[eclein]

I want to start a thread for people to look at for AC members recommendations on headphones. I'm thinking we make categories by price point in $50 increments. If you want to recommend a model give us the Name, model number and a link so we can all see what they look like.

 So lets split them up in $0-50, 51-100, 101-150, 151-200, etc..... so like the JVC thats $27 and has a thread here in the circle would be one in the 0-50 range....etc.....

 ** A disclaimer: Headphones are extremely subjective so bear that in mind when choosing to spend your hard earned money, its your cash and ultimately your choice so lets not rip anyone who may make a recommendation. These are simply for folks to get a starting point within a price range to check out, see, hear about, maybe try and see if these suggestions might work for them. **

[adydula]

$950 - $1000 Audeze LCD2's

A standard set of cans....very "musical"....

Alex

[dB Cooper]

I would suggest using $100 increments after you pass (let's say) $300 and maybe $200 after you pass $1000. Otherwise you'll end up with like 25 categories. That would put the $1400 Beyer T1, for example, up against the HD800, as it should be.

I second adydula's rec... LCD2 blew me away in the Woo room at CAF.

[hibuckhobby]

In the sub-1000 range:  Koss ESP-950 electrostatic and the now discontinued
Denon D7000.  To a lesser extent Senn. HD700.  The last requires careful amp
matching or it will sound bright on poor recordings.
Hibuck...

[timind]

First let me say I'm not a fan of over the ear type headphones. I have never heard the super expensive cans mentioned but have owned Senn HD650s as well as AKG 701s but ultimately found them too much of a pain to sit and listen to. Have recently started listening more and more to headphones in bed and have fallen in love with an old pair of SHure SE115s I've had around. Love the sound of these for under $100.
IEMs are all I will buy from now on. The portabiity and long term comfort are too important to give up.

[eclein]

I would suggest using $100 increments after you pass (let's say) $300 and maybe $200 after you pass $1000. Otherwise you'll end up with like 25 categories. That would put the $1400 Beyer T1, for example, up against the HD800, as it should be.

I second adydula's rec... LCD2 blew me away in the Woo room at CAF.

We can do it how ever you want, I was thinking less formal and just put like "I like XYZ and they cost around 123 and here is a link" Just so folks can check some out as all you guys do. I sort of follow whats happening here and try cans accordingly, follow me? Like the JVC's were being talked about so I grabbed some to check out, if they sound good it snowballs and we all get the experience of hearing new stuff without making a huge roll of the dice.

 IEM's are me also, in fact the Amperiors, and JVC's plus my Grado's are all I have other then IEMs. I have maybe 20 pair of IEM's, none super pricey but most sound pretty great. I rotate alot, give alot away to my kids and there friends.
 

[eclein]

I recently got some UE500's by Ultimate Ears for $35 off Amazon and after some time breaking in they have gone from good to excellent in my book. It did take me several weeks of daily use during my 20-30 minute walks to have these change so give them time if you try them. The build is good, but the case they include is horribly designed. I now currently use these for the majority of my headphone listening.
Here is a link:
 http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Ultimate-Ears-Noise-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B003YKG2XM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358040540&sr=8-1&keywords=UE500

[geowak]

$51-100 Many years ago- GRADO SR60
I admit I am very, very lazy. I have not attempted to update these phones. Used to have expensive STAX phones, bought in Germany in the early 1980's.

Although I have thought about Sennheiser HD600 many times over the years....

[SteveFord]

Under 100 - Grado SR60
Under 500 - Beyerdynamics DT880
Above that - Stax 407 w/ amp or, in my case, Sigmas w/ energizer box

[ajzepp]

Steve Ford sighting!!! 

My recs...

Under $50 - JVC S400
Under $100 - Grado SR80i
Under $300 - Beyer 1350
Under $1000 - Grado PS-500 ($595)

[roscoeiii]

Under $100: Grado 80 (open), Fostex T50RP (closed)
*And the Fostex are big in the modding world. If you are a tweaker or an ortho fan, check these out!

Over $500: HiFiMan 500s

Over $100: HiFiMan HE-6 (need power!!)
A different sound signature than the Audeze cans. Less dark to my ears. Also more comfortable, and without some of the build quality issues that Audeze have had (due to their use of wood IIRC).

[dB Cooper]

I recently got some UE500's by Ultimate Ears for $35 off Amazon and after some time breaking in they have gone from good to excellent in my book. It did take me several weeks of daily use during my 20-30 minute walks to have these change so give them time if you try them. The build is good, but the case they include is horribly designed. I now currently use these for the majority of my headphone listening.
Here is a link:
 http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Ultimate-Ears-Noise-Isolating-Earphones/dp/B003YKG2XM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358040540&sr=8-1&keywords=UE500

That's a sweet deal. Had a pair (which I lost   ) and they were real nice. Maybe not as neutral as my Ety's but very listenable sound. Second eclein's rec, esp. for the price.