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Best headphones for trance/techno/electro genres under $200

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Fiyace

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hey I don't know too much about headphones but am definitely looking to learn a bit about them and was wondering what the best headphones were (either over hear, on ear, or in ear...no preference, just the best) for listening to trance et al. listed in the title for under $200. I don't know what the best headphones are aside from mainstream phones like Beats by Dre (which I realize aren't the best and are vastly overpriced), leading me to create this post. I know there is another post referencing headphones and found these Sennheiser's, the HD 280 PRO Professional DJ Styled which looked great based upon reviews from Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106328) but read a review saying they were awful for people looking for great sound quality of the genres I'm referencing. Audio quality for me is absolutely paramount and any insight anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
So I've found three candidates and was wondering which of these was best now (note: I'll also be gaming, primarily ME3 when it comes out, BF3, and the like):

Sennheiser HD 280 PRO Professional DJ Styled Headphone
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16826106328

AKG Acoustics K-240 Semi Open Studio Headphones
http://www.amazon.com/AKG-Acoustics-K-240-Studio-Headphones/dp/B0001ARCFA/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Ultrasone HFI-780 S-Logic Surround Sound Professional Headphones
http://www.amazon.com/Ultrasone-HFI-780-Surround-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00101XVH2

Thoughts/comments on these? Any other suggestions?
 
#4 ·
I didn't find the Sennheiser HD280 Pro to be that great. It's just kind of flat in terms of sound signature and wasn't exciting at all.

Can't say much for the AKG but the Ultrasone HFI-780 is probably one of the most polarizing headphones in the Ultrasone lineup because of its emphasis on treble and bass. Some people really like it, other people really don't. If you want to play it safe, the HFI-580 is usually around the same price and the Ultrasone PRO 550 is also a good choice.
 
#6 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nexus6 View Post

Sennheiser HD650 for producing, AKG 271K Studio for vocal recording, Sony MDR-V 700 for DJ sets, Sennheiser HD-25 C II for casual listening
Take a listen to my Trance Mix
http://soundcloud.com/jonassjoi/jonass-joi-megamix-vol-4
Click to expand...
Wait, why the HD650 for producing? The HD650 isn't nearly close to being a flat frequency response because of how dark sounding it is. Are you speaking from personal experience?
 
#7 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by RallyMaster View Post

Wait, why the HD650 for producing? The HD650 isn't nearly close to being a flat frequency response because of how dark sounding it is. Are you speaking from personal experience?
Click to expand...
It was what was given to me on the studio and I trusted the Sound engineering. He personally uses a Denon 5000 something headphone. He did tell me he has a set of $10,000 Studio monitor headphones and that was only used for high-end recording artist. I still have yet to to know what brand it is and haven't seen it to this day.
 
Discussion starter · #8 ·
So I did a bunch more research about the headphones and definitely decided on an Ultrasone, and found another forum with discussions about the HFI 580 vs HFI 680 vs HFI 780 (http://www.head-fi.org/t/406669/ultrasone-hfi-580-vs-hfi-780 and others). After reading through the various threads, I've found the 580 has the most bass and the 680 has the least, leaving the 780 in the middle. Never been too much of a basshead myself but the 780 packs plenty of punch enough to not need the 580 and I do prefer the so-called "refined" sound the 780 is claimed to have with emphasis on the treble so I think when all is set and done, I will go with the 780's. Thank you all very much for all the help and info as I realize I'm still quite the noob when it comes to audio, and Nexus6 - EPIC trance mix. I actually all but 3 songs on it and they all have at least 17 plays in my iTunes and I'm currently downloading it as I write this post. Again, thanks all very much and any other comments on the 780 or any other headphones would still be appreciated - won't be getting them for at least another two weeks so if anyone can present a better option for a hardcore trance/electro fan within that time frame I might change my decision.
 
