Okay, thanks.  Once I finish my build and can listen to them on the build in sound card + amp, I will report back.  If I'm not happy with the sound, I will need advice on what external equipment to purchase!

I'm not sure I understand where 250 ohms falls on the scale.  Is it safe to assume that my laptop has an amp since they can get really loud, or is 250 ohms still in the range where they can be driven by unamped sources plenty loud, just not optimally?

Recently purchased these headphones.  My first *real* headphone purchase and was worried about being able to drive them.  They get PLENTY loud from my laptop (Dell XPS 15 L502x).  Mids seem drowned out, drums sound a little tinny, and acoustic guitars seem to have a weird sound at the end of the...

Also considering the MEE M31 for $18 shipped.

Saw these on sale at Newegg for $15 and am wondering how they sound?  I'm currently using a pair of Nu-Force NE-600X that I got for $25.

Hmm, I suppose i meant "noise isolating" instead of "noise cancelling."  I would really prefer a set of on ear or around ear headphones to IEMs.

Hey guys, I'm in the market for a pair of headphones less than $50.  I will use them primarily for music, but also some light movies and gaming,  The biggest thing I need is noise cancelling.  Roommates can be annoyingly loud sometimes that even if I turn my open backed headphones up to almost...

I would like some more opinions/suggestions.  I'm sure both the Recon3D and the Astro mixamp are fine for gaming, but I'm somewhat concerned about how well they perform for music.

Glad to hear you like your purchase, as I am considering the same headphones and mic combo.   Can you let me know how the positioning in games is once you get a sound card?

This review ( http://www.hardocp.com/article/2011/09/20/creative_xfi_hd_usb_sound_card_review/ ) gave me the impression it did. :\   So that would leave me with the Recon3D and the Astro mix amp.  Recon3D seems like a shot in the dark since I haven't talked to anybody with it or read any...

Or what about this one??   http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Sound-Blaster-System-SB1240/dp/B004275EO4

I am in the market for a USB soundcard for my laptop, and would like some advice from the audio geniuses at head-fi.  It will be used primarily for gaming, but also some music.  The most important feature is surround sound emulation for positional audio.  Initially, I will be using it with my...