[Dcon1494]

So I've been lurking on this site for about a two years, and you guys helped me make my first jump into head-fi (my ears say thanks, but my brain and wallet don't, haha). I purchased Klipsch Image S4's a couple of summers ago and I've been pretty pleased with them.  Now, I am looking to get a good pair of cans that satisfy my needs.  I tried searching the forums for my specific music tastes, but I was unable to find a lot of good information.  That said, I have narrowed down my search to the point where I am leaning towards getting the Audio-Technica ATH-M50s or Sennheiser HD598's, but my music tastes, and what others have been saying has me a bit worried.
 
Musical Tastes: 

1. Metalcore: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzzytL47AxI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E9fqj9rI31k
2. Post-Hardcore: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeWsSM584h0
3. Pop-Punk:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXhYbIkoNvY

Budget: $150-200 USD
What I Am Looking For:

1. A little emphasis towards bass for breakdowns and such, but still clear and not muddling of the rest of the music.
2. Preferably closed headphones, but fully willing to get open.  I just want the best sound.
3. Used mostly for use on itunes (ALAC/256 AAC) and Spotify.  Potential use for portable, but I still have my S4's if I don't want to use them on the go.

Concerns:

1. I've heard that a lot of metal, especially modern metal, is not recorded especially well, and that getting into upper-echelon headphones will actually make it sound worse.  
2. Underwhelming bass.  I've heard varying reports about the M50s and HD598's.  Some say each has plentiful bass, others say underwhelming.

 
 
I'm completely open to suggestions, and don't let my budget hold you back.  Feel free to go above or below, as well as offering suggestions for amps or amp/dac combos.  Any help is much appreciated.
-Thanks  

 

[shiorisekine]

Hi,

I have three headphones that you might like according to your preferences are,

DT990 pro, http://www.amazon.com/Beyerdynamic-Open-Studio-Headphones-Ohms/dp/B0011UB9CQ/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1363533806&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=DT990+pro they have relly good bass without giving up anything really in the mids and highs.

HE300 w/ Velour pads http://www.amazon.com/HiFiMAN-HiFiMan-HE-300-Headphones/dp/B00667F7OK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1363533869&sr=1-1&keywords=HE+300 This headphone might come with leather pads and you will hear alot of mid bass emphasis, however with velour the bass with tone down in the mids.

And out of your two choices, I would go with the HD 598s because it is a good all a rounder and the M50s have a veiled sound that make metal sound boring.

Also for a cheaper headphone you can try the TekNMotion Underground Londons ,http://www.amazon.com/TekNmotion-UnderGround-Basshead-Headset-Headphones/dp/B009S0E964/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1363534090&sr=1-1&keywords=teknmotion+london+underground
Here is my review on them, plus its what I use for metal on the go.
Good luck

 

[Dcon1494]

Thanks a lot

After a couple more days of research, I think I'm going to take the M50 and HD 598 off my list.  The DT-990 and Denon D2000 have caught my eye.  But I am getting mixed results as to the type of amp/dac I would need for either.  I would be listening off my laptop's integrated Realtek soundcard, so I think a dac would help a lot.
 
I was originally thinking of getting a Fiio E17, but more and more people say that it can't bring out the fullness of a 250 ohm pair of headphones.  I've heard glowing things about the O2+Odac, which can drive up to 600 ohm headphones, which would give me wiggle room for future upgrades.  
 
Any thoughts?

 

 

[shiorisekine]

Well, the e17 as an amp can power a k1000 fairly well. Im sure as a dac it will do fairly well. I have never used the O2 so i can't help with that but i can ask someone that has also good luck finding a cheap D2000