Headphone Recommendations grouped by price range!

The following recommendations are our favorite headphones based primarily on "sound quality" and grouped by price. Other factors such as comfort, type of use, and style are mentioned, but not our primary interest in this article. "Wireless" headphones for sound quality reasons, shouldn't be compared directly with wired headphones, (we've not been all that impressed with any affordable wireless headphones)! Also, we don't cover "Noise Reduction" headphones here because virtually none of them match up to the sound quality of the headphones below. You can check out a review of noise reduction headphones an "In-Ears" elsewhere on our site. More formal reviews of many of these headphones can be found elsewhere here at GoodCans.com, but in this fast paced world we live in, we know many of us go directly to the "conclusions" or "summary"anyway... so here it is!

Around $50

Koss Portapro - Believe it or not, our favorite headphone for sound quality under $50 is a headphone meant for portable use. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find an under $50 full sized headphone selling at a department store that matches the sound quality of the PortaPro? The Koss Portapro, (not to be confused with the Sportapro), offers surprisingly good detail in all areas; highs, mids and bass. In addition to great sound quality for a portable headphone, it’s light weight, comfortable, and collapsible.

Sennheiser PX100 - Another portable! Though it took more than a decade for Senn to catch up to the PortaPro, the PX100 is a very good portable headphone. Sound quality wise, pretty much the equivilent of the PortaPro. Folds nicely and comes with a hard, but somewhat bulky plastic case.

FYI.... Most headphones mentioned here can be purchased at "Listening Station Headphones." Here's a link: Listening Station Headphones

$69 to $100

Grado SR60 and SR80 - Hands down, these are our favorite headphones! Why! Because the price/performance ratio is about the highest we have found. Compared to the average, under $50 closed package, department store headphone; the detail offered by these Grados is a huge, noticeable improvement! And, though you can spend a lot more money on headphones, the improvement in sound quality those hundred dollar plus Cans have over the SR80’s will only be minor no matter how much you spend! FYI, Grado's are very "Open" headphones. Sound leaks in and out so they may not be appropriate for use in some public applications. Grado's are easy to drive so they are popular for both home and portable use.

AKG K240Studio - AKG has long been associated with headphones aimed at musicians and recording technicians for studio work. This full sized, circumaural headphone is a "semi-open" design. Not totally closed, (but not a lot of sound leaks out and outside sound does leak in some). They are light in weight and very comfortable. The earpads are a leatherette type of material so can be warm to the ears on a hot day, but necessary to block out sound. One sided cord that's easy to detach. Headband adjusts automatically when placed on the head. Sound quality wise, more detail than we hear from most under $100 headphones, though not quite up to the Grado's. The large earpieces do create a larger sound space which can be helpful with music with fuller instrumentation. Bass is good, but not quite as good as some fully closed headphones. We like this headphone for home use.... a little difficult to drive for portable players... but can be done.

Sennheiser HD280Pro - This is a full sized, circumaural, "Closed" Senn HD280Pro headphone. If you totally need to not have sound leak in or out, this is our favorite choice under $100. No, it doesn't sound as good as an "Open" Grado, but it does offer good detail and real decent bass. Pretty easy to power too so many portable players could power it. It's somewhat collapsable and has a single sided cord entry. Earpieces are of the leatherette type, so can get sweaty in warm weather... but necessary in order to block sound.

Where’s Sennheiser's Open Headphones? - Sennheiser has long been associated with good sounding headphones. In fact, the author of this article had one of their famous HD414’s back in the 70’s! But alas, Senn now constantly changes models in the lower, under $100 price ranges, and frankly, they seem to hold back on sound quality? We’re guessing they hope the consumer will opt for their highly touted, more spendy models? In any case, unless you’re willing to spend more than a $100 on headphones, go for a Grado!

Around $150

DenonAH-D1000Silver Denon AHD 1000 or 1001 - A mid-sized, "Closed" headphone, (which given our past experience would have meant limited soundstage and tinny sound). But obviously, Denon is a quality manufacturer and they managed to tweak out some very good sound. Size wize, it's borderline between full sized and mid-sized, so that helps some. But obviously they're using quality transducers. And bass, boy does it have bass! More than virtually any headphone we've liked, (FYI, most of the headphones we've liked in the past have been "Open" headphones which typically have clean, but somewhat limited bass). These Cans will please those of you who like bass! Another plus, these headphones are pretty easy to drive. Most portables should be able to power them. And they have very good isolation. While they don't have any noise reduction circuitry, they will block out quite a bit of outside noise, and sound quality wise, we've never heard a Noise Reduction headphone that sounds as good as these, ($300 plus ANR headphones included)!

