For those who asked, I didn't break-in the SHR440. Even if breaking them in improved on the issues I was having, the comfort of the 0.5" circumaural earpads alone was bad enough for me to return them.
__________
The Sennheiser HD 25-1 II do look interesting.
@K_19
I assume your warning is because the HD 25-1 II have a high clamping force? I've never worn headphones with supraaural earpads, but looking at the some images of the HD 25-1 II, my gut feeling says they would be a huge improvement over the 0.5" circumaural earpads of the SHR440, especially if my ears would never touch the foam lining that covers the driver. Is there something else I'm overlooking which make the HD 25-1 II supraaural earpads poor for comfort?
I realize I am going to have to make a trade off somewhere with a max budget of $150.
Out of curiosity, if my budget was instead $300, is there something with minimal trade offs for my needs?
__________
@lejaz
As long as the bass can be heard (i.e. not completely drowned out by the the mids and highs) that is good enough for me. I am not really a bass head, so I would be willing to sacrifice bass if need be. If you find the bass on the RP21 is stronger then the ATH-M50 (which I've heard already has bass which is too strong for some people), the ATH-M50 would probably be a better fit.
__________
So it sounds like it a choice between the ATH-M50, HD 25-1 II, or DT770 (used) at the $100-150ish range.
With the 280 PRO or RX700 if I want to save some money at the <$100 range.
Does that sound about right?
__________
If it will yield me better sound quality, at this point I am leaning towards the $100-150 range so lets for now focus on that.
I bought my HD590, new for $100 shipped 4 years ago.
Do I really have to spend so much more then $150 to find a close headphone that at least comes close to the sound quality of my HD590 unamped?
How would the ATH-M50, HD 25-1 II, and DT770 compare to my current pair of HD590?
Which would be the best choice for movies?
Which would be the best choice for rock/metal?
Which would be the best choice for jpop/jrock?
Which would be the best choice for classical/jazz?
Which has the most detailed mids and highs?
How would you describe the soundstage distribution of the bass, mids, and highs on each?
On my HD590, I would describe the bass as being 5th seat, with the mids and highs being 9th and 10th seat respectively.
In some ways I would like something that would complement my HD590 with the mids and highs being more forward, but something that comes close to what I'm used to would also be ok.
Big thanks to everybody who has helped so far.
__________
The Sennheiser HD 25-1 II do look interesting.
@K_19
I assume your warning is because the HD 25-1 II have a high clamping force? I've never worn headphones with supraaural earpads, but looking at the some images of the HD 25-1 II, my gut feeling says they would be a huge improvement over the 0.5" circumaural earpads of the SHR440, especially if my ears would never touch the foam lining that covers the driver. Is there something else I'm overlooking which make the HD 25-1 II supraaural earpads poor for comfort?
I realize I am going to have to make a trade off somewhere with a max budget of $150.
Out of curiosity, if my budget was instead $300, is there something with minimal trade offs for my needs?
__________
@lejaz
As long as the bass can be heard (i.e. not completely drowned out by the the mids and highs) that is good enough for me. I am not really a bass head, so I would be willing to sacrifice bass if need be. If you find the bass on the RP21 is stronger then the ATH-M50 (which I've heard already has bass which is too strong for some people), the ATH-M50 would probably be a better fit.
__________
So it sounds like it a choice between the ATH-M50, HD 25-1 II, or DT770 (used) at the $100-150ish range.
With the 280 PRO or RX700 if I want to save some money at the <$100 range.
Does that sound about right?
__________
If it will yield me better sound quality, at this point I am leaning towards the $100-150 range so lets for now focus on that.
I bought my HD590, new for $100 shipped 4 years ago.
Do I really have to spend so much more then $150 to find a close headphone that at least comes close to the sound quality of my HD590 unamped?
How would the ATH-M50, HD 25-1 II, and DT770 compare to my current pair of HD590?
Which would be the best choice for movies?
Which would be the best choice for rock/metal?
Which would be the best choice for jpop/jrock?
Which would be the best choice for classical/jazz?
Which has the most detailed mids and highs?
How would you describe the soundstage distribution of the bass, mids, and highs on each?
On my HD590, I would describe the bass as being 5th seat, with the mids and highs being 9th and 10th seat respectively.
In some ways I would like something that would complement my HD590 with the mids and highs being more forward, but something that comes close to what I'm used to would also be ok.
Big thanks to everybody who has helped so far.








