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Headphones Reviews

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In this review:
  1. Cheap Headphones, Discount Heaphones Review
  2. Headphones Reviews
  3. Discount Headphones Features Comparison Table
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Headphones Performance

Although bargain headphones probably won't last as long as high-cost models -- because of the way they're built -- headphones reviews reveal that there are plenty of headphones that can give you several years or more of good listening if you treat them properly. According to headphones reviews, certain styles seem to last a bit longer than others, but our recommended models should give you value for the dollar.

Headphones Sound Quality.

There's no getting around it: what makes a great set of headphones is the quality of the sound. Features like noise cancelling or isolating are certainly appealing, but if a pair of cans doesn't sound good without either, they're not worth buying in the first place. You certainly don't want cheap headphones that lend a tinny or metallic feel to the music; rather, the depth of sound should be full and at times, boomy. Headphones are the easiest way to momentarily escape from your surroundings, so sound quality is everything.

The Koss PortaPro Headphones are lauded by experts and users in headphones reviews. An expert at Goodcans.com mentions in a headphones review that he's been happily using Koss headphones since the 1980's. A user posting a headphones review on Digital Trends who has had a pair for several years reports the volume levels surpass expectations.

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The Sennheiser eH 150 delivers good sound and also provides a bit of noise isolation. Compared to higher-end models, the Sennheiser eH 150 has great bass response and is an excellent value, according to an expert headphones review on DarkVision Hardware. Users also appreciate the separation from outside noise that the eH 150's provide, says a user headphones review on Amazon.

The V-MODA Bass Freq ear buds win praise for their low-end response. But that huge bass presence, CNET experts note in a headphones review, doesn't take anything away from the highs and mid-ranges. One user review on JR.com is less enthusiastic about the heavy bass, but commends the solid sound quality and says the V-MODA Bass Freq ear buds are a big improvement over MP3-player varieties.

Praise is somewhat muted for the Sennheiser HD 201, although experts and consumers agree it's a steal for the price. An expert headphones review at DarkVision Hardware says this model has decent bass response and outperforms most models in its price range, although it falls short of the quality standards set by higher-end headphones. Posting a headphones review on Newegg, one user calls the sound-to-price ratio "extraordinary" and others heartily agree, with one commenting positively on the good noise isolation.

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Conversely, there are a lot of inexpensive headphones with lackluster sound quality. Skullcandy's ear buds come in many colors and styles, but a headphones review on Best Buy says the bass is muddy and the overall sound is nothing to brag about. Other users have a more positive take on these cheap headphones, with only a minority posting negative comments about audio quality on Buzzillions. The Sony MDR-A35G headphones impress users less for the quality of their sound -- although many say for the price it's hard to beat -- than for their functionality during workouts, according to headphones reviews on Best Buy.

Headphones Reliability.

Durability is a critical issue when it comes to cheaper headphones, mostly because of the corners manufacturers cut to keep them inexpensive. Most often these models are built with less costly materials, like thin metal and plastic. Some users dump on the Sony MDR-A35G in headphones reviews on sites like PriceGrabber and Sonystyle.com, noting the ease and frequency with which the hinges (ironically, a key selling point because of their compact folding and portability) snap and come apart. One Sony MDR-A35G user comments on the Sonystyle site that the hinges on three sets have broken and another suggests fixing them with duct tape, which means they won't fold anymore but they'll at least be functional. The Skullcandy ear buds get dinged in a headphones review on CNET, which says the supplied ear sleeves are not sized properly and don't fit well. Issues with the cable plague the Maximo iM-590. Consumers complain that the braided cable cover picks up noise when it rubs against clothing. Although the company tries to minimize the problem by providing a shirt clip, an expert headphones review on Techpowerup says this doesn't really solve the problem.

On the flip side, some cheap headphones are relatively durable. The Koss PortaPros are mostly metal, and a headphones review in CNET applauds Koss for believing in their product's durability to such an extent that it offers customers a lifetime warranty -- a real anomaly in this industry. After 20 months of use, which is pretty decent considering the price, writes a V-Moda user in a headphones review on the B&H site, the connection between the cable and input jack finally gave out. And an expert headphones review on DarkVision Hardware reports the Sennheiser HD 201's to be resilient and well-made, and overall a good deal.

Our final word: Budget headphones are a mixed bag of poorly constructed products and a few gems. It seems that manufacturers can get away with making shoddy headphones because consumers keep buying them. But if you know what makes a good set of headphones, and can ignore catchy buzzwords, you can find a solid pair of cheap headphones that give value for the money.

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Best Cheap Headphones

Koss PortaPro
Gold Medal

Koss PortaPro

 The PortaPro headphones from Koss feature a collapsible design for portability, thorough bass response, and 1/8" and 1/4" adaptors for home stereo use. Users and experts rave about the PortaPro's sound quality, ear pad comfort, and overall durability. Koss provides users with a lifetime warranty, a rarity in the budget headphones category. Read more »
Headphones Deals
V-MODA Bass Freq Earbuds
Gold Medal

V-MODA Bass Freq Earbuds

V-MODA's bass frequency ear buds use a technology called BLISS (Bass-Level-Isolating Soft Silicon) to eliminate outside noise when listening to music. Three different-sized bud tips are included, and users and experts note the silicon affords a decent level of comfort. Experts agree, however, that these buds can be a bit too bass-heavy at times. Read more »
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Good Discount Headphones

Sennheiser eH 150
Gold Medal

Sennheiser eH 150

 Featuring a very long 10-foot cable, the Sennheiser eH 150's are made for movement. The noise-dampening feature does a decent job of removing extraneous noise from the background. Some users note that their ears aren't always a perfect fit with the ear pad eH150's, and some experts quibble about the build quality. In general, though, users and experts rave about the sound quality and overall value. Read more »
Headphones Deals
Sennheiser HD 201
Gold Medal

Sennheiser HD 201

 Sennheiser's HD 201 headphones get high marks from users and experts for their lightweight, comfortable design, which allows listeners to wear them for hours without irritation. While the sound isolation isn't quite what some users might prefer, for budget headphones it's acceptable. Users report these ear pad headphones aren't made for high volume levels, which sometimes causes distortion in the sound. Read more »
Headphones Deals
Maximo iM-590
Gold Medal

Maximo iM-590

 The Maximo iM-590 has a very stable bass response, although some experts think it's a bit too much and muddies up the sound. Several users gripe about durability, but in general consumers praise the sound quality. Experts and users agree that these ear bud headphones are quite comfortable; the four sizes of bud tips supplied certainly helps. Read more »
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Don't Bother Cheap Headphones

Sony MDR-A35G

The water-resistant Sony MDR-A35Gis built for portability and physical activity, not comfort. It folds up easily, using three hinges, to fit into bags and other small receptacles, but many users report the hinges are brittle and frequently break. The Sony MDR-A35Gheadphones are a cross between ear buds and an open-ear design that lets air pass through, which lets your ear breathe while working out, but some users say the headphones fall out of their ears. Read more »

Skullcandy Smokin' Buds

Skullcandy's ear buds come in a variety of colors and styles, but a majority of users and experts agree that there are better budget headphones on the market. Users report that the buds don't stay in their ears during any type of movement, and many experts say the sound quality is below par. While the cloth cable is a bit stronger than the traditional plastic, these ear buds are not an ideal buy for consumers looking for value. Read more »

 
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