View Full Version : WANTED: good set of open back headphones, budget £200 any suggestions?
montesquieu
16-07-2017, 20:22
Looking for a set of open back headphones for my lad, to be used with a tube headphone amp with 1/4 in jack.
As new as possible please with all the bits, as they are a prezzie, or even a link to a recommended new pair.
Sticking to your budget...
New:
Philips Fidelio X2 Hi-Res Headphones Premium Design (Over-Ear, Velvet Cushions, 3 m Cable) - Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00MRUPSHQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_-Y8AzbSVB5J86
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Or used... Which are better than the Phillips I posted a minute ago...
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?t=52595
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Lawrence001
16-07-2017, 21:08
Aren't they closed back? I've got my Hifiman HE400 on gumtree at the moment for £195. I could do them for £200 posted for a forum member.
Lawrence001
16-07-2017, 21:14
Here they are:
https://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/hifiman-he400-planar-magnetic-headphones-boxed/1250775480
montesquieu
16-07-2017, 21:14
Aren't they closed back? I've got my Hifiman HE400 on gumtree at the moment for £195. I could do them for £200 posted for a forum member.
Yes I looked at that model, with the 400i out now there are qute a few people offering good deals on them http://www.audioaffair.co.uk/hifi-man-he-400s-planar-magnetic-headphones?gclid=CLvBof_bjtUCFY8Q0wodyxMBbw
BTW I'm not just being lazy here I've spend days looking and I can't decide as I don't have any criteria on which to make a decision (not being a headphone guy myself) - I'm really looking for recommendations based on experience.
Lawrence001
16-07-2017, 22:40
Those are the 400s (s being a new model, not a plural) the budget version of the 400I. The original 400 are a very different animal, with the dual magnet structure giving a very dynamic and full bodied sound. I owned the 400i for a few months but sold them on as they didn't have the impact of the 400. I think they only have a single sided magnet.
montesquieu
16-07-2017, 22:59
Showing my ignorance here ... let me investigate and get back to you.
Tom have you considered SENH /HD650
montesquieu
17-07-2017, 13:22
Tom have you considered SENH /HD650
They do seem to be the Gold Standard against which everything else is compared but new they are £400+?
Tom ,I got mine 3 weeks ago for $350 Australian dollars brand new in box with warranty ,prices have dropped on the HD/600-hd/650. Look up ADDICTED TO AUDIO .COM.AU. CHEERS.
montesquieu
17-07-2017, 14:00
Tom ,I got mine 3 weeks ago for $350 Australian dollars brand new in box with warranty ,prices have dropped on the HD/600-hd/650. Look up ADDICTED TO AUDIO .COM.AU. CHEERS.
Aussie supplier not much use in uk sadly
willbewill
17-07-2017, 17:02
You should be able to get a really nice pair of used Sennheiser HD600 under £200 - many, including me, prefer them to HD650.
montesquieu
17-07-2017, 18:27
You should be able to get a really nice pair of used Sennheiser HD600 under £200 - many, including me, prefer them to HD650.
It's a birthday present, so used isn't a brilliant option unless they are genunely mint. Most on ebay at that money aren't in great nick by the looks of them.
tannoydmt
17-07-2017, 19:18
If you can stretch your budget you could consider these available from Richer Sounds https://www.richersounds.com/showclearanceproduct/SENN-HD700/Sennheiser+Hd700+(Soc).html (I have no connection with Richer Sounds)
Lawrence001
17-07-2017, 20:23
I sold my HD600's and Denon D2000's when I got my HE400's and 500's. I much prefer the sound of planars over dynamics.
Check out the reviews on the Fidelio I mentioned earlier.... Amazon do a 30 day return if they disappoint
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Also these
Beyerdynamic DT880 PRO Headset - 250 OHM https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001B1QENY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_OHtBzb61TJZ0P
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montesquieu
17-07-2017, 23:10
Also these
Beyerdynamic DT880 PRO Headset - 250 OHM https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001B1QENY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_OHtBzb61TJZ0P
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Had a good look at both I've been shying away from models without replaceable ear pads or cables as like most teenagers he's a bit careless and also a bit manky at times ... it looks like both suffer from this limitation. It's also been pushing me away from the AKG 701/7002 models which I think are also fixed ear pads.