Sennheiser HD555 - This is a Full Sized, Open Headphone, we initially hesitated reviewing this headphone. You see, it's predecessor at this price level, the HD570, did not impress us much. For a $150 headphone, it was muddy, and didn't seem as well built as it's predecessor? Well, we finally checked out the HD555, and we like this headphone,(don't be confused by Senn's numbers, they have been deceiving over the years as larger number hasn't always meant better). It seems well built. Is fairly easily driven and sounds like we think a $150 headphone should sound. Not quite as refined as some more spendy Cans. But not disappointing to someone looking for a better than department store cheapy. It's comfy given it has soft material covered earpads. And design wise, it has a nice fit and sleek look on the head. Still not up to the detail you hear from a Grado, but we approve none-the-less! (Note: The HD555 is currently selling for less than the original $150 price).

Grado SR125 - Well, I guess we can’t leave this one out! Grado takes the SR80 and tweaks it for slightly better sound. The improved detail can be difficult for some to hear, but we have had many responses from golden eared music enthusiasts who easily hear the slight improvement in detail! Grado only has the larger sized 1/4 inch plug on this headphone. So if you want to connect to a portable player or an inexpensive home stereo with the smaller 1/8th inch connection, you'll need to get an adapter. And BTW, the SR125 sounds fine with a portable as it is easily driven. Whether the sound quality is any better than the SR80 depends on the quality of the recording and the quality of the output you're listening to.

Supra-aural Sound vs. Circumaural Sound:

Maybe we should broach this subject at this point. Some people associate the style of the earpieces more with comfort than with sound quality. They might be of the opinion that the circumaural headphone, (a larger earpiece with earpads that sit around the ear rather than on the ear), is more comfortable than the supra-aural headphone, (earpads which sit directly on the ear). But the style of headphone does also have an effect on the sound! All Grado headphones are supra-aural which has a lot to do with their famous sound quality. Yes, the Grado transducers are the primary reason for their great detail, but the proximity to the ear of the supra-aural design does have a lot to do with their ability to give the impression of being right there next to the instrument.

On the other hand, there are some who prefer the sound of a circumaural headphone. Even though the circumaural headphone may sound muffled in comparison, it may offer a sound more similar to what many people are more used to. You see, most listeners don’t usually hear the instruments up close, but rather away, back in the audience. Some are bothered by the detail they might hear given a close proximity to an instrument. Also, the circumaural headphone with it’s larger space around the ear can somewhat give the impression of a larger sized space around the instruments than a supra-aural headphone.

No one is right or wrong! Some people love headphones because they offer great detail and a supra-aural Grado headphone shines in this area. And, some people prefer the sound of a good, larger circumaural headphone because to them it sounds more natural. Which you would prefer probably would depend on your tastes in music!

Around $200

Grado SR225 - The ultimate tweaked version of Grado’s basic Prestige line of headphones. The Grado family is blessed with “Super Golden Ears” and their SR225 is considered the headphone for the detail lover who demands a little less shrill in the high end. Though not quite as comfortable or impressive looking as the Senn or AKG at this price level, the 225 is the superior when it comes to detail!

AKG K271Studio - OK so you want a "Closed" headphone to do some recording and mixing! Well this offering from AKG is quite popular for such purposes. We've often seen it in videos where the performers are in the recording studio. Full sized and circumaural. Comfortable. Light in weight. Single side, detachable cord. Leather like, but soft earpad material which is needed to block sound, (which BTW it does quite well). Even has a built in switch that mutes the headphone when you take it off the head, (I imagine a handy feature in a recording studio). Sound quality is very good for a closed headphone. Good detail. And due to the larger size of the earpieces, the sound is fuller than any of those mid sized, DJ type Cans.

$250

Senn HD595 Sennheiser HD595 - Sennheiser is famous for their audiophile line of headphones. Back in the early 90's it was the HD580. Then the late 90's, the HD600 came out. And now, the HD650 is their top of the line. Problem is, those models all require some really good amplification to make them sing. If you have a standard, department store amplifier, or a computer, you should probably not consider those models.

Enter the HD595. It's a much easier headphone to power. Our test portable CD player can power it. Our test computer can power it. But our test mp3 player..... Not Quite. You might be best staying away from a full sized, "Open" headphone if you've got a mp3 player? We compared it to the AKG601, and the HD595 was easier to power. Compared to the Grado SR325i... both were about the same.

The point is, if you want a Full Sized, Comfortable, and "Open" Sennheiser that's close to audiophile sound, but your amplification power or quality may be limited, you might consider the HD595?

