8 Best 'Cheap' Headphones

Usually the reason that a set of cans become so cheap is because they use inferior parts to manufacture them. In the case of the HD202 II's, however, the reason they are so inexpensive is because they've been around for almost ten years. Newer models meant to replace the HD202s have come and gone, but these resilient cans have managed to stay popular and in demand.They offer crisp, clear music in the mids and highs, faithfully reproducing acoustic rock and classical music with great detail. They also have deep, rich bass that doesn't overwhelm the other frequencies. The HD202s' detachable earcups make them the first choice of DJ's everywhere. In short, they are a resilient, fun set of cans that deliver $150 sound quality for (usually) under $25.

The ATH-M30x's are another pair of Professional Cans that can operate in almost any environment. Where the ATH-M30x headphones differ is in the large circumaural pads that provide superior noise isolation and terrific surround sound. The adjustable cushioned headband is extremely comfortable...it felt like a Lazy-Boy on my head. The closed-back design isn't ideal for classical music or live acoustic recordings, but what it does offer is a chance to truly tune out the world. These are my favorite for movie-watching because they offer crisp detail, a bassy punch and an overall warm sound.

They also come with a very long and rugged cord that's resistant to wear and tear.

The Takeaway:

You won't believe that you got these for under $200. They're ideal for project studio engineers, music producers, and quite simply anyone (like me) who enjoys rich, bassy surround sound when watching movies or playing video games. I can't recommend the ATH-M30s enough.

MEElectronics' new earphones don't stand out in any particular way: their highs, mids and even bass is servicable, but doesn't jump out at you. Where these earbuds excel, however, is in the FUN. They have a way of capturing the energy of music and making you really feel it. I'm not a dancer, I'm a white Irishmen and my dancing skills are zilch-to-none, but I found myself dancing to the music.

They also come with a very durable cord and carrying case. The stainless steel construction is stylish and fits comfortably in the ear.

Of all the items on this list, the Koss Porta Pros have the BEST sound quality. Koss makes great sounding headphones and these are no exception. Clear and crisp sound that rivals any other pair costing under $200. What holds them back is their retro design.

PortaPros have not changed their design since the 1980s and the result is that the metal band has a tendency to catch my hair. It's an unpleasant experience that brings back memories of listening to music in..well...the 1980s. Why do they hold onto this design? I don't know...

The Takeaway:

Some people love the PortaPros and have no problem with the design (my friends loves them, but he's bald...so....), and if you want absolutely amazing sounding music you can't go wrong with the Porta Pro's. They are on-ear style, so they don't offer any noise-isolation.Update:

The Porta Pro's listed here are $79.99, but there are the less expensive $35 Koss Porta Pros available on Amazon right now. The pictures for that model wouldn't work on Squidoo, however, and so I switched it to the more expensive pair. Click through and Amazon will 'suggest' the cheaper models for you.

If you ever seek advice from audiophiles (experts in sound), the model that come up most often is the ATH-M50x. They are the best sounding set of cans you can get for under $200, and are usually seen as the 'starting point' for beginner audiophiles (an expensive habit to start, I warn you). Like all Audio Technica products, they have a sturdy build, and are very comfortable to wear. The ear-cups have lots of padding so you can wear them for hours in total comfort. Sound wise it's very detailed, offering a good amount of bass and overall balance that make them ideal for producers. They also built to work with both portable devices, like the iPhone, iPod, etc. as well as professional home audio systems (it comes with a 1/4" adapter). These are by far the best in this price range.

There are reviews on Amazon from people who have owned the MDR-V6 for over 20 years and are still using them! Many music producers swear by the Sony MDR Monitor Series for music production. They are built with heat conduction in mind, so using them intensely won't degrade them over time. They have large circum-aural ear-cups with soft pads so you can work or watch movies in complete comfort. These, along the ATH-M50's, are the best you can get for under $200 during a normal day. Now, they're both steals!

If you want precision and detail to show up in your music then you'd be hard pressed to find better headphones than these. The ATH-M40X are designed for record producers and sound mixers in mind. The earcups swivel for easy one-ear listening. It's great for watching movies, as they pick up on the small, subtle details that immerse you in environments.

Sometimes a price point can overwhelm any shortcomings a pair of headphones can have. Let's start with the good: the headphones are very comfortable and form a nice seal around your ears, which will block out almost all noise even if you don't have any music playing. The sound is balanced, with no particular area overwhelming the others (as is the case with overly bassy headphones). These headphones are ideal for watching movies or playing video games, especially if you live in an apartment where you want to really crank up the sound without getting complaints from neighbours.

And now the bad: these aren't resilient headphones, and will likely break if you carry them back and forth in your backpack. I didn't have any problems when I tried them out for a few days, but several Amazon customer reviews mention this. I suspect this may be the reason Koss calls these "Home Headphones". They work great as long as you keep them at home next to your computer or TV.

At $13.88 (the price as of publication), you really can't go wrong with these headphones if you want to watch movies or play video games at home. If you want something to carry around with you daily, you'd be better off going with the ATH-M30s above, which have slightly better sound quality and a much better build quality.

The Monoprice 8320's have developed quite a following just recently. Lifehacker recently called them the 'best earbuds you'll find under $10". I tried them out and found them to be pretty awesome. They have exceptional bass, clear mids and highs and overall great clarity. They held their own against my Klipsch Image S4 Earphones , with the Klipsch winning out slightly because of comfort. The 8320's fit upside down in your ear, which can take some getting used to (the video below shows you how). Overall it's the definition of the 'best cheap headphones'. This earphones are quite a find.