I like the ZMF x Vibro more than the Alpha Dogs, which are "only" $100 less, but that's definitely a preference thing. I do prefer the look of the ZMF's wooden cups though. The regular ZMF is pretty dang good too. I'd totally understand if someone liked them more than their wooden siblings.
 
I just listened to the Monsters again, and honestly, they're pretty close to the SE530... I got them way back in like 2012 
 
My PortaPros are oddly better-sounding than a lot of other pairs I'd heard. I'd actually rank them above the Bowers and Wilkins P7, well above the V-MODA M100 (Honestly I'd put them close to the bottom of the list), Momentum, T50p (but not above the T51p), Bang and Olufsen H6, and lots more portable headphones for personal enjoyment (not necessarily technicalities; no amount of modding can add that). It could be that I've just gotten used to the sound, but I think they're pretty darn good. I found some weird felt that tamed the brightness, yet also tamed the bass. Over the years, dust has started to get through the holes and into the diaphragm and they have some nasty distortion in the low end, but I'm too scared to send them in for repairs for fear I'll get something that sounds worse.

hulkhogan said:

I have been considering the ZMF as well. Hopefully someone can chime in, coming from the A900x/K550 and hoping for a worthy upgrade!

Click to expand...

 
Which one? The V1 might be a bit of a side grade in all honesty. The K550 aren't half bad and to get a complete upgrade, you'll have to spend a lot of money, especially if you want a closed headphone.

1: Sony DR-Z7
2: Philips N6330 (K240 Sextett OEM)
3: Sterling TE-400
4: Pioneer Monitor 10
5: Pioneer SE-500
6: Sony MDR-605
7: Pioneer Monitor 10-II
8: Audio Technica ATH-6D
9: Audatron ES120 Earspeaker (DIY)
 
I'll post a non-lazy list later

1. Sony CD-380
2. Sennheiser HD-430 (which would probably sound better once I get a proper headphone amp to power this 600ohm beast).
3. Marshall minor
4. Diesel Vetkr (in-ear)
5. Shure SRH-240

1: Sennheiser HD650
2: Westone 4
3: Audio Technica ESW9
4: Audio Technica AD700
5: V-Moda Crossfade LP
6: Sennheiser HD239

1. Sennheiser HD-800
2. Audeze LCD-XC
3. Audeze LCD-X
4. Oppo PM-1
5. Fostex TH500RP
 
Now someone's going to ask me about 2-5 I'm sure. That will have to be for later.

currawong said:

  1. Sennheiser HD-800
2. Audeze LCD-XC
3. Audeze LCD-X
4. Oppo PM-1
5. Fostex TH500RP
 
Now someone's going to ask me about 2-5 I'm sure. That will have to be for later.

Click to expand...

 #5 stirs my curiosity. All I ask is just a few listens or actual time spent? I promise, that is all I ask.......

currawong said:

  1. Sennheiser HD-800
2. Audeze LCD-XC
3. Audeze LCD-X
4. Oppo PM-1
5. Fostex TH500RP
 
Now someone's going to ask me about 2-5 I'm sure. That will have to be for later.

Click to expand...

I'll bite as well, with two questions.
 
Given the quoted 74000JPY price on the Fostex site, do you think that the TH500RP is a better value than the $1100 PM-1, or would you still recommend the PM-1 from a value standpoint?
 
And then, why do you prefer the XC over the X?

@ssrock64 I'll go into detail about them all later, in another thread.

currawong said:

  @ssrock64 I'll go into detail about them all later, in another thread.

Click to expand...

Please do, It's actually the only phone out this year that interested me.

takato14 said:

  1: Sony DR-Z7
2: Philips N6330 (K240 Sextett OEM)
3: Sterling TE-400
4: Pioneer Monitor 10
5: Pioneer SE-500
6: Sony MDR-605
7: Pioneer Monitor 10-II
8: Audio Technica ATH-6D
9: Audatron ES120 Earspeaker (DIY)
 
I'll post a non-lazy list later

Click to expand...

What!? Audatron before Sterling? Complete blasphemy

nehcrow said:

 

takato14 said:

  1: Sony DR-Z7
2: Philips N6330 (K240 Sextett OEM)
3: Sterling TE-400
4: Pioneer Monitor 10
5: Pioneer SE-500
6: Sony MDR-605
7: Pioneer Monitor 10-II
8: Audio Technica ATH-6D
9: Audatron ES120 Earspeaker (DIY)
 
I'll post a non-lazy list later

Click to expand...

What!? Audatron before Sterling? Complete blasphemy

Click to expand...

Uh... yeah? The Audatron is one of the worst headphones I've ever owned. Even after extensive modifications it's still really poor sounding. I have managed to make improvements in all areas: sound, appearance, and comfort, and it's still dead last. It is almost nothing like the Audatron you're thinking of. I currently have the drivers in a fully open implementation, similarly to the K1000, which while a lot better than they were stock isn't nearly as cool as it sounds.
 
But yeah, the Sterlings are really good, if the bass wasn't quite so overcooked/hot they'd be quite a few notches above the Sextetts. 

1.Koss HV/1A with Grado L cushions.
2.Koss HV/1 with stock pads.


The L cushions that are normally supra-aural on Grado hp's,become circumaural,at least on my ears,on the Koss HV/1,HV/1A,Realistic LV/10.

1. Beyerdynamic T1
2. Hifiman HE-500
3. Grado PS500 / Alessandro MS2
4. Beyerdynamic DT1350 (first gen)
5. Denon D2000 / B&W P7 (need to get them warrantied blah...)

1.HE500+DHC balance cable+LCD2 pad+remove cloth grill mod
2.Sen HD600+oyaide cable
3.Grado RS2i
4. Sen HD800+ norse draug balance
 
i rank them based on my musical taste and time on my head, the HD800 is way tooo analytical and i can only wear it for less than 1 hour before reaching the HD600 or HE500
still the HD800 is the best technical headphone i have.