[joelmartinez]

I'm not an audiophile, i don't even have any songs on my computer and i game very rarely but occasionally and i listen to pandora a bit and hulu. I'm looking for headphones below 100 that will be good for these simple uses. If i listen to music it's always softly and non-bass heavy. If you need more info please say so.

 

[thisischuck01]

Audio Technica ATH-AD700s.

If you don't have a dedicated sound card, grab something cheap like the Asus Xonar DG.

 

[lilraver018]

Quote:

Originally Posted by thisischuck01;13068910
Audio Technica ATH-AD700s.

If you don't have a dedicated sound card, grab something cheap like the Asus Donar DG.

I agree with this.

ad700 are great for those songs without base due to the mids and upper shine brightly. Great soundstage so you can perceive instrument placement with great perception.

where in NV are you from?

 

[Amdkillsintel]

Shure SRH440
ATH-AD700

btw, cute avatar, it has a slight smile. what kind of lizard is that?

 

[Simca]

Quote:

Originally Posted by joelmartinez;13068739
I'm not an audiophile, i don't even have any songs on my computer and i game very rarely but occasionally and i listen to pandora a bit and hulu. I'm looking for headphones below 100 that will be good for these simple uses. If i listen to music it's always softly and non-bass heavy. If you need more info please say so.

No need to pay out the butt for audio equipment. Since you're streaming music which is pretty low kb wise and you have no sound card you'll be happy just buying JVC RX700s. They're 34 again on [ame="[URL=http://www.amazon.com/gp/redirect.html?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ur2&camp=1789&creative=9325&tag=overclockdotnet-20&location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FJVC-HARX700-High-Grade-Full-Size-Headphone%2Fdp%2FB0013OWPV4%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1%3Fie%3DUTF8%26s%3Delectronics%26qid%3D1302413651%26sr%3D8-1]http://www.amazon.com/JVC-HARX700-High-Grade-Full-Size-Headphone/dp/B0013OWPV4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1302413651&sr=8-1"]Amazon[/ame[/URL]].

Anything more is overkill.

AD700s are too much for you. Their best use is their sound stage for gaming, but you don't game.

Yeah, they're great for non-bassy music, but you won't even be using it anywhere near it's full potential with streamed music and no sound card.

 

[cuad]

Audio Technica ATH-AD700s

 

[lilraver018]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simca;13068950
No need to pay out the butt for audio equipment. Since you're streaming music which is pretty low kb wise and you have no sound card you'll be happy just buying JVC RX700s. Look on ebay for them, you should be able to find them for 35 or so. If not, try headfi's for sale section.

Anything more is overkill.

AD700s are too much for you. Their best use is their sound stage for gaming, but you don't game.

Yeah, they're great for non-bassy music, but you won't even be using it anywhere near it's full potential with streamed music and no sound card.

Simca makes a valid point but wouldnt OP want something that shines in the highs? I always heard that the rx700 dont do well with highs.

 

[Simca]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilraver018;13069017
Simca makes a valid point but wouldnt OP want something that shines in the highs? I always heard that the rx700 dont do well with highs.

Headphones are only as good as the source. Can't take crap, put it through awesome and expect awesome. You'll only get crap.

And at 1/3 the price of AD700s. lol. Yeah, 'nuff said.

 

[joelmartinez]

thanx for all the reply's
Quote:

where in NV are you from?

Reno
Quote:

btw, cute avatar, it has a slight smile. what kind of lizard is that?

Gecko i think

as for the real question $34 for the JVC HARX700 seems like a good price, i don't care too much about in-game sounds as i play RTS. I'm shying away from the ATH-AD700s because of my low source quality (just online stuff) and my lack of sound card.

what is the optimal source? Sorry for my noobishness just a beginner in this field of computing

 

[Simca]

Quote:

Originally Posted by joelmartinez;13069247
thanx for all the reply's

Reno

Gecko i think

as for the real question $34 for the JVC HARX700 seems like a good price, i don't care too much about in-game sounds as i play RTS. I'm shying away from the ATH-AD700s because of my low source quality (just online stuff) and my lack of sound card.

what is the optimal source? Sorry for my noobishness just a beginner in this field of computing

Mmm... HDMI I suppose...Optical next. High quality external DACs/receivers after. All of which are STRONGLY suggested you stay away from because you have no need for it.

