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pauldo
Senior Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 1338
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2014 - 12:29 pm:   Edit Post

My old set of Koss TD175's have broken.
Looking to replace them found this sweet set of American made ones . . . my budget denies me.
http://www.audeze.com/products/headphones/lcd-3

Anyone have recommendations on decent, comfortable and po-folk priced headphones?
dannobasso
Senior Member
Username: dannobasso

Post Number: 1547
Registered: 3-2004
Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2014 - 1:16 pm:   Edit Post

Phil Jones.
http://andreweverard.com/2014/06/29/review-pjb-h-850-headphones-why-they-beat-beats-and-at-a-fraction-of-the-price/
gtrguy
Senior Member
Username: gtrguy

Post Number: 807
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2014 - 6:51 pm:   Edit Post

I use AKG K240s and like them a lot (4 pair). They do need to be driven as they are 600ohm (if I remember right). I use a headphone amp. I also have a pair of Audio Technicia ATH-M40fs that sound even better. I bought them all used. The K240s run around $100 new at Guitar Center, if I remember right.
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass

Post Number: 2268
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Saturday, November 22, 2014 - 7:55 pm:   Edit Post

I was recommended the Audio Technica ATH-D40fs headphones by a local pro shop here in Nashville, who remarked a lot of bass session guys use them. They make a similar ATH-D40 set, but the 40fs version has a 'hump' in the bass response. I wanted something good for headphone practice, and these suit me. Around $90USD.

Be sure and check the ohm-rating. I love the K240's, but at 600ohm resistance, they weren't very loud for some of my gear. I now use a little Mackie mixer with a 1-watt headphone send, so no problem !

J o e y
bob2
Junior
Username: bob2

Post Number: 42
Registered: 2-2009
Posted on Sunday, November 23, 2014 - 12:26 pm:   Edit Post

Just to throw my two cents in, I am a fan of Grado headphones.
I got a set of sr-60's, which are the least expensive ones, years ago. It looks like they redesigned the foam on the earpieces, which was the only minor issue I had with them.
They sound really good, and are still made in the U.S.
avmeln
New
Username: avmeln

Post Number: 3
Registered: 11-2014
Posted on Monday, November 24, 2014 - 5:48 pm:   Edit Post

+1
I own Grado SR125e (open-backed) - really like them. Still made in the US of A.

http://www.gradolabs.com/headphones/prestige-series/item/3-sr125e

It's a family business based in Brooklyn. Highly recommended.

http://www.headphone.com/products/grado-sr-125e
http://www.goodcans.com/HeadphoneReviews/grado225.htm
pauldo
Senior Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 1341
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Monday, November 24, 2014 - 6:39 pm:   Edit Post

Thanks for the input.
Does the open back design still provide the low end response and better 'isolation' like the PJB's claim to?

I certainly embrace the idea of a family owned, small based, 'local' company.
hammer
Senior Member
Username: hammer

Post Number: 623
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Monday, November 24, 2014 - 8:09 pm:   Edit Post

I have Grados. The only thing I don't like about them is that that don't sit very tightly on one's head. Not cheap, they run from $150 to $1,600 but they do reproduce all frequencies quite accurately.
avmeln
New
Username: avmeln

Post Number: 4
Registered: 11-2014
Posted on Monday, November 24, 2014 - 8:24 pm:   Edit Post

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grado_Labs

IMHO good isolation is only essential for vocals during recording session. Plus you will be able to hear when milkman rings at the door:-))

Speaking of 125 it provides with just that true tone of your instrument without being too 'bassy'. 325 got more lows (with some metal sound density accents) - and heavier. All Grados in general are pleasure to wear, these headphones are light, soft and breathing.

If you happened to like closed type - Beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO (80 Om)could be right for you with all that German heavy weight/quality (and price tag). It depends... I personally found them too much -almost claustrophobic- isolating to use for a long time. Excuse grammar and mistakes here - my main language is Russian.
hammer
Senior Member
Username: hammer

Post Number: 624
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Monday, November 24, 2014 - 8:54 pm:   Edit Post

To clarify my earlier comment... I wasn't complaining about the lack of isolation of the Grados I prefer the more open format, but rather, the fact that if I look down at my music or shoes for that matter, they tend to slip off my head.
avmeln
New
Username: avmeln

Post Number: 5
Registered: 11-2014
Posted on Monday, November 24, 2014 - 9:49 pm:   Edit Post

OK, I got it. My head is bigger than average, though. It is EUR61 =UK7 1/2 =US7 5/8. Lucky me, eh? Anyways, Grado are quite adjustable. What model we're talking about? Oh, and I adore its' old fashioned look.
bigredbass
Senior Member
Username: bigredbass

Post Number: 2271
Registered: 9-2002
Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 12:24 am:   Edit Post

I'm a big Ken Rockwell fan (www.kenrockwell.com), a SoCal pro photographer who runs a terrific photo review website. He's straight, no chaser, but technically qualified. Encyclopedic reviews of Nikon, Canon, Leica, and now Fuji, and all of those lenses. A real 'go to' should you be considering this camera or that lens.

