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Headphones for a Laptop

I need to get a pair of headphones for in home use on my laptop, portability is not necessary. I'm looking for the best sound and comfort for a budget of $200 to $400. I would prefer one of the Audeze models but I cannot currently afford them.
I mainly listen to rock (acoustic and electric), blues and jazz. I'd like a pair that excel in the midrange, have natural but textured bass that's not too boomy and a treble that is not too bright.
I've read many reviews and posts on several headphone sites and have narrowed my choices to two but have not heard either:

Audiotechnica ATH m-50
Phiaton ms400

So. I'm looking for feedback on:
1. The sound qualities of these headphones from owners or those that have heard them.

2. Suggestions of others to consider based on my preferences.

3. Suggestions on other things I can do to get the best sound quality from a laptop, such as headphone amps or external dacs.

Thanks
noble100
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
If you want to use your headphones directly from laptop, less likely you'll need to spend $$$ for these.
I believe that Audiotechnica ATH m50 is great choice, but they might not be comfortable.
I'd recommend Sennheiser EH350 for direct to laptop or to iphone/pad/pod.
If you plan to purchase headphone amp, than the choices are certainly different.
maxmad
182 posts
 
I believe the OP wants the quality headphones that he can run directly from laptop without any amp in between, but please, correct me if I am wrong.

I use Koss PortaPro all the time, great bargain, especially if you put extra pads on them, so you create a little more distance between drivers and your ears. To me, they are very hard to beat.

I am not sure about AKG K702, dont think they will work at their potentials at all. You have to check easy drive headphones only, not Sennheiser HD650 or something, if you know what I mean.
noble100's avatar
noble100 OP
1,093 posts
 
Maxmad,
You are correct, I prefer an easier to drive headphone that I can use directly into the laptop, without an amp needed. I'll add the Koss PortaPro to my list.

Thanks
arni
313 posts
 
noble 100; do not underestimate the improvement of a digital to analog converter when taking the sound directly out of a computer. The offset of roughly $100 (fubar, nuforce and more DACs with headphone amps) will definitively make a big difference.
baka1969
101 posts
 
I will reiterate the recommendation of using a DAC/amp like the uDac. Together with the Shure 940 you can have a high quality portable laptop system. The AKG 70x is not the right headphone. I've owned 3. It's too demanding with it's need for a powerful amp. The PortaPro is fair at best. I've owned it. And just about every headphone mentioned in this thread.

The reason I suggested the Shure 940 is because it does well out of the laptop or an iPod. It's a closed headphone so it works well if isolation is needed. For a closed 'phone it manages to sound more like an open 'phone compared to most other closed cans. It also performs above it's price.
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