Had a good look at both I've been shying away from models without replaceable ear pads or cables as like most teenagers he's a bit careless and also a bit manky at times ... it looks like both suffer from this limitation. It's also been pushing me away from the AKG 701/7002 models which I think are also fixed ear pads.
The thing about Beyerdynamic is that almost everything IS replaceable Including the earpads. Outfits such as
Custom Cans do detachable cable modifications... Might take you over your £200 threshold though.
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montesquieu
17-07-2017, 23:20
The thing about Beyerdynamic is that almost everything IS replaceable Including the earpads. Outfits such as
Custom Cans do detachable cable modifications... Might take you over your £200 threshold though.
Thanks - reassuring.
Many years ago (back in the 80s) a beloved pair of Pioneer headphones I had for a long time - not as fancy as today's breed and certainly not as expensive - expired when the cable gave up, I guess the world has moved on in this regard.
There's closed Sony and Pioneer phones that are lovely sounding for £65ish
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If your son is young then the AKG Y50 are very stylish and a smidge under £60
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montesquieu
18-07-2017, 08:51
If your son is young then the AKG Y50 are very stylish and a smidge under £60
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He's 18. He has a couple of pairs of headphones in this price bracket including a pair he takes on the bus and train. The intention for this new pair is a 'good' set for use at home with a tube headphone amp. I'm happy to pay up to £200 for this as it's a birthday present.
His music isn't to my taste but he takes it very seriously.
could do a lot worse than the AUDIO TECHNICA ATH-MSR7. well on budget and superb.. closed over ear but well worth the cash. top notch
Seriously consider the Oppo that's on sale on this good forum. It is closed but, according to reviews, wipes the floor with its 'open' contenders. Its portability and closed nature might turn out to be just the thing :)
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https://youtu.be/e4l0ehZRgQ4
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montesquieu
18-07-2017, 09:27
He def wants open ... otherwise the Oppos would have been bought by now.
Elephantears
18-07-2017, 10:42
Sennheiser 600 and 650 prices used to fluctuate wildly on Amazon, occasionally coming down to £200 for 600s and just slightly higher for 650s. But perhaps Brexit has messed that up too.
Simon_LDT
18-07-2017, 11:25
I got my Senn 600's from Amazon brand new for £220, but that was in 2015. The prices do fluctuate quite a bit on these.
He def wants open ... otherwise the Oppos would have been bought by now.
Then if it was my £200...
https://youtu.be/Z_RJ3M_v8is
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The Philips X2 seem to get very good reviews.
The Philips X2 seem to get very good reviews.
on recent amazon prime day they were half price and i was tempted
How about some Grado's? A little over budget but hard to beat if you want new.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grado-SR325e-Prestige-Backed-Headphone/dp/B00L1O2PDY/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1500391769&sr=1-3&keywords=grado+headphones
These, obviously .... https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01CLGJD3A?psc=1 .... 63% discount ... and a microphone!
Glad I could help :D
Had a good look at both I've been shying away from models without replaceable ear pads or cables as like most teenagers he's a bit careless and also a bit manky at times ... it looks like both suffer from this limitation. It's also been pushing me away from the AKG 701/7002 models which I think are also fixed ear pads.
Just checked... The Fidelio X2 cable is detachable
Earpads are removable but do not appear to have bespoke replacements available
Let us know what you end up getting
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montesquieu
19-07-2017, 22:11
This has been an interesting exercise, buying in an area of which I know nothing at all, I suddenly feel what I guess a lot of people I gleefuly dish hifi advice out to must feel.
I guess in the end I'll simply plump for one of these recommendations and hope for the best.
BTW there do seem to be QC issues on the Fidelios though hopefully resolved over time. https://www.head-fi.org/f/threads/philips-fidelio-x2-defects-on-amazon.791723/page-3
I have a minty boxed pair of HiFiMan HE-400 if you are interested.
http://i820.photobucket.com/albums/zz125/muzzer_2010/P1000496.jpg (http://s820.photobucket.com/user/muzzer_2010/media/P1000496.jpg.html)
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