TB HPA2 to JVC harx900 or 700?

Hey all, new here, referred here by some users on Techpowerup! Forums. I'm currently using the Turtle Beach HPA2's thru an X-Fi Xtreme Music. I've personally enjoyed them for the most part, by far the best gaming headset I've ever owned, but my fiance decided she liked em' too. So that led me to want to go beyond TB's, but do so on a budget...no more than $150 total/shipped. Needless to say after looking at other headsets, I decided that a decent/good set of headphones would be better as I do a lot of gaming and listening to primarily hard rock music (pantera, godsmack, nin, etc). I like a good bass punch, but not overwealming the mids or hi's.

After a lot of reading and searching I've narrowed down to the JVC HA-RX900's or the 700's. I'm kind of torn at this point, because like I said I listen to rock music a lot, which it seems the 700's are better for, yet I have heard the 900's have a better sound stage which works better for gaming. I do plan on modding my set, at least removing the felt..if not adding damping materials also. So question 1...JVC 700 or 900, which would treat me best overall? I'm leaning 900 + mods...but want some better answers, if the 700's do better for me, I'll save some money!

Next question, I do prefer in-line volume control, and have been looking at some amps...I would prefer a usb powered w/3.5mm input setup...that or it's the Koss vc20 in-line volume control (cheap) option. I was thinking the FiiO E5, maybe a PA2V2 if I could find one fairly cheap. Do you have suggestions on something here? Not saying I even know I need an amp yet, want it more-so for the adjustable volume...if it must be powered, the ability to use USB for power or even the wall socket is a must as this is for my PC only.

Next is mic options, I plan on using this set of headphones as a gaming headset, now I have a couple of ideas...one is the usual Zalman clip-on mic that is pretty cheap, or snagging the HPA2's boom mic w/3.5mm male-end and modding a cable/socket to the headphones to use it similar to the HPA2's. Any takes on this idea? How decent is the Zalman mic? I'm used to the HPA2's mic, and it records loud and clear...I need decent comms for TS with the clan.

Thanks for taking the time to look at this. I would like to try something new and improved from what I was using. Looking forward to your suggestions!

Well I've done some more reading and re-reading of many posts, threads, reviews, etc..and I think I'm going to save some money and go the 700 route. Seems they'll do great for rock and solid for gaming.

I'm still thinking of grabbing a Fiio E5 amp, possibly a PA2V2 with the extra money saved, it'd be easier to manage on my PC desk for sure and seems like it'd be a tad better value for the long run. Not sure there yet...I still may go super cheap and just get an inline volume control and suck it up with just the x-fi. Suggestions?

On the mic, for now I'll go with the zalman, if I don't like it, then I'll wire up and mod a 3.5mm connector to the 700 and use the hpa 2 boom mic.

Thanks for that...definately a very viable option! Might just have to give that a shot. Definately looks like it'd work out quite well and if it doesn't work out would be easily removable for another solution.

EDIT: Just ordered a set of 700's from Buy.com, ordered 2x 1.5m cables (may need the 2nd one) and one of those mic's (just in case she needs one), and will give that mod a shot instead of the clip-on zalman.

Haven't decided on an amp or if I want one yet, I held off on the in-line volume control. Really the only true reason I want an amp is for a volume control knob that's not using my G15 +/- for windows/x-fi software volume...

I'll probably do that for now...I just really like the control/volume/amp unit of the HPA2 and it's master volume on/off switch setup...but a couple years with em you can say I'm very used to it!

I think I just use the KB for now, but I'll pick up some sort of budget headphone amp that features volume control of some sort. As that seems the best way to go for me from here from what I'm reading. I usually like to leave my X-Fi/Master volume at about 60%, music players at 80-100%, and use the volume on the headset for the rest.

Any suggestions on amps? Like I said I've been reading about the super-cheap FiiO E5 and the 3X as much PA2V2. The comparison points to the PA2, also it's size, and ability for wall power (though too bad it couldn't use USB for power lol, I have about 5 extra ports open). Is there something better for the money than those at $70 or less that has good volume control (I also prefer the PA2V2's volume knob comapred to the E5's buttons). Portability does not matter as it'd stay on the PC desk.

Thanks for the help thus far! Much appreciated!