Looking for advice with my first pair of decent quality headphones!

[Dashstroyer]

Hi all,

I am a 15 year old who has spent his entire life (so far) living with an audiophile father. I have decided that it is finally time to invest in an at least somewhat decent audio experience for myself and think that a set of headphones would allow me to obtain the best value for my (lack of) money. I'd like something both portable enough to take around with me, but also decent enough in sound quality to use for personal at home listening as well. So far I have noticed that the Seinhousser M500 - X (which I can obtain for around $220) and the Audio - Technica ATH M50s seem like the best options. I listen to a wide variety of music, whether it be Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Clash, Or Steve Kilbey-Martin Kennedy and am not some stupid Beats kid. Any opinions as to which of the above 2 thoughts would be better (I'm not specifically interested in bluetooth as a feature, I am worried about sound, although I do think pause/play next track etc controls are a nice addition but not a make or break) or whether something else in a price range not exceedingly larger than those 2 trumps both? Recently I pulled a pair of dusty and neglected AKG K141 MKII out of my father's closet and love the sound these offer, even if they are not up to his expectation. I am hoping that what I purchase will be of equal sound quality to these. I am looking for seomthing closed not semi-open.

Thanks in advance for any replies/help,

Dashstroyer

 

[dalethorn]

The M50 is the poor-man's audiophile starter headphone, having decent bass but uneven sound elsewhere. Going up to the $220 (USD?) level increases the options greatly. My favorite at that level is the ATH ESW9a, having a warm and immensely musical sound, albeit a soft treble and a fragile cord. Someone else here will probably recommend the Soundmagic HP100, the erstwhile "Headphone of the Year", which to my ears is a more 'technical' kind of sound best suited to classical or folk music etc.

 

[Dashstroyer]

Thank you, I live in Australia but our dollar is very similar to the US at the moment! Will look into your suggestions, the Seinnhousers sell for a RRP of $325 but I am able to get them much cheaper, wonder if this is possible with other headhones as well? What is your opinion of the Beyerdynamic T50P?

 

[dalethorn]

Thank you, I live in Australia but our dollar is very similar to the US at the moment! Will look into your suggestions, the Seinnhousers sell for a RRP of $325 but I am able to get them much cheaper, wonder if this is possible with other headhones as well? What is your opinion of the Beyerdynamic T50P?

Most people rate the T50p lower in sound quality than the similar DT1350. I had two 1350's, and gave up on both. Other users I know of modified their DT1350 earpads to help with the problems I had and they had. Based on your price limits, there isn't much to look at.