Looking for another pair.... oh so many choices

[blue_misfit]

Hey folks,

Well... I've got a small habit, but it's pretty minor so far

I started with a Senn 580 (love them, still my favorites), and an audigy2. I ended up moving to a (surprisingly) better onboard sound chip, and got a Presonus HP4 quad amp and monitor volume control.

Then, I decided I needed a better sound card, so I got an E-Mu 0202. It's fantastic! It sounds great by itself, and though the HP4 adds a lot of power, it's not necessary anymore, and flattens the sound out.

I decided also to get another set of cans for work. I settled on a set of Sony MDR-7506's, since they're sealed and I don't annoy my coworkers. They're okay - nice even response with a noticably fatter bottom end. The only problem is they're a little uncomfortable (earcups a little too small), and there's a bit of harshness in the upper midrange. EQing in foobar helps - I pull the 10KHz band down about 5db and roll if off 2 bands in either direction.

Even so, listening to electronic music is pretty grating, and rock guitars can also leave me cringing. The Senns are glorious without any EQ.. (ok fine, a 3db bass boost at 77Hz rolling off in both directions)

So, I want something that is

A) Sealed
B) Larger ear cups / more comfortable than the MDR-7506
C) Affordable - i.e. under $150 or so
D) Efficient enough to be driven by the 0202 with no complaints
E) Ideally pretty flat response, since I plan to use them for mixing (casually, I'm no engineer!)

I listen to a lot of rock and electronic music. Some hip-hop, some classical, some jazz. Emphasis on a clean upper end - I get fatigued easily.

Suggestions?

Thanks guys!

~MiSfit

[synaesthetic]

Audio-Technica ATH-A700, or A900 if you can find them used.

Good all-around-sound, the AT 'phones are very comfortable.

[glitch39]

did you like the Sony sound? the MDR-7509HD is reviewed as nice, efficient and also priced right. I have not heard it personally, just going by reviews

[Rednamalas1]

another vote for ATs

[blue_misfit]

The Sony sound was okay - it had a much more pronounced bass response than the Senns, but the upper midrange / low highend was very harsh.

There was some sibilance, but overall it was just very fatiguing.

There's a lot to like about these cans, but the fatigue really ruins some types of music.

It's interesting, this mirrors my car setup. I've got plenty of low end, and the mids sound great, but there's sibilance, and harshness on the high end. Maybe no coincidence that the 6.5" coaxial speakers in the front, and the 6x9" speakers in the rear are also Sony? I installed all that stuff before I knew anything about audio

Oh well.

The AT's look very nice. I'll see if I can get a pair. I've got some credit at Guitar Center, so maybe that will be the ideal route!

~MiSfit

[Rednamalas1]

oh - Denon D1000s are great as well.
for flat response - I would suggest HD25-Is, but they have rather small earbups and can be uncomfortable