A Great Entry Into High End Audio
Because headphones are typically an easy-to-power, near-field listening experience and effectively bypass all the acoustic interference from the room environment, headphones can deliver sound quality equal to speaker-based audio systems at 4-to-10 times the price. This makes headphone listening a great way to get someone permanently hooked on upscale audio and accurate sound quality.
Perhaps one of the best ways to get someone interested in high-end audio is to get them to listen to a pair of Grado SR60s. These open-earcup $69 headphones from Brooklyn-based Grado Labs perform on par with a good pair of $500-$750 speakers and, for your average John or Jane Doe listener, it’ll probably be the best sound they’ve ever heard through headphones. The foldable little Sennheiser PX100 is also a tremendous-sounding portable/active-use headphone featuring ultra lightweight ergonomics at an incredible $49 pricepoint. The PX100 delivers a huge sound quality upgrade versus the headphones or earphones that come with any mobile audio player device. In the 'sealed/closed' headphone design for ambient noise-blocking ability, the Sennheiser HD280Pro remains an industry standard bargain-priced under $100 and will compete effectively against other closed-earcup headphones at twice the cost. Another few more bucks up and the Denon AH-D1001 appears at $150, a superb entry-level audiophile headphone at a non-audiophile price.
Other great cans for turning new listeners on to high-end sound quality are the in-ear earphones Shure SE310, which are excellent ear canal headphones (ECHs) for use with portable player devices like iPods, Mp3s and laptop computers or the extremely clean-toned and precisely dynamic Etymotic ER-4p ear canal headphones. Back in the headphone camp, the conveniently 'earpad'-sized, USA-made Grado SR225s headphones have great synergy with modern & classic rock music and feature a sweet-singing tonal authority and ultra-efficient low-impedance operation.
Listeners interested in moving up the sound quality food chain will want to investigate one our entry-level (portable) headphone amps for use with any quality headphone over $100. Our HeadRoom Total AirHead Amp ($99) or the USB-enabled HeadRoom Total BitHead Amp/DAC ($149) will do full justice to most headphones on the market by bringing out all the clarity, sonic punch, and musical detail resolution possible from your mobile source.
For listeners willing to take the next giant step up: At around $999 give or take, you could buy a HeadRoom Micro Amp, HeadRoom Micro DAC, and a pair of Sennheiser HD595s or the excellent AKG K601, or even step up to the reference-grade AKG K701, and get a listening experience equal in accuracy and musicality to a $3,000-$5,000 home speaker/amplifier system-- perhaps even better since you don’t have pesky room acoustics meddling in the equation. A headphone system like this is bound to light up the eyes of someone who loves great music & great sound.
Finally, a hobby isn’t much of a hobby if you don’t have someone to share it with and here’s yet another groovy reason headphones are a great way to cultivate an interest in the higher-end stuff: www.Head-fi.org. This lively website forum is the most-trafficked audio site on the internet and center of the universe for headphone enthusiasts ...and we have an absolute blast! How in the world can you make a fun hobby out of headphones, one might legitimately ask?... Well, the fab people on Head-Fi.org regularly hold meets where folks bring their headphone equipment to each others' homes or rent out meeting spaces where they share headphones & listening experiences and banter opinions with each other. There is also a VERY engaging do-it-yourself (DIY) branch of headphone activists that offer electronics and/or headphone projects suitable for hobbyists of all skill levels. HeadFi is really good, clean fun plus a superb informational & educational resource for newcomers to the headphone world.
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Sennheiser PX 100Great sound, unbelievable ergonomics, fab price; Must-have upgrade for your portable player or iPhone. |
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$69.95 |
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Grado SR 60Perhaps lacking fashionista looks, these set the standard for superb sound amongst inexpensive headphones. |
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$69.00 |
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HeadRoom Total AirHeadYour head will be so happy when you put one between your portable player and a pair of high-quality headphones. |
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$99.00 |
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Sennheiser HD 280 ProHigh marks for this workhorse sealed headphone. Tremendous price-to-performance ratio. |
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$199.95 |
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HeadRoom Total BitHeadYou’ll be totally amazed how good your computer sounds! |
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$159.00 |
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Etymotic ER-4PLow-impedance version of ER-4S; Audiophile-grade sound directly out of any portable player. |
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$191.99 |
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Grado SR 225Great rocknroll headphones....Eye-blinking impact, punchy bass & well-controlled highs! |
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$200.00 |
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Shure SE310A solid step into performance ear-canal headphones, and a new world of music in your noggin. |
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$299.99 |
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Sennheiser HD 595Highly efficient audiophilic headphone with lively “front row” sonics; Great alternate to the HD600. |
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$299.95 |
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AKG K 601Very Solid Performer at the Price; Well-Balanced & Dynamic Offering a Lovely Rounded Tone. CALL FOR SALE PRICE! |
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$429.00 |
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HeadRoom Micro AmpA power-packed punch of audio pleasure that’s easy on your desktop space and on your wallet. |
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$399.00 |
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HeadRoom Micro DACPry better sound out of your computer or other digital sources with this sweet little digital can opener. |
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$399.00 |
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