Best cans £200 ($325)

Have you considered IEMs?

ATH-M50's (coiled cable version)

Here u go...ATH M50 are a great value for ur money. U really can't go wrong with them at that price($115 thereabout). But if you could stretch ur budget by $25 then I guess u can have the Denon 2000. I must admit that I have not heard them but I guess there are many cans in that price range($300-350) which will sound better than the M50s. Beyerdynamic DT 880 or DT990 fits ur wallet and are great allround cans with decent bass I guess..just my 2 cents (pennies if u r talking pounds =) )

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The D2000's are great hp's but not practical at all as portables, they are big and bulky with next to no isolation from outside noise. Great for home use.

The m50's are a great all round hp, quite balanced with a slight emphasis on bass. They isolate pretty good too and are Ipod friendly.

If you choose to get a portable amp later they will sound even better 

At first I used a portable amp with my M 50:s. Now I just run them straight out of my Iphone. No big difference in sound if you ask me.

Great headphones, the M 50:s

I'm very much a DnB/dubstep head and for my tastes the M50 and HD25 don't quite have enough bass. They both have good bass punch, but don't have the depth and quantity for me. If I was to choose between those 2 I'd go for the HD25 because I prefer it's brighter highs. Also, as I'm sure you know, people like Andy C use the HD25.

My portable can of choice is the ATH-ES10, but that is over budget and doesn't isolate quite as well as the HD25 and M50. Have you looked into the Ultrasone HFI-580? Ultrasone's signature fits well with electronic IMO, although I'm not sure if the 580 can run fine straight from an ipod.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzjunkz 

Thanks guys.

I think I'm going to rule out the Denon's due to the leakage of sound and lack of portability.

So that brings me back to the HD25's/M50's/Ultrasone HFI-580 -

I think the Ultrasone will definately need some amping from reading reviews. Would any of the FiiO range amp these sufficiently? If I can help it I'd like to not use any portable amps due to my belief that less is more when it comes to music on-the-go. However, if a 'cheap' amp would suffice - I'd definately consider it if it's an improvement over the others.

Minus shamrock134, does anybody else have experience with the M50's/HD25's with my tastes in music and if so would you recommend differently in my price range?

So I've gone from leaning towards the M50's to the HD25's I reckon...I really am so picky. I wish there was just a definitive answer to an obvious choice lol.

I think it's come to my realisation that I need bass heavy 'phones with good mids and treble. + sound isolation + iPod 'friendly'.........Also, if people have heard the PortaPro's in comparison to the headphones in this discussion, I'd love to hear your input on the bass. I find the bass on the Porta's to be sufficient enough for me on the music I listen to - so if the M50's/HD25's are an improvement over that - that will surely help make my decision.

Sorry for being a pain,
Jared.

The Ultrasone 580/DJ1 don't need amping.  Impedance 32 Ohm.  The Pro series do and the HFI 680.  
 

The D2000 would be good for home listening, but yeah not ideal for portable usage.

The Denon D1100 could also be an option. It is bassier than the M50 and HD25 and isolates just as well I'd say. To me the headband is a little odd looking though. I don't know what else might suit you in that price range as I prefer to recommend based on what I own/have heard rather than what I've read. Other portables I've very briefly looked at on here but never heard.... Phiaton MS400, AKG K181DJ, Shure 750DJ and B&W P5.

I'm sure either one of the M50/HD25 would suit your needs though, I just have an unreasonable bass craving. I did get more satisfaction from those 2 by using the FiiO E5 and its bass boost.

http://www.hifiheadphones.co.uk/ is a UK online retailer that has a 30 day returns policy. In theory you could buy both sets, listen to them for a few days and return the one you like the least, providing you don't destroy them or the packaging. I returned my HFI-580 to them and upgraded to the Pro900 without any issue.

EDIT: Just seen another thread, the Shure SRH750DJ and Denon D1100 are on offer at £59.99 and £69.99 respectively at www.hmv.com

yeah just saw that thread as well.  The Shure 750 DJ is a steal!

owned 2-3 pairs of portpros before i got my HD-25ś, cant really compare,different phones, open/closed , tigth fitting / kinda loose... 

porta pro = a lot o bass, but open so it kind of dissapers unless you really turn to loud.then al you hear(feel) is bass.

Hd-25 = not alot, but just the amount on the recording bass, and fully controlled and punchy,

I use mine from everything from vivaldi to dub fx.

and enjoy every track just as much, they just play what you feed them,

good recording= good sound :) bad recording = can be really frustrating..:/

al this is of course just to my ears..;) and Iḿ totally bribed..I love my senns, wouldnt trade them for any other phones.. :) I lika more diffrent phones but I´ll never be whitout a pair of HD-25ś again