What is the best type of headphone for bass and sound quality for under $400?

Look up a Denon D2000 $350 new around $220 used. Great for hiphop

D2000s are like $180 at J&R aren't they? I paid about $160 for em.

I wouldn't spend $400 on rap and hiphop, it's all recorded for sub-heavy systems anyway; Sony XB500 is all you need... you could always spend the extra dollar on a better source or solid-state amp.

beyer dt 770 - 80 ohm

or ultrasone pro 900

just ordered the pro 900s myself, should come in the mail tomorrow 

either way both those headphones are known for their amazing bass.

the sony xb series is also very good for their price though.

D2000 properly amped is very good. Running a lyr + d2000 combo. It is not bass shy at all, but highs may be a bit much for some.  If you like the sound of crisp glass breaking with thumping deep bass, then this is what i would recommend.

When you get up towards the $400 range, you end up with mostly headphones that are going to require an amp to sound decent, depending on your source.  The AIAIAI TMA-1 would probably be awesome for that genre, and drive really easily.

to be honest, if u listen to hip hop, club electro music mostly, a $150 headphone will sound just as good as a $400 headphone. It is all about the beat and bass, not about accuracy and precision.

Pro 900 or Beyer 770 pro 80. If you can you could send the Beyer in to Headphile to make it into a DARTH BEYER!

No need for all these rude replies implying that hip-hop isn't worth quality equipment.  It's just ignorant to assume that there aren't many well-recorded and produced hip-hop and rap albums.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingoftown1 

No need for all these rude replies implying that hip-hop isn't worth quality equipment.  It's just ignorant to assume that there aren't many well-recorded and produced hip-hop and rap albums.

Could you suggest some well recorded modern hip-hop?

I purchased my Denon AH-D7000 headphones for $450.00 usd in used condition. Could not be happier.

Okay, I don't care for hip-hop; then again, I do care for the D2000. Ample bass, full sound, comfortable. Most headphones profit from amping, but the D2000 is pretty efficient even without an amp. Keep your eyes open for a used or refurb unit; used, you can get a wood D5000 for under $400 from Amazon, used.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graphicism 

Could you suggest some well recorded modern hip-hop?

There are already a number of threads here on head-fi on this topic.  I'd also add that orthos & some Astronautalis tracks pair very well.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingoftown1 

No need for all these rude replies implying that hip-hop isn't worth quality equipment.  It's just ignorant to assume that there aren't many well-recorded and produced hip-hop and rap albums.

Trust me it's a waste of time trying to explain that to people here.

For what it's worth, the D2000s are great for rap and hip-hop and I listen to plenty of it.  It's especially good for the newer stuff, but some of the old 90s stuff (Wu-Tang, Gangstarr, etc.) really needs to be remastered.  The remastered Illmatic album by Nas is one such album that when given the right attention can still shine even if it was cut up from raw samples.

Most of Kanye West's stuff is ace in Hi-Fi.  If it's rough or distorted in some tracks it's because he intended it to have that sound.  Some of what makes rap unique is having that underground, made in the bedroom sound.  Kind of like how some punk bands still record in Lo-Fi or in their parent's garage.