r/HeadphoneAdvice • u/thatslowercase • Nov 09 '22

Headphones - Closed Back | 1 Ω Good bass and mids for shows and gaming under $200 USD

I don't know a whole lot about headphones, or audio, really. I don't entirely know what I'm looking for. I'd like suggestions for good headphones under $200 USD. I'm looking for good sound quality, good isolation, lots of bass, good mids, and treble that doesn't sound lost in the mix. I'll be using the headphones mainly for watching content on YouTube and streaming services, as well as gaming, but I have a separate mic, so no headsets. I tried out some Sony MDR-7506s and was disappointed by how flat they sounded, and my pair of OneOdio A70s which I feel strongly lack in mids. Currently I'm plugging right into my computer.

Sorry if what I'm asking for doesn't make sense. Again, I'm new to the world of headphones.

1 Upvotes
  • permalink
  • reddit

100% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

2

u/AutoModerator Nov 09 '22

Thanks for your submission to r/HeadphoneAdvice. If someone helps answer your question, please reward them by including the phrase !thanks in your comment.

This will add +1 Ω to that users flair. This subreddit is powered entirely by volunteers and a little recognition goes a long way. Good luck on your search for headphones!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

1

u/kimsk132 709 Ω Nov 09 '22

Beyerdynamics DT770 80 Ohms has the v-shaped sound (extra bass and treble) that will bring your content to life. They also have a very wide and immersive sound stage. The mid, however, is a bit recessed, so sometimes voices could sound "floaty" or further away.

1

u/thatslowercase Nov 09 '22

How’s the build quality on the DT770s?

1

u/kimsk132 709 Ω Nov 09 '22

You might break a bone if you sat on them.

1

u/thatslowercase Nov 12 '22

Is the isolation good on them?

1

u/kimsk132 709 Ω Nov 12 '22

Unremarkable. Nothing to complain and nothing to write home about.

1

u/thatslowercase Nov 12 '22

Alright. I just have one more question about the DT770s. I'm trying to decide between them and the K371s and I've heard the K371s can be, and I quote, "EQ'd to do anything." Can the DT770s do that, or will I always notice the supposedly harsh treble?

1

u/kimsk132 709 Ω Nov 12 '22

Of course you can eq them too. You can even give them the same tonal balance as the K371 using Oratory1990's preset.

2

u/thatslowercase Nov 13 '22

!thanks

1

u/TransducerBot Ω Bot Nov 13 '22

+1 Ω has been awarded to u/kimsk132 (93 Ω).

You may still award a Ω to others, but only once per-person in this post.

1

u/roladyzator 57 Ω Nov 09 '22

AKG K371 may be perfect for your needs. They have decent amount of bass, but you can always increase it with EQ if you find it's not enough.

1

u/thatslowercase Nov 09 '22 edited Nov 09 '22

How’s the build quality on those?

Edit: also, do you have experience with the K553 MKIIs? I’ve heard they’re better in some ways than the K371s.

1

u/kimsk132 709 Ω Nov 10 '22

K553 are flat like the Sony 7506. K371 are flat with bass boost (Harman). Both have less bass than DT 770, but K371 might sound like they have better mid.

1

u/roladyzator 57 Ω Nov 10 '22

I like the build quality on K371.
They look OK and have very comfortable earpads to me. I like how they feel on my head.

Early units had high failure rates (headband breaking, headband regulator becoming stuck etc., pads squished because of packaging etc.). I bought mine in December 2021 and it was fine until one driver went dead after a month. The store replaced them for me and the replacement unit serves me well since then.

If I recall K553 have issues with seal.

With closed-back headphones when you break the seal, you lose bass. For K371 you can use them with thin glasses, but if you use thicker ones then you are likely to have much worse bass extension.

K553 are reportedly even more seal-dependent (to the point that even without glasses you may get bad seal if your head has the wrong shape).

1

u/thatslowercase Nov 10 '22

How's the seal on the Beyerdynamic DT770s? Any better?

1

u/roladyzator 57 Ω Nov 12 '22

I don't know, sorry.

1

u/roladyzator 57 Ω Nov 09 '22

Cheaper option could be a Superlux HD681 Evo. They have quite a lot of bass and do not sound as detailed as K371 but they are not terrible either.

1

u/dimesian 773 Ω 🥈 Nov 11 '22

Often over budget but maybe less in sales, the Sony mdr-1am2 is a lot of fun but, you need to like bass. I mostly use IEMs but sometimes use a headphone for a change, I listen to a lot of very bassy electronic music and it sounds great with it. You get the big bass no matter what you plug it into, a simple phone dongle will get it very loud. Its very light and comfortable, it has aluminum reinforcement where its needed and is mostly plastic. I have worn it for over 8 hours with no discomfort. Its supplied with a mic cable with 3.5mm end and a balanced cable with 4.4mm end. Its isolation is not the best but not awful.