Which Headphones for under £100?

[Azuremen]

Amazon.co.uk prices.

In America, and lets face it, our prices make the most sense for this stuff, the Aviators are about $20 cheaper than the M50. Guess which one is about infinite times better and more respectable? Oh, and won't make you look like a fool in public?

The ones that aren't branded for high school kids. Also, better padding and band. While weighing less. And Skullcandy anything falls apart in about 3 months. This is, like, science fact.

 

[gogatrs]

Some Sennheiser factory or something is right down the road from me.
Haven't gone dumpster diving in awhile.
May go check it out and report back.

 

[Tesla]

In America, and lets face it, our prices make the most sense for this stuff, the Aviators are about $20 cheaper than the M50. Guess which one is about infinite times better and more respectable? Oh, and won't make you look like a fool in public?

The ones that aren't branded for high school kids. Also, better padding and band. While weighing less. And Skullcandy anything falls apart in about 3 months. This is, like, science fact.

I didn't say that the Aviators were built well, but there is a lifetime warranty on them.

And it's a little odd to be judging the Aviators on that Skullcandy make them. Lots of companies that previously only made $10 earbuds are now making serious contenders within their price range, like Phillips with the Fidelio L1.

And you will stand out wearing M50's in public, but not in a good way. Pretty much anybody who's been to the headphones section in Best Buy or whatever you have in America will know the Aviators.

 

[Azuremen]

I didn't say that the Aviators were built well, but there is a lifetime warranty on them.

Yes, because paying for shipping or waiting for replacements isn't a hassle at all

And it's a little odd to be judging the Aviators on that Skullcandy make them. Lots of companies that previously only made $10 earbuds are now making serious contenders within their price range, like Phillips with the Fidelio L1.

Philips has been making audio products for several times longer than Skullcandy has existed.

It also doesn't help that they make better cheap stuff than Skullcandy's cheap stuff, and their products don't have a history of falling apart on a moment's notice.

And you will stand out wearing M50's in public, but not in a good way. Pretty much anybody who's been to the headphones section in Best Buy or whatever you have in America will know the Aviators.

Anyone wearing full can's is going to get attention in pubic. In-ear is kind of standard these days because, I dunno, they fit in your pocket. Secondly, most people aren't going to know jack from squat because most people don't stand around in Best Buy and try stuff out. And the people that do know are going to realize which brand is better. Lastly, who even really cares if someone can recognize your headphones? Are you really that insecure that you care if people know what headphones you have on?

Skullcandy is basically a brand made to appeal to people that don't actually know what they are buying but want "XTREME" bass and cool colors.

 

[Casio]

Aviators are literally the 'ricer' version of headphones.

In this example, get Aviators if you want street cred from people who have no idea what they're talking about. Or get M50s if you want street cred from people actually knowledgeable in headphones.

 

[Tesla]

Yes, because paying for shipping or waiting for replacements isn't a hassle at all



Philips has been making audio products for several times longer than Skullcandy has existed.

It also doesn't help that they make better cheap stuff than Skullcandy's cheap stuff, and their products don't have a history of falling apart on a moment's notice.



Anyone wearing full can's is going to get attention in pubic. In-ear is kind of standard these days because, I dunno, they fit in your pocket. Secondly, most people aren't going to know jack from squat because most people don't stand around in Best Buy and try stuff out. And the people that do know are going to realize which brand is better. Lastly, who even really cares if someone can recognize your headphones? Are you really that insecure that you care if people know what headphones you have on?

Skullcandy is basically a brand made to appeal to people that don't actually know what they are buying but want "XTREME" bass and cool colors.

Because that's the way that Skullcandy have gone. IIRC, they've said their original intention was to make more-fashion and consumer oriented cans, and then once they had recognition in the market, that they would release more cans to please the audiophiles. In my opinion they've shot themselves in the foot here because any chance of them having a reputation for releasing good-sounding products is long-gone.

Again, it isn't fair to judge the Aviators on that Skullcandy made them.

I like them more than the M50's because I prefer a larger soundstage and in my opinion had a fuller and richer sound than the M50's. Some people might prefer the M50's ability to go low with authority.

Really, it's apples to oranges here. Both headphones had different goals in mind during the design stage, and I think they've both achieved what they had in mind.

Aviators are literally the 'ricer' version of headphones.

In this example, get Aviators if you want street cred from people who have no idea what they're talking about. Or get M50s if you want street cred from people actually knowledgeable in headphones.

So it wouldn't matter if the M50's sounded any better than the Aviators, but because they were from an obscure brand most people wouldn't know that makes them better? Yes, most people who know the Aviators wouldn't have the foggiest about headphones, but that doesn't make the product any worse.

 

[Azuremen]

Again, it isn't fair to judge the Aviators on that Skullcandy made them.

No, but judging them on reviews and tests is a good way to go about doing it. And they tend to agree.

I like them more than the M50's because I prefer a larger soundstage and in my opinion had a fuller and richer sound than the M50's. Some people might prefer the M50's ability to go low with authority.

