

Stax SR5, HD580, or T50rp with some mods

Stax SR5, HD580, or T50rp with some mods

I looked around a little bit and I *think* those are all aftermarket situations. I think he's angling to just stick with Amazon or some place like that and not get too adventerous but these are interesting. I didn't realize you could get anything with the name Stax on it remotely within this price range.

Edited January 30, 201214 yr by Eric5676

Which is why you're asking the question in the wrong place.

I'd be tempted to try something from the new Phillips lineup as well. I've never really heard any $100-$200 headphones that have 'done it' for me, although many of them are pretty decent.

Which is why you're asking the question in the wrong place.

I'll forward all that to him anyways. Heck, he may get adventerous.

I figured if I wanted to cut through the BS and get down to some meat I was in the right place.

Edited January 30, 201214 yr by Eric5676

I'll forward all that to him anyways. Heck, he may get adventerous.

I figured if I wanted to cut through the BS and get down to some meat I was in the right place.

Well, except that 99% of all people here are out of touch with what's new in the $100-$200 market. Most people here have been in the hobby a long time, and many of the people here don't really listen to headphones all that often any more. When they do, they're listening to whatever they've chosen over time after a lot of trial and error.

For most people here, that either means custom IEMs like the JH-13, or medium to high priced headphones. That's not to say you won't get a handful of good suggestions, it's just not a market that people here keep a close eye on at this point in their journey. Now, if you want to know about $100-$200 scotch, knives, or luggage, that's a different story.

Well, except that 99% of all people here are out of touch with what's new in the $100-$200 market. Most people here have been in the hobby a long time, and many of the people here don't really listen to headphones all that often any more. When they do, they're listening to whatever they've chosen over time after a lot of trial and error.

For most people here, that either means custom IEMs like the JH-13, or medium to high priced headphones. That's not to say you won't get a handful of good suggestions, it's just not a market that people here keep a close eye on at this point in their journey. Now, if you want to know about $100-$200 scotch, knives, or luggage, that's a different story.

LOL, ok fair enough. As it is even at that some good ideas and potential alternates have been suggested that I think will be very helpful to him so you guys shouldn't sell yourselves short here.

I really like my Senn HD 25-1 II so I would suggest that or the new replacement for that Tyll mentioned in one of his CES reports.

I'm a fan of the Shure SRH840.

I'd be tempted to try something from the new Phillips lineup as well.

Me too Wayne. I'm planning on picking up the Fidelio L1 as soon as it hits the market.

Me too Wayne. I'm planning on picking up the Fidelio L1 as soon as it hits the market.

Ya, me too.

What kind of music does he like? That'll make all the difference. A safe bet is the V-MODA M80 though. I do like the Shure 440s and 840s as well, but they are somewhat mid-forward which people expecting more bass out of an iPod don't find so agreeable. I tend to agree with Tyll as well, so I third reading Innerfidelity.