What are the "best" headphones?

[shmoolie]

I guess this is like asking what are the best shoes. But, at least I can narrow it down somewhat.

I'm looking to replace my 15 year old Sony MDRs, with better full-coverage studio cans. What I need is more bass, a padded headpiece, and a less snaggable cord.

[grazon]

Hi Shmoolie
In today’s demanding studio environment, the right set of headphones can make or break your performance. You need high quality and superb frequency response to insure you get the best results from your recordings. The HPS5000 studio headphones were custom designed to meet and exceed the expectations of the most discerning audiophiles, bringing out pure listening performance by providing an ultra-wide frequency response, well defined bass and super-transparent highs. Their high-efficiency cobalt capsules, a single-sided cord with oxygen-free copper wires and optimized oval-shaped ear cups make the HPS5000 a truly studio-worthy set of headphones.
BEHRINGER

[a.j.]

I bought my better half a set of HPS5000s as a present about two years ago, and he seems really happy with them.

I've got a set of Samson CH700 phones.
www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodID=123&brandID=2

Neither of us use them in a studio environment, but mainly to do initial previewing and tweaking of midi files, and I use mine with my bass amp - often.

There's not much to choose between the two.

[tumblehome]

Hi Schmoolie,
I find the Sennheiser HD 202 headphones are excellent. They have a padded headpiece, great clarity and bass response, and a long unsnaggable cord which can be rolled up to the required lengh on a belt clip to suit your application. I use them a lot for silent practice when playing my Roland accordions late at night.

[Stephanie]

I coughed up the cash for the Fostex T40RPMKII headphones and they're phenomenal. Clear and accurate from high to deep bass, even when I crank them up. Padded headband and earpieces. The only weak spot I found was the detachable cord; the cable started separating from the strain relief. A quick repair with a couple of tiewraps to support a strain-relieving loop solved the problem.

[skiday]

I Bought Bayer Dynamic DT-100 just because everyone else uses them (not like me at all - see my motto left) and they sound total PANTS. The only good things are good padding so no overspill, and tough construction, but they can't hold an acoustic candle to my Sennheiser HD 475

Look here for some reviews www.hifiwigwam.com/view_topic.php?id=156&forum_id=7&page=1

[skiday]

Dec 28, 2007 22:09:25 GMT @grazon said:

In today’s demanding studio environment, the right set of headphones can make or break your performance. You need high quality and superb frequency response to insure you get the best results from your recordings. The HPS5000 studio headphones were custom designed to meet and exceed the expectations of the most discerning audiophiles, bringing out pure listening performance by providing an ultra-wide frequency response, well defined bass and super-transparent highs. Their high-efficiency cobalt capsules, a single-sided cord with oxygen-free copper wires and optimized oval-shaped ear cups make the HPS5000 a truly studio-worthy set of headphones.

How can a £26 (€34) pair of cans be that good? Any other testiments to them?

[muso]

Sennheiser HD595 do the job for me, cost me £100+
but money well spent.