Their "superior" sound stage is likely the result of exaggerated highs and mids, with typical Skullcandy bass. It isn't more accurate but it is more dramatic feeling, and that is what appeals to youths and people that have no clue what they are buying.

Really, it's apples to oranges here. Both headphones had different goals in mind during the design stage, and I think they've both achieved what they had in mind.

You mean create a product that less informed consumers will by because of peer recognition and exaggerated audio properties?

 

[Tesla]

No, but judging them on reviews and tests is a good way to go about doing it. And they tend to agree.

Really? Alot of reviews I've seen have been pretty favorable when approached with an open mind.

Their "superior" sound stage is likely the result of exaggerated highs and mids, with typical Skullcandy bass. It isn't more accurate but it is more dramatic feeling, and that is what appeals to youths and people that have no clue what they are buying.

I'm not seeing 'exaggerated highs and mids', a mid-bass hump (which isn't a necessarily a bad thing unless you plan to use them for studio monitoring) but no obvious treble spikes.

You mean create a product that less informed consumers will buy because of peer recognition and exaggerated audio properties?

I have no doubt less informed consumers will buy these. Then again I'd have no doubt that less informed consumers would buy HD800's or Edition 10's, simply because they're some of the most expensive dynamics money can buy.

Just because less informed consumers buy them, does not mean that you would have to be uninformed to buy them.

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

In America, and lets face it, our prices make the most sense for this stuff, the Aviators are about $20 cheaper than the M50. Guess which one is about infinite times better and more respectable? Oh, and won't make you look like a fool in public?

The ones that aren't branded for high school kids. Also, better padding and band. While weighing less. And Skullcandy anything falls apart in about 3 months. This is, like, science fact.

The amount of bias and prejudice that you have against that company is insane. Leave, take a few deep breaths, get rid of your prejudice/bias, and come back.

So what if Skullcandy makes them? Haave you even tried them on? What you do is if someone tells you that they're crap, put it on their head, play some music, and they'll be convinced that Skullcandy has gone straight again. The black ones actually look really nice too, and if you hold it at acertain angle, the light shines through, allowing you to see the internals. That's pretty damn cool.

 

[Tesla]

Can't really say they've 'gone straight' if only one or two of their entire products line-up actually sound good. And I think the brown/gold colored ones are even easier to see through.

 

[Azuremen]

The amount of bias and prejudice that you have against that company is insane. Leave, take a few deep breaths, get rid of your prejudice/bias, and come back.

You mean my opinion based on the half dozen of their products I've gotten on sale? Which have all had exaggerated bass and fallen apart in record time. Or the many friends of mine that have had their products fall apart in record time as well? Or the numerous reviews I've read that more or less echo what I've been saying?

Telsa, that response graph you linked basically verifies what I was saying, so thank you.

 

[Tesla]

Did you look at it closely? Overall, the entire frequency response is higher than the M50's. If they were level matched, the Aviators would clearly have more midbass and punch but they weren't trying to make a studio monitor in the first place.

And you can't say that the Aviators are bad because the rest of their line-up is poor. It just doesn't work that way in any sort of product.

 

[Azuremen]

Did you look at it closely? Overall, the entire frequency response is higher than the M50's. If they were level matched, the Aviators would clearly have more midbass and punch but they weren't trying to make a studio monitor in the first place.

What I see is a huge exaggeration of the low to mid bass, then it drops off harshly for a bit, then spikes back up for mid to high ranges.

As I said before, this creates an exaggerated sound that appeals to "youth" and clueless buyers.

And you can't say that the Aviators are bad because the rest of their line-up is poor. It just doesn't work that way in any sort of product.

Actually, this is how it works with most things. Razer makes generally crap products, so it is safe to assume their stuff is junk initially. Same for Hyundai back in the day, Dell, etc. If their majority of their product line up performs worse than their competitors for the same price, there is little reason to give them benefit of the doubt.

But again, I am also going off of the many reviews I've read, which agree with my already established opinions.

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

Have you ever tried the Aviators yourself, Azuremen?

Hyundai turned themselves around. They used to be a crappy auto company (we used to have an '02 Accent, it was meh. But now, they're great!)

 

[Tesla]

What I see is a huge exaggeration of the low to mid bass, then it drops off harshly for a bit, then spikes back up for mid to high ranges.

As I said before, this creates an exaggerated sound that appeals to "youth" and clueless buyers.



Actually, this is how it works with most things. Razer makes generally crap products, so it is safe to assume their stuff is junk initially. Same for Hyundai back in the day, Dell, etc. If their majority of their product line up performs worse than their competitors for the same price, there is little reason to give them benefit of the doubt.

But again, I am also going off of the many reviews I've read, which agree with my already established opinions.

And where would those reviews come from then?

http://www.head-fi.org/t/535380/ces-days-2-and-3-skullcandy-thats-right-skullcandy

...When I learned that the Roc Nation Aviator is a product that Skullcandy collaborated with rapper Jay-Z on, I expected the same level of bass emphasis present with the Mix Master Mike headphone, but found something else altogether--something more reference, more nimble. And when I put the Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator over my ears, I knew, for the first time, I really wanted a Skullcandy headphone.

