I don't normally compose replies like this, and would never create a new thread. Sorry for the wall of text, BTW.
I'm searching for a new pair of closed headphones that I intend to use in my office environment. Some of the common questions are answered below in bullet form.
Budget is 135 min to ~210 maX, USD.
I don't need a lot of isolation, but a decent lack of leakage is preferred to spare my cubical neighbors.
I want closed cans for the above reasons, but am receptive to semi-open cans that, for whatever reason, don't have severe leakage.
I am not a bass head. I like extended and well textured bass, but bass that stamps on my vocals/mids makes me angry.
I have a fiio e5 amp, and am saving up for an O2, so options that benefit from this setup are acceptable.
iPod (cringe) with LOD is my source. Typical file quality is 128 kbps - 256 kbps VBR MP3. spare me the lecture, I lay awake at night cursing my younger, stupider self.
I cant use any source that has removable storage/flash nor a microphone. No mics on the HP either (not really an issue with full size)
I prefer circum-aural fit, but supra-aural is acceptable.
Flatter signature is preferred to a V shape, but some euphonics are acceptable.
I love detail.
I currently have Alessandro/grado MS1, and as my first hi-fi hp, i LOVE it. It does not perform electronica music extraordinarily well, but i actually like its rendition of hip hop.
My musical preference is a wide band covering skilled musicians of all genres. Poppy stuff i tend to dislike, as i enjoy a musicians TALENT as well as their sound. Anything from acoustic to metal, from hiphop (i tend towards the more poetic vocal driven variety than the club thumping sort) to classical. Not a lot of classical, but i LOVE the sound of a good cello.
Comfort is pretty important, but as an apparent minority, i don't mind the Grados long term feel.
Some of my initial considerations:
Shure srh840 are in the lead, but i hear they suffer from fit issues. This is likely a personal thing, and could as well fit me as not.
Beyerdynamic Dt770 80 - I worry about their reported V-Shape, yet goldenears[dot]net has them rated as pretty hi-fidelity (in the true sense of the word).
Beyerdynamic Dt770 250 -These are the ones i was thinking of, i mixed them up in my head. These, i hear are more balanced.
AKG K271 MK II - I worry about their lack of bass. it seems detailed enough and i like that, but i like bass, i just don't want too much of it.
KRK KNS8400 - Honestly don't know much about these other than i would guess they lay close to the shures.
Brainwavz HM5 - HOLY UGLY HEADPHONE, BATMAN. Looks are not that important, but damn, these ugly.
Audio Technica ATH-A900 - I have gotten the impression that most the other i suggested are going to be better $/sound than these, but correct me if you think i'm wrong.
And here is where i hope for good suggestions
If you have only ever tried on of these, please consider the fact that you may be making a recommendation in a vacuum, and that only by having at least auditioned a few of these can you possibly be able to compare. I don't doubt that any of these would be a pleasure to own, but im interested in the relative value and enjoyment. Also please recognize that i don't want to hear terms like "better"; please try to use descriptive language that can communicate to me the relative strengths and weaknesses.
and most importantly THANK YOU for taking time to consider this post!
P.S. I would consider a IEM suggestion as well, as insertion doesn't bother me. I currently own the m11+ and quite like it, except a bit too much bass. The thing is, i want the best sound for the money, and that's usually not found in an IEM.
Edit: i have read countless posts regarding the topic of most o these hphones. I have NOT read almost any of this thread in general ; it seems too much the effort to hope to find someone in my similar situation.
