Need Recommendations/Advice for new set of headphones

Hi DrCC,
Some info about what is important to you would help . For instance is heavy bass your thing or do you prefer clarity and detail ? How are you going to drive them ? Is sound isolation important ? Do you put comfort or sound top of your list ?
If you love bass then, at that price, the Denon 2000 is a great performer. It is relatively easy to drive and is closed back so isolates sound fairly well. I find it a great headphone for rock and heavier music but I don't like it for light acoustic work. It is well put together and comfortable.
The Grado sr 80i is a great sounding 'phone that is more neutral than the Denon.It's mids and highs are its strong points and it is a great price. However it isn't built great and looks and feels dated. Comfort and style are not good.
The AKG K 702 is a good all rounder with great detail and fab mids and highs. To my ear it sounds very much like the Grado 80 but with a tad more realism. It has not got the thumping bass of the Denon but IMO is a better all rounder.It depends what you listen to as to which you would prefer.
The Senn 650, IMO , lies somewhere between the Denon and the AKG.
It has better bass than the AKG but less than the Denon. It is better than the Denon for light acoustic but not as good as the AKG. IMO it is a better all rounder than the Denon but for me the AKG is the best all rounder.
I just wonder if your budget will stretch to the Senn ?
So to recap ; Denon = Bass, AKG/Grado == Detail and clarity [AKG better build/style/comfort] Senn= Between the others.
The Senn and the AKG are harder to drive than the Denon or Grado. The Grado are the easiest.
Hope this helps but think about your preferences and requirements

Audio-Technica AD900

Why would you need to pay a premium for noise cancelling..

AD900s - Brilliant for your trance and classical, fast and punchy for your metal, wide open soundstage perfect for gaming and movies, not amp-dependent. If you don't need a closed can, why not?

Hi again DrCC,
Just thinking about your choice and I would offer some advice that may sound strange but that I think is valid. Don't set yourself a rigid budget. Look at what is out there, try to audition or get sale or return [I believe Headroom allow this] and then push your budget to get that "ideal" headphone for you.
Of course you will be constrained by your wallet but try not to set off with the idea of an artificial maximum.
I really believe that, if you approach it this way, you have got a much higher chance of being happy with what you buy rather than thinking, 2 or 3 months down the line, "If I had walked the extra mile I could have had that better bit of kit !"
And in the long term it could save you money !

Hi DrCC,
The Denon 2000 is a very comfortable 'phone with a great punchy in your face bass that is really fun to listen to. I bought mine as an alternative to my AKG K 702 as the wife complained about the noise. The Denon's solved the problem.
Now , if I am listening to rock or heavier music it is the Denon [and I really enjoy them] If I am listening to anything lighter it is the AKG.
From what you have said you could do worse than buy the Denon then in the future you may be in the position to supplement them with something like the AKG.
I have come to believe that no one 'phone will do everything the best.
For some good advice have a look at Headroom's website. You may find the 'phones cheaper elsewhere though.

I actually am one of the (very very few) people on head-fi that don't like the D2000's at all. I found them so odd sounding for some reason and while I admit the build quality was wonderful- the cable was especially beautiful, there was a questionable area of concern which is where the earcups connect to the headband... it looks and feels as if it would snap off eventually.

I really think given your criteria, the Shure SRH840 would suit your needs perfectly. I think they sound wonderful, the build quality is excellent and while they do benefit from amping, they don't need it at all as they sound great straight out of an iPod and the like.

There is more people not liking the D2000 than you think.

Not a good choice going SRH840 for comfort, while the clamp is not massive they are very heavy and loose.

To me, the comfort is brilliant. I can see how people with smaller heads could find the fit to be a bit odd as they could be loose for them, however to me with my quite larger than usual head they fit me like a glove and are easily some of the most comfortable headphones I've worn... they remind me of a soft pleather earpad version of the HD600's. (read: not 650s, those are satan's skull vice)

Hi,
I can understand people not liking the Denon 2000. For me it does heavier music great with fantastic bass and great clarity. However , when it comes to light acoustic stuff it is hopeless. It loses it's clarity and detail and the bass swamps the vocals etc. It works for me because when I get to light acoustic I unplug the Denon and in goes the AKG ! The two cover each others weaknesses. I must say the AKG is the better all rounder.

I agree,
for electronic music , movies and games they are better due to their digitalized sound versus organic, natural sound of akg that goes well with classical music, jazz, acoustic and some performers like tool , radiohead, pearl jam, ratm(overpowering on d2000) , bjork , knife etc. In one sentence akg is much more demanding in SQ and production then denon d2000.

Thanks !
I think someone agreeing with me on this forum is a first ! lol
It never ceases to amaze me how we all hear different things in our gear and what one person hates another will love. That's what makes buying audio gear so difficult and even when you audition stuff , which isn't easy due to lack of good outlets, you still are not sure until you get it home with your music and your surroundings in a nice relaxed mood.
I love buying audio, I just hate plugging it in for the first time.