Headphones for home theater use: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Jan. 6, 2012 9:53 a.m. Scott Lear Production Editor

I'm the night owl in the house, and with a 7-month old sleeping down the hall there's not much opportunity for substantial volumes after about 9pm. I've got a solid Pioneer receiver, anyone have good recommendations for affordable (say under $200, under $100 would be even better) full-sized cans that rock for home theater use? Wired or wireless, but the wire would have to be at least 12 feet long I think to work comfortably, maybe more like 15.

Anyone have thoughts, recommendations, experiences? NewEgg has a pretty good deal on some Sennheiser HD448s right now ($50), but they seem geared a bit more towards iPod use than a full receiver. Might just be the sales pitch tho.
Jan. 6, 2012 9:56 a.m. BoxheadTim SuperDork

Do they have to be closed back? I recently got myself some Grado SR-60is for office use and they do sound rather good even when driven by an iPhone without a separate amp. You'd need an extension cable, though. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another set.
Jan. 6, 2012 9:56 a.m. BoxheadTim SuperDork

Warm link: http://www.amazon.com/Grado-Prestige-SR-60i-Padded-Headphones/dp/B0006DPMU4/ref=sr...
Jan. 6, 2012 11:12 a.m. donalson SuperDork

i've used my turtle beach x31 wireless headphones for a few movies now... they are a gaming headset that completely changed Call of Duty for me... but they are pretty nice for watching movies... few different EQ settings are nice.

I know they have a set they claim to be 7.1 surround sound... would love to try them out.

but if you are just looking for movies i'm sure there is better stuff for the money...
Jan. 7, 2012 12:44 p.m. mistanfo SuperDork

I have a few sets that you can try, can bring them to Daytona. You would need an extension through. Was never terribly impressed with the sound quality of the 5/7.1 sets, and the effect wasn't terribly good either.
Jan. 7, 2012 1:53 p.m. paul Reader

Definitely check out Sony MDR-V6, I love mine...

Look through the reviews on B&H and also on Amazon.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/358337-REG/Sony_MDRV6_MDR_V6_Closed_Back.html
Jan. 8, 2012 10:10 p.m. Racer1ab Reader

donalson wrote:

i've used my turtle beach x31 wireless headphones for a few movies now... they are a gaming headset that completely changed Call of Duty for me... but they are pretty nice for watching movies... few different EQ settings are nice.

I know they have a set they claim to be 7.1 surround sound... would love to try them out.

but if you are just looking for movies i'm sure there is better stuff for the money...

Another recommendation here for buying gaming headphones and using them for movies.

I have the cheaper X12 turtle beach headphones and if you aren't an audiophile, they're pretty good.

I think the cord on mine is 16 feet, which is nice because I never have to charge them. The boom mike just rotates out of the way for movie watching, or playing Forza solo. There are no more SWMBO noise restrictions on racing at certain hours, so I'd highly recommend them.
Jan. 8, 2012 10:21 p.m. MitchellC SuperDork

BoxheadTim wrote:

Do they have to be closed back? I recently got myself some Grado SR-60is for office use and they do sound rather good even when driven by an iPhone without a separate amp. You'd need an extension cable, though. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another set.

I had a pair of Grado SR-60s (the i's predecessor) and I literally wore them out. The pads were down to nothing, and the cables were coming out of the earphone. Keep in mind that my pair lived in a backpack for most of its life. I definitely would not recommend them for silent listening areas... or at least, areas where people around you need silence. However, they had great sound, and I will probably buy another pair at some point.

This is where I bought mine back in the day.
Jan. 8, 2012 10:43 p.m. T.J. SuperDork

I use Sennheiser HDR120's. They are wireless. I like them.
Jan. 8, 2012 11:22 p.m. fast_eddie_72 SuperDork

Personally, I think these are mighty hard to beat. They recently lowered the price which makes them the deal of the century in my opinion.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?client=opera&rls=en&q=Sony+MDR+V6&a...

Well within your price range but very, very hard to beat.
Jan. 9, 2012 9:32 a.m. donalson SuperDork

Racer1ab wrote:

There are no more SWMBO noise restrictions on racing at certain hours, so I'd highly recommend them.

yup I think thats the best thing about em... I can shoot people to the wee hrs of the morning and the noise doesn't bug people lol...