DR150s snapped - replacement?

[WU-TANG]GZA

[WU-TANG]GZA

[WU-TANG]GZA

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14 Dec 2009
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Hi guys,

I bought the Goldring DR150s after being recommended here.

I do have to say the phones produced VERY good sound for the money.

One and only criticism I had for them was the build quality. The plastics felt cheap and nasty.

Anyway, I have snapped one of the phones as they are only connected by two very small cylinders of plastic and somehow, when pickin them up, they snapped on one side.

So, I'll need a replacement set.

I was either getting the DR150 or the Senns HD 555s but for some reason I do prefer closedback phones.

I am also quite pretentious though - so I would like them to look nice and the closed back phones don't look as smart as say the HD555s.


I'm considering:

Sennheiser HD 380 Pro Collapsible High end Headphones - Black


Sennheiser HD 555


Sennheiser HD 448

Sennheiser HD 438 - prefer look of these to 448 so only if 448 were much better would I go for them.

I know this is all Sennheiser but my previous phones were Senns and the build quality was much better imo.

What would you guys recommend? (Doesn't have to be Sennheiser lol)

Thanks,

Wu
 
The 555 and 595 have a design flaw, which doesn't make them any more sturdy than the Goldring's really, when you look at their weakness. I think the overall build quality of the Sennheiser's is better, but the plastic surround above the ear cups, is very prone to cracking, which has cause many a person to have multiple replacements. I don't know if the 595 have better plastic in that area. Most of the comments I have seen, seem to be about the 555's.

HD448 look pretty good. I saw some positive comments on Head-Fi.org, after they came out. One of the users bought some and thought them very good. Don't know how the 438 compare. Likely they wont be as good, or they would no point having a top of line, middle and bottom.

What about Goldring NS1000's? I think they have better build quality than the other Goldring's. They were made for Goldring by another company. DR50/100/150 were made by Goldring themselves.
 
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I actually feel my 150s are sturdier than the 1000s, maybe that's because they are a smaller headset in general but I have a fear of damaging them more than I do my 150s. Another thing to mention with the 1000s is the hinge holding the cups in isn't great, a few people myself included have noticed that they move a fair amount and creek which in it's own right is very annoying, but probably wouldn't take much force to break.
 
If you like closed back phones...

Beyer DT770
Audio Technica ATH-ES7
or the cheaper NS1000's (I didn't like them, but with audio stuff it's all personal taste)
 
thanks for the replies all. I will look up the suggestions.

@ Robnut: maybe, can't see what I would do with them. Although I might give superglue fixing them another go but not likely.
 
not sure why I went for DR150s in the first place.

I think the NS1000s look pretty darn good and I know there is little to choose between them performance-wise. If anything more ppl choose them over DR150

I think I will buy a pair for £60 you can't moan : D

Does anyone use them for gaming - are they particularly good or bad for gaming? I use a Xonar DX sound card.
 
Apparently they perform better than the DR150's when used with Dolby Headphone. If choosing something other than Goldring's, one problem is that to get that quality of sound, you will have to spend more than £100 easily.

For me the weak point of the DR150's is the headband, which has quite a few cracks. That might be due to them stretched over my big bonce. :p
 
NS1000s are great for gaming with Dolby Headphone. The caveat is if you use them for multiplayer you can't hear yourself very well. I find myself shouting.
 
I went from the NS1000s to the DR150. I find them much better for me, but as already said its personal taste most of the time.

I originally had HD555s but after 3 replacements in as many months through breakages I gave up and went the Goldring route.
 
[WU-TANG]GZA;17639207 said:
Hi guys,

I bought the Goldring DR150s after being recommended here.

I do have to say the phones produced VERY good sound for the money.

One and only criticism I had for them was the build quality. The plastics felt cheap and nasty.

Anyway, I have snapped one of the phones as they are only connected by two very small cylinders of plastic and somehow, when pickin them up, they snapped on one side.
Click to expand...

Mine have just completely gone 'snap' as well. I've looked after them well (had them a few months) and all of a sudden the plastic near the ears has cracked . I've had to do a quick repair with brown tape to stop them from completely snapping.

My first Goldring's and most likely my last.
 
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If yours are only newish I would contact Goldring. They may still be covered by manufacturer's warranty.
 
[WU-TANG]GZA;17639207 said:
Previous phones were Senns and the build quality was much better imo.

What would you guys recommend? (Doesn't have to be Sennheiser lol)

Thanks,

Wu
Click to expand...

Try out the HD-25's, they're very well made, and are designed to take abuse.
 
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