Headphones are becoming increasingly important in today’s world. They offer much better sound quality than in-ear headphones, while allowing for portability. However, for those new to the headphones market, there are much better alternatives than going to your nearest Future Shop or Best Buy and buying a pair of standard Sony or Panasonic headphones. I’m not advocating going for the Ultrasone Limited Edition 8 or the Sennheiser HD800s.
I will be focusing on a good low-end headphone (Grado SR80i) and an exceptional midrange headphone (Sennheiser HD555).
Grado SR80i (MSRP 95 USD):
Grado Labs have been one of the best recognized brand for headphones, they are an American company based in New York. All headphones are produced and assembled in Brooklyn. They make headphones that have a very retro look to them, but their sound is amazing. The Grado SR80i is the entry level headphone for Grado Labs, however, they contain many of the elements from their mid and high end series (SR 325i). Grado also produces the SR60, however, it comes with extremely cheap cabling and much more uncomfortable ear cushions.
The SR80i has exceptional mid and high range; it sounds extremely clear and vibrant. These are great for listening to music at home in a quiet environment. They are open ear circumaurals, which mean that you will hear a tiny version of any sound in your environment, and anyone sitting next to you will hear a small version of any song you are playing.
For those who are interested in technical specifications : http://www.gradolabs.com/product_pages/sr80.htm
Sennheiser HD555 (MSRP 199.95USD):
For those who want to move up a little to get more realistic sound and comfort, the Sennheiser HD555s are amazing! They offer amazing specs for their cost and you get the backing of the best (arguably) headphone company in the world. They are a little more expensive, but for those seeking to break into the world of audiophilia they are more than enough.
Often, the HD555s are also used for gaming, as they offer great bass and midrange, which intensifies any explosions or shots – making gaming more realistic. For those who play Starcraft II, many pros teams also use the HD 555s (Team Liquid anyone? :P).
For more details and tech specs: http://www.sennheiser.ca/live/senn/produit/en/104/160