HFI 780 vs PRO 900 vs HD 25

The better in your list is Pro900, without hesitation.

Yes mostly, but midrange is slightly recessed. Hfi780 is more forward, better isolation, more portable, but the overal SQ is lower. Pro900 is an excellent headphone if you don't search forward midrange. Bright presentation as you like.

In your price range, D2000 can be also very good, but leak a lot and not portable.

I know PX200, not PX200 II. You can't compare an entry level product like PX200 with pro900. Even the recessed midrange from pro900 is much better than PX200 midrange.

I for one thoroughly enjoy my metal music with Senn HD-25-II, for the price I paid for them they are very good. Portable, seal exceptionally well, sturdy and easy to drive. Sound wise the main cons most likely might be the recessed treble and very small soundstage. Luckily these are not that important for metal and even classical where soundstaging is a major concern is enjoyable on these. 

And that's for 125$.

Now there's the Ultrasone PRO 900 at 500$... And the main disadvantage for me is that I haven't heard them. I have taken a look at Tyll's measurements at InnerFidelity and PRO 900 frequency response is abysmal. Also they don't seal as well as the HD-25-II. The Senn also has an advantage that it can be taken apart without any special tools and all of the parts are readily purchasable if anything goes wrong. I'm not saying that PRO 900 is bad, I'm not convinced that they priced correctly. In any case- audition them before buying.

And keep in mind that 500$ range is Thunderpants territory. 

Pro900 is regularly under 350 $ from amazon.

Frequency Response blarg blarg blarg, they don't measure well, they must suck. 

Give them a chance. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by lkmg 

I'm a basshead metalhead. I want to have a thumping double bass, aggressive guitars and an overall forward and bright presentation (I almost described the Grado line, but I can't get an openback headphone). 

HFI 780, PRO 900, HD 25 or any other closed back you'd suggest?

Much thanks for those who take the time to answer!

@lkmg - you just described the Ultrasone HFI 780.  I owned them for most of a year, and spent a bunch of time modding them.  Search through my posts if you are interested in my impressions, and what I did to them.  I ended up parting with them because they were too bright and forward for me, among other things.  Comfort leaves to be desired.

The HD25-1-II's are similar, less painfully bright, and even less comfortable (owned them for a couple of weeks before setling on my curent phones).

I re-read your post.  You did describe the HFI780 perfectly, but the HD25-1-II's are really good for portable use, and really good for rock.  If I was buying for your music and use, I would get the HD-25's.

I haven't tried the Pro 900, though I may at some point.

hey,

i know that this isn't one of the headphones you listed, but my Pro 750's arrived today.

WOW is all i can say. And, they still haven't been thru their burn-in of 100 hours.

If you want an option similar to the Pro 900 but costs 100 bucks less, DEFINATELY consider these.

I'd like to chime in here and add that I have owned both the HFI-780 and the PRO 900. When I had the 780, it did impress me, but to my ears, the PRO 900 totally destroys it. I think they are similar in that they both have that Ultrasone signature sound, but the 900s are more detailed with more bass and better soundstage. I don't listen to much metal nowadays but one band that sounded absolutley sick on the PRO900 was Oh, Sleeper. The bass impact of the PRO900 makes the crunch from guitars that matches up with the punch from kickdrums extremely satisyfying.

For awhile my setup was Iphone 4 >ZO > PRO900...this setup impressed me and everyone else I let listen far more than any other setup I've had including the Grado SR225, AT-ESW9, Denon D2000, and Ultrasone HFI-780. Hope this helps :)