I bought a pair of AKG K550s last year for £99 from the Tax Dodgers. Original RRP was £250 and they sound it. I only use them for listening at home and your ears can get a bit warm after about an hour or so, but the sound is lovely. What HiFi agree too: http://www.whathifi.com/akg/k550/review
I love my recently purchased Grado SR 325e on ear headpleasers. Not the cheapest nor the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever owned but my do they sound exquisite. Worth every penny.
I bought a pair of second hand Sennheiser HD650s off eBay a few years back. Love the sound they make and they are comfortable, although they can get a bit warm on the ears after a lengthy session.
If you are a cable freak, it is possible to upgrade the cables, although I’ve never felt the need.
I can’t help out with any actual modern models but I can recommend Sennheiser if you’re looking for something that will sound great and last. I’ve had my current HD565 Ovations for 30 years. They were £250 that long ago so your guess is as good as mine as to what the current equivalent would be but they have sounded amazing from the day I bought them to now and they are used pretty much everyday. They fit right over and around my ears and the cups are big enough that I suspect very few people wouldn’t get them to fit the same. The sound is airy and incredibly detailed but they’re forgiving with lower quality sources as well. Not for you if you need really heavy bass either. I’d better make it clear they are open-backed so the sound does spill, however, a few years ago after some pointed looks from the FPO I actually filled in the back side of the grills with Sugru (inside so you can’t see it). This completely stops the leakage and didn’t alter the sound one bit. I’m sure there’s a newer closed back version.
Wear and tear – no problem! I’ve replaced the ear surrounds just once in that time, the cables twice and the actual sound pods once as well – all of which was easy to do and Sennheiser stock the parts for years. I also had to do a bit of steam punk-style fettling with some foam when the original foam on the headband just crumbled. Sennheiser couldn’t be more helpful and actually emailed me to let me know that stocks of the sound pods are almost gone. Class.
I’m not looking forward to day I have to replace them – after 30 years perhaps I’ll go first.
I’d like a pair of Jabra Revo (for the name as much as anything) but I got a pair of Sennheiser HD215 for two mainteasons – aleays liked Sennheisers and they’ve got a curly, detachable, one-sided cable.
Yes yes yes. You have to try Sennheiser Momentums. They come in 2 flavours – on ear and over ear. £250 before deals and utterly brilliant. They win just about every award going for the price range. If you go for the on-ears, they are even better value. I have them and they are quite wonderful.
My reference headphones on the home system are these Sennheiser HD650 which sound absolutely gorgeous (and are very comfortable). On the high end price wise at £250, but worth it….
I also listened to some Sony MDR-1A at a recent launch event for their new Walkmen and then sounded pretty good. Amazon have then at £170 here…
They also have some new MDR-Z7 coming out soonish which sound good but are in the silly money range (£450 last time I looked)
In the £250 region, the recently launched Philips Fidelio range (X1 or X2) which are much better than they ought to be for the price. Or, as Chris says, Sennheiser HD650. Or the old staples Beyerdynamic DT880 or DT990.
The Oppo range of planar magnetics are ace. PM-3 coming soon (£350), PM-2 (£700). Or Audeze (pron. “odyssey”) planar magnetic range at £600, £800, £1400 available both open- or closed-back.
Sennheiser’s range-topping HD800 or Oppo PM-1 are very nice if you have a grand to spend.
I’ve had these for a few years now and they are great if you need wireless. They are good if you are listening in the same room as others as they are Closed.
Leedsboy says
I’ve just bought these:
Great if bluetooth is where you want to go. I’ll let others recommend corded headphones.
HouseOfLard says
I bought a pair of AKG K550s last year for £99 from the Tax Dodgers. Original RRP was £250 and they sound it. I only use them for listening at home and your ears can get a bit warm after about an hour or so, but the sound is lovely. What HiFi agree too: http://www.whathifi.com/akg/k550/review
Uncle Wheaty says
I bought a pair of AKG K451 for use on the train and at home when the kids are on the computer.
Great sound and for £50 a bargain.
Also recommended as product of the year for the price in What Hi-Fi mag.
pencilsqueezer says
I love my recently purchased Grado SR 325e on ear headpleasers. Not the cheapest nor the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever owned but my do they sound exquisite. Worth every penny.
Mike Hull says
I bought a pair of second hand Sennheiser HD650s off eBay a few years back. Love the sound they make and they are comfortable, although they can get a bit warm on the ears after a lengthy session.
