Closed headphones with the "Grado sound"

From experience and what you've described, I personally recommend the Ultrasone HFi-780s.  You can find them on Amazon for $150 & they have good isolation. Some people consider these "aggressive" sounding though so I'd test them out to see if they're for you, if that is possible. They can also be a bit uncomfortable (they have pretty good clamping force)  but stretching them out over a box for a night really helps. No amp is required either. They can easily be driven by an iPod. (I highly recommend getting one though as it will dramatically improve the sound quality)

As the bass is concerned, it is aggressive at first but it really evens out at around the 20hr burn-in mark. (From my experience)

I think they'll be a really good pair from what you've described but listen to what others suggest and see if you can test out a couple pairs before you make your final decision.

In my opinion none of the cans in the price range you've suggested can quite beat an SR80i for rock, but the suggestion listed above is one of your best bets for closed.

Sincerely,

I also vote for the HFI 780's. Ultrasone's are more or less the only company that can give you a good soundstage with a closed design. the HFI 580 and 780 both sound very good with rock. but if you are more into rock the 780's are more preferable

 Sorry to be a party pooper but nothing will render guitar like a Grado.

 You can have alternate rock flavors with closed cans but if you want

 the real deal ~ there is only one option. Grado or Alessandro. There's

 no substitute I'm afraid 

 People put with their funny traits like 1940's design and fit for a

 reason ~ they sound like nothing else, love or hate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwarmi 

 

 Sorry to be a party pooper but nothing will render guitar like a Grado.

 

 You can have alternate rock flavors with closed cans but if you want

 the real deal ~ there is only one option. Grado or Alessandro. There's

 no substitute I'm afraid 

 

 People put with their funny traits like 1940's design and fit for a

 reason ~ they sound like nothing else, love or hate.

yeah...grado's are prety good :/ the ultrasone's are the closest though. you either get ultrasone's and be happy iwth the closed design. how it makes other music sound much better and s-logic. or you change your lifestyel to accompany your grado's

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwarmi 

 

 Sorry to be a party pooper but nothing will render guitar like a Grado.

 

 You can have alternate rock flavors with closed cans but if you want

 the real deal ~ there is only one option. Grado or Alessandro. There's

 no substitute I'm afraid 

 

 People put with their funny traits like 1940's design and fit for a

 reason ~ they sound like nothing else, love or hate.

+1
 

I have to disagree with these Ultrasone recommendations. While they are also forward and aggressive, they sound nothing like a Grado. 

everyone WE ARE LOOKING FOR CLOSED SUBSTITUES. Is there a brand that sounds like Grado? No, because Grado is Grado. Does an Sennheiser sound like a Shure? No, but we can offer substitues for each one. and right now we are looking for a decently priced alternative with close sound. plz.... 

I've heard some people say that the Sennheiser HD25-1 II are a little like Grados, but with a Sennheiser twist to it. Now, I haven't heard Grados, so I can't say if this is true or if it's complete BS - but people with experience from both Grados and these Senns might be able to chime in..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coq de Combat 

I've heard some people say that the Sennheiser HD25-1 II are a little like Grados, but with a Sennheiser twist to it. Now, I haven't heard Grados, so I can't say if this is true or if it's complete BS - but people with experience from both Grados and these Senns might be able to chime in..

 There is certainly an element of truth there Coq De Combat, it's no perfect match but the HD-25 II has that forward punchy sound,

 it still lacks that mid range and guitar rendering though. Good phone though hence my comments earlier.

 If the OP is not quite satisfied with the HD-25 II as is then...well there's only one thing for it.

 I use my SR80i's everywhere, I just make sure to keep a trigger happy thumb on the volume control

 depending on whether I'm walking a quiet street, on the train, in a shopping centre etc etc.

 It's not completely unworkable unless we're talking dorm room or library use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwarmi 

 There is certainly an element of truth there Coq De Combat, it's no perfect match but the HD-25 II has that forward punchy sound,

 it still lacks that mid range and guitar rendering though. Good phone though hence my comments earlier.

 

 If the OP is not quite satisfied with the HD-25 II as is then...well there's only one thing for it.

 

 I use my SR80i's everywhere, I just make sure to keep a trigger happy thumb on the volume control

 depending on whether I'm walking a quiet street, on the train, in a shopping centre etc etc.

 

 It's not completely unworkable unless we're talking dorm room or library use.

your walking through the streets, jaming to some miley cirrus or some other embrassing song. then your turn the corner and see ur friends! THUMB MOVE MOVE MOVE!!! happens to all of us. not as extreme though. ya know :)

I have both Alessandro MS1i and the new Brainwavz HM5.  If you're looking for a reasonably priced substitute, I'd try the HM5.  They don't quite have the Grado/Alessandro edge on guitars - that in your face twang.  But they do have a nice mid-range, an edgy treble, and good bass punch.  They're very enjoyable for rock - and very reasonably priced.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bowei006 

your walking through the streets, jaming to some miley cirrus or some other embrassing song. then your turn the corner and see ur friends! THUMB MOVE MOVE MOVE!!! happens to all of us. not as extreme though. ya know :)

 

 Happens to me all the time :) although it's usually something even more humiliating like 'French Accordian Classics' or worse..

 Englebert Humperdinck ~ how could anyone keep a straight face looking at the front cover of this record 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gwarmi 

 Happens to me all the time :) although it's usually something even more humiliating like 'French Accordian Classics' or worse..

 

 Englebert Humperdinck ~ how could anyone keep a straight face looking at the front cover of this record 

 

 

My grandmothers favorite artist. When she walked into a record store she shouted loudly, "Now where's the good ****? Where's Engelbert Humperdinck?"