[size=10pt]I recently bought these headphones and I’m thinking of returning them. The guitars sound too thin and lifeless. The highs are piercing and hurt. The cymbals are too loud. Do the guitars get thicker after burn in? Should I return them now while I can? Can you recommend me headphones with thicker, more textured guitar/cello. Are the Grado SR-60i's any better?[/size]

SR-60s are different, not necessarily better. 
 
That sounds like a pretty drastic reaction against the 440s, I didn't get the same impression from them as you, but everyone is different. I'd say return them and try something different. 
 
Same budget? Is closed versus open headphones a big concern for you? 

What are you running them through? Source? Amplification?

How long have you had them? Maybe you haven't burned them in enough

Perferably closed, but I can go with open if the sound signature is more for me.

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rroseperry said:

What are you running them through? Source? Amplification?

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Ipod touch 4th gen, no amp.

 
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soundflux said:

How long have you had them? Maybe you haven't burned them in enough

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[size=10pt]A day, I am wondering if someone who owns them knows if the sound I am describing gets better.[/size]

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soundflux said:

How long have you had them? Maybe you haven't burned them in enough

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That's a pretty drastic change in signature to expect from "burn in"... 
 
 
RushKing - in the same price range.
 
The SR-60s are nice with guitar/cello (get the L-cush bowl pads +$20), I would also look at the KRK 6400 and Fostex T50RP (guitar/cello fall right in the Ortho sweet spot).

I don't think you need an amp. That's is not a problem for the 440s in my experience.

I didn't find that they benefited by burn in, but at this point I've had them a couple of years. They aren't the thickest 'phones I've ever heard, but I wouldn't call then lifeless. It doesn't sound as though the Grado would be that much of an improvement for you. If you can, go and try them out somewhere.

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rroseperry said:

I don't think you need an amp. That's is not a problem for the 440s in my experience.
I didn't find that they benefited by burn in, but at this point I've had them a couple of years. They aren't the thickest 'phones I've ever heard, but I wouldn't call then lifeless. It doesn't sound as though the Grado would be that much of an improvement for you. If you can, go and try them out somewhere.

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Mabye i'm just used to the rougher sound from cheaper phones. Mabe I'll grow to aprecate them more. I like the detail, but its just not thick and rough enough. I don't think I know of any stores around here (Saint Paul, MN) that sell Grado's unfortunately.

AUDIO PERFECTION
7401 Lyndale Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55423

612.866.0083
http://www.audioperfection.com/
 
As far as I know, they carry Grado (as well as others).
 
Also 
http://www.hifi-sound.com/ in Minneapolis. 
 
Not quite as close to home maybe, but not too bad.

Are you using the stock ear pads? I bought the SRH440's last week and replaced the ear pads with those from the SRH840, which has been commonly suggested on this board and in various reviews. The 840 pads are thicker and tame the highs a bit and make the overall sound a bit smoother, at least to my ears. If you really don't like the sound signature of the 440's, I doubt that changing the ear pads will change your impression, but it may be worth a try before you return them.

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coonassa said:

Are you using the stock ear pads? I bought the SRH440's last week and replaced the ear pads with those from the SRH840, which has been commonly suggested on this board and in various reviews. The 840 pads are thicker and tame the highs a bit and make the overall sound a bit smoother, at least to my ears. If you really don't like the sound signature of the 440's, I doubt that changing the ear pads will change your impression, but it may be worth a try before you return them.

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Nope, I ordered the 440's with the 840 pads, and replaced them immediately after receiving them. I actually have not heard them yet with the stock pads. I toilet paper moded them to filter out the harsh highs, so that problem is now fixed, but the guitars are still too thin for my taste.

They get better in time, but yeah not to the extent you're looking for. Overall I'd still consider them to be a little thin in the mids/bass without the aid of EQ. Something to keep in mind is that they were deigned as studio monitors, and in my experience they behave as one might expect a monitor to behave. That is to say, they tend to present the music as mixed, so guitars/cello sounding thick/textured may vary from song to song. That being said, I think you definitely should not decide you don't like a headphone after only one day of listening. Put off returning them if possible to see if you warm up to the sound. If you still don't like it then go ahead and get something else. It was a while ago so take this with a grain of salt, but I remember guitars sounding very good on the SR-60i. After selling them and getting A700's, I was disappointed in the guitars, and I still feel that way after getting 440's.

For me, the 440s are too thin and flat sounding.  As mentioned in this thread, they are studio monitors and therefore should sound dry and neutral even after the 840 earpad upgrade.  Ever tried dedicated studio monitor speakers on your home system?  Same result.  I bought them for the good build quality, comfort and was hoping I'd adapt to their sound.  It hasn't happened for me.  They do get a little warmer and deeper with amplification, but not to the extent I can use them for home or portable listening.  My M50s outshine the 440s in every way.  Sadly, it's a lesson learned for me, and my 440s are my least used full size cans.  The Grado SR 60s are way more forward, wide and present sounding and are my everyday computer cans.  I can't fault the 440s for being what they are, that is for home recording and unmastered sound monitoring, for that application they are just fine.  For everyday listening?  Not even close.  I'm reminded of that old saying; never try to teach a pig to dance, it wastes your time and annoys the pig.