If you are a cable freak, it is possible to upgrade the cables, although I’ve never felt the need.
Ainsley says
I can’t help out with any actual modern models but I can recommend Sennheiser if you’re looking for something that will sound great and last. I’ve had my current HD565 Ovations for 30 years. They were £250 that long ago so your guess is as good as mine as to what the current equivalent would be but they have sounded amazing from the day I bought them to now and they are used pretty much everyday. They fit right over and around my ears and the cups are big enough that I suspect very few people wouldn’t get them to fit the same. The sound is airy and incredibly detailed but they’re forgiving with lower quality sources as well. Not for you if you need really heavy bass either. I’d better make it clear they are open-backed so the sound does spill, however, a few years ago after some pointed looks from the FPO I actually filled in the back side of the grills with Sugru (inside so you can’t see it). This completely stops the leakage and didn’t alter the sound one bit. I’m sure there’s a newer closed back version.
Wear and tear – no problem! I’ve replaced the ear surrounds just once in that time, the cables twice and the actual sound pods once as well – all of which was easy to do and Sennheiser stock the parts for years. I also had to do a bit of steam punk-style fettling with some foam when the original foam on the headband just crumbled. Sennheiser couldn’t be more helpful and actually emailed me to let me know that stocks of the sound pods are almost gone. Class.
I’m not looking forward to day I have to replace them – after 30 years perhaps I’ll go first.
BryanD says
I’ve got a pair of Grado SR80is that sound excellent. I think they were £120. They are open backed though so there will be leakage!
duco01 says
I have a pair of AKG K702.
To be honest, they’re not quite as comfortable over the top of the head as I’d been hoping.
But the sound quality is absolutely immaculate.
Harry Tufnell says
I’m with Pencilsqueezer on the Grados, I’ve not heard anything that comes close.
pete says
I’ve got these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-Closed-Dynamic-Stereo-headphones-black/dp/B0007XJSQC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425756089&sr=8-1&keywords=Sennheiser+HD+201
Very cheap but really good and extremely comfortable. Lots of bass. Unbeatable for the money.
James Blast says
I break my headphones far too often so I plumped for an eleven quid pair of SONYs.
These are they, if you are so inclined – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-MDR-ZX100W-Outdoor-Headband-Headphones-White/dp/B004MMG39E/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1425757913&sr=8-3&keywords=sony+headphones I’m extremely happy with the snoud, especially at that price and my history of wrecking previous ones.
I used to shop at the tax dodgers and it was one of my last purchases until I heard about the way their staff were treated.
Mick50s says
I’d like a pair of Jabra Revo (for the name as much as anything) but I got a pair of Sennheiser HD215 for two mainteasons – aleays liked Sennheisers and they’ve got a curly, detachable, one-sided cable.
LordTed says
I’d recommend Ultrasone, great build quality, and great sound reproduction in my experience, not cheap but a range of prices and models.
VincePacket says
Yes yes yes. You have to try Sennheiser Momentums. They come in 2 flavours – on ear and over ear. £250 before deals and utterly brilliant. They win just about every award going for the price range. If you go for the on-ears, they are even better value. I have them and they are quite wonderful.
Try them.
Chrisf says
My reference headphones on the home system are these Sennheiser HD650 which sound absolutely gorgeous (and are very comfortable). On the high end price wise at £250, but worth it….
I also listened to some Sony MDR-1A at a recent launch event for their new Walkmen and then sounded pretty good. Amazon have then at £170 here…
They also have some new MDR-Z7 coming out soonish which sound good but are in the silly money range (£450 last time I looked)
For more comprehensive reviews check out http://www.head-fi.org
fentonsteve says
In the £250 region, the recently launched Philips Fidelio range (X1 or X2) which are much better than they ought to be for the price. Or, as Chris says, Sennheiser HD650. Or the old staples Beyerdynamic DT880 or DT990.
The Oppo range of planar magnetics are ace. PM-3 coming soon (£350), PM-2 (£700). Or Audeze (pron. “odyssey”) planar magnetic range at £600, £800, £1400 available both open- or closed-back.
Sennheiser’s range-topping HD800 or Oppo PM-1 are very nice if you have a grand to spend.
Lunaman says
I’ve had these for a few years now and they are great if you need wireless. They are good if you are listening in the same room as others as they are Closed.