Overall, my very first impressions of the Aviator were of a surprisingly even-handed and resolving closed headphone. If you've experienced the Aviator (or any other big-store-available headphones) by listening through store demo displays, you almost certainly haven't heard it. Bring your high-bitrate or lossless music to bear on the Aviator (through your own rig), and I think you'll be very impressed. I certainly was.

Again, the Aviator is extremely comfortable--I've since worn it for hours at a time, several times. And, most importantly, the Aviator sounds good. Excellent, in fact, for a $150.00 closed headphone. Whereas, with its brand of bass emphasis, the Mix Master Mike has me playing more of my 80's hip hop than I'd typically play (listen to Public Enemy's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back through the Mix Master Mike, and you'll understand why), the Aviator had me doing the type of genre crisscrossing I normally do on some of my favorite rigs. And, yes, the Aviator excels at all musical genres I listen to (and that encompasses just about everything), which for me is one of the hallmarks of a headphone I can easily recommend, and so I will. When asked for an audiophile-quality full-size closed headphone in the sub-$200.00 price range, I've been first recommending SHURE's SRH-840. When asked that same question now, the Skullcandy Roc Nation Aviator will certainly be added to the list.

Might I also add that a fun or v-shaped (recessed mids) sound signature is not only for 'youths and clueless buyers". Some people prefer enjoying their music over having a perfectly accurate representation of it.

Any reports from the OP?

 

[AOS-]

Turning this thread into a general headphones thread wouldn't be a bad idea, would it?

you have no idea how many headphone threads already exist...

Thanks for the help, I might go for the MDR XB500, going to my local store to test them soon.

Just get those or the XB700s... I'm guessing you're going to be traveling with them, so you'll definitely love the Extra Bass cans because they have 1.2m ribbon cables (which implies they're meant for portable use) and not 5 foot-long cables.

On the topic of noise-canceling... Let me ask you this: Wouldn't it be such a hassle to keep replacing a battery or how you (almost) always have to have the noise-canceling device running in order for the music to be heard?

The Beats and Bose Quietcomfort 3's or 15's require you to put up with that nuisance of "needing it to be on or else no music is played" IIRC.

 

[Tesla]

you have no idea how many headphone threads already exist...

Just get those or the XB700s... I'm guessing you're going to be traveling with them, so you'll definitely love the Extra Bass cans because they have 1.2m ribbon cables (which implies they're meant for portable use) and not 5 foot-long cables.

On the topic of noise-canceling... Let me ask you this: Wouldn't it be such a hassle to keep replacing a battery or how you (almost) always have to have the noise-canceling device running in order for the music to be heard?

The Beats and Bose Quietcomfort 3's or 15's require you to put up with that nuisance of "needing it to be on or else no music is played" IIRC.

XB500-1000 should never be put in the same sentence as portable use They're just too big.

And in the Beats at least, they have an in-built amplifier to power as well I've thought about putting Fostex T50rp drivers in fakes

 

[mp10]

Just get those or the XB700s... I'm guessing you're going to be traveling with them, so you'll definitely love the Extra Bass cans because they have 1.2m ribbon cables (which implies they're meant for portable use) and not 5 foot-long cables.

On the topic of noise-canceling... Let me ask you this: Wouldn't it be such a hassle to keep replacing a battery or how you (almost) always have to have the noise-canceling device running in order for the music to be heard?

The Beats and Bose Quietcomfort 3's or 15's require you to put up with that nuisance of "needing it to be on or else no music is played" IIRC.

I might go for the XB500's, my friend has the new XB700's and they are pretty good, although he did say that if you are looking for a lot of bass, just go for the XB500, cheaper and just as good. I went to HMV (UK Entertainment Store) and tried a couple of the headphones out, was not impressed with the Beats, did'nt have the Aviators in store I also saw some cool looking Marley headphones, however its a similar story to Beats. there were some Bose headphones, looked really tacky and they did'nt do so well with Bass, although they are quite balanced.

These are the one's i've saw, might go for these, I'll have a quick look in another store and then if i don't see anything else that interests me the i'll go for these.
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/10816099/art/sony/mdr-xb500-headphones-blue.html

 

[Smart_Roadster]

I would highly recommend WeSC headphones. I have a pair of WeSC Tambourines, and they have fantastic sound quality, an adjustable length wire, they fit snugly round your ears and they are designed really nicely. Checked the website, which is in dollars, and the Tambourines were listed as $60, which converts to around £37.

 

[Mikeybc]

Best headphones I've heard under 100 bucks are Sennheiser PX-100-II's. some say they're a little bass heavy but that can be cured by reducing the clamping pressure a bit. They are very smooth throught the mids and highs. the folks over at Head-Fi.org have compared them favourably to much more expensive cans.

http://www.head-fi.org/t/614729/com...ortapro-px-100-ii-v-jays-tracks-k430-and-more

 

[Grayfox]

Sol Republic