I have had my HD497s for at least...7 years I would say. They have served me VERY well. They are so comfortable that I often forget I'm wearing them!

Well, I do want to upgrade. I want to spend between $200-$250 I would say.

I will use them on my computer (no amp, just SoundBlaster Audigy soundcard) for listening to music 90% and gaming 10%. I listen to mostly female vocal trance (Tiesto, PVD, ATB, etc.). Comfort is paramount.

I had been thinking the HD595s but searches here reveal that they are not too highly regarded...although they have a 5-star rating with 134 votes at Amazon.

What else can you all recommend in my price range?

Thanks!

hd600 for vocals.
denon d2000 or proline 750 if you like trance/electronic in general.

How you survived the HD497 death clamp I don't know. Superhuman, I think.

I upgraded to the HD555s when I just couldn't withstand the HD497s anymore. Great sound, but I could barely watch a movie without having red, sore ears .

If you are looking for more HD497 sound, the 595 will work well, but if you want the classic Sennheiser sound, then jump straight to the HD600 or 650, they will likely serve you for even longer than the 497!

But the 497s are special. The most retro starship headphones out there, in bright silver no less!

I have a pair of HD-497s. I find them inoffensive, quite usable and I use them and a pair of the similar HD-477s for watching movies.

I'd suggest you look towards Audio Technica. I love my open ATH-AD1000s (much more than my "darkish" and hard to drive HD-600s) but they would be over your budget. They even sound acceptable driven from my iPod.

I suggest you check out;

ATH-AD700
ATH-AD900 (both open)
ATH-A700
ATH-A900 (both closed)

Unfortunately, all but the ATH-AD700s are out of my price range!

I bought the ATH-A900s a couple of weeks a go and got 'em for a steal at $182. They have an exceptionally detailed, clear and defined high range, present and balanced bass, and very neutral mids, I'd say. The 595s have been said to be bass-shy, although I have never heard them myself, I know for a fact that female vocals especially sound amazing on the A900s. That would be my recommendation, or the D2000s. I haven't heard them either, but I would have probably gone for those as my second choice.