Ask Engadget: Which are the best full-size headphones?

Late last year, you dear readers chimed in with your opinions for best earbuds in the land. Now, however, Ask Engadget is comin' atcha from a slightly different angle. Take it away, Jose:

"I'm looking for some good headphones for around $150. I hate earbuds (so uncomfortable and the audio quality seems to depend on the angle that they're stuck in there,) so now I'm looking for full-on cans. I've been told both positive and negative things about Bose cans, but I'm looking for a few more opinions here. Help me and my ears!"

Just as a note, we got the impression that Jose would be willing to stretch that budget a bit if a real winner was available just north of two bills, so feel free to pass out suggestions even if they're a touch pricier than what was mentioned. If you're looking to have your question heard loud and clear, shoot it over to ask at engadget dawt com and wish upon your lucky star(s), alright?

[Blaine Oliver @ May 1st 2008 5:56PM]

Seinnheisser (spelling?)
Cheap headphones for the budget minded person, but still pack a great sound.

[Adam @ May 1st 2008 6:42PM]

Sennheiser HD555. Awesome headphones and won't break the bank. You can find them for around $100.

[Aguiluz @ May 1st 2008 6:51PM]

Or... You can build one that's better!

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/548578/headphone_hack_make_you_own_noise_eliminating_headset/

[ruindpzzle @ May 1st 2008 6:59PM]

I agree with Adam, my Sennheiser HD 555 are great. Great sound, open ear style so you can hear if someone is calling you (provided it's not too loud) or pretend you don't hear them if you like.
I wear mine everyday at the office for roughly 8 hours a day for going on 4 years without discomfort which is tough with it comes to over the ear headphones. They're velvet(y) covered so your ears won't sweat like they do with plastic or leather covered ones, and your they're impedence is not so bad, so you can still plug them straight into your ipod and not have to use a headphone amp to drive them.

Grado SR-80's are pretty awesome, and arguably better sound but I find after a few hours they're not so comfortable.

[cygor @ May 1st 2008 7:30PM]

The 555 are awesome. same as above, i can go for 8 hours wearing them with out too much trouble. and you can still hear some stuff going on around you. been using them for 1.5 years and still love em.

[DeoWulf @ May 1st 2008 7:30PM]

Sennheiser HD305s here, I got them for $35 on Amazon new. They aren't amazing, but they're waaaay better than any earbuds I've tried and the bass is very nice.

[DeoWulf @ May 1st 2008 7:33PM]

Ooops, scratch that typo, I have 205's. 305s don't exist I believe.

[anodynewake @ May 1st 2008 7:55PM]

Another vote for Sony MDR-V6 / MDR-7506 (used to be different names for same headphones).

V6's have excellent sound reproduction and isolation, and have a comfortable bass level. You can't beat Grados for proper sound reproduction, but you don't want to wear them for a long time and the bass levels are a little lacking for casual listening.

V6s are used in radio, TV, and virtually every other type of audio production situation - while not the highest priced, many maintain that they are one of the most balanced and refined headphones ever produced for professional use

I've had my V6's for 7 years (I was in HS when I bought them - imagine the abuse!), and they are absolutely rock solid. I had to replace the ear pads (replaced with Beyerdynamic pads - don't get as warm or oily, but increase the distance of your ear from the driver)

Probably the wisest $60 investment I've ever made. Just buy them.

[ben @ May 1st 2008 10:31PM]

I got my pair (HD 485) about 6 months ago for about $60 and im very happy with them. the sound quality is really great and especially the bass which is so amazing. Also they are extreemely comfortable. the downsides are
1) they are open air designed, which means that people around you can hear lots of what your listening too (not so private)
2) they might make you look a bit funny, but its definitely worth it :)

[Pedo Bear @ May 1st 2008 11:57PM]

Sennheiser HD555 great head phones I got a pair off Newegg for 90 bucks. I have had them for about a month now and I LOVE THEM hands donw the second best I ever heard (fried of mine has Sennheiser HD595s).

[agealy @ May 1st 2008 11:39PM]

I'm going to have to agree with ben and endorse the HD485. I wear them everyday for hours on end and the sound is great. They can get a bit uncomfortable, as teh tips of my ears can touch the plastic driver cover, but this shouldn't be an issue for most people, and it only happens after many hours of continual use. I think they're probably the best value in full size headphones - I've even seen them compared preferably to the HD555.

[NoAndThen @ May 1st 2008 11:18PM]

I have the Sennheiser open driver HD-595's, and they are the best sounding headphones I think I've ever heard. And I got a deal on Amazon for like $130....

Definitely check out Sennheiser!

