Open backed headphones arond £100

[steve_1979]

Hello,

I need some help looking for a good set of open backed headphones for listing to while sat at my computer. What headphones would you recomend for around £100?

The Grado SR80i have had good reviews for sound quality but there's also alot of comments saying that they're a bit uncomfortable. Is there anything that can be done to make them more comfortable?

I currently own a pair of Westone UM3x in ear monitors which I use with a Sony walkman, could a pair of £100 open backed headphones sound as good as these?

I will be listening to 320kbps MP3's from my computer via a digital optical cable. I don't have a dedicated DAC or headphone amp so I'm hoping my Yamaha RX-V667 receiver will sound good enough for this.

Any help or advice you can offer will be much appreciated.

 

[Sizzers]

Each to their own I guess but I find them very comfortable myself, and I really like the flat pads.

 

[SpiceWeasel]

I have the SR80i's and found them to be uncomfortable after 30mins to an hour when they were brand new. This was mainly due to the headband applying to much pressure against my ears and causing them to ache after a while. I have a large'ish head though so that probably wasn't helping matters, a quick tweak of the headband (as stated in the manual) really improved things though.

Also I found the comfort improved even further as the foam ear pads bedded in after a few listening sessions. I can now listen to them for a good 4 hours straight before my ears need a break. I think you can also change the pads for the bowl style of ear pads which might bring further comfort, havn't tried this myself as I am happy as they are.

I was very impressed with the Grados pluged directly into my pc's headphone out but the sound quality improved no end when I bought the Fubar4 dac/amp (connected via usb). They should sound good via your Yamaha but you may find investing in a proper headphone amp or a combined dac/amp like the Fubar will really improve things later down the road.

For the money the Grados are hard to ignore and I would try and get a demo from a local dealers and see how you find the comfort. I would have prefered if they were around the ear instead of over the ear but you soon get used to them. The 80i's are my first proper headphones and I can not believe the sound quality for the money, you would need to spend many times the price on a pair of loudspeakers to get anywhere close. Any headphones will give a different delivery to a pair of loud speakers but for sound quality a proper set of headphones will give a real dose of hifi for a fraction of the price.

 

[steve_1979]

Thanks for your input SpiceWeasel.

 

[steve_1979]

How do the Grado SR125 compare to the SR80i? Would it be worth saving for a bit longer and getting some SR125's instead or is there only a small improvement?

 

[Sizzers]

I totally agree with Weasel. It may just be a matter of personal preference but I've always found my Grado's to be really comfortable.

There may be something in the large-sized head idea, though, as I don't have a particularly large skull. Conversely I can find my 702's slightly uncomfortable and rather awkward at times for probably the opposite reason. I do prefer the flat pads of the Grado over the around-ear designs such as on my 702's although these are my headphone of choice.

IMO the Grado's are really fantastic value for money and I would recommend them without hesitation, but I would also look in to a DAC at some point which more experienced people can advise on.

 

[SpiceWeasel]

I think the 80i's are the sweet spot in the range, you would probably need to think about the 325i's at the very least to gain a real improvement. Even then the more expensive Grados may be held back by your current set up, a dedicated headphone set up is really needed to get the most out of the higher range Grados.

I was in the same situation when I bought my 80i's as I was seriously thinking of buying a set from further up the range. In the end I think I made the right choice by going for the 80i's and then saving up for my Fubar. I have a better sounding set up now than if I had gone for say the 325i's direct from my pc and the Fubar is good enough for a future headphone upgrade if I ever feel the need.

 

[steve_1979]

I will be using a Yamaha RX-V667 receiver as a DAC and amp so the sound quality should be much better than it would be straight out of a computer. Taking this into account would it be worth spending a bit more and getting the SR-125i or even SR225i instead of the SR80i

 

[idc]

I prefer my Grados with the flat pad over the bowl. For alternatives try the AKG K240 semi open (I don't know why they are called that, they leak sound like any open headphone) with its big comfy pads and great detail and clarity. You can get them for under £100. For a bit more bass, the closed backed K271 MkIIs are superb.

 

[steve_1979]

OK. After doing some more research I've decided to wait a while and save up for the Grado SR225i. Hope my Yamaha receiver is good enough to do them justice.

 

[idc]

If it is anything like the AS500 amp, the answer is yes it will be fine. Will you go bowl or pad?

 

[Sizzers]

Mr P has a comparison on the two here.

 

[steve_1979]

Will you go bowl or pad?

I'm not sure. What difference would they make to the sound quality and comfort?

 

[Sizzers]

Comfort wise is down to personal preference.

Sound wise, pads will give you a bit more bass response and tone down the highs a bit as well . A lot of people describe Grado's as "bright"; they can be but to my ears I find them reasonably well balanced depending upon the recording (at least with the 80's). Just my opinion, of course, and I would also look at SpiceWeasel's advice and look at getting a more dedicated headphone set-up to be honest.

 

[audioaffair]

Grado SR80i get my bet or even the SR60i. I've always found these to be very comfortable. The Grado pads won't cover some ears and do sit ontop of the ear somewhat but I've found the pads very soft and comfortable over long listening periods. Don't forget also that the Grado Small pads and Grado Large pads fit all Grado models from the SR60i to the SR325is and RS1i (as they all have the same sized earpieces) if you prefer the other type.

 

[Cutlass]

I have found the little iGrado headphones to sound really good plugged directly into my Sony notebook using loosless files and the J. Rivers mediaplayer. The higher models I have (i.e. RS2 and GS1000i) are not as dynamic used this way and I prefer the little iGrados. On the question of brightness I have never felt any Grados I've tried to be bright but it may just be my ears getting old. Interestingly I have noticed a great change in characteristics wih different power supplies to the head-amp and even the power chords used.

 

[caesar44]

Steve, if you're a rock music lover you'll like the grado sound signature. Regarding the Yamaha receiver..its pretty decent with headphnes and comes with a Burr Brown 192kHz 24-bit DAC..you should be fine.

 

[audioaffair]

I have found the little iGrado headphones to sound really good plugged directly into my Sony notebook using loosless files and the J. Rivers mediaplayer. The higher models I have (i.e. RS2 and GS1000i) are not as dynamic used this way and I prefer the little iGrados. On the question of brightness I have never felt any Grados I've tried to be bright but it may just be my ears getting old. Interestingly I have noticed a great change in characteristics wih different power supplies to the head-amp and even the power chords used.

iGrado are very impressive for the price and one of my faves too. If you're a rock fan though and the budget is upto £100, the SR80i take some beating!

 

[Jason36]

Another vote for the SR80i.

I have just bought mine and listen to a fair bit of rock amongst other things and find them brilliant.

I use them connected to my Caspian Pre- amplifier via an MF X-can and also directly into my laptop to listen to Spotify and my lossless files in iTunes and dont have a complaint regarding either of these listening methods.

I also dont actually find them uncomfortable when listening for extended periods.

Definately reccommend the 80i's over the 60i's....I find you actually get a lot of improvement with the 80i's for the small price increase.

 

[Anonymous]

Audio-Technica ATH AD700. Just under £100 at some places, and widely rated as the best at that price, and since I got a pair last week, I recommend them also. I spent all of friday evening with some wine and lots of CD's and had a thoroughly good time