Good Cheap Closed Back Headphones?

[southall-1998_mk2]

Nothing too fancy. Just something durable with a clean neutral sound.

Must also be very easy to drive. This is just to plug straight into my laptop for YouTube, Films, Spotify etc.

Price - £35 - £65.

S.

[wee tee cee]

Shane,
sennhieser hd202....use them for that purpose myself.

Thomman site check out superlux cant remember the closed model 404 methinks...also excellent vfm.

[southall-1998_mk2]

Thanks, Tony.

S.

[alphaGT]

I had some Sony closed back headphones, the model number escapes me, but they were very comfortable to wear, and had a good overall sound. The ones I had were $99, I’m not sure what that is in Pounds, but maybe a little over your budget?

I have since replaced those with Shure headphones, made for recording engineers, twice the price, and do sound better. But not twice as good, the Sony’s still hold their ground by comparison. I think the Sony’s were 707’s? But it doesn’t matter, because they’ve since changed the model numbers. Now they are 7000’s? At any rate, I can recommend the Sony headphones, quite pleasant to listen to, and comfortable to wear for extended lengths of time.

Russell

[Shovel_Knight]

I had some Sony closed back headphones, the model number escapes me, but they were very comfortable to wear, and had a good overall sound. The ones I had were $99, I’m not sure what that is in Pounds, but maybe a little over your budget?

I have since replaced those with Shure headphones, made for recording engineers, twice the price, and do sound better. But not twice as good, the Sony’s still hold their ground by comparison. I think the Sony’s were 707’s? But it doesn’t matter, because they’ve since changed the model numbers. Now they are 7000’s? At any rate, I can recommend the Sony headphones, quite pleasant to listen to, and comfortable to wear for extended lengths of time.

Russell

The Sonys were probably MDR-7506. Very good indeed for an inexpensive closed back model. They actually have a large following...

[alphaGT]

The Sonys were probably MDR-7506. Very good indeed for an inexpensive closed back model. They actually have a large following...

Yes exactly! Good call! I swear my memory is getting so bad lately. But those are exactly the ‘phones I’m talking about. I used them for many years, until the ear cushions wore out. I found some replacement ear cushions on eBay and they are as good as new, and still sound pretty darn good!

I work with a band, and do live sound, and also dabble in a few recordings, and they served me well in those regards. Back when my daughter was coming up, I used them with the stereo at night, and enjoyed them very much. So now that I think, they’ve got to be near 30 years old! And, as I was saying, with new ear cushions they are good as new! I do think I’ve gotten my money’s worth.

The Shure ‘phone’s I’ve got now are better, but then again they cost 3 times as much, so they should be better. But, they are not but 10% or 15% better, which says a lot for the Sony’s.

Russell

[Barry]

I'm not a great lover of headphones, so only have limited experience. The ones that I have used have been Koss ESP6 electrostatic, Koss Pro4AA dynamic, and some Sennheiser headphones (the model number escapes me). In my experience you can't go far wrong with Sennheiser.

For laptop computer duties I now use a pair of Sony MDR-XD150W.

https://cpc.farnell.com/sony/mdr-xd150w/headphones-white/dp/AV23941?mckv=GtxIlVye_dc|pcrid|74835529372542|kwor d||match||plid||slid||pid|AV23941|&CMP=KNC-MUK-CPC-SHOPPING-M-410-Shopping-Audio+Video-TV+%26+Home+Entertainment&msclkid=256c1e51554f1280aaec434856897e70&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=M-410-Shopping-Audio%20Visual&utm_term=4578435141021815&utm_content=TV%20%26%20Home%20Entertainment

I bought mine in HMV for about £20, and they do the biz.

[alphaGT]

I'm not a great lover of headphones, so only have limited experience. The ones that I have used have been Koss ESP6 electrostatic, Koss Pro4AA dynamic, and some Sennheiser headphones (the model number escapes me). In my experience you can't go far wrong with Sennheiser.

For laptop computer duties I now use a pair of Sony MDR-XD150W.

https://cpc.farnell.com/sony/mdr-xd150w/headphones-white/dp/AV23941?mckv=GtxIlVye_dc|pcrid|74835529372542|kwor d||match||plid||slid||pid|AV23941|&CMP=KNC-MUK-CPC-SHOPPING-M-410-Shopping-Audio+Video-TV+%26+Home+Entertainment&msclkid=256c1e51554f1280aaec434856897e70&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=M-410-Shopping-Audio%20Visual&utm_term=4578435141021815&utm_content=TV%20%26%20Home%20Entertainment

I bought mine in HMV for about £20, and they do the biz.

How were those Koss electrostatics? I’ve always wanted a pair of electrostatic headphones!

Russell

[Barry]

How were those Koss electrostatics? I’ve always wanted a pair of electrostatic headphones!

Russell

Heavy, sweaty and uncomfortable!

[alphaGT]

Heavy, sweaty and uncomfortable!

I guess I’m not surprised, Koss was never “high end”. I’ve read some good reviews for Stax electrostatics, but, they are quite pricy. I came close to buying a set, it came with the external amplifier box, that has a tube in it, special wires, etc,. It was on eBay, and someone outbid me at the last second. I wasn’t too upset by it. They did look large and heavy.

Russell

[Lawrence001]

How were those Koss electrostatics? I’ve always wanted a pair of electrostatic headphones!

RussellI had a pair of ESP9s several years ago, I rather preferred them to my Stax Lambdas (original version). I.thought the Koss were incredibly smooth compared to a slight grain or tizz in the Stax including a splashy or over-shimmery effect on cymbals. The Koss were heavy and the vinyl ear cups got sweaty, which is I think why I sold them. Would love to try them again though.

Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk

[alphaGT]

I had a pair of ESP9s several years ago, I rather preferred them to my Stax Lambdas (original version). I.thought the Koss were incredibly smooth compared to a slight grain or tizz in the Stax including a splashy or over-shimmery effect on cymbals. The Koss were heavy and the vinyl ear cups got sweaty, which is I think why I sold them. Would love to try them again though.

Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk

I’ve never had the opportunity to listen to a pair of electrostatic headphones. I’ve heard some full range speakers that wowed me! So I imagined they may be something I’d like to try. Unfortunately my health has kept me from getting out much, most high fi I hear is because I bought it. It seems a used set of electrostatic phones may be something I could easily afford to try? I’m guessing the Koss ESP9’s are less expensive than Stax?

Russell

[Lawrence001]

I’ve never had the opportunity to listen to a pair of electrostatic headphones. I’ve heard some full range speakers that wowed me! So I imagined they may be something I’d like to try. Unfortunately my health has kept me from getting out much, most high fi I hear is because I bought it. It seems a used set of electrostatic phones may be something I could easily afford to try? I’m guessing the Koss ESP9’s are less expensive than Stax?

RussellI think they are, or they used to be. And far more common in the States too.

Sent from my BLN-L21 using Tapatalk

[guy]

I use B&W P3 headphones (fine with computer/portable), very comfortable for my shape of head and clear precise sound - these ones,P5 (more expensive model) are a very good deal at the moment:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bowers-Wilkins-P5-Ear-Headphones-Black/dp/B003IHUHGE/ref=sr_1_14?adgrpid=58647798452&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI39y1r-aL5AIVhkPTCh1BNwr0EAAYASAAEgJ-0fD_BwE&hvadid=259046393943&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9045050&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=11811073060299807408&hvtargid=kwd-300010867579&hydadcr=5091_1827862&keywords=bowers+and+wilkins+headphones&qid=1566110019&s=gateway&sr=8-14