Headphone /g/uide

Last updated: December 9, 2018 (v4.1)
This will be the last update for a while.
None of the links are affiliate links.



*****************************************CLOSED HEADPHONES*****************************************

$15
Tascam TH-02 / Teac CT-H02
-warm
-uncomfortable (rigid, small, and shallow pads)
-low isolation
-potential sealing issues
-portable
https://amzn.to/2QjQ3k0


$17
Koss UR20
-bright
-comfortable (hard clamp)
-low isolation
-potential sealing issues
-bad build quality
http://amzn.to/2oK62YN


$18
Philips SHP1900
-mid-centric
-fairly comfortable (small pads, low breathability)
-low isolation
https://amzn.to/2QFOqcD


$50
Audio-Technica ATH-M20x
-neutral
-uncomfortable (small pads, hard clamp)
-medium isolation
http://amzn.to/2DSXdRD


$70
Sony MDR-V6/MDR-7506
-v-shaped
-comfortable (shallow pads)
-medium isolation
-potential sealing issues
-durable (except for the pads)
-portable
http://amzn.to/290K3HE


$80
NVX XPT100 / Brainwavz HM5 / Lindy HF-100
-neutral
-very comfortable
-medium isolation
-detachable cables (proprietary)
http://amzn.to/2Cuqc13


$130
M-Audio HDH50 / Akai Professional MPC
-warm
-comfortable
-high isolation
-potential sealing issues
-durable
-detachable cable (3.5mm - BoomPro compatible)
-portable
http://amzn.to/2lHENvJ


$150
Beyerdynamic DT 770
-v-shaped
-very comfortable
-medium isolation
-durable
-250 ohm version might need an amp
-600 ohm version needs an amp
Cable types and lengths: http://bit.ly/2mj5Csi
http://amzn.to/2fCyRnS


$180
NAD VISO HP50
-warm
-uncomfortable (headband hotspot, small and shallow pads)
-medium isolation
-detachable cable (3.5mm - BoomPro compatible)
http://amzn.to/2DTqSdd


$450
Audeze SINE
-neutral
-fairly comfortable (small pads, hard clamp)
-low isolation
-potential sealing issues
-durable
-detachable cables (3.5mm - angled)
-portable
https://www.audeze.com/products/sine-series/sine-ear-headphone



Fidelity:
SINE > VISO HP50 > HDH50 > XPT100 > DT 770 > M20x > MDR-V6 > TH-02 > SHP1900 > UR20



*****************************************OPEN HEADPHONES*****************************************

$27
Koss UR40
-mid-centric
-very comfortable
-bad build quality
-portable
http://amzn.to/2EG3Zev


$34
Superlux HD 681
-v-shaped
-fairly comfortable (rigid pads)
-bad build quality
http://amzn.to/2qYragQ


$160
Beyerdynamic DT 880
-thin & bright
-very comfortable
-durable
-250 ohm version might need an amp
-600 ohm version needs an amp
Cable types and lengths: http://bit.ly/2mj5Csi
http://amzn.to/2lK3CH8


$170
AKG K612
-thin & bright
-comfortable (headband hotspot)
-might need an amp
http://amzn.to/2CvdKij


$190
Sennheiser HD 599
-neutral
-very comfortable
-detachable cable (2.5mm - proprietary)
http://amzn.to/2CsFsLU


$230
Philips Fidelio X2
-bright
-very comfortable
-durable
-detachable cable (3.5mm - BoomPro compatible)
https://amzn.to/2RKjlFd


$500
HIFIMAN Sundara
-bright
-very comfortable
-durable
-detachable cables (3.5mm)
-might need an amp
http://amzn.to/2oIWopo


$700
Focal Elear
-warm
-very comfortable
-durable
-detachable cables (3.5mm)
http://amzn.to/2q9pJfC


$1000
HIFIMAN Ananda
-neutral
-very comfortable
-durable
-detachable cables (3.5mm)
https://amzn.to/2zOxZnG



Fidelity:
Ananda > Elear > Sundara > K612 > HD 599 > DT 880 > Fidelio X2 > HD 681 > UR40




*****************************************SOUND SIGNATURES*****************************************

bassy (boosted bass)
thin (attenuated bass)
bright (boosted treble)
warm (attenuated treble)
v-shaped (boosted bass and treble)
mid-centric (attenuated bass and treble)
neutral (even bass and treble)