And yet, of every headphone I've ever owned, heard, lived with, worked with...you name it at a sane price range, these are the ones that time and time and again I come back to when I'm testing out new gear.  That should basically say it all.  When I want to know what, on average, a new DAC or amp (especially a new amp) is worth, these are the first cans I run through them.  Because if it can do these justice, it's looking good for pretty much every other hard-to-drive can in my inventory (and there are a few).  I also use these pretty much...

This is usually my recommendation for newbies looking for open shells in this price range.  They are easy to drive, with excellent imaging and good detail, reasonably neutral reproduction and they are, simply put, THE most comfortable headphones on the planet (the only disclaimer being that the two ladies with smaller heads I recommended these to said they were a little too big).  You hardly even notice that you're wearing them.  I could work for these for hours.  As I noted in the cons, they can feel a little harsh/tinny in the mid-highs and high...