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Ask Slashdot: Best Headphones, Earbuds, Earphones?

Posted by Soulskill on from the boombox-and-duct-tape-no-longer-cut-it dept.

alexbgreat writes "What do you think is the best set of head-mounted loudspeakers for the money, with a cost of less than $50? Here are some featuresthat would be stupendous to have (in descending order of importance): noise isolation (not cancellation), flat/near flat response (I need to be able to hear bass, but I don't need my eardrums blown out), long-term comfort (earbuds usually hurt for me), and durability. Over-ear is preferred to anything on- or in-ear. Boom mics are permissible, as I may well use it as a broadcast intercom headset." If you have experience using headphones from different price ranges, feel free to share that as well.

6 of 448 comments (clear)

  1. Sennheiser PX100 by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Downside: almost transparent to sound. People can hear what you're listening to and the isolation you get is next to none. Still, audio quality is great for the price, they're light and very comfortable.

    1. Re:Sennheiser PX100 by gstrickler · · Score: 4, Informative

      I'll second that recommendation. I've had several sets of Sennheiser headphones over the years, and they've all had excellent sound quality. They've always been excellent build quality too.

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      make imaginary.friends COUNT=100 VISIBLE=false
  2. Monoprice! by Eponymous+Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    I bought two pairs of Monoprice 8323's and I think they are fantastic. I keep one at home and the other at work.

    I've never been disappointed with anything I've bought from Monoprice.

    These same headphones are available from other people (Kicker and others) for significantly more money.

  3. HeadRoom by juventasone · · Score: 4, Informative

    HeadRoom tests more headphones than probably anyone. They're unbiased enough to say when a $40 pair is better than $100 pair that they sell.

    1. Re:HeadRoom by TheInternetGuy · · Score: 4, Informative

      They're unbiased enough to say when a $40 pair is better than $100 pair that they sell.

      I have no experience from HeadRoom ( I am sure they are good if you recommend them).
      But I did use to work in an electronics store as a teenager, and I just want to say that it is quite possible for the reseller to have better margins on a $40 pair than the $100. Especially when the cheaper product isn't all that well known and the more expensive one is. So that is not really a foolproof sign that they are unbiased.

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      If my comment didn't sound as good in your head as it did in mine, then I guess we all know who's to blame
  4. http://www.head-fi.org/ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://www.head-fi.org/