best headphones under 100$

Discussion in 'Music, Movies, TV, and Videos' started by theiflord180, Apr 13, 2012.

  1. theiflord180 Member

    Member Since:
    May 27, 2009
    Message Count:
    110
    Device:
    2G iPod touch
    Hello,

    I've got a few best buy gift cards that I want to use, and as I'm going to college next fall i think some nice headphones (not earphones) would be worth it! I listen to mainly rock, alternative, and acoustic covers...no hip hop or rap whatsoever. What would be some good headphones under 100$ for that kind of music (availible at best buy?)? I'm looking at the Phillips-O'Neil stretch headphones right now, but idk. Looking for durability, comfort, decent noise cancelling/reduction, and obviously good sound
    thanks!
  2. tinyman392 Super Moderator

    Member Since:
    Jul 10, 2008
    Message Count:
    13,547
    Device:
    5G iPod touch

    If you don't mind lighter bass, the Philips CitiScape Downtown may suite your needs. They are right at the edge of your price range at 100 bucks, but are well worth it :) I don't do many headphone reviews as IEM. I do want to mention that many headphones don't isolate as well as IEMs do. I would also like to mention that it's hard to find active isolation under 100 (in IEMs or headphones). However, passively, these do do well. I'm sure you can find some other suggestions as well. Good luck.

    Links:
    Downtown (White): http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Philips...ones/4880091.p?id=1218564860917&skuId=4880091

    Best Buy only has it in white, my preference of color for these would actually be purple (I think it works the best with the matted design, brown also works, so does white).
  3. theiflord180 Member

    Member Since:
    May 27, 2009
    Message Count:
    110
    Device:
    2G iPod touch
    thanks for the input! I actually tried those when i visited the store, and they just felt..weird haha. And no noise cancelation. do you have any other suggestion? The reason i want to stay away from IEMs is cause they hurt my ears after a while and (from what i've tried) headphones sound better, maybe cause the sound isnt crammed down my ear...might be just a psychological thing, but yeah haha
  4. zkrauss New Member

    Member Since:
    Apr 14, 2012
    Message Count:
    4
    Device:
    iPhone 4S (Black)
  5. zkrauss New Member

    Member Since:
    Apr 14, 2012
    Message Count:
    4
    Device:
    iPhone 4S (Black)
    Koss Portapro headphones are amazing. They have great quality and are cheap. Here is a link for them on amazon for $47.08.

    http://amzn.to/IKcYty
  6. tinyman392 Super Moderator

    Member Since:
    Jul 10, 2008
    Message Count:
    13,547
    Device:
    5G iPod touch
    No isolation from these... They literally only isolate 1dB (if you're lucky) according to several reviewers. They are amazing phones though.
  7. tinyman392 Super Moderator

    Member Since:
    Jul 10, 2008
    Message Count:
    13,547
    Device:
    5G iPod touch
    Are you inserting them correctly? And what models were you using. Most headphones (unless you get active cancelation) don't isolate more than 12-16 dB (lower-end for IEMs).
  8. zkrauss New Member

    Member Since:
    Apr 14, 2012
    Message Count:
    4
    Device:
    iPhone 4S (Black)
    Sure you are not completely isolated but if I am wearing these, someone has to scream just to get my attention. So if you can spare a little isolation for amazing sound these are your headphones. Here just read all the amazing reviews.

    http://amzn.to/IKcYty
  9. tinyman392 Super Moderator

    Member Since:
    Jul 10, 2008
    Message Count:
    13,547
    Device:
    5G iPod touch
    He stated that he wants isolation. These don't isolate at all. Unless he's blasting them, they won't isolate. Amazon reviews will always have a bias in them the majority of the time as well. Many conflict as well.

    For reference (to the OP): Koss Portapros will give <= ~1 dB isolation while the Downtown will give <= ~12 dB isolation (which is a lot less than you'd think, but good for passive headphones; not IEMs).
  10. zkrauss New Member

    Member Since:
    Apr 14, 2012
    Message Count:
    4
    Device:
    iPhone 4S (Black)
    I figured I would suggest them because they are great in every other aspect and isolation wasn't stated as a major requirement. It was there but their were a bunch of others that these fit.

    http://amzn.to/IKcYty