Reasonable headphones for £30?

[scottjoplin]

For me, the headphone type is the first consideration.
If she likes 'over the ear' cup-type phones, earbuds or Grados won't be a good substitute.

Yes. Are the cup style usually closed back and the ones with foam disc like the Grados (which I have a pair of) open back?

 

[VictoriaGuy]

If we can stretch the budget by £10, these Audio Technica 'phones appear worthy of consideration.

I have a pair of (little-used on non-oily head) Audio Technica ATH phones which sound good but the pleather pad coverings have disintegrated into a mess of tiny black flakes.
So, not recommended by me.

 

[nautibuoy]

...but the pleather pad coverings have disintegrated into a mess of tiny black flakes.

That's pretty typical across many models of headphone as they age, but replacements are normally fairly inexpensive and easy to fit.

 

[Galu]

Comfort and longevity is why I prefer velour rather than pleather ear cups on both my closed back and open back 'cup style' headphones! 😉

I wonder how long the original foam discs last on the Grados?

GRADO SR125, SR225, SR325, SR60, SR80, M1, M2, PS1000: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics

 

[xrk971]

If you can find the now, discontinued Status Audio OB-1's on eBay or similar, they are very good and priced at $50 at one point. I think they perform better than my $200 DT-880's.

They still sell the closed back of the the same headphone called the CB-1, they might be worth a try. The reviews are very positive.

 

[scottjoplin]

P.S. Could it be that this thread is simply a bit of seasonal fun, and that sis's expensive designer headphones are already aboard Santa's sleigh?!

Ho-Ho-Ho-No, this is so she can come to her own informed decision

 

[Galu]

I see that ebay purchases have been mentioned a couple of times.

To ho-ho-hone the search, would sis be happy to wear pre-owned headphones?

 

[VictoriaGuy]

To ho-ho-hone the search, would sis be happy to wear pre-owned headphones?

Yuk!
Headphones, shoes, socks and underwear...I like em new!
🙂

 

[Galu]

For ages, the 'go to' entry level headphones were the Sennheiser HD 201, which were fairly recently succeeded by the almost identical HD 206.

Neither model seems to be currently available to buy new from the major internet suppliers, but come highly recommended if you can track down a hi-fi shop with remaining stock.

Sennheiser HD 206 - Over Ear Headphones

 

[Guerilla]

I just got leather or leatherish cups? For my wifes Portapros on aliexpress. Cost like 1 pound

 

[abraxalito]

At that price, its gotta be Superlux for me but HD668Bs : Amazon.com: Superlux HD668B Dynamic Semi-Open Headphones: Electronics

 

[EUVL]

Superlux HD662 EVO with mod.
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/hea...y-hood-headphone-amplifier-3.html#post5402030
Superlux HD662 EVO im Test bei kopfhoerer.de
HD662-EVO | DIY-Audio-Heaven

I did everything according to diyheaven but use Vero boards to partially close the ports.
And added a notch at 9kHz.


KZ ZS6 is horrible without mod. But wonderful after. Thanks to hint by Mr. Loesch.
KZ ZS6 IEM Modified


Patrick
.

 

[Galu]

@scottjoplin

How is your sister when it comes to headphone mods?