EDM Headphones under £200/$300

[hybridauth_Facebook_612505400]

Hi,

I want to start by saying that I went through many forum posts in order to find an answer to my question and I'm only starting a new post because I haven't found something that helps me case in particular.

So, I'm looking to buy a new pair of closed headphones. I listen mainly to EDM and score music. I have no amp and my budget doesn't allow me to get one. Most of the headphones I came across usually trade a good soundstage for good bass or vice versa. Both the soundstage and the bass are important for me.

Current budget is 200 pounds ($300).

Current headphones I am looking to:

- Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 32ohms (I heard that the sound volume is not that high without an amp)

- Custom One Pro (some pointed out that it lacks a good soundstage)

- Audio Technica ATH-M50 (lacked soundstage)

- Audio Technica ATH-A900X

So in brief:

Closed headphones

EDM mainly

200 pounds budget

No amp

Thanks in advance!

 

[MajorFubar]

If you want headphones with a sound that really breathes with a good soundstage, I've found open designs to be far better than closed. Is there any particular reason why they have to be closed? Closed phones are often less comfortable to wear for extended periods, and as they're ygoing to be our only 'speaker' I'd seriously give open cans some thought. They're where it's at IMO if you want sound with a good breadth and size that you can wear comfortably for extended periods.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_612505400]

I'd have loved to be able to buy an open pair but I'm getting this one for studying and I'm usually surrounded by people so the open can isn't feasible. I owned a Sennheiser open pair so I know the trade off I'm going to go through for the soundstage; I'm merely trying to minimize the damage.

 

[pauln]

I much prefer open back too however I can see the need for closed back phones; I was impressed with the Shure SRH840 - around £120 from pro audio stores.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_612505400]

I've read around on many occasions that the SRH840 does not give that much of a strong bass.

I feel like I'm forced to also buy an amp if I'm going to restrict myself to the closed cans. So yea if there are any good headphones that also require amps I would be good.

Also, what is a portable or non-portable good amps for a sub 50 pounds/$75?

 

[pauln]

I've read around on many occasions that the SRH840 does not give that much of a strong bass.

I feel like I'm forced to also buy an amp if I'm going to restrict myself to the closed cans. So yea if there are any good headphones that also require amps I would be good.

Also, what is a portable or non-portable good amps for a sub 50 pounds/$75?

It's a pretty flat frequency response, they are intended for studio use. Personally I don't like boosted bass, however many do. Can you get access to much to audition?

I'm pretty sure that just because a headphone is closed back doesn't mean it needs an amp. The dt770 for example, comes in three flavours, 250 ohm and 80 ohm versions which almost certainly would benefit from an amp and a 32 ohm version that is meant for mobile use that wouldn't.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_612505400]

I am trying to find places in London to try them. I'm failing to find somewhere close so I'm trying to restrict my options through asking on forums etc.

And yes, of course not because it's closed back it needs an amp. I meant that I would have better options if I increased my range to include ones that need an amp as well. Lots of people said dt770 32ohms has a low volume when not amped. Same goes for the 80 (which is also advertised as mobile friendly). That's why I'm increasing my range to include amps as well since I've heard extremely good things about the dt770.

 

[MajorFubar]

Have you heard the latest Beats Studio 2? Now don't laugh they actually get decent reviews including from WHF and by me. List price is $300 but you'll easy find them for about $269 or less. I'm not sure they'll give you the stereo imagery you crave, they're not the last word in refinement, but they'll give you the bass, they're noise cancelling which might be important to you if you're surrounded by other people, and they're closed.

 

[dalethorn]

I'd have loved to be able to buy an open pair but I'm getting this one for studying and I'm usually surrounded by people so the open can isn't feasible. I owned a Sennheiser open pair so I know the trade off I'm going to go through for the soundstage; I'm merely trying to minimize the damage.

The reason closed generally sounds worse is because the design allows blocked air flow to change the freq. response. A good equalizer, especially the parametric type like Audioforge, can fix that issue and give you as good a soundstage etc. as an open headphone. I've done it with 70 different headphones so far.

 

[JoelSim]

I think you're looking in the wrong area for headphones if you mainly listen to EDM. You would be better off with good DJ/studio headphones that are voiced for this particular music. I too listen to mainly EDM and I would suggest you take a look at the AIAIAI TMA-1 Studio Young Guru, the Reloop SHP-1 or RHP-30. All of these give great sonics with excellent bass.

 

[hybridauth_Facebook_612505400]

Thank you everyone for the replies and recommendations!

It urged me to go and try stuff for myself today. I've tried the DT770 80, Senn Momentum Over Ear and Ultrasone pro750.

The DT770 without an amp did not impress me at all. With an amp, it sounded WAY more clear but still gave me the feeling that it's missing something that I couldn't put my finger on it. Overall, was not impressed.

The Momentum, though not as clear as the DT770 amped, it sounded extremely good. I'm not sure if that's "sound stage" but I felt like I can hear every instrument coming from separate part of the can. The bass was extremely good and "fun", yet did not extend as much as the DT770. The mids and highs of the Momentum were better than the DT770's, though. Overall, I can say that the momentum did impress me more.

The Ultrasone Pro750 sounded amazing, it had a bass as good as the DT770 and way better highs and mids. However, I still felt the Momentum had a better sound stage and more fun all around. Also, I'm not sure that it's worth the price difference.

It's a tough call. Any thoughts?

(Also, sorry if I sounded like I ignored comments/recommendations by not replying directly, I'm trying to be practical as not to waste anyone's time that's all)

 

[dalethorn]

Thank you everyone for the replies and recommendations!

It urged me to go and try stuff for myself today. I've tried the DT770 80, Senn Momentum Over Ear and Ultrasone pro750.

The DT770 without an amp did not impress me at all. With an amp, it sounded WAY more clear but still gave me the feeling that it's missing something that I couldn't put my finger on it. Overall, was not impressed.

The Momentum, though not as clear as the DT770 amped, it sounded extremely good. I'm not sure if that's "sound stage" but I felt like I can hear every instrument coming from separate part of the can. The bass was extremely good and "fun", yet did not extend as much as the DT770. The mids and highs of the Momentum were better than the DT770's, though. Overall, I can say that the momentum did impress me more.

The Ultrasone Pro750 sounded amazing, it had a bass as good as the DT770 and way better highs and mids. However, I still felt the Momentum had a better sound stage and more fun all around. Also, I'm not sure that it's worth the price difference.

It's a tough call. Any thoughts?

(Also, sorry if I sounded like I ignored comments/recommendations by not replying directly, I'm trying to be practical as not to waste anyone's time that's all)

My experience with the "over ear" Momentum (that does not go around most ears) is it sounds great for casual and distracted listening, but when you get to some sensitive high frequency content in serious listening, you'll realize it comes up short.