RIP Headphones - need some new ones!

My 8 year old JVC HA-M300 headphones have finally died. The padding looks like torn up dinosaur hide, and the silvery plastic is worn away in big greasy splotches. I'd use these things forever, but the chord must have broken on the right side. If I jiggled it just right the sound would come back, but now that doesn't even work...

Well, anyway, I need some good recommendations. I'm really picky about headphones because they usually make my head feel like it's going to pop like a pimple. I tried on 20 or so pairs at Best Buy and felt extreme loathing for most of them, lol... The Bose TrueSound headphones were AMAZING, but I'm not about to drop $150 for them. I'm comfortable up to, maybe, $40-50 to get something a little nicer, but these JVCs were only $15 when I got them, and I've never heard clearer headphones.

So, I'm looking for extreme (note, extreme, I'm a total baby) comfort, and clear sound for ~$40.

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EctiBot 2014-08-11 19:41:00

What about the Audio Technica ATH M20x. They're comfortable, durable and delievers very clear sound. They're only 40-50$ on Amazon, but might go up to 60-70$ in physical shops.
You also have the Sony MDR V55 which delievers even better sound, but they have a very weak frame that will snap quite easily. They're like 40 bucks I think.

Kajenx 2014-08-11 19:41:00

The reviews look good on that. I added it to my list. :)

I think I ruled out the Sonys because of all the people reporting frame issues. Everyone seems to agree that Sony has the best sound, though. I really wish I could test more options, but I might just have to buy blind.

Xyresic 2014-08-11 20:29:55

I seriously doubt you got the clearest sound ever out of a pair of 15 dollar headphones.

Kajenx 2014-08-11 20:29:55

Haha, well to be specific, I said I'd never heard clearer headphones. ;) I'm not really an expert, but I've always loved the sound on these guys. They sound better than 90% of what I tested at best buy a few days ago. Those all sounded incredibly flat to me... Out of all of them, I only liked how the Sol headphones sounded, but they felt like two rocks attached to a vice grip around my head. The Bose TrueSound were great in all areas, but they're so expensive...

Xyresic 2014-08-11 21:48:13

Of course they were expensive. Headphones are a prime example of you get what you pay for. $40-50 headphones aren't going to sound great. They'll sound average at best. If you've never had the pleasure of using a truly high quality set of headphones, do yourself a favour. Save up some cash and splurge. I'm talking a couple of hundred dollars. I'd only ever used relatively cheap headphones until I bought my Audio Technica ATH-AD900, and they sound out of this world.
Sure, I use my crappy in-ear buds for listening to my iPod while out and about, but for some truly excellent listening it's worth the price tag.

Kajenx 2014-08-11 21:48:13 (Updated 2014-08-11 23:40:34)

It's that "saving up some cash" part that's hard, haha. I have some amazon gift card money I can use, so that's my spending limit.

I was more surprised by how uncomfortable all the headphones were, TBH. They had price tags between $80-200 and they felt really hard and clampy to me. I was only wearing them for a few minutes, too, so I couldn't imagine wearing them for hours at a time to make music. :C

I'm guessing I must not be too picky about sound quality. But again, all those Best Buy headphones sounded pretty bad next to my old JVCs, and they were mostly >$100. Maybe I've just gotten used to the sound on them or something. Hard to say...

http://support.jvc.com/consumer/product.jsp?modelId=MODL027748&pathId=112&page=1&archive=true

There's all the specs, how do they seem to you?

ItsTheAshtray 2014-08-11 22:23:38

I've been using these for a few years:
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR7506-Professional-Diaphragm-Headphone/dp/B000AJIF4E
They're $100 but totally worth it. When I was looking for headphones I did a little research and these kept coming up. The common story: "I'm a professional, and these headphones are as good or better than most $200-400 pairs."

As far as comfort, I donno I guess you'd have to try them. I wear them all the time and they don't bother me.

Kajenx 2014-08-11 22:23:38

I've seen a lot of people recommend them, but the reviews had some interesting points. Do they seem overly sharp/sterile to you? People were saying they're good for recording, but it can be hard listening for everyday use because everything is so obvious. I basically use headphone for everything, so it could be a problem if it's something really noticeable. I don't know if this is just people being really picky or what, haha, so maybe you can give me your perspective.

Xyresic 2014-08-12 01:32:41

I couldn't say how good a pair of headphones is just from specifications alone. In the end it all comes down to how good it sounds, but the price tag is generally as good an indicator as any (of course, there are landmines). I suppose if you're overtly sensitive to pressure around your ears you'll have to factor that in as well, and I doubt I could make any recommendations without having you test them out first. If you have any stores near you dedicated to hi-fi sound or headphones, go there and see if they have any sets you can try before you buy. Saving up cash is difficult, but not impossible. My cans cost me $250 dollars. If you save just a dollar every single day, you could buy a pair within a year. 2 dollars and it would only take a couple months. It's all about patience, but the rewards are worth it.

Kajenx 2014-08-12 01:32:41 (Updated 2014-08-12 19:02:14)

Lol, well I need the headphones to make music for my games in order to make money to save up. XD

Headphones aren't really worth $250 in my life - especially considering I've enjoyed using $15 headphones for the past 8 years, you know?

ItsTheAshtray 2014-08-12 11:35:05

Ahhh, man that's interesting. You know, I think I'm gonna take my hat out of the ring. I use them for a lot of stuff and really like the sound, but I've never compared them to another pair in or around that price-range. So, I really don't know about the sharp/sterile thing. In fact, using them for so long may have driven my taste to like that kind of sound better. UH OHs.

Kajenx 2014-08-12 11:35:05

Hmm, hard to say. We're probably all slaves to what we're used to. I really like the way mine sounded, but they were pretty cheap, so probably never sounded that great, haha...

Pinkv86 2014-09-15 13:59:31

Go to a big shopping store like if you have a Walmart or if in Europe go to a HEMA and get the nicest Logitech headphones, the ones with the fake leather ears and adjustable microphone. I am kinda picky for theses things too, but I was NOT disappointed with them. Around $30 for them

Kajenx 2014-09-15 13:59:31

I ended up getting these: http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M20x-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00HVLUR18

They aren't bad! I was scared, too, because I didn't test them anywhere. O_O

Pinkv86 2014-09-15 16:23:47

Oh those do look nice. And you got lucky! ^,^