[delusionist]

Sony MDR-SA3000 (when they were around $100).
They are more detailed than the HD800.

Koss KSC75.
They sound much better than the lower end Grados, not to mention an airy presentation.

Etymotic Research hf5
They turn into an "ER4S" with an impedance adapter. Hyper detailed sound signature up there with flagships. I have yet to hear an ER4S, but I will soon.

 

[donunus]

The senns are nice I agree but the real giant killers are the hd580 when bought at the right price not the upper models.

 

[biggbenn74]

Quote:

I really want to try the monoprice too by the way. But let me just say thet the real giant killer is the Beyer DT250-250 Ohm. They are better then the hd600 and hd650 for much less money its ridiculous!

I say buy a pair. And do the Beyers sound more neutral?

 

[biggbenn74]

Quote:

The fostex t50rp's with a little mod work can be giant killers. 

I heard the Thunderpants mod is amazing.

 

[biggbenn74]

Quote:

Sony MDR-SA3000 (when they were around $100).
They are more detailed than the HD800.
Koss KSC75.
They sound much better than the lower end Grados, not to mention an airy presentation.
Etymotic Research hf5
They turn into an "ER4S" with an impedance adapter. Hyper detailed sound signature up there with flagships. I have yet to hear an ER4S, but I will soon.

Have you heard the Sony MDR-SA5000?

 

[shockdoc]

Have to agree with donunus. Bought my old Senn 580 Precisions MANY moons ago as a closeout bundled with their weird little surround sound amp. Have yet to find anything even close to their sound for what I paid for them...especially now that they are modded. 

 

[tdockweiler]

Agree with the HD-580. I always had a love/hate thing for the HD-600, but when I bought my HD-580 I was VERY surprised how much more I liked them. People even said they're a 100% clone of the HD-600's sound. Definitely not to me, but pretty close.
I paid $150 for them and not sure how hard they are to find. I tried switching to the HD-600 grills, but it's just not the same. Can't believe the 580 is only $150 used and sounds better than the $399 retail HD-600.
 
For me, i'll also add the Koss Pro DJ 100 to the list. I even think it sounds better than the M50, SRH-940/840 and even the D2000/K550. It really needs a nice dac/amp and M50 pads to be at it's absolute best.
Maybe sometime I'll find a closed headphone I like more. The KRKs came close, but not quite.

 

[delusionist]

Have you heard the Sony MDR-SA5000?

Yup they're my favorite headphone. They can be too bright/ruthless/analytical sometimes though especially on poor recordings. I'd say it's the double edged sword of headphones.

 

[Supertoaster]

Quote:

Folks on RockGrotto have been singing their praises for the past several years now and have come up with many ways to "unhonkify" them. They've also found differences between batches in sibilance and treble fatigue, so maybe you just heard a bad unit.

http://rockgrotto.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=review&action=print&thread=4769

I think the honkiness is completely acceptable considering the price range.

 

[CashNotCredit]

Quote:

I think the honkiness is completely acceptable considering the price range.

I don't think there is any honkiness to speak of. They hold their own with my Jaycars/HM5s/FA-003s. . They have underrated bass, really nice extension, especially after modding. Only hokiness I've heard/seen is the looks and the brightness (but there's EQ for that).

 

[Supertoaster]

Quote:

I don't think there is any honkiness to speak of. They hold their own with my Jaycars/HM5s/FA-003s. . They have underrated bass, really nice extension, especially after modding. Only hokiness I've heard/seen is the looks and the brightness (but there's EQ for that).

The 681 has much nicer bass then the 668b but is even more aggressive and bright.

 

[Katun]

PX100-II for me, obviously.

 

[biggbenn74]

Quote:

Agree with the HD-580. I always had a love/hate thing for the HD-600, but when I bought my HD-580 I was VERY surprised how much more I liked them. People even said they're a 100% clone of the HD-600's sound. Definitely not to me, but pretty close.
I paid $150 for them and not sure how hard they are to find. I tried switching to the HD-600 grills, but it's just not the same. Can't believe the 580 is only $150 used and sounds better than the $399 retail HD-600.
 
For me, i'll also add the Koss Pro DJ 100 to the list. I even think it sounds better than the M50, SRH-940/840 and even the D2000/K550. It really needs a nice dac/amp and M50 pads to be at it's absolute best.
Maybe sometime I'll find a closed headphone I like more. The KRKs came close, but not quite.

Even the K550? Wow, I need these.

 

[biggbenn74]

Quote:

Yup they're my favorite headphone. They can be too bright/ruthless/analytical sometimes though especially on poor recordings. I'd say it's the double edged sword of headphones.

Awesome. I hope one day I'll own a set.

 

[Dyaems]

i thought "giant" killers were supposed to beat (or on par) those flagships... not beating those headphone like sr60 sr80 and something alike since they are no "giants". i think some people here are misusing "giant killers" from "bang for the buck"
 
just saying