Thanks for finishing the story!!! Twas a thoroughly enjoyable read!

Not really that I can think of.  Although, I am a pretty big noob when it comes to headphones.  I actually just pulled the trigger and went with the ATH-M50s.  They should be here later this week, so I guess I will see how much I like them (although, I am pretty hopeful that they will be way...

Thanks a lot for the insights.  I will certainly think about doing that.

Pretty much the most enjoyable saga I have ever read on a forum.  Can't wait to see how it ends!!

Ok, thanks. I will look them up.

Thanks for the reply.  Is there anything in the M50's price range that you would recommend over it?

Ok, cool.  How do you find that they compare directly to the M50? I did see that they have a bigger driver. P.S. I'm sorry to hear that you have to use on-board audio.  Bargain Asrock MB's are nothing to write home about :P  

Now I know that this question has been asked a few times at Hi-Fi.  However, I am having a little bit of a dilemma as I can find the M50s on Amazon.com for ~130 including shipping (I live in Canada), but the cheapest M50 I can find is ~145.  Now, the pair of headphones I currently own have a...

I didn't really have a planned budget for an audio upgrade.  Just wanted to know if there was a way to use software or hardware to increase sound quality by a good margin without breaking the bank, and then I would go from there. :-)  I looked up the Gemini HSR-1000, they seem like a nice set of...

Now that's a computer!!! Do you do some kind of 3D modelling/rendering with it?

Ok, thanks.  I've seen people using alternate music players to iTunes (like fidelia) that (I think) allow them more control over the sound.  Would that make a difference to someone like me who is running there headphones strait from my laptop? I have also thought of the possibility that the...

Well, I currently own a older pair of Sony MDR-V600's  (which, I have come to realize, are universally despised by headphone reviewers).  However, I am actively looking for a pair of used ATH-M50's, and I am hoping to get the most out of them when I get them.  Also, I usually run my current...

Hi, I own a 15' MBP Retina, and I was just wondering if there is a good (and cheap) program that will allow my to improve the sound coming from it.  I would like to be able to fiddle with EQ and do stuff like bass boost to adjust the audio to my personal preferences.  I had originally thought...

Hi, I'm new to this community and just wanted to introduce myself.   My name is Josh Irwin. I grew up in Northern Alberta and right now I am in Edmonton Alberta attending university.   I like to play the piano, play paintball/airsoft, and camp/canoe/hike.   Right now I own an ageing pair of...