Thanks for the reply, Joker.  Look forward to the full review!

Hey Joker - I noticed under your profile that you're auditioning a pair of HFI-780's.  Any opinions on how they sound (unamped)?  I've been considering ordering a pair of those, or alternatively the ATH-M50s as a replacement for my MDR-V6, and I'd really like your input on them.

Quote: I'm really happy for you, Imma let you finish, but I just want to say that JVC HAS ONE OF THE BEST HEADPHONE OF ALL TIME.  But seriously, try out the RX700 or 900.  I've had a pair of RX700's for a year, and around the same time had the opportunity to audition a pair of RX900's. ...

Quote: Give it a few months.  Wait till you start spending some serious money...that'll change real quick. lol

I have a pair of HD202's, and I hate the things now; just going to get that out of the way.  In general, I would recommend the HA-RX700 as the best cans for under $50.  I actually played through about half of Mass Effect with them.  Granted, it was with an amp (a newer Onkyo A/V Receiver), but...

I was right where you are now a week ago.  Just auditioned a pair of ATH-M50's at Guitar Center a few days ago myself.  Also, I'm currently listening to a pair of MDR-V6's (identical to your 7506) right now - just got them in the mail today.  Based off of what I've heard from both so far, I'd...

Quote: Between 160-320kbps AAC is usually fine for anything with that kind of impedance. If you've got the time and space on your laptop, though, I'd definitely still recommend re-ripping all of your CD's to ALAC.  Also, iTunes EQ is probably a bad idea - tends to hurt more than it...

I'm intrigued.  I have a pair of rx700's, and use them as my primary set of cans at home.  If I weren't already committed to buying a pair of studio monitors, I'd snatch up a pair of those Pioneers today.  Now I want to see more about them...

Levi Strauss 560 Relaxed ftw.  Seriously the most comfortable jeans I've ever worn.  Got mad when they stopped making them a few years back, but they brought them back.  Not that it really matters.  My oldest pair is a little over ten years old now, and they still wear great.

Also, if you've been working with the exact same pair of headphones every day for a year or two, then anything different will sound weird at first.

Quote: Dear Lord, talk about thread resurrection.  You're about six years too late, man.

Seconded on the PX100.  I bought a pair years ago in my junior year of high school.  It's actually what got me started on headphones in the first place.  Can not recommend them highly enough, especially as a first pair of "good" headphones for teens.

I figure this is the place to ask - is $95 a good price for a new pair of ATH-M50's?  Also, does anyone know if the ATH-M50 would be considered a big improvement over the MDR-V6?

Quote: As I said, I need them above all else to be studio monitors.  Down the road, they'll turn into cans for personal use, but for now I really just need something under $100 that's comfortable, and more importantly accurate.   As far as personal preference goes, I'm big on rock of...

Anyone else care to input on this?  Just want to make sure I get the best I can for the money.