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Headphones are weird. With almost any other type of gadget, newer almost always means better. You could say an older device meant more in context than a current model, but chipsets, displays, sensors, and the like are eternally marching forward. Nobody would take a phone from 2010 over a phone from 2016.
With headphones, though, the old-school can endure. It's not common, but good sound can't be measured in the same terms as processing speed or pixel density.
To prove it, we rounded up a few vintage headphones that still hold up today. They don't have any extra features, and it may not be long before they're put out to pasture for good, but they remain good buys for anyone who digs the retro.
Koss PortaPro
That people continue to rock the Koss PortaPro, despite it looking entirely like something that was sold alongside the Super Nintendo and Sony Walkman, is a testament to its quality. The PortaPro's Back to the Future aesthetic isn't for everyone, and that flimsy headband is known to bite hair, but its sweet and spacious sound is much more agreeable. Same goes for the lifetime warranty that comes with every pair. The only major caveat here is that its younger sibling, the Koss SportaPro, brings similar benefits for about $20 less.
Koss PortaPro, $44.62, available at Amazon.
Sony MDR-7506
The Sony MDR-7506 has been a fixture among radio DJs since the early 90s, but you don't have to be a professional to enjoy its natural-sounding, beautifully balanced profile. Some may find that sound a bit thin, but these are reference cans, and they work well across genres as a result. They wouldn't have lasted this long if they weren't comfortable and built like a tank, either. For $80, the MDR-7506 is just a tremendous value. It's also earned a spot in our best full-size headphones guide.
Sony MDR-7506, $79.99, available at Amazon.
Sennheiser HD 600
It's hard to find headphones more beloved among audiophiles than the ones in Sennheiser's HD 600 series. The HD 600 here has been an excellent companion for home theaters or high-end audio setups since the late 90s, and it continues to play smooth, big, and clean. Its easygoing sound, combined with the fact that the whole thing is open-backed, means the HD 600 aren't particularly mobile. Pair it with the right gear, though, and it still makes for a relaxing listen.
Sennheiser HD 600, $349.95, available at Amazon.
AKG K240
The AKG K240 Studio is technically an updated version of the older AKG K240 Monitor, but its build and sound still hark back to that classic pair, which was introduced in the mid-70s. It's a semi-open headphone geared toward studio professionals, so it lacks some bass, but provides good detail and a wide soundstage. For $60, it's a decent bargain for anyone looking to get into a more traditionally "audiophile" signature.
AKG K240 Studio, $59.70, available at Amazon.
Grado SR80e
Again, the Grado SR80e is more of a remastered version of a vintage headphone than a vintage headphone itself, but it's close enough to its predecessor to merit a spot here. As we've noted before, Grado's handmade cans aren't for everyone, but its proponents border on cultish.
The SR80e is another open-backed pair, but it does a good job of balancing out Grado's typically treble-heavy sound with at least some bass presence. It's highly spacious and detailed for a $100 headphone on top of that. Just know that its foam earpads can get a little scratchy, and that it'll let in lots of noise on the go.
Grado SR80e, $99, available at Amazon.
Jeff Dunn Tech Reporter Jeff was a tech reporter at Business Insider. He primarily focused on personal tech, gadgets, and tech policy. He's also written for Tech Insider, TechTarget, Polygon, G4TV, and GamesRadar, among others. His work has been syndicated by Yahoo! News and MSN News. (Note: Jeff stopped writing for BI's e-commerce section, Insider Picks, in May 2016. Any Insider Picks posts with his byline today are repromoted versions of earlier articles.) Read more Read lessncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o8HSoqWeq6Oeu7S1w56pZ5ufonyowcidnKxnpJqwqXvBnqqtZZOhrrS%2FyJxkoZ2Rmb2pu82eqmarn6PGbrfOrKpmn6KWsbB5kWlob2Vk