M50's slowly dying - Recommendations on replacement? (<$200 Please!)

I got my current Audio Technica ATH-M50's about a year ago - and I still love them. When I ordered them, I sent them off to a fellow head-fier for a cable shortening/recabling. Anyway, fast-forward a year, and now the cups cut out at random when the wire/jack is in a very specific position. Granted, it needs to be very very specific, but it still happens and it will only go downhill from here. (I also cannot open the jack myself and fix due to various reasons, so that's not an option)
 
I have two possible options:
Send them back to the head-fi user who did the cabling, and pay for a repair/redo + shipping both ways. ($150~ After duties/taxes/shipping)
Or I could order a new pair of headphones when my M50's finally bite the dust.
 
Considering I go with option two, what would be the best option for me? I listen to everything from Orchestral Pieces, Instrumentals, Rock, and Techno, to things like Dance, Pop, and even the occasional Jazz & Metal. All of these files would be 320Kbps CBR, played from either my ENVY 17t-3XXX 3D Edition Laptop, or from my iPod 4G.
 
In order of importance, I'm looking for:
Sound Quality for the above genres and devices.
Build Quality and durability. (Metal/aluminium in the build?)
Looks. They need to look good, as I will be using them around college as well as home.
 
I've heard about both the AKG K550 and the ATH-PRO700MK2 lately, are either of them good for these conditions?

What earbuds would be for me if I enjoy the M50's sound signature?
Edited by BRSxIgnition - 1/4/12 at 7:52pm

 

$150 for shipping there, paying for the repair/new cable, and paying for the return shipping and duties. Also, that would be awesome, too bad you're not close enough.. It sucks because I cant even contact the person who originally did the recabling for me.

 

I have to ask, what in-ear or full size headphones would fit my needs and be as good or better than the M50's? How are the Ortofon e-Q5's and 7's?