[Nipponese @ May 2nd 2008 1:35AM]

@Aguiluz

He is looking for good sound, not sound isolation. Besides, the DIY from the link will sure sound horrible. When you put a open air driver in a closed can like that, they are sure to sound awkwardly boomy and not tolerable if you really love listening to music.

As others have in the above posts, I would also recommend Sennheiser. The HD580 sounds like a million dollar system (literally) but they are expensive. For the budget, you cannot go wrong with HD555. One thing though, these Sennheisers are all open back so they sound awesome in ideal listening conditions but not for noisy places like on a flight.

[jhazen @ May 2nd 2008 2:39AM]

My Sony MDR-V6 headphones have sounded better to my ears than any headphones (which do not require a headphone amp) at up to triple their cost. Well under-budget but produce very faithful sound.

Consider this yet another recommendation for them.

[Grandalf @ May 2nd 2008 3:55AM]

Sennheiser HD200

I bought mine about 9 years ago when I was to start running around in green clothes for the Royal Danish Army, and had to travel about 10 hours by train every week. My reason for buying them at the time, was because they were very comftable and they blocked our a lot of the noise around me. Perfect for train traveling.

My first pair was smashed by accident a couple of years ago, and I bought a new pair right away.

Pros: Great sound! Comftable, Blocks "outside" noise

Cons: Can become a little sweaty for the ears after extended use because of the leather borders which helps block outside noise.

[Technex @ May 2nd 2008 6:05AM]

Audio Technica A900's. For gaming/metal/movies/comfort/soundstage.

Been using them for a few years now, best money I've ever spent for a long time.

[kev @ May 2nd 2008 8:01AM]

Audio-Technica ANC7. Noise cancelling, fairly big, good response.

[David @ May 2nd 2008 9:06AM]

I got some HD650s, Totally awesome. Expensive though, but still awesome. Haven't tried many others, but these are appearantly studio quality. They sound as good as my speakers (M-Audio BX5a, as used to mix the sound in the movie Traffic FYI :P)

[Joel @ May 2nd 2008 11:30AM]

Agreed on everything Sennheiser. I own the sennheiser HD280 Pro set. I'm a musician so I have used them for anything from studio work to listening to music at work. They're a great set.

[Blaine Oliver @ May 2nd 2008 3:02PM]

Wow i did kinda hijack this topic, at least i didnt say first.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ May 2nd 2008 8:20PM]

Sennheiser, currently has a trade in program. They will accept any pair of headphones, including the free ones you get from an airline or bundled with an mp3 player.

http://www.sennheiserusa.com/
http://www.dailytech.com/Headphone+Maker+Sennheiser+Debuts+TradeIn+Program/article11450.htm

If you are in to games, do check out the PC350, when you tuck away the microphone they also double as a great set of music headphones.
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite/productdetail.asp?transid=502141

[phanbouy @ May 1st 2008 5:57PM]

i like those free ones on JetBlue

[Aguiluz @ May 1st 2008 6:44PM]

I got the headsets from Air Canada (they gave me one) and they sound great. I use it on my PS2 games and I can hear the steps of those enemies when they try to sneak up from behind Spyro. Plus the treble and bass is great!

Just watch the volume. Mkay?

[Rob Conway @ May 1st 2008 6:56PM]

i haven't read you here in a while, phanbouy. and you've been busy today. it's good to see your evil evil humor permeate like every post.

[Micanos @ May 1st 2008 7:12PM]

PSYCHE!

lawl.

[marcin @ May 1st 2008 5:58PM]

Grado anything.

[Juaquin @ May 1st 2008 6:17PM]

+1 I have the Grado SR-80's and couldn't be happier. Be warned that they are open air and don't block much sound, and people around you will hear them a little. I use them for home use and they sound great.

[cmonkey @ May 1st 2008 6:26PM]

Agreed on Grados.

A better answer, however, is to try to find a local shop that sells headphones and listen to them yourself. Everyone has different preferences. Also, Engadget is the wrong place to look for audio advice.

Go to http://www.headwize.com/ or http://www.head-fi.org/

[Quix @ May 1st 2008 6:31PM]

I hear nothing but good about Grados, but dang those things are ugly!!!

[Rich @ May 1st 2008 6:47PM]

Agreed. For $150, Grado > Sennheiser > Bose.

[Jon Kit @ May 1st 2008 6:53PM]

I've got the sr80's as well they're awesome. Another headphone to look into is the Koss Porta Pros. They're not 'cans' but aren't buds either. I'm not sure what they go for today, I have mine for 7 years ago and they're still rockin'

[Tim @ May 1st 2008 6:53PM]

absolutely. if you can get by the looks, nothing touches grado.

