A good pair of over-ear HPs under $200 to last me 5-10 years?

I'd recommend the KRK KNS-8400s.  Closed, circumaural, portable, very comfortable (memory foam ear cushions), and long-lasting (replaceable cushions, headband and cable).  ~$120.

Yes it's true, they do sound recessed at times, with rock it's particularly apparent when I switch between

my SR80i's and the M50's ~ the mids sound a little diluted and guitar work lacks attack.

All things considered though, they're a great package and I note that you want 'durability'

In that sense they're almost peerless.

If someone asked me to replace them with something equally robust yet was a superior

headphone sonically ~ I'd scrimp and save to get a pair of Beyer Dynamic DT1350's.

They're sensational ~ but they're not all that cheap and they do really sing on a small

portable amp like the Fiio E11.

They were designed for TV and radio men on the go so durability is tops.

Heya,

Return the M50's. Not worth the money.

Shure SRH840

used Denon D2000

Fischer Audio FA-003

Very best,

Denon D2000 is a great can but I do think it's a little risky to recommend them as

a 'daily basher' if you're walking around the place, this is what can happen :-

The headband assembly fails, it appears to be a fairly isolated issue

but it does happen ~ 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwarmi 

Denon D2000 is a great can but I do think it's a little risky to recommend them as

a 'daily basher' if you're walking around the place, this is what can happen :-

 

The headband assembly fails, it appears to be a fairly isolated issue

but it does happen ~ 

 

The D2000's are not going to fall apart on your head unless you throw them under the buss. Isolated incidents should not be a warning. Might as well warn that there are fakes too.

Very best,

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalVeauX 

 

The D2000's are not going to fall apart on your head unless you throw them under the buss. Isolated incidents should not be a warning. Might as well warn that there are fakes too.

 

Very best,

Fair enough Malveaux

There are certainly quite a few out there, my point was not terribly relevant I guess to anyone living in the US or other countries where Denon have a

HQ but every now and then we do get a Head-Fier on here from a non-friendly headphone country that wants the D2000.

Given the worst case scenario for them, they'd be left stranded, it would be no different for any Aussie out here with Grado who tries to be clever by avoiding

the official distributor.

Here's my two cents anyway

Durability:- If they don't leave the room and handled appropriately it's a draw. If you're going to go skydiving then it's the M50.

Comfort:- easy win for the Denon

Longevity:- Tough call, I'm yet to monitor a pair for more than 2 years. No answer

Midrange:- The Denon, although both are not absolutely stellar in this respect

Portability:- M50 is smaller, folds and comes with a carry bag. M50

Bang for your buck:- I'd choose the Denon for my needs and I would pamper it if I left the house

Parts & Service:- Denon are reportedly good, M50's never break in my experience so cannot comment further

Coloration & Comments :- Neither are absolutely flat and neutral, both are bass boosted but I prefer the Denon 

Quote:

Originally Posted by aman1420 

Did a bit more research and found out that the D2000 is bass-oriented, which isn't what I'm looking for. Also, a few users stated that the M50 is better unamped.

So, it looks like I'm still sticking with the M50 at the moment.

Still open to suggestions, though!!

The D2000 is not bass-oriented. It's flat from the mids down to 30hz. That's not bass oriented. That's flat neutral. The M50 on the other hand is bass-oriented. A few users who think the M50 sounds better unamped than a D2000 have likely not heard a D2000 or are just trying to justify their purchase of the M50. Or maybe they truly did like it better. But the key word is "few" people.

So get the M50. Enjoy it. Then spend a lot more later when you realize you'll want to upgrade the next day.

Very best,

Quote:

Originally Posted by MalVeauX 

The D2000 is not bass-oriented. It's flat from the mids down to 30hz. That's not bass oriented. That's flat neutral. The M50 on the other hand is bass-oriented. A few users who think the M50 sounds better unamped than a D2000 have likely not heard a D2000 or are just trying to justify their purchase of the M50. Or maybe they truly did like it better. But the key word is "few" people.

 

So get the M50. Enjoy it. Then spend a lot more later when you realize you'll want to upgrade the next day.

 

Very best,

 

From my experience, I do detect a pretty noticeable sub-bass boost, as well as a slightly recessed midrange similar to the M50. Not what I'd call flat neutral, but it comes slightly close. M50 still has more bass volume though. Musicality and detail on the other hand is a completely different area.

And please, Mal, don't go all Nazi on the M50 just because YOU don't like them. Some of us actually "like" its sound.