Best of the seriously cheap headphones

[chk071]

Appreciate the replies. Edited my OP for more info...are those suggested great as isolation? That's my main concern (and so any semi-open or open back are out).

The mentioned Superlux definitely don't isolate you from noise around you. They're semi-open, so.

I actually prefer that, as I wouldn't hear the door bell otherwise, but, I use them for everything really, listening to music, gaming, sometimes playing soft synths. Rarely the latter though, as I'm usually on my nearfield monitors for that.

They are very good all-purpose headphones for that price though, but, might fall a little short purely for recording/studio stuff. That's not really what I bought them for.

[FranklyFlawless]

Appreciate the replies. Edited my OP for more info...are those suggested great as isolation? That's my main concern (and so any semi-open or open back are out).

My recommendation for the Audio Technica ATH-M20x is still valid against your updated criteria.

[Gavincoolguy]

You can do it all with a pair of Sony MDR7506

[thecontrolcentre]

I bought Audio Technica ATH-M50X and AKG K275 ... around £45-50 each iirc

[mixyguy2]

They (well, at least the MDR-V6) are among the most commonly used studio monitor headphones in history,

Which is irrelevant IMO..

and the 7506 is the current prosumer version of them. I think you are covered.

Outside of the stated price range, so nope Thx though. Really when I put the $75 or less tag on there, I was hoping $50 or less but might stretch a bit more. Behringer has a bunch in that range, but I have doubts that they'd isolate well enough.

My recommendation for the Audio Technica ATH-M20x is still valid against your updated criteria.

Thanks. I don't recall hearing one way or the other how well they isolate...(isolate meaning they won't be heard if I'm singing and recording it to a pre-recorded track that I'm listening to on the headphones; I don't care if they block sound out from around me, though I would think if they're good in one direction, they'd be the same in the other direction).

[mixyguy2]

I bought Audio Technica ATH-M50X and AKG K275 ... around £45-50 each iirc

? Where? The ATs run about $140 and the AKGs over $200 from what I'm seeing.

[stoopicus]

They (well, at least the MDR-V6) are among the most commonly used studio monitor headphones in history,

Which is irrelevant IMO..

Relevant in that it's very likely been used by more professional singers in real recording studios for tracking vocals into very expensive microphones for actual albums than any other studio monitor headset. If it's good enough for that, it's going to more than cover your isolation needs.

[mixyguy2]

There's no basis to conclude that's at all likely, let alone very likely, and really it's all moot if for no other reason than it's outside the given price range.

[Gavincoolguy]

It really sounds like you want more than you are willing to pay for. This is a hard hobby to have that mindset.

[lokio]

Got to give Hidizs a mention beacause of their excellent value. Not going to write an essay. More Hi-Fi than monitor but still very good. They are all in-ears. Prices fom about $30 to over $500. I'm very happy with mine.

[stoopicus]

There's no basis to conclude that's at all likely, let alone very likely, and really it's all moot if for no other reason than it's outside the given price range.

Understood that the MDR out of your price range (though not by much!) - and please take this at face value in that I was only trying to steer you towards something that really nails your goals well, not just listing my own favorite.

(They aren't in fact my favorites - I am one of the minority where they are not the most comfortable - but given your criteria they would be my top pick and hence the strong endorsement. I much prefer open-backs myself.)

[thecontrolcentre]

I bought Audio Technica ATH-M50X and AKG K275 ... around £45-50 each iirc

? Where? The ATs run about $140 and the AKGs over $200 from what I'm seeing.

I picked them up in special offers on Amazon. The AKGs were only £36 in 2021
The ATs were bought in 2015 for £45 (they've gone up a lot since then).

I just spotted these Srhythm NC25 Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Bluetooth 5.0, Wireless Over-Ear Headset for £49 (haven't tried them)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Srhythm ... f_=ast_bln

[mixyguy2]

Understood that the MDR out of your price range (though not by much!) - and please take this at face value in that I was only trying to steer you towards something that really nails your goals well, not just listing my own favorite.

(They aren't in fact my favorites - I am one of the minority where they are not the most comfortable - but given your criteria they would be my top pick and hence the strong endorsement. I much prefer open-backs myself.)

Understood, no worries!

[mixyguy2]

Edited the OP a bit ...really there are two questions here now that I think on it more, one for tracking headphones (closed back) and one for mixing/mastering (semi-open/open back).

[FranklyFlawless]

Okay, well my recommendation has slightly changed for closed-back headphones:

Audio Technica ATH-M30x

The Audio Technica ATH-M30x are near the end of your budget range at $69.99 USD. As for semi-open-back headphones, the Samson SR850 would be my primary recommendation:

Samson SR850

Those are at your optimal budget range at $49.99 USD.