(Part 3) Reddit mentions: The best recording headphone audio monitors

Hmm, not a lot to spend on speakers and headphones. Shooting from the hip, around that budget, I'd probably go one of two directions:

A pair of reasonable-ish entry-level speakers - something in the vein of the Micca [MB42] (https://www.amazon.com/Micca-PB42X-Powered-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B009IUIV4A) (which is passive, and so requires an amplifier, which can be [pretty cheap for a very budget option] (https://www.amazon.com/Lepy-LP-2020A-Class-D-Digital-Amplifier/dp/B01FZKA28Y/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=class+t+amplifier&qid=1573193876&s=electronics&sr=1-7))/[PB42X] (https://www.amazon.com/Micca-PB42X-Powered-Bookshelf-Speakers/dp/B00NXAEPDC) (which is powered and so requires no amplifier) - which will run something a little north of $100 unless you're down to buy used, plus a reasonable lower mid end closed headphone ([NVX's branding of the Yoga CD880] (https://www.amazon.com/NVX-Over-Ear-Headphones-ComfortMax-XPT100/dp/B0093PVTPS) is a pick I like a fair bit). These speakers will be pretty alright, albeit imperfect to be sure, and there are a few decent-to-good closed-back options in the ~$100 range.

Alternatively, if speaker quality is literally of no importance, you could go for something in the budget range of those Logitechs - there really are absolutely not options that cheap that are any good at all, but if you only use speakers to occasionally listen to youtube videos, it might be acceptable. That would leave more budget to allocate to the headphone side of things, where you'd have options like [AKG's] (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svAmJheRxAg) K371, NAD'S HP50,or on the used side of the street [AKG's] (https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/akg/n700nc-wireless) N700NC, which are quite robust options in the closed-back world (particularly, in my opinion, the N700NC, which sounds fantastic to my ears with its digital signal processing active, and has quite good noise cancelling as well).

It's a bit of a tight squeeze regardless - if you're down with used gear, you can get a bit more for your dollar, but at very low price points you're in a space where shipping costs may dwarf savings, so even that might not help much, outside of headphones (which don't cost much to ship, and have a quite vibrant used market).

If you'd like more information or options, just let me know - I've thrown some links in above, but I'm pretty short of time today, so I figured I'd offer what I had from the top of my head rather than leaving you waiting.

Monoprice m300 Are the best for an entry level They are the best Iehs That you can get and they're super cheap https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=24461&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhrCf7-mt4wIVA_lRCh2wIwogEAQYASABEgKhAfD_BwE



https://www.amazon.com/Monolith-24461-Planar-Magnetic-Earphones/dp/B075QY36WP


Or if want a over ear entry level headphones Here some options https://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-Premium-Open-Back-Stereo-Headphones/dp/B07DJ17FTG


https://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-990-PRO-250-ohm/dp/B010IJ9W1U


https://www.amazon.com/beyerdynamic-770-Pro-250-Professional/dp/B0778C9HQ4

just as an aside, I have found these to be the best sounding to my ears and also surprisingly best value. They are what a lot of the pros use in the studio, so it always made sense to me to use these and hear what the musicians hear when they are recording. Only thing is they don't have noise cancelling. You can find them around online.

https://www.amazon.com/Studio-Monitor-Headphones-HardBody-Headphone/dp/B01L8YKGQ4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1501254499&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=sony+studio+monitor&psc=1

A smaller practice amp might suit your needs for the immediate future. I have this Roland Cube. It serves me well and has a number of built-in effects so I'm not chasing pedals and spending more money.

If you already have the headphones, you wouldn't need these, necessarily, but I've heard Phil Jones makes a great headphones amp for a comparable price that's good as a practice tool for those who can't get an amp.

OK, so I read about headphone amps and what they do is increase voltage to headphones. So in that regard amps do actually helps sound quality. I actually did get a good amp, I just haven't used my Nintendo 3ds without it when I got my new headphones and I assumed that the only thing an amp can do with a jack signal is make it louder, but now I understand that frequency response can improve because it receives a sound signal but can disregard voltage meaning frequency responses can be better (and it also explains the loud popping noises when connecting and disconnecting the audio source on many amps). Anyways, this is the amp I got: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MFMW29I/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My headphones: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B009XJC4L2/ref=ya_aw_od_pi?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Marshall Headphones M-ACCS-00148 Major Headphones, Pitch Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B8BR00S/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_oXSBzbRJ44MB5

I believe they're these.

I don't have any experience with them, but they get pretty darn good reviews on Amazon.

Make sure to get the coiled cable version. I have the straight cable one and it is sooooooo long lol.

Also, Amazon has sweet deals right now for M50's. Same price as normal but it comes with a FiiO E6 Headphone amp (which you wont really need for the M50's but it's cool anyways).