Ken also did time in Hollywood in post-production in broadcast and film. He's also an audio nut, so here's his review of the new Beyer T51i's, which from his review might be quite the ticket for our uses:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/audio/beyer/t51i.htm

And he knows: His mother was Mr. Steinway's personal secretary for years !

J o e y
avmeln
New
Username: avmeln

Post Number: 6
Registered: 11-2014
Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 1:27 pm:   Edit Post

New T51i is a tad pricey but quality outweighs this. I just checked EvilBay and found this unit ($159/Free shipping/Only one left). Used for a trade show demo! Excellent condition. Like new!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Beyerdynamic-T-51-p-Headband-Headphones-Silver-/121499731008?pt=US_Headphones&hash=item1c49f2c440
hammer
Senior Member
Username: hammer

Post Number: 627
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 6:01 pm:   Edit Post

I have the 325e model. In spite of having a big noggin myself (7 5/8) I still have the problems I described. I can't fault the sound, however, both for practicing and listening to music. I purchased them less than two months after dropping the cash for ohm Walsh 3000 speakers because of complaints from my wife that I was shaking the house. After a few listens I began to wonder what I had blown so much on speakers (which I love).
avmeln
New
Username: avmeln

Post Number: 8
Registered: 11-2014
Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 7:13 pm:   Edit Post

For headphones with a metal headband, you can bend the metal inwards to force clamping. Grados are flexible. Disclaimer - use at your own risk!
http://www.head-fi.org/t/152629/how-safely-bendable-is-hd555-headband#post_1799498
hammer
Senior Member
Username: hammer

Post Number: 629
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 7:32 pm:   Edit Post

I've heard that approach used to stretch Grados but never to tighten them up. I'll give it a try...carefully. Thanks
hammer
Senior Member
Username: hammer

Post Number: 630
Registered: 9-2009
Posted on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 7:40 pm:   Edit Post

I've heard that approach used to stretch Grados but never to tighten them up. I'll give it a try...carefully. Thanks
avmeln
New
Username: avmeln

Post Number: 9
Registered: 11-2014
Posted on Thursday, November 27, 2014 - 12:27 pm:   Edit Post

You are very welcome. I'd like to share some interesting thoughts found here:
http://www.oocities.org/ppkant/headph.htm - particularly the very last section.
avmeln
New
Username: avmeln

Post Number: 10
Registered: 11-2014
Posted on Thursday, November 27, 2014 - 5:58 pm:   Edit Post

125 vs 325 design
125 vs 325 design
poor_nigel
Advanced Member
Username: poor_nigel

Post Number: 374
Registered: 11-2009
Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2014 - 9:05 am:   Edit Post

I have had two bad experiences with Grado headphones. Both pair developed opens in the wiring going into the cups, which then led to filing them in the circular file cabinet, as I simply could not figure out how to open them to fix them, with out taking a hack saw to them. I believe one pair was a 225 and the other a 325 model. I seriously wanted to try out some of the reference wooden ones, but not with the bad track record on the cheaper units. If wiring is not stable/reliable on the mid-units, I sincerely doubted it would be better on the upper units. I simply quit using headphones after that point, as I was tired of throwing money away on bad situations. I also tried a $400 pair of Pioneer wireless ones that cut out all the time - Maybe the Demi-Goddess of headphones just hates me, or something. I guess I will just stick to 21's, 10's, and 4" compression drivers for anything over 5K.
avmeln
Junior
Username: avmeln

Post Number: 21
Registered: 11-2014
Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2014 - 9:27 am:   Edit Post

Thus, 125 is the best choice. Simple is better - and cheaper.
pauldo
Senior Member
Username: pauldo

Post Number: 1353
Registered: 6-2006
Posted on Monday, December 08, 2014 - 10:33 am:   Edit Post

Thanks for all of the input.
I found out from my father in-law at Thanksgiving that Koss has a lifetime warranty.
Plus they are about 5 miles from my house.
Called them last week and am going after work to pick up a new pair of TD/75's.

First off I thought the "/" in the model identification was a number 1. . . . so the service rep was talking about TD75's and I was confused; then I don't see the TD/75's on their webpage. But I was told to bring in my old ones and they will give me a new set.

I'm happy with this scenario due to current financial situation - free works out really well.

8-D

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