Well just because they sound the same to you doesn't mean they sound the same to everyone else. Some can hear better than others. And it depends on the type of music and what you are actually listening for or if you know what to even listen for. If the eq settings are set right or not. So many things can go into it... and perhaps that's why when you listen to some headphones that are cheap they "sound the same."
But goodness... I still consider it asinine when you have NEVER even listened to the headphones and yet want to compare them to some cheap ass 10 dollar headphones and think people want to wear them cause they are "cool and popular." Yeah I'm lookin at you Tappy. If you don't understand and haven't experienced them then shut up about it. I've tried the cheap 10 dollar headphones, the 20 dollar, 5 dollar, 50 dollar, and beats. Beats tops them all. Hands down.
That last sentence couldn't be any more true. I would only recommend ear buds if you're working out or doing things that require lots of head movement and tilting. But even the Sony brands aren't going to give you great sound. The
clarity might definitely be there, but no ear buds can handle heavy bass, it's just not possible. Most $100-$150 headphones can't either, which is why I will actually concede that you
are wasting your money if you don't go the whole distance and swing for the expensive Beats or a similar brand that requires power.
The only other headphones I used that were on Beats' level were these:
The CM Storm Siris sounded great and were actually $100 cheaper, but they require installation and plug-in's on your computer to work properly and also draw power from your computer through a USB cord. And there's a number of other reasons they're not practical for portable devices, even though you
could use them that way. As I said, they don't sound anything like they do on your computer without a USB connection and the plug-in's and they're just too freaking HUGE to take with you. Plus, you sort of look like a nerd with that microphone attached to it.
Turtle Beach is another awesome brand for PC headphones, but their best editions are just as expensive as Beats and they're equally unpractical for portable devices for the same reasons.
When did I ever say I've never listened to music through Beats? Most of my friends have them, so I have many times before. You said that people hear differently. I'm one of those people. I've had surgery on my ears multiple times. To me, Beats sound the same as any other headphones. Even if there was a difference, I would rather miss out on a little base, then miss out on 200 dollars.
Okay I'm seriously not trying to be rude or insult you whatsoever and I really want to make that clear up front, but if you're partially tone-deaf, why exactly are you criticizing them? I'm just saying because if I was color blind, I wouldn't be nit-picking the color palettes of renaissance paintings because obviously they would look much different to me than they do to most people. And I don't know what type of Beats headphones your friends have, but no headphones that don't require batteries or draw power from an external device through a separate cable can possibly compete with Studio Beats. It's just not possible. They need power for a reason and they're popular for a reason. I listen to mostly electronic music, do you really think I give a shit about Dr. Dre?
The one thing that hip hop and electronica have in common though is that they're both extremely low-end oriented. That's why you pay extra for Beats. It's not about how clear they sound, it's about
feeling the low end. The same reason your pay extra for a 500-watt subwoofer on your stereo as opposed to a bullshit Radio Shack 30-watt sub is the same reason you buy Beats over earbuds or cheap headphones. That might not sound like a big deal to you, but people that are really into those types of music keep coming back because they love the bass.
Especially electronic music because I can positively guarantee you it isn't for the lyrics (or lack thereof).
Though I will say, when I was mostly into rock and heavy metal as a teenager, I didn't really give a shit about things like this. Rock isn't very bass-driven and probably not a genre you would need Beats to appreciate more. But if it's Industrial music or a band that uses a lot of synthetic percussion (like Spineshank), then you would clearly notice the difference on Beats.
I used to have an entry level Sennheiser...HD 2xx something. I forgot. Now I'm just using a pair of Creative GW 2.0s, cannot go for one of those 300$ noisy PC speaker systems with subwoofer in an apartment, my neighbors are really annoying human beings when it comes to loud noises.
I am planning on picking up those Sony Pulse Wireless headset though, it's compatible with pretty much everything I would ever use and fits my needs perfectly.
I'm too cheap to buy it in a showroom though, Indian prices are ridiculously inflated, I have some *ahem* contacts who can get it for me at lower prices.
Sennheiser is good. I'm not a fan of the way they look and the ones I played with didn't fold up or stow away easily, but as far as the sound goes, they're pretty good headphones.
