Whats the best Headphones for my son who just joined the Marines?

June 23, 2013 4:32 PM

My son is in Camp Pendleton in Boot Camp right now for the Marines. I'm thinking I want to buy him some awesome high quality over the ear headphones that sound great and can take a beating(because they will). A warranty would be great. What are some good sounding Marine proof Headphones. These will take lots of Abuse. He's not too picky, but I want something that will last him the next 4 years, and he can use for his music, videos, and Skypeing back home. I'm looking to spend under $200.00, that is my budget..(He graduates Sept 6th, so any advice would be awesome)
posted by highgene to Technology (20 answers total)

By "over ear" do you mean earmuff-types, or athletic types with the hook over the back of the ear? Regardless, check out the reviews on HeadRoom. They have headphones for every price point, well-reviewed. Sennheisers are always good, and affordable. Actually, you can find an excellent pair of headphones for him for under $100. The next price point that seems to really kick things up a notch is in the $250-$300 range.
posted by Miss T.Horn at 5:21 PM on June 23, 2013

Beyerdynamic DT-770's are fairly indestructable, the fabric portion can be removed and washed, they are dis-assemble-able, repairable, etc.
posted by smcameron at 5:37 PM on June 23, 2013

Response by poster: Yes I mean over the ear, ear muff type, comfy though...(Like beats like Dre)
Tough enough to be packed in bags. Maybe easily replaceable cords that tend to break. Headphones are the life line for our armed forces. They keep them in touch with everything they love. They use them to listen to their music, talk to loved ones, listen to video. I can't think of a more important gift to those that serve in the armed forces, than a great set of durable headphones. Thanks for the advice so far.. You guys rock..
posted by highgene at 5:57 PM on June 23, 2013

Sorry to break this to you. But he won't be listening to anything but his drill sergeant for the next four months. They take all that personal stuff away from you the first hour you are there,you put it in a box and mail it home.

They want no distractions or reminders of home or the outside world.

He will be thoroughly indoctrinated next time you see him.

I am speaking from experience.

G
posted by gnossos at 6:01 PM on June 23, 2013 [2 favorites]

gnossos, this is for after boot camp, if I read the question correctly.

My concern would be that it may depend on where he's deployed and what his specialty is. If he's boots on the ground somewhere it may be better to think in disposable/replaceable terms.
posted by dhartung at 6:14 PM on June 23, 2013 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks gnossos, yes this is for when he's out of Boot camp. He requested Metal Working for his MSO(his military job).. Yes something thats tough, and sounds great. Maybe a company that puts their headphones under warranty for like broken wires, and cord. From my experience the cords always get fucked up.. But the headphones still work....(I'm shocked no headphone company has come up with a Marine/Army/Military guaranteed tough headset. That would be a great selling point.
posted by highgene at 6:33 PM on June 23, 2013

Response by poster: I mean I would buy a pair of headphones that have a ten year guarantee no prob. Audiophiles tend to be honest people. Beats by Dre cost more than that(and from what I've read, they are not the best, or even close)
posted by highgene at 6:34 PM on June 23, 2013

Sennheiser has a no-questions-asked lifetime replacement warranty, last time I checked, and their prices can be fantastic. My HD202's cost maybe $30 and my audiophile buddies have been really impressed by them. (I don't know enough to say anything other than they sound great to me!)
posted by InsanePenguin at 6:41 PM on June 23, 2013

Okay, just checked and their warranty is only 2 years.

But I still heartily recommend them.
posted by InsanePenguin at 6:42 PM on June 23, 2013

Koss definitely has a lifetime warranty, so you can consider them. The Koss Porta Pro headphones have good quality and are relatively cheap. It is also foldable and explicitly designed for rough use. The only requirement of yours that it doesn't fulfill is that it be an over-ear headphone - the Porta Pros are on-ear.

Otherwise, if you really wanted a pair of over-ear headphones, maybe something else from the Koss range? I've only tried the Koss Porta Pros and another of their cheapo earphones, so I'm not comfortable recommending anything else that I haven't tested.
posted by titantoppler at 6:49 PM on June 23, 2013

Shure have replaceable cables and a 2 year warranty. Customer service is excellent.
posted by arcticseal at 7:06 PM on June 23, 2013

The Wirecutter likes the Sony MDR-7506. I have the very similar MDR-V6 and would recommend them too.
posted by cazoo at 7:12 PM on June 23, 2013

Response by poster: Thanks for the advice guys. I'll look up all of these. You guys rock!
posted by highgene at 7:18 PM on June 23, 2013

What gnossos said.
Plus the chances of those headphones getting ripped off by trainees (or staff!) is rather high.

Don't send him anything (except letters- lost of them!) until he completes his on the job training and settles in at his permenant barracks.
posted by Podkayne of Pasadena at 7:56 PM on June 23, 2013

Sony MDR-V6 or MDR-7506. I beat the hell out of mine and so do all the professional audio people in my world. They are quite durable, sound amazing, and fold up into a smaller package than some of the other headphones mentioned here. For your budget you could get him two pairs- then you won't even need the warranty.
posted by fake at 9:13 PM on June 23, 2013 [2 favorites]

I second the recommendation of Sony studio headphones. They are very tough. They also fold up compactly for travel. Since they are the de-facto professional headphones in most of the world, it will be easy to find replacement parts or replacement headphones if they break.
posted by twblalock at 11:16 PM on June 23, 2013

The Sony MDRs are a great headphone.

I myself am pretty evangelistic about the Sennheiser HD280s. Fantastic sound quality and the durability absolutely cannot be beat. $100. I beat the shit out of mine and they hold up great.

Most pro audio type people I know will recommend the Sony's, the Senn's, or ATH M50s. Can't really go wrong with any of the three.
posted by Lutoslawski at 11:21 PM on June 23, 2013 [1 favorite]

I'll toss in another vote for the sennheiser HD-280, or basically any other sennheiser model. I used my first set(hd-212s) through all of highschool and part of college.

The cables are replaceable and cheap, and so are any of the other parts. A+
posted by emptythought at 12:00 AM on June 24, 2013

Buy cheap and keep replacing. His stuff won't get looked after and it will have the tough life you forecast. Plus, who wants to be the guy who has $200 headphones just as he joins the marines? The golden rule is to try and do nothing that separates you from the pack at that stage of your career.

I'd go with some cheapo Sennheisers, who tend to do the best job of making sub $100 headphones from the reviews I read.
posted by MuffinMan at 7:49 AM on June 24, 2013

I've been real happy with the Ars Technica ATH M50. They were a gift with durability as one of the main requirements (i'm really hard on portable electronics). The only downside for me is that they don't come with a hard case. You may want to get that aftermarket. You'll still be under 200$.
posted by el io at 11:17 AM on June 24, 2013