The RX700s are the best buy for you. You can even modify them if you feel so inclined to improve your headphones.

That along with Vinyl, CDs, WAVs, FLAC...all of which are the highest quality in that order. Even 320kbps V0 MP3's are acceptable.

FLAC bitrate is like 700+ typically (can be lower and can be 1500+). CD's are even higher.

What you're listening to streamed is typically 128kbps. Many times less. Rarely more.

 

[thisischuck01]

Quote:

Originally Posted by joelmartinez;13069247
what is the optimal source? Sorry for my noobishness just a beginner in this field of computing

Lossless.

 

[chinesekiwi]

what's your total budget OP? there's no point 'blind recommending' really.

 

[This Sanctuary]

Sennheiser HD 201 can buy them from 15-20$.

For the price compared to performace its amazying. These things sound great for music and games.

It has surround sound effect in it, even though its stereo, so if your playing counterstrike you can hear where shots are being fired more precisely.

And this also adds to music sounding better.

Ive had mine for about 2 years and it still works, and ive abused it alot.

 

[joelmartinez]

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinesekiwi what's your total budget OP? there's no point 'blind recommending' really.

Below 100 USD please read first post

I think I'm going with RX700s and I'll mod them because I don't see myself buying MP3s/CDs/FLACs/Vinyls etc. anytime soon. So do audiophiles seriously listen to Vinyls or what?

 

[chinesekiwi]

do you need isolation from outside noise?
With that budget, you can afford better.

 

[joelmartinez]

I know I can afford better but if you read the first post I don't think I need better, I'm not trying to be surly but if possible spending below $50 seems like a great plan to me as cash is really tight right now (actually it's always tight).

 

[chinesekiwi]

Well, I'd go the Samson SR850

http://cgi.ebay.com/SAMSON-SR850-STU...ht_1016wt_1139

Best sub $50 headphone. Really.

 

[joelmartinez]

can i buy from somewhere other than ebay? and are there mods i can do? Will I need a sound card?

 

[Zulli85]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simca Mmm... HDMI I suppose...Optical next. High quality external DACs/receivers after. All of which are STRONGLY suggested you stay away from because you have no need for it. The RX700s are the best buy for you. You can even modify them if you feel so inclined to improve your headphones. That along with Vinyl, CDs, WAVs, FLAC...all of which are the highest quality in that order. Even 320kbps V0 MP3's are acceptable. FLAC bitrate is like 700+ typically (can be lower and can be 1500+). CD's are even higher. What you're listening to streamed is typically 128kbps. Many times less. Rarely more.

Pandora One actually has a "high quality" setting which is 192kb/s bitrate and it is quite listenable, especially considering that it is radio. Its only $36 a year and has some nice features.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joelmartinez can i buy from somewhere other than ebay? and are there mods i can do? Will I need a sound card?

Of course you can buy elsewhere, Amazon and Newegg are both popular sites to purchase electronics from.

If I were you I would definitely buy a sound card, even a low end card will be better than your onboard and produce noticeably better audio. To save money I'd try to find a nice, used card on eBay such as this. (Note this is the XtremeMusic, NOT XtremeAudio.) You'd be better off with a low-end sound card and low-end headphones as opposed to notsolowendbutstilllowend-headphones and no sound card. The XtremeMusic is still a really nice sound card and would be quite the steal if you can get it for around $25.

 

[joelmartinez]

1. Can't afford pandora one (without sacrificing other upgrades)
2. What about asus xonar cards I heard they are better quality than creative, I want to buy an open box one from newegg eventually
3. what is better about the samson than the jvc for my uses (described in OP)