Skian64   I'd love to see the PS Audio Sprout on massdrop.

I've been digging a pair of hifiman in-ears (and over-ears for that matter) for some time.  Also that player is an utterly gorgeous piece of design.  Liked, Followed, and replied.  Thanks for this opportunity!

Well...  After trying to realistically reallocating my budget to conform with life-needs and such, I ended up having to axe about 99% of my monthly personal spending (read: headphone spending) allotment.  In light of such a drastic change, I rearranged my "to-buy" list and almost everything...

Have you considered the RE-400's?

All-in!  Been looking for a new pair of on-the-go headphones!  Here's to hope!

These are below your price-range, but they sound above it. http://www.head-fi.org/t/621063/the-new-jvc-ha-s500-40mm-carbon-nanotubes Check 'em out.  They just might be what you're looking for.

But yeah, Lumos, I'd say your best bet is either the Grado's or the Superlux's.  Do some research and remember, to each his own.  Figure out what you like best sound-wise and pursue it!

Quote: hmm.  You're making me wish I had the Superlux's ;)  Actually, my classical-music headphones are a pair of Sony MDR SA1000's that I picked up for $50 in the FS forums. The crazy speed and accuracy, along with their freakish levels of detail makes them amazing.  I remember...

Personally I would stay away from the Sennheiser's and the Audio Technica.  The Panasonics are a good choice but they aren't too portable.  I don't know if that's an issue or not.  They also need a few mods to truly shine (nothing too complicated).  Keep in mind though, they're definitely a...

Do they need to be portable?

The JVC HA-S500's are an pretty good solution for what you're looking for.  The only issue might be comfort if you wear glasses.  As long as that's not an issue though, they're simply amazing for the price.  Sound quality is far above what they cost and they isolate very well.  They're extremely...

Last thing, would it be worth looking into the Magnum Mod for the 325's?  (or would it be good to purchase them as-is with the possibility of magnum'ing them later on?) How do the Magnum modded 325's compare to the PS500?

Quote: How long have you been listening to them?  And have you done any burn-in yet? I found mine to be far to harsh and fatiguing at first, but some burn-in tamed down the highs and now they're nothing but a joy.

Amp-wise, I already have a FiiO E10.  If I use that purely for the DAC and hook up a Little Dot I+ would that be a good (and reasonably priced) solution?

Skip down to the next bold-font text if you don't feel like reading my little personal story below :P   Alright.  A little disclaimer.  My headphone journey so far has been brief, exciting, and extremely enjoyable.  It started last Christmas when I received a pair of Grado SR60i's from my...

Quote: Well obviously.  As fast and detailed as the HAS500's are (compared to everything else in their price-range) they don't hold a candle to my SA1000's in those areas.  But you have to keep in mind.  You're comparing a $50 portable closed headphone to a (in your case) $400 open desktop...

Is it bad that I still can't get over how good these sound?  I've been listening to them for roughly 30 hours and they're still blowing my mind.  There was one spot in the burn-in process where something horrible happened to the bass and it became this boomy, muddy, recessed mess.  O_o I...

Quote: Whoops.  Did some research and it looks like I was wrong.  Not quite sure how I got the idea of titanium drivers stuck in my brain 0.o  Sorry about that.

Quote:   panteraMetal... get the 500's.  That's all there is too it.  I'm actually glad they don't render my 650's obsolete because that means I have an excuse to keep them ;) They do compliment the 650's perfectly though. also, you're right.  The highs are only fatiguing when A/B'ing...

Quote:   I'll start this off with the HA-S650's and why I love them so much. One word: Mids.  There's something utterly addictive about the midrange.  It's like french fries.  You know there's better food out there.  Healthier, tastier, more filling.  But darn it all, you can't...

Quote: I already own the HA-S650's which I absolutely love.  My set of 500's come in tomorrow.  I'll post initial impressions for you and then I'll update the comparison as the 500's burn in.

I haven't done any of the more complicated mods yet, but the three mods I have done have helped the sound-signature tremendously.    The first mod is the hardest.  1.  remove the pads. 2.  Pry open the headphones (there are four clips holding it in.  These are the darker-grey ones.  Not...

My advice is to get the Panasonics.  Although I don't own the Monoprice or the Samsons, I do own the Panasonics.  Give them time to burn in and they're phenomenal.  Make a few mods and they sound better than headphones 4x their price.  Also.  They have comfort over the Monoprices (from what I've...