We know what you’re thinking: A pair of high-quality headphones with an on-ear design that can be had for under $100? Surely not! And five of them? That’s just plain ridiculous! But whether you’re willing to believe it or not, such cans do exist, and in fact in quite an abundance. Sure, you could spend hundreds on a brand-name, high-dollar set of on-ear headphones, but why do that when you could spend much less, and still receive a superior sound performance to those included in-ears that came with your latest MP3 player? The simple answer—there’s no reason at all to do so. With that in mind, continue on below beyond the break to peep our Top 5 On-Ear Headphones that can be yours for less than one hundred bucks.
Why On-Ears?
Firstly, though, why should you even want a pair of on-ears? What’s wrong with the in-ear buds that came with your iPhone, especially as they’ve been doing you well for the last few months? Essentially, the reason to upgrade is the tighter seal. The seal between the headphones and your ear has to be absolutely tight, otherwise some of the sound waves are being lost into the air, vibrating away into nothingness while you miss out on some truly superior bass, mids, and highs. By nature, an on-ear set of headphones provides a better seal, as they rest . . . well, on your ear, rather than hovering somewhere in the outer ear. Additionally, just because they’re larger than your typical set of buds does not mean they’re even that heavier. Most are usually quite light, especially the pairs we’ve mentioned below. With that in mind, all of the models we’ve selected have been chosen because of their unparalleled performance, price, and design—that includes weight, if you’re at all concerned.
And now that the science has been taken care of, let’s dive right into the meat and potatoes of the matter!
Koss PortaPros
We covered these beauties a while back, and beyond a doubt, they’re one of our favorite on-ear models that can be had for less than a bill. They’re lightweight, feature a unique, 80s inspired design, and thanks to a nifty folding mechanic, can even be scrunched together to provide an ever easier commute. We’re fans of the design, but more importantly, we’re even bigger fans of the price tag: A set of PortaPro headphones will only cost you about $40 on today’s market. That’s an incredible bargain, especially considering the sound performance.
What sound performance? you might be asking. One of the perks of owning a pair of PortaPros is their unparalleled 3D sound performance. These puppies produce a wide range of tones with deadly accuracy, and considering movies are even crisper, thanks to the 3D performance, they’re truly a wicked combo.
Grado SR80 Headphones:
Grado SR80
Our next set is somewhat notable within the audiophile community. These heftier cans come with a more impressive driver set (that’s the actual vibrating part of the headphone, the part that produces noise) making them an ideal candidate for those that need incredibly deep lows, taut highs, and excellent mids. Granted, the design is somewhat outdated, as the headphones haven’t changed much. Likewise, they’ve got an open backing that lends itself more to a wider sound than a tighter one, but all in all, the quality simply cannot be beat. The headphones aren’t the most comfortable we’ve ever seen, but if you’re willing to overlook a few aesthetic grumbles—and the top of the budget $99 price tag—they’re a fantastic bargain for the price.
- Sennheiser PX100-IIi Headphones:
Sennheiser PX 100-IIi
We really wish Sennheiser would start naming their headphones something, rather than continuously dumping on us with complex model numbers. That being said, the next pair of ‘phones in our line-up is a solid entry, offering incredibly lightweight design and reinforced hinges for maximum durability. The PX100-IIi is a great pair of cans for the heavy commuter or student, as their lightness makes them ideal for carrying about campus. Likewise, the bad boys offer some serious punch for a pair of headphones that look a bit weak. The bass is deep, and the highs are crisp. We had some problems with the mid-bass overtaking the rest of the soundscape, but overall, it’s hard to beat the $58 price tag, especially for the Sennheiser name.
- MEElectronics HT-21 Headphones:
MEElectronics HT-21
MEElectronics isn’t a brand we typically cover—bad night at a bar, now we don’t talk—but we do feel the HT-21s are an excellent contender in the lineup. If you’re looking for a pair of headphones that nearly perfectly straddle the fence between durability, lightness, balanced sound, and comfort, there’s really no better match. The HT-21s are blissful on the head, better on the ears, and all around a solid entry into the market. The sound quality is decent, as well, and though it may not knock your socks off, we aren’t going to argue, considering the $20 price tag. However, we do wish they came with slightly better noise isolation. Ever though there’s a closed back, you’re still going to experience a load of ambient bleed in your mix. Again, though, for three times less the price of a high-dollar pair of on-ears, we won’t complain.
Marshall Major Headphones:
Marshall Major
Last, but not least, may we introduce the Marshall Major headphones. It’s pricier at $99, but comes with thicker design, solid sound, and a brilliant stage presence, no matter what type of music you’re looking to produce. The ear caps retain a lot of heat, and if worn for too long, will tend to make your head sweaty. But that being said, the headphones produce all the warmth and brilliant tone we’d expect from a company that typically produces amps. If you’re in the business of making music, these cans are an excellent addition that you can have for less than a single Benjamin.
