Ultrasone Trackmaster 650. Isolation is almost as good as the Senn 280pro, form factor is somewhat smaller. Folds up smaller than the 280pro but bigger than the v6. Sound, IMHO, is *much* better than the v6 and equal to if not better than the 280. Easily driven by a portable, even better with an amp.

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Well, there are probably better solutions than the A900. The A900's wouldn't be the best for portability. I'm not suggesting in-ear 'phones, I'm just NOT suggesting the A900's for this purpose. Anyway, whatever... I'm just trying to help. If he said that he wanted phones for use in the home only, then I would probably agree with you.

As for my Audigy 2 Platinum not powering my headphones loud enough... At max volume while being plugged into my LiveDrive, I would have to say that they are *almost* as loud as I want them. But that is at MAX volume. Actually, I should probably start listening at lower levels anyway, but that's another story. I don't think I'm going deaf... But I'm not sure since I can't understand what my Ear doctor says. He talks to quietly

Plugging my A900's into my iMP-550 is kinda sad. They do not go loud enough for me to enjoy them. I would have to say that to use these portably, you would almost NEED an amp.

Just my $.02, dude...

Does anyone have any impressions of the Beyer DT231's?. Unlike most headphone brands in Australia, Bayer are not insanely overpriced. The DT-231's are quite cheap.

Another vote for Ultrasone HFI-650.

Best unamped closed headphone that is somewhat portable and good for games?

Ultrasone HFI-650 (DVD Edition, sometimes known as HFI-700)

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Or something with a more powerful headphone amp...my A900's are as loud as I can stand them at 80% volume out of my iPod...havn't tried them out of my Audigy yet, as there's been no need.

I love my A900's but I don't think they're very good for portable use, they fit loose, and aren't the best phones to use while in motion. Aside from that, they're not the type of phones you're going to want to chuck in a backpack and go, they really are gorgeous phones, and when you get them in your hands you're not gonna want to risk messing up the pretty blue cups . In short, for portable use there are much better solutions out there IMHO.

However, if you're looking for an easy to drive, great sounding phone to use at home (or while walking even) the A900's fit the bill.

edit: I hadn't recommended the A900's before as the poster stated he was on a budget.

Another vote for the HFI-650. Looked durable, sounds good, portable, reasonably well isolated, not too bad to drive... worked satisfactorily from a 5mw device.

"on a budget" doesn't help much!

The Beyer DT231 is comfy and sounds great for the price, but doesn't isolate much despite being closed.

I think the recommendations for Ultrasones (Trackmaster/DVD) are spot on, they isolate heaps and sound great straight from soundcards and are good and durable.
IMHO they're much better than the Sony V6 and better than the HD280pro, plus they don't have the 'king of dorks' factor that the HD280 does

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I purchased the DT-231 a couple of weeks ago, my first headphone purchase. I have noticed from lurking around here that many first time buyers want their headphones to work under a variety of applications and I am no exception.

I was looking for the following:
1. Easily driven by an iPod
2. Under $125
3. Closed, to block out my b/f's snoring
4. Medium-sized, so that I could sleep with them on. (I sleep on my back).
5. Comfortable

The other cans I considered were the Senn HD 212 Pros but they seemed to be universally disliked here. I couldn't find much info on the DT-231s but nothing bad either so I went with them.

My first impression of the DT-231s is that they're kind of ugly and kind of clunky. I had to remind myself that looks weren't a criteria and move on from there. They are, however, quite comfortable and I was able to wear them for four hours on the first listen before they started to bother my ears.

The sound was adequate, I thought, tho I am no expert. It sounded better than the earbuds, obviously, but I was not blown away either. I could imagine something sounding better. They also were adequate in the sleep/snore blocking department. The DT-231s seem too big to use in bed, but I woke up several times in the morning with the cans still resting over my ears. They also successfully blocked out heavy breathing but not actual snoring which was muffled but still audible.

In the end, I have decided to exchange the DT-231s for a pair of Senn PX200s which I failed to notice the first go-round. I find the DT-231s to be a bit clunky to transport between home & work. Also, I feel a bit ridiculous wearing them at work as they are a bit much for the professional office environment.

In summary, I would say that the DT-231s are a good value for either home or office use, but if portability is an issue there are better options.

Sorry for the long post but I just haven't seen much info here on the DT-231s and hope my experience helps.

I also say the 280, can't beat it's isolation.

Just be ready to burn them in, but you can just leave them plugged into your PC over a weekend and they'll open up nicely, and not too pricey.

Scott

Thanks for the Dt-231 info kirkyo, it was most helpfull.

Anyways I think I will either be going for the Sennheiser HD-280's or the Ultrasone 650 DVD's. Currantly I dont have the money for the Ultrasones, guess I might have to wait a bit or hopefully find a used pair.