Headphone Suggestions - Throw 'em at me! (<$250)

Portable, excellent isolation, relatively comfortable with a very good SQ for the price.

+1 for Ultrasones (580/780)

They may not have the best sound balance compared to your mentioned M50's, but they are without a doubt exactly what you are looking for, in your price range, and with your sources.

 

Just pick up a pair of HIFI-580's for 120.  Can't wait :)   I was looking for a pair for techno and trance to complement my SR325is and HD598 and these 580' were highly recommended.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhtn 

Just pick up a pair of HIFI-580's for 120.  Can't wait :)   I was looking for a pair for techno and trance to complement my SR825is and HD598 and these 580' were highly recommended.

Sorry about your wallet!

Because with Ultrasones you either love/hate them. Ergo, if you like them, much like myself, you're going to be dreaming every night about the Pro 900 model, and then very soon shelling out 300$+. Arguably the best Techno/Trance headphone to date.

Can you say Bass bliss?

Well in this case, you're going to need a Grado.

I personally own a Grado SR80i and have had it for a little over a year now, purely for ear-heaven-ness (not a word I might add, haha) in regards to Rock, Pop, Orchestral/Instrumental recordings. I feel as if we may have similar tastes, although with myself I would trade the percentage of Rock with Techno/Trance.

However...

Unfortunately, the open back design will be rubbish when your concerns are "bus to and from college, home, and also in the library when studying. Because of this, I will need proper Isolation and Noise Protection"

Ergo, Here come in the Ultrasones, with their forward/attack sound signature that is slightly comparable to the Grado line, yet providing you isolation, and that "bass punch/kick of the TMA-1's".

The fashion sense behind them is so-so, the look has grown on me though! At first they are quite "bulgy" on the head, but what can you do huh?

Quote:

Originally Posted by grandehombre09 

Well in this case, you're going to need a Grado.

I personally own a Grado SR80i and have had it for a little over a year now, purely for ear-heaven-ness (not a word I might add, haha) in regards to Rock, Pop, Orchestral/Instrumental recordings. I feel as if we may have similar tastes, although with myself I would trade the percentage of Rock with Techno/Trance.

However...

Unfortunately, the open back design will be rubbish when your concerns are "bus to and from college, home, and also in the library when studying. Because of this, I will need proper Isolation and Noise Protection"

Ergo, Here come in the Ultrasones, with their forward/attack sound signature that is slightly comparable to the Grado line, yet providing you isolation, and that "bass punch/kick of the TMA-1's".

 

The fashion sense behind them is so-so, the look has grown on me though! At first they are quite "bulgy" on the head, but what can you do huh?

 

I second Grado for rock and instrumental.  Oh man, guitar just sounds awesome with my SR325is and I even prefer them over Q701's.  Even though Q701's are known for good mid, guitar sounds thin and not as involving as Grado.

I don't listen to a lot of techno (about 10%) so I hope that 580 will be enough for me... :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhtn 

I don't listen to a lot of techno (about 10%) so I hope that 580 will be enough for me... :)

I can assure you they will be nearly as engaging, and not as bass biased as the current Pro 900 that I'm listening to. Also, while that 10% of techno will be incredible, you may be pleasantly surprised with the 580s abilities to reproduce some musical/emotional sounding rock music.

I can't help but tap my feet to listening to some FLAC oldie rock like The Police, Rush, Styx, Led Zep, etc...

The Grados overall sound a bit better for that purpose in my opinion, but to hear the wicked slams of the bass guitars and incredibly (maybe even slightly overly) pronounced bass drum kicks make your selection of the 580 a great one indeed!

ever consider iem's?