alright, here are the choices:

Audiotechnica ATH-A500 ($99)
Audiotechnica ATH-M30 (a decent alternate to the V6's) ($40)
Sony Eggo D22SL ($49)
Sony Eggo D66SL ($89)
Senn HD580 ($125)


Mainly for use without an amp (my pcdp and md player don't have the line out options on them), and listening to jazz, some metal and hip hop/rap...


so what are your opinions?

thanks!
appar111

HD-580 is by far the best but it needs an amp...
i also have the mzr-900 and the only decent phone it can drive is the Grado 60 (no surprise..)

Quote:



Even if the pcdp doesn't have an line out, you can still hook up an amp to it. Otherwize, you can scratch off the hd580's.

i thought i saw a pair of hd590s for $105 in the for sale section

If you have a specific limit on spending, why not post a thread here asking for more input in your specific price range?? If you said you wanted the best sounding cans possible for under $125, which you listed for the Senn 580s, you might get much better advice!!!

Depends on whether you want closed or open
Without amp, I would say D66 for best sound with maximum practicality. It's largely open but it's very portable.
580 is least practical but if it's anything like the HD600, not a bad phone at all, but you'll just be homebound.
The ATH-A500 is said to be like the A900 but with less overall detail. It's been said by more than one guy on Japanese headphone forums. I've only got the ATH-A900 out of the standard ART series so I can't tell you much about the 500's.