Pro Headphones Under $100 | Sam Ash Shootout

Sennheiser HD280: goo.gl/MIvaFJ
Shure SRH440: goo.gl/qjs2eh
AKG K240: goo.gl/NQWQkp
Samson SR950: goo.gl/YTJIS2
Today we’re looking at four of samash.com’s best-selling pro headphones under $100 - the Senneheiser HD280, Shure SRH440, AKG K240, and Samson SR950s. Each of these headphones offer the superior audio quality needed for either home or studio recording, and are sonically superior to consumer headphones costing 3 or 4 times as much.
Considering the price point, and the superior sonic quality of each, any one of these headphones would be a solid choice. We invite you to compare these, and our expansive selection of professional headphone models at samash.com

[@cyrillechidiac6368]

I got the same Shure model a few years back and the junction of the headband and the left ear cup broke in the first year of usage. I then bought the Sennheiser HD 280 and 7 years later it's still working as well. It's all plastic but it's honestly much more sturdy than the Shure's (and I brought the HD280 with me on backpacking, hitchhiking and mountain hiking trip), they are almost lifeproof. And sound-wise, I'd say the Shure is more detailled, but as for low frequencies, you don't feel them at all, it simply drops dramatically. Vocals are very rich, you definitely hear the bass and the drum, but you don't feel them one bit. I'd say that if the headphones are to be dedicated to vocal recording, monitor and editing, go for Shure as I feel they will give you the best results in vocals, acapella. They are very malleable (with many hinges), but they are not as solid as they seem, so handle them with care. But if you need something more versatile, that will survive through the challenges of exterior life and still do a good job for working, then go for the Sennheiser's. In 7 years of rough treatment, I only had to replace one of the earpads and the headband, the sound is enjoyable for a vast array of music. As for AKG, just received mine by mail earlier this week, and I was truly impressed. I'd say it's somewhere between Shure's clarity, and Sennheiser's enjoyability and versatility. But right away you can tell that these are really not designed for anything else than studio work or home entertainment. Being open, you hear everything going around you, and anyone in the room can tell which song you are listening to (so no-go for voalist in front of the mic). Plus the long cable is not coiled, which has its pros, but definitely is not suitable as a portable solution. I can't say much for durability since I just got them, but the AKG K240 has been around since the 80s, and since they are not meant to leave the house or the studio, they should suffer minimal wear. As for Samson, I can' tell since I never tried them.

[@adrianinnavan3910]

I just needed 90 seconds to realise that this video is like reading the stuff of the side of the box. No review, no opinion, NO GOOD.

[@tboylen1]

"Considering the price point, and the superior sonic quality of each, any one of these headphones would be a solid choice" - well that's pretty useless. People watch these things to help them decide, and you just say that they're all great.

[@BluartStack]

They had one job

[@mussunmussun3536]

They are the best choices under 100$ or €. What is so weird about it? Many options that are all the best choices

[@oracleofottawa]

The Shure,s blow the Sennheisers out of the water!! Which totally shocked me. The Shure's are just freaking awesome....

[@CT37BN]

K240 price has even gone down which is a huge plus with the AKG's. Really great sounding mids and highs are the K240's advantage and with just the right amount of low end. They also have a more expensive looking white color K240 but is renamed as ( M220 ) - if someone here can verify what's the difference in audio quality between the 2. Superlux HD668B I think is missing in that lists'.

[@jeremymardis5590]

do not forget , takstar Hi 2050 , lyxpro has 10 , and cad sessions mh510

[@BestOfGermany67]

It's always that way but with a reason. Everyone has a different sense for headphones, you can't say "these are great, these aren't". So it also is pretty dumb to rely on someone elses decision. You should try some headphones out and keep the one you like most, that's the key.

[@lifeonbicycles]

the k240 were down to 44 dollars last week, and I snagged a pair. Excellent, if not one of the best headphones for the price.

[@jeremymardis5590]

44 dollars , that is the cheapest price i seen them at . At what store , the cheapest i seen them was at black Friday for 49.99 dollars I bought three pairs , they are amazing and the best you can find at that price , i also own other akg headphones , 4 pairs of akg k44s , and akg 52 , they are good to but not good as the 240k studio , it is more brighter cleaner crisper .

