Grado vs. Denon

I have the SR80s and have tried the AH D1001s on various auditions, so hopefully this will help. The Denons have a bass hump that was too much for me with the processed pop of the Scissor Sisters. With the Rolling Stones it really drove the music along, again with bass as opposed to the Grado's dynamic attack. I prefer the sound of the Grados, but I can also see what people find good in the AH D1001s. I prefer bright to bass. You sound as if you could well be the other way around and would appreciate the Denons more. Incidentally, the AH D1001s leak sound even though they are closed backed.

In regards to D2000, the thing to keep in mind is that they can be just as extended and sharp in treble area as the Grados are (dependent on your source and amp).  If the treble emphasis bother you then D2000 may still prove to be bothersome.  The main difference will be that the D2000 mids will be nowhere near as forward and that they will have better extension and more emphasis in bass.  They will also bring about bigger differences in sound with different sources and amps than the Grados.

I would say for your needs, D1001 may actually be more suitable.  They have softer treble, still have good bass, is more portable, and not as dependent on amping compared to D2000.

My poor descriptive, the rest of the AH D1001s range is detailed right through to and including the treble. There is more of an emphasis on bass than the Grados.

I had the Alessandro MS1, for all intents and purposes a Grado, and the D7000. It is a bit of an unfair comparison, considering the price difference between the two headphones, but in terms of sound signature and not sound quality, I would characterize the MS1 as the grittier, spunkier can. I, too, took issue with the brightness. The Denons do not share this flaw, but falter where the MS1 do not in terms of sibilance. Fortunately, they make up for it in other areas - bass, comfort, soundstage. They are also very smooth, and I like that very much.

I'm not saying this will apply to everyone; it really does come down to individual preference. Judging from your post, though, the Denons would suit you just fine. And I do think you won't need to worry about amping - your receiver should be more than satisfactory.

Hmm...

What about the HD600?

Or are Sennheiser out of the picture?

What pair of sennheisers did you have and how old are they?

It sounds like you had the HD 414.  While I can't comment on the sound of those cans, I could tell you this.

The HD 555/595 are slighty lacking bass and highs IMO, but are very comfortable and excellent for movies/games (nice soundstage)

The hi-mid senn offerings (HD 580, 600, and 650) usually have buzzwords thrown at them like "dark, bassy, laid-back." The brightest of the group is usually said to be the 600.  A good amount of people like this line for jazz.  Not that these phones (650 esp.) need an amp.

I've got Grados (SR225, HF-1, had SR60), Denons (D5000, D7000) and Sennheisers (HD600) and think that you're generally right about the Denons- they do have much more bass than the SR60/225 Grados, and the D5000 (which have almost the same construction as D2000) generally have less glare and grit than the Grados.  That being said, I listen to rock almost exclusively, and so generally prefer the Grados even to my D7000.  But the relative performance of the Denons with jazz, vocals and electronica is better.  Their bass, along with a bigger soundstage would also make them better for movies.  The HD600, which people consider brighter, have such a soft and mellow sound to my ears that music sounds like all the edges and corners have been sanded off.  They sound less fuzzy and actually quite sweet with one headphone amp (Lavry DA11) but imo their signature generally goes in the extreme opposite direction of the Grados to a fault.  So yes, get the Denons.