Best all round headphones gaming music movies around £60 quid

KillBoY_UK

KillBoY_UK

KillBoY_UK

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i love my 7.1 speakers but im moving soon and can't afford the space they take up atm and my Sony MDR-EX90's are not the most pratical of things to use on my pc so im looking for a good pair of cans for all round useage how much would a set of cans would be that would be on the same sort of level as my EX90's ?
 
I got mine for £60 delivered on audiocubes. Tried there?

Alternatively, look at Sennheiser HD555 or Grado SR60 (though Grado's are more music based).
 
Within your price bracket and for the purposes you describe, I'd look for a second hand set of Sennheiser HD580s. However people seem to have caught on to just how good a bargain these 'phones are. I'd agree with the above posters suggestion of the Sennheiser HD555. As for the Grados, whilst they are good 'phones if you like their particular sound they are damned uncomfortable. My guess is you'd probably not enjoy them for long periods of wear. Audio Technica 'phones are pretty decent sounding and comfortable. If you don't intend to use a headphone amp, I'd suggest you look for low impedance 'phones, around 40ohms.
 
just going to be pluged into my X-fi elite pro break out box not sure if you can count that as an amp , (well i don't need and amp then my record player is pluged in)
 
I changed my mind so many times today before my purchase.
The allesandro ms1 are undoubtebly probably the best for £50 imported from the states they are basically grado sr80 but tweaked and sound the same as grado sr125's which are like £130.
But what put me off was the comfort issues & warranty which you wont have if importing from the states.

Equation audio rp21
Goldring dr100/150
Audio techinica
Grado's

And so on were all on my list but after much research I finally went for the sennheiser hd555 at £54 delievered.
They seem to be the best and thats coming from people who own grado's the senns overall sound and comfort is really second to none in this kind of price range.
 
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KillBoY_UK said:
just going to be pluged into my X-fi elite pro break out box not sure if you can count that as an amp , (well i don't need and amp then my record player is pluged in)
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I do use a headphone amplifier with my Sennheiser HD650s and Audio Technica W1000s. I have an Auzentech Prelude soundcard which is very similar to your Xfi. My hunch is that you'll be very pleased with the performance of any decent-ish 'phones low impedance via your soundcard.

I also have a Denon 5.1 AV system and to my surprise have discovered that I get much better sound using my 'phones directly from the Prelude via my Graham Slee Solo headphone amp than I do using my 'phones via my Denon receiver and the headphone amp. The difference is very substantial, both in terms of quality and volume.

I understand that the headphone outputs on most amplifiers, receivers etc., are adequate rather than good when compared dedicated headphone amps. You'll find this topic cropping up from time to time on sites like headfi.org or avforums, etc. This is not to say that you need a headphone amplifier. I'm sure that you will find some cans that will do all you want of them within your budget, as long as you avoid gimmicky toys like 5.1 or surround sound 'phones etc.
 
i don't consider myself a hard core audio nut but i loved my upgrade from my cheap 20quid sony buds to my sexy Sony MDR-EX90 in my humble sony HD-5 (no im not a sony fanboy) would like that sort of quality again
 
Maybe look at the grado sr60 then or import the allesandro ms1 think they are the best just a slight possible comfort issue which can be solved i hear by buying separate earpads.
 
H2F Scott said:
My vote goes to Audio Technica AD700's.

Not A700's though. AD.
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Why the ADs? I'd reccomend a closed headphone for gaming... always creates a better "in game" atmosphere rather than having other sounds interfear.

I use A900s for Movies/Games/Music and am much happier with them than the pair of open Sen555s I had, although the 555s are a lower grade of headphone, I still much prefer the closed sound.

I guess it's a personal thing.
 
After ordering the sennheisers and finding out they had no stock I have now ordered the grado sr60 which arrive tomorrow will let you know what i think of them.
The good thing about Grado's is they can command a high resale price and are always going up and down in cost.
Closed has never made a difference to me i can still hear outside noises and it's hard to find a quality set of closed for £60.
I almost ordered the senn hd 555 again but i want to see what all the fuss is about over grado's.
 
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Hxc said:
Why the ADs? I'd reccomend a closed headphone for gaming... always creates a better "in game" atmosphere rather than having other sounds interfear.

I use A900s for Movies/Games/Music and am much happier with them than the pair of open Sen555s I had, although the 555s are a lower grade of headphone, I still much prefer the closed sound.

I guess it's a personal thing.
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Well, I guess it depends. Open headphones would be better for competitive gaming, I would have though. The larger soundstage would give you better positional audio.
 
Personally like my HD555's. :)

I've found them to work well from many different quality sources. Used my mobo's (Gigabyte P35 DS3P) onboard audio, a Soundblaster Live 24, X-Fi fatal1ty and also recently added a Pro-Ject Head Box II amp with great results.

I'd try to demo some if you can to get an idea of what different manufacturer's offer soundwise and whether you prefer closed or open backed phones (as others have said this can depend on what you do most often).

Good luck. :D

gt
 
My grado sr60 arrived today not sure what to make of them at the moment as i hear they need a burn in but from what i can hear at the moment it's the most forward detailed crisp sound I've ever heard from a set of cans.
After gaming now and a few other things I would not recommend these for gaming but for rock music I would whole heartedly recommend these so if your into your rock and want the best for rock and a good all rounder get these.
 
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alessandro ms1's are fantastic for music, you wont touch them for the 99 dollars they are currently selling for.

however... they are not for movies, no earth shattering bass.
 
If you can save another £20 or so the Sennheisser HD595's are just superb. One of the best PC purchases I made, they're fantastic for games/music/movies and they're very comfortable. They should last you a long time. Well worth the investment imo.

Edit: Just realised the HD555's are fairly similar, get them if you can't afford the 595's

Edit #2: Just seen the 595's on for £78 delivered. That is a superb price, I would snap these up without a shadow of doubt.
 
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