[@lifeonbicycles]

Jeremy Mardis Bought them on amazon...it was a 3rd party seller but fulfilled by amazon. I couldn't believe it when I saw it that cheap, and bought it out of impulse. It shot back up to 46, 48, then to 56 dollars within an hour

[@culturedsquid8442]

Since this is a useless video let me help . All these are damn good studio headphones The AKG's are very comfortable but you need a very good preamp because they have a very high impedance . Sound quality is great though The Shure's have a normal impedance for studio headphones . A good preamp can drive these well . The sound quality is amazing but these are pretty uncomfortable The Samson's I don't know shit about because these aren't available in my country . But they are insanely big . I know that The Sennheiser have great sound quality but many say that the Shure's have better quality . They are comfortable and they need a good preamp cause the impedance is very high If you value quality the most go with the Shure If you value comfort the most go with the AKG If you want something around the middle go with the Sennheiser Also when it comes to headphones no brand is bigger than Sennheiser . But keep in mind that this type of headphones require some amplifying . You need a good headphone preamp to get the 100% out of them

[@StevenHGrey]

Have the Srh440. Can confirm what you say about them is true. They sound amazing but after a couple of hours the headband starts hurting your head

[@ursaproxima]

K240's are over, not on the ear

[@mukulsingh441]

Which one is better for flat response of Audio techniqa 20x or Samson sr850?

[@j.asalazar9534]

I have the same question haha

[@francisb8346]

Samson 850. Samson SR 950 is little more better than samsin SR 850. Audio technica M20, 30, 40, 50, are good for casual listening. Can do a descent Mix. But deffenetly they will not give a good experience.

[@dileepswaero5264]

Do you have both 850 & 950 Which has better technical performance like stage, separation, imagining

[@CanalDojogames]

Im between two good for médium quality: mdr xb550ap or AKG k92. What do You think? Which one Will be more near to professsional and clean quality?

[@aiden359]

What about the Sennheiser 598c?

[@noahvi]

What would be the best headphones for using Amplitube to practice and record? I play hard rock and heavy metal like Metallica, Van Halen, Megadeth, Guns 'N' Roses (and Slash's solo stuff) etc.

[@jekken333]

Audio technica ath m40x... runner up sony mdr 7506

[@marike1100]

Agree about the M40x, they sound great. So good, I'd take the M40x over any other these four headphones. Second choice would be the Shure SRH440 or Sony MDR-7506.

[@francisb8346]

No M40 are coloured. You cant judge, make music with them. Always you got a painty things.....

[@francisb8346]

Go with Sony Mdr 7506. They are TRUE FLAT.

[@CrisGarcia6]

What about Sennheiser is 380 pro? I like AKG headphones as well.

[@francisenaje]

Sr850 vs Sr950? Which is better sounding?

[@djsoulfilter]

SR950 has much better bass then the SR850. The SR850 would be good for gaming since their open back design would have a larger soundstage.

[@rudegardt5735]

do the k240 really have a solid bass range? reference-audio-analyzer.pro/en/report/hp/akg-k-240-studio.php seems to roll off a lot! im very worried about that...

[@dropb6428]

Not a shootout. No comparisons at all. Just features of each. Doesn't help decision making for buying purposes

[@TheStOne1]

Samson, AKG K240 or Takstar Pro80???

[@j.asalazar9534]

What did you choose?

[@terquoisebass104]

ok im goon make some good looking and performing headphones that you can tune the eq on with 3 diferent knobs on the side 1 is bass 2 mids 3 is highs. and including 2 cables a 4 ft braded cable and a coiled cable. also including a quarter inch adapter a re enforced stainless steel headband. colors including red with black or brushed steel or black accent or blue with brushed steel or black accent. meant to be flashy good soundin all in one package what do you think people of the internet of my idea i will not show the design i have in mind either.

[@dh66]

I heard Ironmans' helmet has some sweet cans built in

[@willivers4249]

You're going to make a headphone you won't share the design of?

[@MusicJBoficial]

hello I dont have a acoustic room to mix, but i want to buy a headphones which one i could buy open or closed in that case, thank you good tut.

[@thomas_fodor]

Beyer DT770 for isolation DT990 for mixing & mastering. If you can't get great results on this combo you might as well give up because you're deaf.

[@SerdinCelik]

Samson 850 has best performance and price

[@smartypants4571]

Cheap build quality , though ! 😂🤕👎

[@SosianesiaChannel]

Those were not under $100 in Indonesia. Sadly.

[@cg9952]

that told me zero