Is it just me or does the headphone market seem dead between 20 and 60 dollars? There isn't much in the way of improvement in that range.
I'm also looking for headphones, but I'm cheaper than TiKels. I'd rather spend no more than 50 if someone can oblige.
No noise cancellation, please.
Not at all. But first on noise cancelling: it's shit. The technology is to create sound so that it cancels out other sound, which doesn't work as well as it does when you add Sin(x + π) and Cos(x) together (which is the principle behind noise cancellation). Sounds are too complex and the technology is too primitive. Sound/noise isolation, on the other hand.
A few thoughts on brands:
Skullcandy, beats audio are shit. Like complete shit. Yeah they have a flashy brand and a crisp, sexy logo; but really, that's all it is. It's C or B rate materials grossly overpriced. Skullcandy, in my experience, has had a hit and a miss, I've found some of their products to be comfortable, and in particular, their in-ears to have superb bass quality. But that's the extent of it. Beats audio, on the other hand (by Dre hurr) are just way overpriced -- you would end up paying $300 for a pair of $70 quality headphones. It's like buying tylenol over generic acetaminophen. It does the same shit, but is grossly more expensive.
Rosewill, Zagg, et al. are a hit and a miss. They can be shit or be mildly decent. Sometimes you'll see one of their higher quality ones come down in price on some deal and will be the best thing in the price range, but this is something to really do your research about.
Sennheiser, Sony, Bose, and AKG tend to be top notch. Almost everything AKG or Sennheiser makes is absolutely superb, but still look at reviews just in case, a few products slip a bit in quality. Sony does make some really awesome stuff, but they also make some really mediocre stuff (but still not apple bad), but generally everything in their professional line is worth the change and then some. You'll really be getting your bang for your buck with these.
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You have to know what you want. Dubstep means you're going to want a rocking bass (and thus bigger drivers). General listening will want something balanced. But if you're really into some hardcore music, then don't skimp on the highs or mid tones, which are more often than not left to be mediocre or subpar in the favor of bigger and better bass. A many people have grabbed some big heavy skullcandies only to be dismayed that vocals sound like they're being channeled through a tin can.
Comfort is paramount, especially for extended listening. Pay a lot of attention to how big your ears and head are and how the headphones will rest on your head because of it. In-ear can be extremely comfortable for extended listening, but don't always have quite the sound quality of over-ear. On-ear (circumaural) can be particularly risky, since it depends on you as a person and how pressing down on your ears may start to become a bother after ten or twelve hours of constant listening.
In-ear may be best for noise isolation, if the cord doesn't carry any sound when you bump it and it actually has rubber stoppers that fit into your ear (and it doesn't just rest up in your ear lobe like cheapie apple crap). They're very comfortable, in my experience, and very portable. Over-ear can be decently noise isolating, but it's not until you get into the higher price range that this really becomes something available.
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But mostly, it all depends on how much you're willing to spend.
These are the best priced over-ear ones I see, but I'm sure with a bit of snooping around better ones could be found.
These are some very nice on-ear ones, I'd imagine them being comfortable.
None.
