Ive lurked all through the boards and read all the recommendation threads as well as a ton of other similar threads.
 
The problem is I am so overwhelmed with all the various recommendations and brands out there.
 
I like all types of music excluding maybe rap. I don't completely avoid it but its probably the least listened to. I have classical, country, dubstep, rock (classic, heavy, screamo, punk) metal, and almost every genre in between. I am no one that needs super deep bass or anything.
 
I plan on using this mainly with my iphone (for now) as well as PS Vita and my laptop.
 
Right now ive never had a real decent pair of headphones and have usually gone the cheap and easy route. Basically whatever i can find. I do have a pair of Zalman ZM-RS6F that were given to me as a gift that i like in general but are becoming dated and are held together with tape.
 
I like the over ear design and have tried some on ear in stores and felt okay. Id prefer over ear closed.
 
Im looking at a budget of $150 - $200 preferably or close.
 
Most likely I have forgotten some key point of information.

Hi and welcome to Head-Fi!
 
Yes...all this can be EXTREMELY daunting I know.   A few things I'd like to mention.
 
1.  Read everything here with a good bit of skepticism.  It's very easy, and probably just human nature, for folks to get excited about this new world of headphone audio, go out and buy some gear, and then post about how it changed their life, saved their marraige, lowered their cholesterol, etc.
 
2.  This community is quite prone to "flavors of the month".  New products get talked about a LOT...until the next new thing comes along.  Keep that in mind. There are tons of options and the one that is right for you may not be something that is talked about much.
 
3. The best thing you can do is listen for yourself.  If you are lucky enough to live near a dealer that has cans, amps and DACs for you to audition, use that resource and use it well.  But even better than that are Head-Fi meets.  You will gain exposure to all kinds of gear at all price points without (usually) any salesman there with a motive of separating you from your money. 
 
 
Now having said all that, in your situation I would look very closely at IEMs.  for a couple of good reasons.
 
1.  They sound good (sometimes great) straight out of a portable/laptop but scale really well with separate amps & DACs.
2.  There are some real good IEMs at $100 or less.
3.  Isolation is absolutely unmatched by any full-size or portable over-the-ear design. This means more outside noise is blocked and not competing with your music, thus allowing you to listen at lower volumes which is better for your long-term hearing health.
 
 
Hope this helps!  Good luck  

coryww29 said:

  Ive lurked all through the boards and read all the recommendation threads as well as a ton of other similar threads.
The problem is I am so overwhelmed with all the various recommendations and brands out there.
I like all types of music excluding maybe rap. I don't completely avoid it but its probably the least listened to. I have classical, country, dubstep, rock (classic, heavy, screamo, punk) metal, and almost every genre in between. I am no one that needs super deep bass or anything.
I plan on using this mainly with my iPhone (for now) as well as PS Vita and my laptop.
Right now I've never had a real decent pair of headphones and have usually gone the cheap and easy route. Basically whatever i can find. I do have a pair of Zalman ZM-RS6F that were given to me as a gift that i like in general but are becoming dated and are held together with tape.
I like the over ear design and have tried some on ear in stores and felt okay. Id prefer over ear closed.
I'm looking at a budget of $150 - $200 preferably or close.
Most likely I have forgotten some key point of information.

Click to expand...

Sounds like a job for Shure SRH840

So after looking I have vaguely narrowed it down to:

V-Moda LP Over ear
Shure Srh840
And the audio-technica ath m-50

I'd get none of those.  I'd get the Mdr 7506 or HFI 780 instead.