is the ATH-A900 the best for movies/games

I think you would enjoy something like the DT770Pro's with a portable amp such as an Ibasso Boa or Nuforce etc.

The Beyers can be had for around $150 on ebay. The amps through either of the online shops.

The 770Pro's are good for movie's and impact, you would enjoy them

If you dont want to go that way, then there's the Ultrasone HFI-780's to. I prefer them over my old A900's by a fair bit.

A900 is great for movies and games. They offer comfort and decent isolation and sound good for those specific purposes. For music however, you can do better. The A900's have a closed HP sound in the mid range, and its slightly honky,thin and nasal sounding. Also a bit recessed. The bass extends very well but doesnt have great body.

So if your primary purpose is to use them for gaming/movie watching, then its a good buy.

The HFI-780's dont need an amp, they will run fine out of your soundcard. I gotta say the A900's are more comfortable, but they do have slightly recessed mid's and the bass isnt as full bodied as the 780's.

Basically the 780's are a little bright and forward sounding, with fairly good bass. You will want this for movies, as the bass will play good for explosions etc.

They dont sound to good straight out of the box, so give them a couple of week's burn in while being used and they do open up to be a good pair of cans for the price. I definately like them over my previous A900's for SQ.

I would think the 780 should be your safest bet or some of the PRO series . I have experience with the A900, DT 770 PROs, Ultrasone PRO 750/900/K81 DJ for closed headphones. I find the Ultrasones superior to mentioned headphones in just about every regard. A900 may have a wider sound stage but they don´t beat the Ultrasones in term or 3d soundstage so to speak... Depends on what is more important here.

I usually say surround speakers is unbeatable but I finally got some more time with movie watching as of late... Watched a gun fight in Hellboy 2. With my 5.1 setup you got the bullet impacts all over. With the headphones you got the bullets wissing by your head accurately but not the actual impacts as much more then it was in front or behind.

But really for me there is not a valid comparison to compare the 750s to the DT 770/900... Different price range and different leagues no matter if you talk music or movies I feel. I am quite booring I must admit I preferr headphones that has a natural tone and somehow sounds real

One more point about the A900 is that they do have really quite poor isolation. I don´t think your wife would enjoy it that much. K81 DJ are the best here, then I would say DT 770 PRO just ever so slightly ahead of the Ultrasones with the A900 definiatly last. Well together with the markl modded Denons but I suppose they are out of your price range Maybe D2000 with it´s plastic casing is better in term of isolation? They surely are popular around here.

I'm gonna say the kindest thing i can say about the ATH-A900.

"No."

x2

Just buy the HFI-780's and run for the hill's Seriously.... You honestly dont want to get caught up buying an amp/dac etc. Since you are new, just buy the closest thing within your price range with the best SQ and leave it at that. My only advice to save your soul.

wouldn't the DT770/80's work well for this purpose?

you can get them off ebay for $108 shipped.
beyerdynamic DT 770 Dynamic Studio Headphone 80 OHM - eBay (item 110364934183 end time Mar-23-09 12:09:45 PDT)

also, don't forget 9% cashback

How to use Live.com search cashback program with eBay « Beta Buzz Network

i use the 770 pro for gaming and movies excellent comfort ok sound un-amped, killer sound amped.

So far the 780's are better then both the A900 and 770Pro in everyway My opinion anyway.

DT 770 PRO shouldn´t be in the same league as the 780 from my Pro series experience anyway... Since the 750 walks all over the DT 770 PRO on exactly ever regard regarding SQ the 780 really have to be quite bad not to be better than the DT 770 PROs... Doubt it since it´s mentioned that with mods it get quite close to ED 9.