quality cans for hip hop with powerfull bass, but also clear hi's - Page 2

From what I hear, the XB1000's are also excellent, but I still stand with the Q40+E11 combo

The M50, as somebody else mentioned, is definitely not the best choice. Yes, it's kind of the entry-level standard, but the second-generation (white-box) version doesn't have nearly the bass quantity of the old blue-box model and would disappoint the OP. The HFI-580 would be a better choice, but may be a bit flawed due to its overladen treble response. Computer hi-hats can be positively painful sometimes, and I don't find that the HFI-580 is great with layered songs. The Monoprice, though it's great in terms of value for your money, honestly can't measure up to the others that've been mentioned. The XB1000 is similar to the HFI-580 (albeit with more toned-down treble), but is far overpriced at nearly $300, not to mention that I believe it went out of production.

I agree with Irishpwnstar's recommendation of the M-Audio Q40 here. It's a great entry-level can with phenomenal bass response that's not only big on quantity, but has plenty of detail to boot. The general sound signature is similar to a Klipsch Reference One, but I hate to draw that comparison because the Q40 is so much clearer and so much greater than the other headphone. The Q40 also has an above-average treble presentation for its price range, without being over-zealous about it and going overboard on the percussion. It works great with hip-hop, rap, and electronica (genres I don't frequent, but when I do it's generally The Roots, Moby, Infected Mushroom, and my guilty pleasure of Eminem), and stands as one of the best cans in general under $150.

I have spent more than ten hours of listening time with every pair of headphones I just mentioned, and have owned all but the XB1000. I believe that you'd be incredibly happy with the Q40, though you can't truly go wrong with anything listed.

i feel i have to mention that alot of people in this thread seem to be failing to take into account what exactly makes a headphone worth suggesting for the type of hip hop the op is looking for

im not saying the q40's wouldnt meet his needs, i literally have no idea, i've never heard them, but going off your description, you're describing something that would actually be detrimental to that classic ny boom bap hip hop sound

all rap is not created equal, the q40's from your description sound like they would be right at home with todays modern more bass emphazied rap or maybe even west coast cali g funk, but what makes the golden era and to a lesser extent underground backpack rap so remarkable are the lyrics, artists actually had something to say back then and the beat was an accompaniment not so much the stage leader like so much "music" coming out of the south

you describe thunderous bass but make no mention of the most important part, the mids. you also mentioned really strong treble and highs but lol who the hell listens to rap for the highs? maybe with some jazz type records like gurus jazzmatazz series, mc solaar and tribe, but by and large what the op is looking for is mids with strong bass sitting right along next to it, the highs can more or less take a back seat. 

lol just my opinion, i apologize if it reads like im attacking you, im not

i feel i have to mention that alot of people in this thread seem to be failing to take into account what exactly makes a headphone worth suggesting for the type of hip hop the op is looking for

im not saying the q40's wouldnt meet his needs, i literally have no idea, i've never heard them, but going off your description, you're describing something that would actually be detrimental to that classic ny boom bap hip hop sound

all rap is not created equal, the q40's from your description sound like they would be right at home with todays modern more bass emphazied rap or maybe even west coast cali g funk, but what makes the golden era and to a lesser extent underground backpack rap so remarkable are the lyrics, artists actually had something to say back then and the beat was an accompaniment not so much the stage leader like so much "music" coming out of the south

you describe thunderous bass but make no mention of the most important part, the mids. you also mentioned really strong treble and highs but lol who the hell listens to rap for the highs? maybe with some jazz type records like gurus jazzmatazz series, mc solaar and tribe, but by and large what the op is looking for is mids with strong bass sitting right along next to it, the highs can more or less take a back seat. 

lol just my opinion, i apologize if it reads like im attacking you, im not