#10 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nexus6 View Post

Sennheiser HD650 for producing, AKG 271K Studio for vocal recording, Sony MDR-V 700 for DJ sets, Sennheiser HD-25 C II for casual listening

Take a listen to my Trance Mix
http://soundcloud.com/jonassjoi/jonass-joi-megamix-vol-4
Click to expand...
I'd say the HD25-1 II's are more for DJing, Sony MDR's are more for "studio" (I strongly disagree with this. The only reason people think this is the case is because they've seen pictures with artists wearing them like the singer from NIN), the HD650s are for casual listening, particularly for jazz and blues.

All in all, I think you either got a lot of those mixed up or just simply are misinformed.
 
#11 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nexus6 View Post

It was what was given to me on the studio and I trusted the Sound engineering. He personally uses a Denon 5000 something headphone. He did tell me he has a set of $10,000 Studio monitor headphones and that was only used for high-end recording artist. I still have yet to to know what brand it is and haven't seen it to this day.
Click to expand...
so the guy you knew used a d5000 for producing? or just for personal use? i love my denon's to death but they are definitely not the most accurate sounding headphone out there that's for sure.
 
#12 ·
I luuurve my Ultrasone HFI-680's. I bought them specifically for electro, stuff like Deadmau5, Boys Noize, Etienne De Crecy, sbtrkt, Siriusmo, Simian Mobile Disco etc... they all sound great. My source if FLAC and Asus Xonar Essence ST. I was interested is the 780's, but the general consensus was they were too technical and sharp and lost the "fun" in the listening experience. I find the 680's to be a very rewarding headphone.

EDIT: Well, the bass on my 680's is great, but it does require a good source to drive them. When using them on my phone there is almost none, but via my soundcard or amp they are tight!
 
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#13 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by 98uk View Post

I luuurve my Ultrasone HFI-680's. I bought them specifically for electro, stuff like Deadmau5, Boys Noize, Etienne De Crecy, sbtrkt, Siriusmo, Simian Mobile Disco etc... they all sound great. My source if FLAC and Asus Xonar Essence ST. I was interested in the 780's, but the general consensus was they were too technical and sharp and lost the "fun" is the listening experience. I find the 680's to be a very rewarding headphone.
EDIT: Well, the bass on my 680's is great, but it does require a good source to drive them. When using them on my phone there is almost none, but via my soundcard or amp they are tight!
Click to expand...
i've heard nothing but great things about ultrasone headphones for trance music. if you ever have the cash for the pro 900's, you should snag a pair!
 
#16 ·
Fiyace - what will you be listening to them on mostly? I only ask because, if you are going to be listening to them on your iPhone or iPod, you don't want to get cans that will need an amp to push them on a source that doesn't provide enough juice. Of course you could always look into a small portable amp.
smile.gif


Edit: Nevermind I just read through the Head-fi forums and they said the 780's play nicely unamped on even an ipod shuffle so
smile.gif
you are golden. Also wanted to thank you for this thread I have been thinking about getting a better set of cans for techno listening. My ATH AD-700's are nice but they lack a bit of punch in some tracks.
 
#17 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slappy Mcgee View Post

Fiyace - what will you be listening to them on mostly? I only ask because, if you are going to be listening to them on your iPhone or iPod, you don't want to get cans that will need an amp to push them on a source that doesn't provide enough juice. Of course you could always look into a small portable amp.
smile.gif


Edit: Nevermind I just read through the Head-fi forums and they said the 780's play nicely unamped on even an ipod shuffle so
smile.gif
you are golden. Also wanted to thank you for this thread I have been thinking about getting a better set of cans for techno listening. My ATH AD-700's are nice but they lack a bit of punch in some tracks.
Click to expand...
My AD700s don't even gently caress my cheek most of the time let alone punch, lmao.

And I'm not gonna' abuse my EQ to get some weak bass for them. Just swap to a new headphone.
 
#18 ·
Quote:
Originally Posted by Simca View Post

My AD700s don't even gently caress my cheek most of the time let alone punch, lmao.

And I'm not gonna' abuse my EQ to get some weak bass for them. Just swap to a new headphone.
Click to expand...
LOL I got my AD700's mainly for gaming headphones witch they excel at nicely
smile.gif
So after a year it has become time to get some cans for music that I love
smile.gif
House, Trance, some Dubstep, Eurodance / Eurotechno, some Happy Hardcore.
 
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