Question Looking for budget headphones with exchangeable cord.

[Intel Fanboy 772]

Hello all, more than 4 years back I did one of best headphone purchases in my life - I took original Razer Electra. And it still works, I replaced cushions, cord also customized headband and reused leather from old leather jacket. It survived falls, water, you name it.
Sadly it does have few cracks and now it finally did break bit more so glue and DIY cant patch that, not critical yet, but I can feel its last days ticking...

Sadly my headphones knowledge is close to being non existent, all of models I had before it failed due to cord, but were from cheap side also..
So I would appreciate if someone could suggest something, budget is about 100$, but if I do like it and its quality product I may spend bit more.

There are some requirements (Deal breakers) however:

1. Exchangeable cord !
2. Durable (I will basically use it everywhere, walking, work, home, in bed), Basic water resistance would be nice, Razer survived fine under rain.
3. No attached microphone (Or at least removable), I hate retractable mics etc. I feel like tool when walking on streets with such headphones, even when they fold in it does trigger me.
4. 3.5 mm jack

Razer Electra audio was fine for me, and they were comfortable enough. Noise cancellation was ok-ish as well. I generally do not care much about design, I do care more about lifetime and performance.

I do have my eyes on Audio-Technica ATH-M50x currently

 

[LordVile]

Get a solid pair of bluetooths that come with a 3.5mm wire?



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MSZSJE9/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_t1_buriDbA3G8RCJ

 

[delaro]

You might find these guys helpful they do nothing but testing off the shelves.

https://www.rtings.com/headphones/learn/over-ear-vs-on-ear-vs-in-ear-vs-earbuds-comparison

For me I never found an all in one set, I have my Outside/running earbuds and several Over the Ear cans for different uses at home.

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Rtings comparisons are horrible. I only trust their measurements and even then I cross check other sites.

So $100 or under all arounders that are waterproof? Closed back for use in public as well?
Not many choices at all.. The M50X is a great headphone for studio monitoring and horrible for pleasure listening.

The Sennheiser HD599 is $140 at Amazon. It's probably the best entry level 'audiophile' headphone. It's open back so there's no isolation and I wouldn't get them ( or any headphones ) wet. It's easy to drive and comes with 2 cables one of which is portable. You won't beat the sound quality for the price.

https://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-HD-599-Open-Headphone/dp/B01L1IICR2

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HORNc3QQ9mc


There's also the Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee. It's harder to drive but it's a step up in sound quality for about the same price.

https://drop.com/buy/massdrop-x-sennheiser-hd-58x-jubilee-headphones

Massdrop has an EU audiophile collection that ships from an EU warehouse and includes VAT.

https://drop.com/all-communities/drops/european-audiophile-collection

They don't have the 58X in stock currently but they will eventually.


The Creative Aurvana Live is less than $100 and closed back. It's one of the best under $100 headphones.

https://www.amazon.com/Creative-EF0060-Aurvana-Live-Headphones/dp/B000ZJZ7OA

 

[Intel Fanboy 772]

Thanks for some answers
First things first - Sennheiser HD 4.40, bluetooth + cord option sounds like nice idea, I never had bluetooth headphones, but I saw it requires NFC support and my phone (Moto G 3rd gen) do not have NFC chip :/ but it still have bluetooth option so would that be enough ?

For sports I do have in ear earbuds, at least I should have.. have not used them for a while, I will not use over ear headphones while running, but I do excessive walk sessions often in hot weather also I do sweat a lot. Also many times they get some rain and snow on headphones this is reason I am looking for some basic water protection, Razer ones were not waterproof, but they did take all that fine. I guess as far as water do not get in them any headphones should be fine.

Creative Aurvana Live 2 looks like interesting option and and it seems to have exchangeable cable (First Live seems not to have it), I do stress cable a lot, because I tend to walk off pc with my cable still plugged in :/
They are also available in local shops for nice price.

I am also located in Europe so I will see what I can find None of massdrops seems to be offered by local retailers from the first glance and seems HD599 starts from about 210 euros ~ 236 dollars, so it is even cheaper from amazon or something

 

[Alabalcho]

These Marshals were well under $100 last year...

 

[Intel Fanboy 772]

for me locally they still are lol, are they any good ? I know Marshall makes amps so they must know thing or two about sound

 

[hang-the-9]

I would use a good pair earbuds for traveling and the headset at home. I don't find using a headset in bed comfortable, the headband and size of the earcups prevents you from putting your head down, or leaning on the backboard.

Tin T2 for $50 https://www.amazon.com/TIN-T2-Dynamic-Earphone-Headphones/dp/B07DL2FPBL

Philips Performance SHP9500 are on a huge sale on Newegg for $60 although only for a few days and if same thing is in Europe I don't know.