Also, note that there are also red and white versions!

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50RD-Limited-Edition-Professional-Headphones/dp/B00ETB8ZTY/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1381274342&sr=8-12&keywords=m50

I recently got these and so far they sound good enough for me.
Take a look at these, these and these
Whichever pair you get, make sure they go from at least 20hz to 20khz, and try to look online for reviews and frequency response curves (the flatter, the better!)

I'd get a new IEM like BLON BL-03 or KZ ZSX if you don't want your music to leak and want the most bang for your buck. If you can stretch it then I suggest K361 for closed back. Or if you want the best Bluetooth it's Earfun Wave/Tribit XFree Tune, imo.

I know that Beyerdynamic make single-sided headphones. Are you looking for something like the DT252? They are the single ear version of the DT250 which I thought was good (but I have not tested the 252). Then there is the single sided version of the DT100, the DT102. Beware, these are studio monitors so they might sound neutral, almost analytical and dry.

Superlux is rather a 30$ target and for that they are quite good, my brother has some.

With you budget there are these for 66$

https://www.amazon.com/Technica-AUD-ATHAD500X-Audiophile-Headphones/dp/B009S333U4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1499907797&sr=8-3&keywords=open+headphones

review:

https://www.head-fi.org/f/showcase/audio-technica-ath-ad500x.21460/

or these for 50$

https://www.amazon.com/AudioMX-HS-5S-Headphones-Recording-Replacement/dp/B01M0ILBLS/ref=sr_1_19?ie=UTF8&qid=1499907993&sr=8-19&keywords=headphones+open

reviews:

https://www.head-fi.org/f/showcase/audiomx-hs-5s-studio-monitor-over-ear-headphones-for-recording-hi-fi-stereo-headset-with-42mm-dynamic-driver-replaceable-connector-3-5mm-6-3mm.22110/

Alesis DRP100 | Extreme Audio-Isolation Electronic Drum Reference-Headphones with 1/4" Adapter & Protective Bag https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IHVQ2FQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_GSGLZ3F3SPlzO
I picked up a pair of these for home recording and I'm very impressed for the price.

It's also worth considering the Audio-Technica ATH-AD900x if you're into positional accuracy when playing games. I invested in the old AD700's back in the day and have never once been disappointed.

Would this work well with audio technica ath m50s to replace a zalman clip on mic? I'm curious how I'd attach it.

Sure. These should be the „plus“ for $199: https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-25-Plus-Professional/dp/B01CT3WD9Q/

Audio-Technica ATH-ADG1X Open Air High-Fidelity Gaming Headset https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AYZZP5U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_6cHnzbAVS7Y48

Sennheiser GAME ONE Gaming Headset - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KK8ZLEC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_7dHnzbRV91KJ2

Pick one you won't go wrong with either. But if they're too pricey then get the non gaming versions and pair with a mod mic

Sennheiser HD 598 Special Edition Over-Ear Headphones - Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0126HISOO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_3hHnzbH63J9VA

Audio-Technica Audiophile Open-Air Headphones Black (ATH-AD900X) with Audio-Technica Omnidirectional Condenser Lavalier Microphone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZQDTO4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_TjHnzbGPFHTNP


Unfortunately I never seem to do simple

Eh, these are $72 on amazon right now and Honey tells me that they normally sit at ~$65.

I have a slight ridge in the center of my skull which creates a pressure point that makes most headphones quite uncomfortable after a short time. A while ago I found a set of Audio Technica headphones that uses a very different mechanism to hold themselves up which is much more comfortable for me. I still prefer quiet though.

Check the sidebar under resources. I have bought several sets of headphones with the writeups there. Some may be a bit outdated in specific models but you can use that to find the decent brands. I just used it to buy some CAD audio MH320 headphones that I couldn't be happier with. I saw in one of the guides they recommended the older model MH310 so that made me check out the new ones.

Just pulled the trigger on this $139 combo w/ the Fiio E6:

http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-ATH-M50S-Professional-Monitor-Headphones/dp/B00ETB8ZNU/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1380695156&sr=1-3&keywords=ath+m50+e6

Here are some options that match your Description:


Bose SoundLink II price: 200 - Full Match


HOM Exodus price: 200 - Full Match


B&O Beoplay H7 price: 210 - Full Match


Skullcandy Venue price: 180 - Full Match


EVEN EarPrint H2 price: 175 - Full Match


DT 770 PRO price: 160 - Full Match


Source: BudgetSet


if you find this reply useless, downvote for removal.

If you're willing to go a bit over budget, the k371 are all the rage right now https://www.amazon.com/AKG-Pro-Audio-Headphones-K371/dp/B07WZH7WM9