One of the things I plan on spending a lot of time doing here on Out of Treble is talk about good headphones, and more than that, all things high fidelity. As an audiophile, great headphones go hand-in-hand with my love for music, and I’m sure by the time it’s all said and done, I’ll own a few hundred pairs of headphones. As it stands right now, my favorite pairs are the V-Moda M-80 and the Creative Aurvana Live!, but we’ll talk about that a bit later. Right now, there are a ton of different pairs of headphones out there and I’m sure there are multiple sets that are just perfect for you.
It’s all about figuring out which one you want. There’s plenty of things to look at, from the technical details down to which one looks like it’s the most comfortable. But before I really get started on these guides I wanted to point out something very important: if I mention that a pair of headphones suck like .. an awful lot .. and you happen to LOVE those headphones … then just be happy. If you’re looking to buy a new pair, I like to think there’s something for you, but if you’re enjoying your Skullcandy Lowriders or your overpriced Beats By Dre .. hey, you’ve already dropped the cash on them. You can’t go through the trouble of overpaying again, and if they suit your needs, then they suit your needs.
In short, don’t let some jackoff on his website tell you that you shouldn’t be enjoying what you are, in fact, enjoying. But I do ask you to keep an open mind when considering your new pair.
The first thing you need to do is forget anything an advertisement has ever told you about headphones. On top of that, forget anything you may have read in the public consensus about headphones. Case in point, forget that you’ve ever heard of Beats headphones. That is, of course, an exaggeration, but it’s a good starting point for this piece, because that is one example of how you can overpay for headphones. Over the course of five or six posts, I’ll take a look at each individual component and which headphones exceed in those. In the end, I’ll tie it all together with a wrap-up of what I believe to be the best overall headphones. In this part one, we’ll take a look at style. The first and most important thing to remember is …
Style Isn’t Everything
Really, style should not be the most important thing when considering your new headphones. Music is something that can influence your mood under any circumstances, usually for the better, and for me personally, it’s something I can’t see myself without. While it’s nice to have some flair to go with, what’s most important is what’s on the inside – which I’m sure is something you’ve been told before in different context. Again, the biggest case in point here are the Beats headphones, which carry the brand on top of the style. They’re simple, sleek and quite sexy, all while offering the backing of a prestigious rapper while delivering high quality sound.
The caveat? They don’t deliver high quality sound. They lied to you.
At least, they don’t deliver anything near $299.99 worth of sound. Most folks would say they offer something along the lines of $40 worth of sound. So, using the Studio version of the Beats as an example, is the style of this piece worth $260? Only if you’re a crazy person. No, these headphones are seriously overpriced, and while they’re not an unpleasant listening experience, they’ll eventually lose their novelty. I’m not going to get into specifics with why they, in particular, are not very good … perhaps another time.
You can apply the same comparisons to some of the other over-priced headphones brands that clearly are there only for style. While Skullcandy occasionally has a gem in its lineup, they really are only there because teenagers see them, think they’re cool, and buy them. Whereas the $300 Beats put out $40 worth of sound, so do the $25 Skullcandy Lowriders put out about $5 worth of sound. When you start getting to the SK Pros and the G.I.s, you’re spending money on fabric, not sound. I’m not saying you’re guaranteed to be upset with your purchase, but if you haven’t yet spent your money, won’t you listen to someone when they say you are, in fact, overpaying by a wide, wide margin? You should. Because I’m trustworthy, and I love you.
Style Optional? Not Hardly!
One thing you need to remember is that, while style isn’t everything, you can make an informed buy and just purchase something that sounds great AND looks cool. Such things do exist, for it is not impossible to combine the two. It took a long time, but it’s eventually happened. I’ll just post some of my favorite headphones in regards to style – while NOT ignoring sound. If you’re putting yourself in the Beats price range and style is still something you care about, look no further than these easy suggestions. This is not a look at necessarily the best headphones, it’s just an effort to show you that yes, there ARE good headphones that look as nice or better than your Skullcandy or Beat sets.
High End + Style
$200 V-Moda Crossfire M-80
We’ll actually have a full review on these in the coming days as my new pair comes in, but suffice to say that these headphones are style done right. Not only are they absolutely gorgeous, they are regarded as some of the best headphones in the world in regards to sound quality. What else is there to say?
$200 Phiaton 400
These are a sexy set, one of my favorite sets from a style-standpoint. Look at that carbon fiber. I’ve also been able to listen to these for a good bit and they sound fantastic with a very accurate bass and a clear, concise definition that is immediately evident. These aren’t “listen and grow to appreciate them” headphones, these are dazzling in look and sound from the first look.
$200 Audio-Technica ATH-ESW9A
Delicious, delicious wooden goodness. Is there anything sexier than wood grain? I didn’t think so. These are also some of the clearest-sounding sets out there.
Mid-Range + Style
$59 Beyerdynamic DTX 300 p
Surprisingly low-priced with plenty of kick to them. They’re sleek, sexy and worth every penny.
$100 Audio-Technica ATH-ES7
Sleek and sexy, make sure you get the black iteration of these and not the spherical silver pair. Many of them are mis-labeled.
$50 Ultrasone Zino
The sound doesn’t quite match up with these, but if you can find them for cheap, the style is great and delivers some level-headed listening/
Style Comes Cheap, Too
$25 Sony PIIQ MDR-PQ2 Giiq
Obviously the cheapest ones on here and slightly ridiculous, but ten times better than any $25 you’ll spend on a pair of Skullcandy headphones
$40 dB Logic HP-100
Bulky isn’t always my thing, and you expect a bit more sound-wise out of these, but their isolation, comfort and build quality help justify paying for style.
$40 Denon AH-P372
Denon makes some really awesome headphones from top to bottom, and these are one of the most comfortable pairs of headphones I’ve ever worn. The sound isn’t quite as defined as some others in the price range, though.
In Conclusion
Do remember that everything here is listed as “style first”, but that there is nothing listed here that isn’t worth its price (all prices are considered “street value”) in regards to sound quality and things of that nature. There are still plenty of things to consider with your next purchase, from isolation to comfort to a more in-depth look at the sound. You should never buy on just style, because it might not fit your listening preferences. For instance, the sexy Beyerdynamic DTX 300 are not a very bass-friendly set, and if bass is your thing, you don’t want to put down $60 on them.
But if you want to ask any specific questions, I’ve heard all but three of the sets listed on this page and you can leave a comment here or get at us @outoftreble, we’ll get back at you with some knowledge. Oh and yes, there will be a look at style in earbuds coming out, too.
