Best closed headphones for $150 as per my requirements?

Hey guys, new user here and have been recommended to try and ask here for your opinion regarding my purchasing needs. I'll try and explain everything I can so it'll be easier to reach a consensus.

What I listen to
I very rarely listen music, what I usually do when working is I play tv series like Family Guy. So I guess what I'm looking for is the one that can reproduce those sounds the clearest. I play a few games but not that much, probably 10 hours a week or so. For music, I really don't have any particular interests, I just frequently replay like 10 songs (it's sad) every week and change them when I get bored.

My driver
I also want to stress that I have no intention on purchasing a dac or an amp and these headphones will only be powered by my mighty ALC887.

I've narrowed my choices down to these headphones:
1. Beyerdynamic DT 770 80ohms
2. SoundMagic HP 150
3. Sennheiser 380 pro
4. Sennheiser 598 cs

Other choices that were eventually removed:
1. M50x - inferior sound quality compared to my other choices, uncomfortable (earpads)
2. AKG k550/k553 - uncomfortable (earpads and headband)

My personal thoughts on my choices:
1. The Beyerdynamic's really looking good for me but I'm worried because I don't have a dac/amp and worried that it won't sound good. I have very sensitive hearing so I really won't max it, probably not even 70-80% (still not sure about its overall sound though) because on Windows I only put the volume around 15-20 while my speaker is at around half. I can't imagine the volume I'll have when the sound is actually coming out beside my ear.

2. SoundMagic has good reviews as well and I could replace their earpads with the dt770 ones. The only problem I see in these are that I see reports that its cup holder is fragile, if you drop it once or it suffers a pretty decent hit, it probably would break. But I'm very careful with my equipment, I clean them almost every 2 weeks, check out dents, q tip little dirt marks, talk to them while gently stroking them and asking how they're doing (but that's a story for another time) so I really think that it wouldn't be a problem.

3-4. Lastly, I have a choice between the two Sennheisers, I really don't know which is better since they have the exact same price of $150 on Amazon.

But if you guys have other suggestions, feel free to recommend them, I'm all ears!

 

You could take a look here at a recent similar thread: http://www.superbestaudiofriends.org/index.php?threads/best-headphone-under-150.3956/

Here's another possible resource (scroll down): http://www.innerfidelity.com/content/innerfidelitys-wall-fame-over-ear-sealed

But since you're not interested in listening for the sake of music reproduction, which is the focus here, you may be asking on the wrong forum. You may find more germane advice on head-fi.

 

That's actually the reason why I created this thread after seeing the replies . They all wanted more info so I did my best to elaborate everything I'm listening to, my requirements (being closed) and my current audio equipment.

I really don't like head-fi . Exaggeration is a common theme there, along with snake oils, placebo induced recommendations and such. I don't know, I just hate music I guess or it's not really my cup of tea, I hate that I hear continuous sound and I would very much prefer just hearing vocals from tv shows.

 

For your requirement, comfort should be paramount. I would go with the 598 CS, or the Sony MDR 7506. The DT770 needs a little more power to sound best. You can get both the sony and senn. from Amazon, return the one you don't like.

 

There exists a 16 Ohm version of the DT770 called the DT770i (~$125). It is intended for portable use so I believe has a shorter cable but you wouldn't need a dedicated headamp; you could research that as well.

 

Used Bose QC25. Light and comfy. Plus airplane-friendly.

 

Yeah, I'd agree that comfort is paramount if you don't give a shit about music.

 

I can't agree enough, if sound is a 10/10 requirement then comfort is 9.5/10 for me. About the Amazon, that's possible? I could order 2 headphones, open them and they would refund me no questions asked?

Oh that's interesting, that could work. I found this discussion about it: http://www.head-fi.org/t/801077/beyerdynamic-dt-770-i-16-ohms-this-is-real-or-a-fake

I uh think that's out of my price range.

Yeah, I just need very comfortable neutral headphones I guess. Which would reproduce the most crystal clear sound for vocals or audiobooks because that's all I see myself doing.

 

I hear the AD700s are very very comfy and while they don't sound very good for music they're excellent for gaming. They've been replaced by the AD700x which I haven't seen much less heard.

Potential issue is that they're open and your family will have to share in your choices of shows and gaming and ...stuff...

 

Used QC25 are around $150-200 on eBay. Slightly out of price range, indeed. But they're very comfy.

 

I was about to say that I think they were open lol, I had to recheck it on Amazon to make sure.

Could be an option thanks, are the batteries replaceable?

I found this for $150 (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D8BP8H8/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=). Is it better? I chose it because it has a removable cable and it's also 16ohms (I think) but most importantly because it actually ships to my country unlike the DT770i. I'll also probaby replace its earpads so that's another $30 but it would be well worth it I guess.

 

@Mirdon; personally I would pass on those, they look gimmicky. You could consider a 32 Ohm DT880 if you can handle a semi-open cup instead of fully closed.

 

Unfortunately I can't do open, it gets loud in here but my main problem is people hearing what I'm hearing. I'm all for tolerating their noise but I don't like them hearing any of my stuff. If we're talking 32 Ohm, how about the 32 Ohm DT 770?

 

I didn't know there was one. Could be suitable for you if it has a 1/8" terminated cable.

 

People on amazon commented the following on comfort alone for the Beyer Custom One

Not a pretty picture

 

Still though, that's $200, if I replace the pads it'll become $230 and the 80ohm with velour pad is only $170. Out of curiosity, what's the possible dac/amp or amp only that could reasonably drive these headphones?

Oh wow, I guess I'll have to pass on those. Thanks.

 

I own the Soundmagic hp150 and I can recommended them for comfort and block of noise. They have a relatively flat FR so it should do just fine for your tv shows and other odds and ends. The folding mechanism of the ear cups is rather fragile but with good care this shouldn't be a problem. If you are spending a good chunk of money then you should be taking care of them anyway.

 

yes, as long as you don't make it a habit. Be very gentle with the packaging etc.

Also, make sure they are SOLD BY AMAZON directly, not third party.

 

Haha yeah I'm very careful with my equipment and gladly there's no kids around and nobody touches my desk. I'll probably purchase a stand if ever so I don't have to keep placing them on the desk. Also it's $125 now and I can purchase the dt770 earpads on them, might loose some isolation but that's the beauty of it I guess, I can switch them whenever I feel I need more comfort or isolation. May I ask though, how long has your SoundMagic been used?

Yeah . I find them irritating as far as comfort goes, couldn't stand the pressure.

I see, that's informative, I might try that if Amazon would just sell the SoundMagics. So I can buy all of them and make a decision. But I think returning 3 could pose a problem.