3 great headphones, from budget to splurge

Q I am looking for good-quality, great-sounding headphones to go along with my home-theater system. I want the padded, over-the-ear type (not ear buds). I would consider spending several hundred dollars if that is what it takes to get great sound.

A Headphones are one category where buying online can make for truly dramatic savings, often more than 50 percent off retail. The disadvantage to buying online is that you can't hear the headphones before purchasing. But it is hard to imagine anyone being disappointed with these:

Audio-Technica ATH-M35: A wonderful budget buy, these studio headphones are an excellent choice for music listening and late-night movie watching when you don't want to use a surround system. The ATH-M35s have a crisp, full, satisfying sound that is loaded with detail and just the right amount of tonality to sound good without sounding artificial. The ATH-M35s come with an adapter for use with the full-sized headphone jacks found on receivers, and a carrying case is included. I've recommended them to several readers looking for inexpensive headphones, and everyone has come away loving them. The ATH-M35s list for $139 but can be found for as little as $57.75. Compare them with a $30 pair of headphones from a department store, and you will find the $30 upgrade to the ATH-M35s to be an extremely good investment.

Audio-Technica ATH-AD700: These full-sized, open-air headphones are a big step up from the ATH-M35s for not much more in real-world dollars. They have a more spacious, dynamic sound, along with more richness and detail. The bass is tight and free of boominess. The ATH-AD700 headphones are bigger, so if you plan on carrying them around, they might not be the best choice unless you have a little extra room in your bag. A plug adapter is included for use with receivers, and an iPod is enough to drive them to a good listening level. The ATH-AD700s list for $250 but can be found for less than $90 if you shop around.

A final note on the Audio-Technica products: The fit, finish and materials used are all outstanding. You really feel like you own a quality product when you hold them in your hands.

AKG K 702: If you are really anxious to spend several hundred dollars, check out these headphones from AKG. The open-back design has a spacious sound that some reviewers have said is akin to listening to speakers in a room, along with superlative sound quality in every respect. The K 702s list for $539 but can be found for about $250 if you shop around. They are best used with a receiver or a dedicated headphone amplifier.

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