[iain @ May 1st 2008 7:08PM]

Another vote for Grado, compared them against 3 or 4 other makes when i bought them 6 years ago, they blew everything else, including Sennheiser, out the water. 6 years on still going strong and friends have bought them too...

[Clyde @ May 1st 2008 8:59PM]

+1 for Grado. I did a lot of comparisons before I bought my SR-80s and nothing touched the sound quality - even at many times the price. The only downside is that sometimes my ears get warm if I wear them for more than a couple hours. They are otherwise fairly comfortable.

[huh @ May 2nd 2008 12:53AM]

I have grado sr-125s, I truly don't understand how they sound so good. you'd swear you're surrounded by speakers.

the only problem is they come apart easily and the foam falls apart. www.elusivedisc.com sells replacements for a decent price.

[adrian @ May 2nd 2008 12:10AM]

Grado is by far the best option for serious listening

[Erik Tomlinson @ May 2nd 2008 3:05AM]

Another vote for Grado. I am not kidding or making things up when I say my $80 Grado SR60s are more comfortable and sound better than ANYTHING I have ever tried in the sub-$200 range. I use them with my laptop, my computer, and my two iPod Nanos (it's quite amusing using headphones that are several times larger than the device driving them).

They sound absolutely fantastic and are extremely comfortable - I have glasses and most headphones pinch against them, but the Grados are almost like they're not there. (If you're reading a review and it says something about extremely hard earpads, they've changed them and they're very nice now.)

A few may gripe about the SR60s being a bit bassy, but I believe it works very well for movies and 'normal' music (as opposed to classical or anything mixed to be flat instead of 'punchy'). I think the SR80s have a flatter response curve if this is an issue.

[opus7 @ May 2nd 2008 9:31AM]

+1 for Grado SR60's are arguably the best cans for under $200

[Mojo_Yugen @ May 2nd 2008 9:51AM]

You'll have to pry my Grado SR325's off of my cold, dead ears.

Worth every penny.

[Jason Barbarich @ May 2nd 2008 10:20AM]

Yet another vote for Grado.
Not only are you getting an AWESOME pair of cans (any model, however the 60s and 80s are probably what you're looking for), but you're also getting some very fantastic support.
I abused the hell out of my SR-60s while I was in college (stuffing the wire into my pocket, bending the jack at ungodly angles, tossing them in overstuffed backpacks, etc.), and when the jack began to wiggle and I began to notice spotty audio in the left can, all it took was a e-mail to Grado. Within a day I had an RMA for my WELL out of warranty headphones.
Shipped them out, and had a BRAND NEW PAIR in under a week.
100% fully backed. Small company, personalized service, and great products.

[Nate @ May 1st 2008 5:59PM]

Sennheisser = Amazing.

I have the HD 280 pro headphones. They pack quite the punch and are well under $150.

[james @ May 1st 2008 6:03PM]

I second the recomendation for the senheiser hd280 cans. They sound amazing, and they decently priced, I paid 80 bucks for mine.

[pfepher @ May 1st 2008 6:12PM]

Third. I love mine. I did quite a bit of research after my Shure e3s got dropped into a glass of water and before making my next purchase. I got them on Amazon for about $80 and have been VERY happy. They sound great.

I looked at Grado as well, but they just leak way too much for my use (often while on the subway - yeah, I may look like a jackass, but I'm not contributing to localized noise pollution).

[badmacktuck @ May 1st 2008 6:19PM]

i also have a set of sennheisers hmd280 pros. same as the other ones, but with a mic. i've been wearing them all day every day at work for the past 2 and half years or so. they still sound fantastic. i'm actually thinking about buying another set for at home.

[Joseph @ May 1st 2008 6:19PM]

I agree. I've had the Sennheiser hd 280s for about half a year and they are fantastic. I mainly use them in the office to shut people out (noise cancellation can't do that) since they are isolation headphones. They also work really well on the airplane.

[kyle @ May 1st 2008 7:33PM]

I have a set of the HD280Pros too. Very nice headphones. I'd recommend them if you don't want to hear much other than what they are plugged into. My wife is pissed when I wear them playing video games.

[kyle @ May 1st 2008 7:38PM]

For got to mention that the 280Pros fold up too.

[Brandon Bielstein @ May 1st 2008 8:17PM]

HD280 is the way to go

[kingu @ May 1st 2008 9:24PM]

I second that notion. I got the HDM-280, same headphones with the added mic. (they come un-terminated, so if that makes you giggle, then get already terminated ones)

[catachip @ May 1st 2008 9:35PM]

Another vote for the Sennheiser HD280 Pros. I just got mine last week, I love them!