Headphones with super crisp vocals.

"Clarity"

Is what you want.

A lot of people will say Senn, but I've found their sound too congested for vocals

Go for a Grado. Really? Yeah.

With a big soundstage, K701(might work with your FiiO E9) Shure 940

That's all. Why do you want a large soundstage with vocals? It's what kills the entire sound of the singer.

seems like you're already familiar with the AD700--have you looked higher up the line at all?

Sony 7506 has nice vocal intelligibility.  The V6 is a close second and provides slightly more recessed rock-oriented sound.  I've used both for movies, DJing, and vocal ADR tracking before.  Nice, just a 'lil different.  They are not great hi-fi cans as their bass quality and depth is lacking and the highs can get a touch hard, but they're pretty good for the price until you get to almost double the budget.  Then the choices really start to open up.  If Sennheiser improves their HD280 driver housing (as has been shown is needed by Rat Sound's tests) it could really be the budget champ.  Much deeper and better controlled bass than the Sonys, even with its design/materials defects in the housing.  Kind of an inconsistent midrange and fizzy highs right now on it.  Of course if you're really on a budget, the Sporta/Porta Pro and those comparable Sennheiser PX models are nice.  For a higher cost, the Beyer DT990 Pro 250ohm seems to be a best buy before you reach the $200 range.  Do you really want something like that just for YouTube, though?  If we're talking rock and movies, that looks like a great price bracket.

The RS-1 are great for rock, not a huge sound stage but just enough.

Go for either:

Grado, any grado. Try Sr225i with the s-cush pads would be the most comfortable. Just adjust the headband pressure. L and G cush pads are sometimes rough on the user. But I have S-cush and I can wear my grados forever.

MDR-709HD. Also a great headphone for everything. Good/great everything aside from the pads. The pads like to break apart, so learn to sew and patch them up ever so often. It's not hard.

Both of the above DO NOT need amps or DAC's at all. The 7509 would be nice with a FiiO E7 though.

Oh, $300.  Not bulky.  You interested in IEMs?  If so, I'd say ER4S.  If not, try the Beyerdynamic DT1350.  That's the new kid and is blowing a lot of people away.  I like the HD25, but it's not incredibly refined or tight, and if your budget includes the Beyer (which it does) I'd go for that one.  The DT1350 is the king of portable non-IEMs right now.

I'm with Botbyte on the Grado suggestion for rock - but it doesn't have a big soundstage.  It's in your face.  You're either on the stage or in the first row.

If you're looking for an open can with extremely crisp high end, great for rock, and good sound stage, you want the Beyer DT990s.  Emphasis is on the bass and highs though.  More 'fun' than 'balanced' sound.  E7+E9 combo would handle the Beyers ok.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brooko 

I'm with Botbyte on the Grado suggestion for rock - but it doesn't have a big soundstage.  It's in your face.  You're either on the stage or in the first row.

 

 

What's the use of soundstage?

I mean, are we really trying to listen to pseudo-speakers or personal listening equipment?

For rock and Jazz, there is no better then Grado

Beyer are a problem because OP probably can't afford the amp and the DTX60 series are questionable at best.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BotByte 

What's the use of soundstage?

 

I mean, are we really trying to listen to pseudo-speakers or personal listening equipment?

 

For rock and Jazz, there is no better then Grado

 

Beyer are a problem because OP probably can't afford the amp and the DTX60 series are questionable at best.

Go back and read the OP's thread.  He's looking for soundsatge.  Why - I don't know - but that's what he asked.

"For rock and Jazz, there is no better then Grado" - oh BS - depends totally on what signature you're looking for.  I agree that Grado's are magic with rock.  For Jazz I much prefer the Beyer DT880 with tubes, or even the Shure 940.   But that's personal preference.  Let's not make sweeping statements (again) - shall we? .

Beyer are not a problem because OP already states he owns the E7/E9 combo - and the E9 will handle the Beyers no problems.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BotByte 

"Clarity"

 

Is what you want.

 

A lot of people will say Senn, but I've found their sound too congested for vocals

 

Go for a Grado. Really? Yeah.

 

With a big soundstage, K701(might work with your FiiO E9) Shure 940

 

That's all. Why do you want a large soundstage with vocals? It's what kills the entire sound of the singer.

More Botbyte nonsense here. Try the K501 and you'll think otherwise. Maybe you've only heard the K701 and AD700, which falls into this category sometimes. Not every huge soundstage will kill vocals. I mean if this was the case, you'd think the HD-598 would have this issue too right? No it doesn't.