$295 - $400

Grado SR325i - Unfortunately, this headphone from our favorite audiophile headphone manufacturer often gets ignored? But sound quality wise, it deserves more attention! This is the least expensive headphone in the Grado line-up using a housing material other than plastic. The transducer housing is made of a special, non-resonant, hard alloy. It’s body size is larger than the lesser priced Grado’s. And true to Grado’s form, better sounding! Bass is more powerful. Detail is even slightly better. And due to it’s larger chamber size, the depth is better! A very easy headphone to drive.We recommend the Grado SR325 over the Senn HD600 and 650 to the majority of those who have standard headphone amplification like a receiver, table top stereo, or inexpensive headphone amp. In fact, in the June 2005 issue of Stereophile magazine, an article mentioned that a recording engineer preferred the "diamond like clarity and cut" of the SR325 over the Senn HD650!

AKG K601 and K701 - For years, we've touted the high quality detail of the Grado Cans. But, they're supra-aural. Some people just like the slightly larger sound space of a circumaural headphone. So, many opted for some of Senn's better Cans even though they're not quite so detailed. Enter AKG... while still not quite as detailed as the Grado's, the new K601's and K701's offer that circurmarual sound with more detail than the equivilently priced Senns! These full sized, circumaural headphones are very, very comfortable. The earpads are a soft velvety material. Headband that automatically adjusts when put on the head. Single side cord entry.

Sennheiser HD600 - Here’s the winner of Stereophile magazine’s 1998 product of the year award! Almost enough said... the audio reviewers love this headphone! It’s well built, made of an impressive carbon-fiber material. This is probably a headphone you would own the rest of your life. And yes, we know from first hand experience that transducer housing materials and shapes have a ton to do with sound quality. But be warned, sound quality is barely better than the HD580 to the average ear. If you have “Golden Ears,” good equipment to drive the headphones, and higher quality recordings; then you’re probably a candidate for the HD600. BTW, the price of the HD600 is not too far below that of the HD650. If you are like many, you may prefer to opt to spend the extra $50 or so to get the top of the line Senn?

$500 to $1000

Grado RS2 - Realizing a big gap in price between the RS1 and the SR325i, Grado developed a baby RS1. Basically, it does look like Grado crossed the 325i with the RS1 to make this model. It’s body size is slightly smaller than the RS1, but virtually the same size as the SR325i. Like it's big brother, the RS2 has transducer housings made of wood, (mahogany). Build quality, while very good, is not quite up to RS1 standards. And sound, well, it’s almost as good as the best Grado! Just a little bit less depth due to the smaller body size. Which type are you? The person who want’s close to the best at a $200 savings, or are you willing to shell out the extra bucks for the best?

Sennheiser HD650 - Every few years, Senn keeps uping the ante. They've Senn HD650 tweaked the HD600 for an ever so slight improvement. The result is the HD650. Build quality is stellar, (the HD600 was already great). Cord quality has improved, (and it now has a full sized 1/4 inch plug and a separate adapter if you need the smaller 1/8th inch connection). Did I say slight improvement? Like the HD600 before this, you have to be a Golden Eared Audiophile with a good source and recordings to hear the improvements this offers over the HD600, (and HD580 for that matter). But, at $500 plus, we're in audiophile territory here. Big bucks for minor improvements.

Grado RS1 - For several years now, the Grado RS1 with transducer housings made of wood, (mahogany), has been praised by audio reviewers and listeners alike for it’s sound and still holds a place of prominence on the “A” list of Stereophile magazine’s list of Recommended Components. Reviewer upon reviewer has praised the RS1 with accolades! Our opinion... yes, they are quite good! The size of the wooden transducer housings is the largest Grado offers and the depth of the sound is Grado’s best. And the effect of the wooden body on the sound... it warms up the Grado sound yet retains the famous Grado detail. Though build quality of the RS1 is easily Grado’s finest effort, dollar for dollar, the RS1’s are not quite a value compared with Grado’s at less than half the price. But, some people just have to have the best Grado, no matter what the cost!

Grado GS1000 - Grado has raised the ceiling! A new top of the line! The GS1000. GS stands for GRADO STATEMENT! The body is again made of wood. Quite a bit bigger than the RS1. And it has a very large, circumaural earpad. A first for Grado! That great Grado detail is definitely there. And the sound stage.... it's much bigger than any previous Grado! And yes, it's still a very open headphone, (sound leaks in and out). Obviously, the large, beautiful wood body has a lot to do with the mystique of this headphone. This is not a fancy engineered headphone with fancy materials like the Senn HD650 or the AKG K701. But I would equate it more to a hand crafted instrument made out of wood. A labor of love! We're really in Audiophile Territory Here! But, if you've got to have the best Grado... this is it!