I think they're better with noise canceling off. Noise canceling is essentially a "bass booster", which makes it nice for bassier songs too. Highs are decent, mids are better. Can't go too much into detail for you, sorry. But for the price, they are fantastic. Not sure on your phone. But...

M50's are one of the most recommended headphones. I can't really speak more it or compare it to others. Maybe other's can help you with that. What I did was get to that list of headphones then just Google and read around.

  Was that from the ridiculous rebate sale? Those are a steal. For under $100, they are the best bang for your buck. At $11...   I love mine. They are comfortable, slim, and they do well with noise isolating.  [These are my first headphones]

Would like to see options as well!

Loving my UE6000 right now. I saw a few places selling them for $65-75. There was even a rebate deal that made the headphones cost <$15.  For $100, can't really beat them.

Check out my thread from a month ago. I ended up with a pair of UE6000 and love them. They are comfortable, slim, and they do well with noise isolating.    Would also add to the list: Momentum and MDR-1 after some more reading.   ...

    Why they are pretty... photogenic ;)    Loving these so far, keeping my ears warm. For $83, these are amazing. Not sure if I'll need an upgrade anytime soon, but any suggestions? I'll keep an eye out for deals/sales on those, in the meantime these are keepers!

    Well since $100 was such a steal, I decided to look deeper and found a pair for $83 on eBay.    If anyone is really against these or have suggestions for later, I would prob end up selling/trading up. 

Now that I have prices, any of them "steal prices" or must have for price?    Recommendations from thread so far [bold, recommended more than once]:  Prices are all from Head-Fi Forums   HiFi 780 $100 - $100 - Shure 840 $99 - UE6000 $130 - $130 - $165 - Beyer DT 770 $125 - Audio...

Okay. Looks like portability is a controversial thing that I may have to experience myself. So take portability out of the question and it looks like Shure 840 and DT 770 is recommended most?

Usually I run the cable down my back and into my back pocket when I'm out and about. When I'm sitting down or stationary, length isn't too much of an issue.

  I'd prefer having them fit in one hand. 1.5-2 hands at max.  Backpacks are 25, 26, 29, 31 liters   I have the space for headphones but I prefer to be as minimal as possible. IE if a bunch of people recommend bigger headphones like the DT 770's then I have no problem considering those.   ...

  I'm fine with getting an amp. But I still need to keep the total cost [amp + headphones] under ~200 and still keep everything portable.   So looks like right now the list is still pretty much the same:   Ultrasone HFI-580 [+1] Beyerdynamic DT 770 Beyerdynamic DT 660 Audio Technica...

I think in order of priority: durability, isolation, sound [bass for dance, acapella] Shure 840 and HiFi 780 used prices could work.

Well I guess that narrowed down my choices quite a bit. I found a pair of the SL150CB's for under $50. Would anyone else recommend them?